We are in the middle of preparations for our next trip to Zambia. This time, we will once again be welcoming special visitors, friends and sponsors to our charity organisation. Some are returning, others will experience the country for the first time. Everyone is looking forward to it! Here are some thoughts and expectations about the upcoming trip to warm Africa. Gordon Merk reports.
Photo of Alex several years ago at FCTrelief; today he is a medical student
FCTrelief has accomplished a lot in Zambia over the last ten years. We have been able to help many people. For example, Alex (photo), who came out of poverty and is now studying medicine because of FCTrelief's support. We reported on our anniversary celebration. Hanna, who has been with FCTrelief from the very beginning, will remember this. She travelled to Zambia for the first time in 2012 and has returned over ten times since then. She was a driving force in setting up the charity organisation and put her heart and soul into it. She is particularly impressed by how the people in Zambia ‘can make a lot out of a little’ - a stark contrast to affluent societies, where a lot is often used for very little.
Hanna sees ‘great potential’ in the people she has met in Zambia. Their ‘cheerfulness and friendliness’ never fail to move her. She vividly remembers the first school lessons under the mango trees, the lessons in the ‘blue tent’ and the realisation of the first workshops. She enthusiastically follows how everything has grown and looks forward to seeing it all again. A lot has changed and developed in the meantime.
Hanna with a group of pupils
Adventure and Surprise
Jöni, Hanna's husband, is visiting FCTrelief in Linda for the first time. He is looking forward to ‘discovering something completely new.’ He has already heard a lot about FCTrelief from his wife and others - a curiosity that has awakened his thirst for adventure. He wants to be surprised and is excited to see what awaits him. Above all, however, he wants to experience the charity organisation first-hand, because true understanding only comes from direct contact on the ground. He's right about that.
Joanna, Heiner and Chris Merk's daughter, will also be making this trip - her first visit to Zambia. She is looking forward to getting to know the local organisation in which her parents have invested so much time and energy over the last ten years. She is particularly excited to meet the people, understand the processes and gain a deeper insight into her parents' work and passion. Joanna is looking forward to sharing these experiences with her friends Hanna and Jöni as well as Julian and Miriam. She wants to take valuable impressions back to Switzerland and find out how the organisation can continue to be supported.
Heiner Merk with grandson and architect, Julian Fischbacher
Happiness despite Poverty
Julian, the grandson of Heiner and Chris, is an architect. He will be travelling to Zambia for the fourth time. His visits took him there in 2015 and twice in 2016 - once together with his wife Miriam. During his studies, he completed an internship at FCTrelief, where he was involved in the planning of various buildings on the ‘Plot’ and the farm. Later, he also worked in Madagascar as part of his work and the development aid provided by ETH Zurich (University).
His memories of Zambia are ‘great’ and he is looking forward to travelling there again. He is particularly impressed by the ‘cheerful lifestyle’ of the people, despite their modest living conditions and sometimes great poverty. Julian also sees ‘great potential’ in Zambia and is looking forward to the new impressions that await him.
Miriam with Heiner visiting a school at George Compound
Miriam's memories of Zambia are characterised by the country's breathtaking beauty. She raves about the impressive ‘flora and fauna’, the majestic Victoria Falls and the adventurous road trip to Livingstone. But what fascinates her most is the people's zest for life - despite poverty and difficult circumstances.
Miriam has been dependent on a wheelchair for 3.5 years. The last time she was in Zambia, she did not have any aids for her mobility impairment. Nevertheless, the challenges of travelling there - especially the lack of accessible infrastructure - do not deter her from returning. With the support of her husband and friends, she wants to embark on the adventure again and is already looking forward to seeing the country that made such an impression on her.
Heiner and Chris Merk - Founders and Project Managers
Joy and Excitement
In addition to the Swiss visitors, English friends of Heiner and Chris will also be visiting the charity organisation. Linda and Paul are presently travelling around the world and are really looking forward to seeing and experiencing the work of FCTrelief, which they have already heard a lot about. Linda is Chris's school friend. Linda and Paul have also worked in development aid in England and Kenya.
Heiner, Chris and the whole team are looking forward to welcoming all the visitors and are looking forward with excitement to spending time with everyone in Zambia.
«Team work makes the dream work»!
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