[Sonlifeafrica-newsletter] Sonlife Zambia Strategy Seminar: December 2002

["Mark Tittley" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear friends

Here is a report from the recent trip to Zambia that Edgar Ramsami and
myself were privileged to make from the 9th to the 16th of December. It is
written by David Mulonga the co-ordinator of Sonlife in Zambia.

Regards

Mark Tittley

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Mulonga" <dmul@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "Mark Tittley" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 9:52 PM
Subject: Sonlife Zambia Strategy Seminar: December 2002


The first time we started talking about a Sonlife seminar in Zambia was
early April this year when my family and I were still in South Africa after
my College graduation. I knew then that two factors will characterise this
seminar if at all it will be held indeed, namely: The fact that we would be
almost new in the country at the time of the Seminar; and the ability to
organise a cross inter-denominational meeting.

PREPARATIONS
We started by putting up a preparatory committee consisting of three
denominations. This was not very easy as many Christians are quite sceptical
of a different Church affiliation's activities. This, I must say, can be
detrimental to the forward movement of the body of Christ. Thankfully, The
brothers involved overcame their initial inertia and forged ahead
energetically. Logistical issues to be looked into were: who and how to
invite (it was planned never to invite just anyone but those who would be
accountable and prepare to teach others even after the seminar), when should
it be held, considering the fact that most Churches and Para churches held
their annual meetings in the last quarter of the year, where to hold the
meeting (this is sensitive as the venue speaks volume about the concerned
organisation's inclinations and obviously funding (We did not want to scare
away potential participants, while holding on to the idea of future
ownership). On the question of finances, we asked Sonlife Africa to give us
a boost as we were just starting. I must say although Sonlife had been to
Zambia before, and I participated; this was the first time it was been
organised in this fashion - that's with sense of ownership and continuity.
After three full meetings we finally settled on a Catholic premises, which
had clean accommodation on reasonable charges in Ndola. This is the third
largest town in Zambia with a population of approximately one million, and
it used to be the administrative centre for the country before the
industrial collapse of 1980s. Dates were fixed between 13th and 15th
December which were later rescheduled due to a clash of accommodation and
freight bookings. We used much of our resources in the preparations phase.
We invited 50 people on a personal basis from three Copperbelt towns.

THE SEMINAR
It started on a low note with very few participants. As I almost panicked,
the number grew until we were 21 the first day. I was not satisfied with the
turn up, as Mark kept saying; "You cannot compare countries in terms of
attendance and organisation because there are different factors facilitating
these things". 'True but not quiet', I said silently in my heart. What
really boosted my morale was the quality of presentation and of response
from the participants. By then the number had gone up by seven. Mark Tittley
again commented and said, "I don't know what numbers you expected David, but
this is something". This time I fully agreed with him but I did not want him
to know that I was disappointed earlier. If you are like me, what bring you
down are your own unrealistic standards and expectations. Edgar with his
coach on the side was terrific. Of course I have attended this Seminar
before, but this nothing like before both in presentation and in the
enthusiasm generated. This is not a comparative statement but a progress one
on my part. As Zambian we enjoyed our nshima (pap) and of course our
visitors did say the same, maybe they were just been modest.

Mark and Edgar were superb in terms of relations. Two weeks before their
arrival, my wife and I had agreed to give them our bedroom in our humble
home and subsequently use the other room. To our disappointment, the city
council announced a major water interruption a week before they arrived, and
it made us change everything. So this meant them sleeping in a different
facility - Guest House about three kilometres from us. We slept in the same
accommodation during the Seminar days and this added value to their message,
according to the participants. I was more concerned about Edgar than Mark. I
suspected and it turned out to be true that this was his first time to
venture into real Africa. I knew Mark had travelled into Africa quite
extensively before the Zambia trip. But to my surprise, Ed. was so much at
home than I had imagined. There are two scenarios I wish quote to illustrate
this fact: At one time, a participant asked Mark, "Why are you so humble?"
At first I thought it was a foolish question, but later realised that it was
an expression of common identity. The day we visited Victoria Falls in
Livingstone, twelve hours driving south of Ndola, Edgar was vividly more at
home and Zambian than I was. To an extent that the workers of the Guesthouse
we used, started joking with him (We don't normally joke with an unfriendly
person, worse still a foreigner).

AFTER THE SEMINAR
I was impressed with the coaching that was going on between our teachers,
discreetly and respectful. Now it was my turn to give account of the money
that Sonlife had bailed us out with. As Mark and Edgar had four days to go,
I had arranged for them to visit the famous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. Honest speaking, I did not know whether I would
justify the long distance taken and the amount spent, after all is done
with. The town itself was not impressive, apart from a few remembrance items
they bought, but the site was fascinating and really meant something even to
me.

ANALYSIS
Our committee thinks that although we achieved more than 50% of our goal, we
could have done better in numbers, organization and funding. Teaching was
excellent and a high point of interest according to participants. I am
targeting three cities for next year: Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe. The two will
do strategy while this year's participants will go to the next level. In
terms of funding, we will strive to own the budget. I have already made a
follow up to every participant by way of letters and personal visits.
Besides this, we are also brainstorming other ways of improving next year's
meetings. One of the things I am thinking about is a day's Seminar in each
of the places mentioned, although some have recommended more time.

David Mulonga.