ICS blog

After landing in Lilongwe, we were instantly welcomed with warmth at the airport by our national Progressio colleagues. The drive to our accommodation for the week revealed how green suprisingly Malawi is, which was refreshing.

There are many reasons to be positive about Nicaragua’s future, one of which is coffee.

Fridays here in Binga finish as early as 2pm in the office. During the hottest part of the day the volunteer group with partner organisation, Basilwizi, expected a leisurely walk home along our usual route beside the quiet road, cars occasionally passing crammed full of people making their way home.

Monile mose!

Our trip began; the first challenge was getting one of our group leaders, Jon, through customs. During packing he decided that 4 pairs of scissors were a necessary addition to his hand luggage, the security guards seemed to disagree. About 20 hours later and after stop offs in Nairobi and Lusaka we landed in Lilongwe. We were taken to Msamba lodge where we met our team for the first time equipped with tiredness, excitement and a dash of apprehension.

1. How did you first feel about fundraising when you were told about reaching your target?

When I was first told that I had to fundraise I was really nervous and scared that I wouldn't be able to do it. I felt that I would never be able to fundraise the money.

However when I went to the interview day, we were told of lots of ways to raise the money and I felt some relief that it wasn't impossible and I just had to be confident about it.

How often does one get a second chance at an amazing opportunity?  Frequently? Sometimes?  Almost never?  Well I’m one of the few lucky people to get another go on the ICS journey, however this time as a group leader.

In the UK, there are only a few things you can do that are deemed ‘culturally unacceptable’, such as staring at a stranger, to push into a queue and to have more than one wife. 

Here in Zimbabwe, especially in Binga where we have been working, cultural beliefs and practices, namely Tonga culture affect so many more aspects of life. Often they are very different from our own customs and I have found them fascinating during our placement.

Like many countries there remain damaging gender stereotypes within Zimbabwe that restrict and limit the extent that women can express themselves, both professionally and culturally. Local practices such as ‘lobola’ (bride price) and external pressures such as unemployment and alcoholism, all contribute to a society that is plagued with gender based violence. Basilwizi, our partner organisation, aims to combat these ills and stimulate a society that has gender equality at the heart of everything it does.

Each day I’m feeling more and more immersed into the Salvadorian culture, from saying “buenas” to complete strangers that I pass on the street, learning the words and singing along to Cumbia tunes on the radio (my fave being Maelo Ruiz – Entregame), to being crazy ecstatic every time I see a delicious plate of pupusas in front of me… Love it!

‘This year it is so bad, we really have to guard our compound and fields because of the baboons.’