It has been awesome and troublesome of late. After making the decision to relocate from the river to Lusaka in pursuit of the project with Munda Wanga, a place I hold dear, yet I find retuning can be so heartbreaking. The level of respect people in general have for fellow sentients and the way in which the rescue facility has been treated. With litter and plastic strewn across the grass and empty cartons and bottles tossed on top of enclosures, it's not what you would expect from a facility that is meant to be promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. Cultural norms are different, mortality and priorities are different. Why would a four legged animal be important when you're struggling to feed your children? There are many arguments for and against the sprawling population of africa and the way wildlife is perceived. They're universal problems when you break them down, not so isolated to a specific country or continent. Few seem to have woken up to the idea that we all need each other and that it is humans that impose suffering on one another, rather than be accountable for that, we choose to point the finger at another who cannot answer back and carry on entrenched in an overly uncomfortable comfort zone. History has proven that a species is rarely incapable of controlling it's numbers, unless there is unnatural intervention. I always return to the question, who was here first? Evolution is natural, it is good and healthy, but abuse is not and essentially as more "highly evolved species", we have abused that. We have made a mockery of our earth and almost forgotten how to tune in. It seems to be about being better than the next, rather than living harmoniously. Still, who am I to comment, but a little lady who cares deeply about life?
My trips here have left me without illusions about these human traits. I've met rich people, I've met poor people, broken people, egocentrics, peaceful souls and a whole variety more; some are more switched on to the extent their lifestyles are based on consumables and wants over needs. Assumptions are made on the colour of your skin, unless people make the effort to engage in conversation. I'm not seen firstly for my independence, my creativity, or my compassionate nature. I try to break that with a smile, a genuine and warm one, a proper conversation. If I'm going to leave someone with something, I don't want it to be as expendable as money for nothing. What appreciation will come from that? Would that breed positivity or inspire you, it's not even sustainable? I'm not saying I haven't given money to people in need, but throwing money at things rarely works, change the mind set and inspiration, you're more likely to set an impetus. Like the rains feeding the falls. We all go, we feel inspired and together we all get wet 😏
I feel blessed that I took that initial inspiration and turned it into a reality. The fact that I'm sat here in Livingstone drinking coffee and writing this. Seeing those beautiful white rhinos thrive in their tiny pocket of national park. The guards work day and night to protect them. Seeing those glorious falls again and feel alive. They're special, to be amidst all of that energy and force is just awe inspiring. It's been a little lonely from time to time, but the most important thing of all is that I'm Iiving my life. I'm doing it with conviction and with meaning. Living in a system that tries to define you, rather than nurture the true you, gives me a headache. I have dreams and aspirations far bigger than my quiet little voice could convey and you will always get someone trying to talk you down. It's up to you what you take on board.
Again, I've written several blog posts that haven't quite made the grade, there's a reason I guess. I hope this one will in someway resonate more.
Till next time ciao ciao for now now...
