Heather’s Story
I am sending you a few words of gratitude while I am still in Zambia. I want to try to capture some of my feelings while they are still fresh. My heart is full and when I think that there is no more room for something else to enter it, God grants me just a little more room. I know why you are so committed to this work, and I know that it is not easily understood outside of the experience of Zambia. Thank you for allowing me to help with the Zambia Scholarship Fund this summer. My life will never be the same. I am changed for the better.
The people we’ve met here are so good. This is a simple statement, but I don’t know how to say it any better. Genuine kindness is the foundation for every interaction that I’ve had here. The easy connections and interactions are pure; people want us to feel welcome; to smile; to join them in laughter; to join them in celebration. The ways that we are considered and included by the ZSF team, students, teachers, and the people we simply encounter in our day-to-day interactions are uplifting. Certainly, there are hardships here that are unfathomable to me, even as I see aspects of them with my own two eyes, but the spirit of the Zambians we meet tells me that the people I have come to serve in the small way that I can are doing just as much for me… if not more.
I have lived and worked in many places, many of them in developing parts of the world. I am not unaccustomed to poverty, and I understand some of the dynamics that come from abusive systems. I’ve been scammed and robbed a time or two in my life due to naivety. I only offer this so that you know I’m not ignorant when it comes to the seedier aspects of a population plagued by injustice. I know that these things are a presence here, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was bolstering myself for anything. Living abroad has hardened me in ways… and I could feel myself putting my emotional armor on as the trip to Zambia drew closer. But being here and meeting the students and teachers has been astounding. They are so grateful, genuinely grateful… Peggy, it moves me to tears. Through your good judgement and the grace of God the right people have come together to help individuals and communities that treasure the opportunity to have a chance to make something better for themselves, their families, and their community. I know that everything that I’ve donated through ZSF has made a difference… I just didn’t know how big of a difference it was until witnessing it first-hand.
The ZSF board members are wonderful. The palpable sense of purpose and integrity of the ZSF team is inspiring. Working alongside them has been an honor. Almost every school we go to says thank you for being so consistent with the students. ZSF kids don’t miss school because of late payments, which is apparently normal here with other programs. I’m not saying this to be disparaging towards other organization, please don’t take it in that way… I’m simply saying that the infrastructure and policies in Zambia are not obvious, and things shift all the time… but the team is so committed that they anticipate and surmount these challenges and provide a sense of stability for the people served through ZSF that seems to be unprecedented here. How could I think otherwise when almost every school official we meet says the same thing…
Spending time with Tobias has been a blessing for all of us. We love him. The work he does is incredible. He knows everyone and is beloved. Children follow him around, and people stop to thank him all the time. The logistics have been smooth, and the work is getting done in such an efficient manner thanks to him. Moreover, his gentle strength and integrity have kept the boundaries between what ZSF can offer and what must be provided by the community crystal clear. I’ve seen him navigate conversations in a way that allow schools to be forthcoming but understand where the line is. He does this with impeccable grace, maintaining the dignity of everyone involved. He is a great man, and we are in good hands.
I know that I started out by saying I only wanted to send a few words of gratitude… apologies for the long message. Attached are a few pictures that mean a lot to me. Among them is one I took with Daniel, a student I received a letter from; a few others are of Blessings, the student I sponsor. Meeting them in person has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Thanks again for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Heather