Cristina in Zambia: We’re simply going with the flow

When I graduated from my master’s program in International Relations and began trying to break into the development cooperation sector, I felt unsure about where to start. One of the main challenges I faced was not being considered for positions because I lacked field experience, something that is highly valued in this line of work, yet difficult to obtain at the very beginning of a career. I knew I needed an opportunity that would allow me to learn through practice and help me shape my professional path.  

After months of searching, I came across an opportunity that felt like a turning point. That’s how I decided to join the EU Solidarity Corps. I saw it as a great chance to gain hands-on professional experience while also discovering a new culture, meeting new people and experiencing life from a completely different perspective. I was lucky enough to find an opportunity that felt perfectly aligned with my personal and professional growth: a position as Grant Writer at ADRA Zambia, based in Lusaka.  

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Zambia is a locally registered humanitarian NGO and part of the wider ADRA network, which includes more than 130 supporting and implementing country offices worldwide. ADRA Zambia works to bring sustainable change and hope to communities in need, focusing on five key sectors: Sustainable Livelihoods, Education, Health and WASH, Emergency Management, and the Environment.  

Arriving in Zambia, I chose to keep an open mind. Before leaving, I didn’t really have any strong expectations or clear idea of what I would in the country. While I obviously prepared myself on a practical level, I consciously chose not to hold on to any preconceived idea that might have shaped or limited my experience in Zambia. This allowed me to be surprised every day, to learn by doing and to approach everything with an open mind. As my fellow volunteers and I often say here in Zambia, we’re simply “going with the flow”. 

My first week in Zambia was a mix of small victories and everyday challenges, particularly related to logistics and bureaucracy, things that are part of daily life for most Zambians, but that can be surprisingly complex if you’re new to the country. Thankfully, some colleagues from the office were incredibly supportive and helped me settle in. I was genuinely grateful for how welcoming, available and kind they were from the very beginning.  

Once I had settled in, I was able to fully focus on my role and responsibilities within the organization. In my role as a Grant Writer, my main responsibility is to research and draft project proposals for potential donors. This involves analysing donor’s priorities and interests, identifying strong entry points for funding opportunities and ensuring that each proposal is well aligned with donor expectations. A significant part of this process is conducting background research on the Zambian context, which is essential for developing relevant and impacting project ideas. In addition to office-based work, I often take part in field monitoring missions, which I find especially valuable. Living and working only in Lusaka would never provide a full picture of the challenges faced by rural communities.  

Overall, I feel that I have learned a great deal during this experience, both professionally and personally. I am much more aware of how projects are developed, implemented and monitored, though I know there is still so much more for me to learn.  

The second half of my stay in Zambia has been even better than the first. Once the excitement of the first few months settled, I realised that I had adapted to my new environment. Simple things such as finding my way around Lusaka, spending time with friends, going to cafés or markets, and getting into my routine at work made me feel like I really belonged. Before I knew it, Zambia had stopped feeling like a place I was temporarily living in and had become a second home. One of the best moments of this second half was having my family come to visit me. Together, we travelled to Livingstone, where we visited the Victoria Falls and went on our first safari, an experience I’ll always remember.  

Overall, I think the thing I appreciate the most about Zambia is its people. Coming from Italy, where people are generally warm, friendly and welcoming, living in Zambia feels surprisingly familiar. Zambians have a strong sense of community and hospitality, and they really know how to enjoy life and value the people around them. Perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned from them is their approach to time and life. In Europe, we are often caught up in deadlines, planning every detail and constantly worrying about what comes next. In Zambia, I discovered a different way of looking at things. People tend to focus much more on the present and trust that things will work out. Being surrounded by this mindset has taught me to slow down and stop wasting energy worrying about things that might not even happen.   

One experience that will always stay with me was being invited by one of my colleagues to a Chilanga Mulilo, a traditional pre-marriage celebration where the bride’s family prepares a feast for the groom’s family. The dancing, singing and laughter made the atmosphere very joyful. I even had the chance to stir the nshima they were preparing and carry one of the large pots of food on my head.  

I’ve loved my experience in Zambia so much that I decided I’m not ready to say goodbye. I applied for the Italian Civil Service and was selected to come back to Zambia to work with another NGO in the same development sector. I’m really excited to come back!  

To future volunteers, my advice is simple: don’t worry if it takes some time to adjust. Give yourself the time you need, and you’ll see that little by little the unfamiliar will start to feel familiar. Also, try to embrace the different pace of life. Things may not always happen according to schedule, and that can be frustrating at first. But once you adapt, you realise that not everything has to happen in a rush, and sometimes just enjoying the present moment is enough! 

The Humanitarian Volunteering for Solidarity Activities project (No. 101140258) runs from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2027, and is co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the grant provider (the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency). Neither the European Union nor the grant provider are responsible for them.