When asked about particular instances where learners retreat into themselves, find themselves unable to communicate or struggle to make any friends, he patiently explained that many of these young people have experienced trauma and the behaviours we see on the outside are the child’s way of coping with the abuse, neglect, or addiction they have experienced in their homes. One of the most heartening things that happened during that conference was Euphrasia, a Maths teacher from Luyobolola Primary School added to Cledwyn’s comments by saying “We have to do our best for our students because we might be the only ones in their lives who are showing them care or love”.
In spite of the terrible lack of empowerment among those working in the teaching profession, the fear they experience yearly that their jobs will somehow disappear, and the endless paperwork they are obliged to complete, people like Euphrasia and Cledwyn give me hope for education in Zambia. But they can only work within the bounds of the resources provided to them and that’s why if governments don’t make education a priority in a meaningful and effective way (unlike the ill-thought-out free education bill), partnerships like that which these three schools have with SERVE are critical.
Busiku also mentioned how while gender equality might exist in name, the practicalities of it sometimes aren’t evident to her, especially in the villages. She explained that in some local single-sex secondary schools, subject choices are limited. She angrily explained that St. Edmund’s, a reputable Catholic boys’ secondary school, don’t offer Home Economics. She felt that this was ridiculous because, as she phrased it, “even men have to be able to prepare food”. She explained that in her own school many boys take Home Economics which was a good thing but showed her frustration that Health Education, a subject which teaches students how to care for themselves properly and care for children, is not compulsory.
In more rural areas in Zambia, Busiku suggested that priority for education is still given to males. She was clear that women can now do jobs that were traditionally reserved for men, such as engineering and medicine, but she stressed that the narrow-minded view still exists that educating your male child will be more beneficial to your family’s financial status and security than educating your female child. She went on to speak of her anger about early marriages and how some families make their young daughters marry much older men. She felt that this was unfair and limited the potential of young women in Zambia.
Busiku explained that in some local single-sex secondary schools, subject choices are limited. She angrily explained that St. Edmund’s, a reputable Catholic boys’ secondary school, don’t offer Home Economics. She felt that this was ridiculous because, as she phrased it, “even men have to be able to prepare food”.
I think I learned more about Zambia in that hour-long conversation that I shared with Busiku than in any of the classes or activities I did for the previous three weeks. Before we set out to travel to Zambia, we had a training day with former Comhlámh C.E.O., Mark Cummings in which he explained that volunteering isn’t about the task, it’s about the process. Busiku reminded me of that because now, even when the wonderful students I met in St. Patrick’s sit their grade 12 English paper in November and move on and forget about the muzungus who helped them prepare for their mocks, or when the balls we left behind us after community day burst, or when the students in Luyobolola struggle to remember the tune of ‘Óró ‘Sé Do Bheatha’, even then we will still have a responsibility to tell the stories of the people we have met and tell them deeply.
Of course, we’ll recount the hilarious moments we shared with the young people like Marco, Stanley, Amelia, and Blessing but mainly we’ll tell you how the issues that these young people face are multifaceted and complex. But more importantly, we’ll say that if you want to know how to help, we will be more than happy to have a conversation with you to help you to understand the problems, not fully, but better than we could have before we set foot in Zambia.
