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by
Sybille Wilfer
How can 6 years fly? That is, October 2002 until June 2008.
My first impression from Lusaka
was not very delightful. Driving into Lusaka, we pass broken
scenery, unfinished buildings, ruins and rubbish. There is
litter all over scattered. You can barely see the railway
under junk. In Lusaka, you become aware of walls all over
and as if they are not high enough most of them topped with
electric wire fences. All in all: how repulsive!
To find a house to rent is frustrating as well. 2000 US$ per
month to pay for a quite unattractive place to stay. You are
tempted to buy loads of Handy Andy or Dettol and dip the
whole thing in.
Before we even moved to Lusaka
we got invited to a party. Was it a farewell party? I don’t
know we had a lot of them before we left Harare. It is
always a good opportunity to meet new people. Already that
evening I found Ladies keen to play cards and our weekly
Doppelkopf-Group was born. We continue this once a week, of
course with changing members through the years until now.
We meet Rieke and Reiner. She knows everybody and everything
and is my key for Lusaka. Her Husband brings us later
together with Maria and Peter, who are looking for tenants
for their house. Before long, we are standing in theirs and
shortly in “ours”.
At the 05th of October, we shift from Harare to Lusaka.
Shumba and Floh our dogs did not suffer much at the Chirundu
border and feel as well as we in our new home. Only that
Zambian customs confiscates our Zebra car and we wait 6
weeks to get it cleared.
The get-used-to-Lusaka-period is tough for me. My heart is
still in Harare. I miss my friends.
The container arrives. Well known items fill the big house.
Iris and Barbara are the first guests writing in our
guestbook. Three years later, I hear that Barbara got killed
by an elephant in Mana Pools. Guido is our first visitor
from overseas and Steven from Namibia. We travel to Lower
Zambezi NP. The first adventure is about to start and many
more will follow. I start to explore Lusaka und I like what
I see. Die people laugh a lot and they greet you on the
street even I they don´t know you.
Markus is fine and adapts fast.
He finds committed colleges, good partners and a lot of work
what challenges and satisfies him.
The time we have a particular idea and that one keeps our
mind especially busy. Already in Harare we thought about
adopting a child, but there time was uncertain and nobody
knew when we will be kicked out. In Lusaka we have the
feeling it could work. Around us we found families with
children from all over the world. We are increasingly
curious. We talk, we ask, we think, we agree and we dare. I
visit some orphanages and finally I find myself in the arms
of Sister Mariola. She is the mother of 200 children in
Kasisi Childrens Home.
Markus and I feel we are very
lucky and fortunate in life. Can we give a share? Thus, Rosi
comes to us.
For us starts a new life. We grow together, becoming a
family and the blue sky of Zambia even shines more as it is
already shining just for us.
Truthful Happiness
We have a wonderful time. Time flies. I feel like the more I
am happy the faster time flies.
My mother, Markus Mother as well as nearly all our friends
come and visit us in Lusaka. They take part in our life in
this country far away, which inhabits so deep in our hearts.
Rose is an amazingly fantastic
daughter. We see a lot, we travel a lot; we have a very
joyful time. We think if we should adopt another child but
we are not sure, we in doubts, we think of economic and
other challenges until …. Sister Mariola talks about a
little boy who was brought few weeks ago to Kasisi. The next
day Rosi, Markus and I drive to Kasisi and visit Dennis. Two
hours later on the dust road home to Lusaka we all even then
concur. Three days later, we pick Dennis and ask the
carpenter to build a new bed.
All the years I visit quite regularly the Kasisi Children’s
Home. My intention at the beginning is to give Rose the
chance of a smooth parting. Later? What is it with Kasisi? I
can see and feel there what dedicated people with Love and
Faith cause. They are not changing the world but they
improve every single day the little lives of hundreds of
kids to a better. They give new trust. It is a stronghold of
Hope and confidence in a profound unfair world.
I want to sneak in and be a part
of it. I want to contribute and support. Sister Mariola, the
Sisters, the Kids let me have a share and I feel part of the
family. That makes me happy, proud and heartfelt grateful.
Parts of my time and energy I use for Kasisi. I work at the
Office, help with the kids, talk with the mums and of course
try to raise money. Kasisi is alike to me as for my children
home. To leave Zambia means to leave Kasisi but only by
aeroplane, my heart will be there, always.
Rosi and Dennis attend Lusaka International Community School
and love it. There is a colourful mixture of 50
nationalities sharing education. From beginning, I am active
as a PTA member. For two years, I am treasurer and chair at
the same time. I have the pleasure to meet so many
out-of-the-ordinary people. However, you pay the favour
living abroad. Happily and easy saying “Hallo” to the new
ones and howling at the farewells for friends who came so
close to you and leave the country before your turn. Friends
come and go.
Some of these friends
contributed that I become addicted to Golf. The withdrawal
in Germany will be tough.
Febby, Catherine, John, Stanley and M´tonia our employees
learn a lot about us and we learn a lot about them during
the nearly six years we are working together. The destiny of
the dependent families comes close and there are worries
about them and there next pay. Kilian takes the house over,
the staff and Shumba, Floh and Alex, the cat. To know that
there is nothing to worry anymore is a very good feeling.
Our say goodbye is planed, thought of and we didn’t rush
things. We want to go back to Germany. The Kids shall have
the Chance to build up roots, decide themselves if they like
to be in Germany or not. The world is so big we want to
experience it together and we want to show it to our
children.
Markus and I look forward to be with family and friends. We
long for the Berlin way of life and long summer nights.
It’s gone to be tough leaving Zambia on the 1st of July. Our
years in Zambia bulging of Luck and Happiness and have been
full of life.
Thank you
Sybille.wilfer@gmail.com |
