International Development…Societal Change Not Just Pumped Funds.

This week is the first where being on the ground has actually shown first had some of the problems a developing country such as Zambia faces.  The frustration that arises when one is trying to make progress stems from a variety of sources, which are all, contributing to a slow recovery from a deep pit. 

The irritation is not one of anger but is of annoyance at the lack of centralised and coherent programmes that will elevate the children into a brighter future. 

The laisse faire attitude of certain teachers is disappointing when you have travelled around the world to volunteer to improve the standard of educating.  In a class that myself and a fellow student attend last week, the teach was too quick to disappear when we arrived, leaving us with a large class of students.  Luckily Matt studies maths at Uni otherwise the class would have not continued.  It is not that I would protest about leading a class on our own but when you turn around for a second and the teach has gone it does not instil the hope in you that it is a combined effort to make a lasting effect for the children.  This was meant to be the first day back at school after the summer break and the school was near empty.  Many students and teachers had not returned and the peer leaders were also absent on arrival.

It must be stated this is not the case in every placement and there are many students and teachers who are eager to learn and participate in academic activities.  However it is also not uncommon for schools to be lacking in coherent structure and concrete programmes. 

It is vital that permanent arrangements are in place for Zambia to begin to become self sufficient and enable better prospects to become the norm for all.  There are of course the conflicting issues of maintaining Zambian ways and not stamping a westernised foot on the African country.   Nevertheless if Zambia wishes to climb the poverty ladder it will have to begin to form a structure it can stick to and preserve so it can begin to be deemed as a responsible and reliable country. 

These are issues that money alone cannot change.  Teachers, peer leaders and influential community members needed to stress the importance of issues such as time-keeping, commitment and consistency.  I am not arguing for Zambia to turn into the ‘rat-race’ society that we have become but people here must remember that they are liable for their own futures and how they develop. 

These types of change will take a long time to implement successfully and without destruction of national values.  They are however fundamental elements to a developed country who are self sustained and not vulnerable to economic uncertainty.   I want to see a Zambia that can stand on its own two feet and not need the support of numerous international organisations.  These types of issues are just some of the attributes I believe it will need to adopt before it is able to do this.