And the research at Linda Farm commences! Volunteers
split into 3 groups to start gathering data on 3 identified areas: health,
education and building projects. At debrief everyone filled each other in on
their findings from the day. On the health front, volunteers were surprised at
the level of questions asked by the adults e.g. “What are the names of the
different strains of malaria?” Mel impressively provided appropriate answers to
this impromptu quiz and all were encouraged by how interactive the adults were.
Education was a different story. Volunteers were shocked to find the older
class’ science lesson to be comprised of copying a diagram of a tree; while in
the younger class the school day was spent repeatedly copying the number ‘1’ in
the name of mathematics. Credit to the 1 volunteer teacher though, who had the
task of controlling 3 different classes simultaneously. When it came to the
buildings, the volunteers were left pondering as to why nearly every household
had a fridge and satellite TV when acquiring the necessities appeared to be a
struggle.
Following a wild goose chase this morning, involving
meetings with various members of the Livingstone police force and public health
centre, Beth and Clement managed to secure a permit for an afternoon ‘step out
programme’. The ‘step out programme’ began with the ‘Barefeet’ theatre group enticing
a crowd at Malota market through the means of music, dance and acrobatics.
Within minutes a sizeable group of approximately 200 locals had gathered. Once
captivated, a drama on HIV was performed to educate the locals and attempt to
dispel stigmas. The ‘step out programme’ worked as a great research tool;
allowing us to observe how a potential collaboration with ‘Barefeet’ could work
when trying to educate the wider communities in future years. 
This evening saw the first of our goodbyes. At
Livingstone train station we bid a fond farewell to the 28 members of the
‘Barefeet’ theatre group. This weekend they will perform at the Lusaka festival
to help raise health awareness and celebrate Zambian culture. Good luck guys .
. . we miss you already!"The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. Bodies never lie." Agnes de Mille
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