Drew's African Odyssey - Mwange Refugee Camp, Zambia

Being the first on many blog postings, allow me to give a little back ground on what you are reading. I will be making postings whenever possible to update you on my life and the work that i am doing in Zambia. I have a position as a Project Co-ordinator for Right to Play. Based in Toronto, they are a sport and health development organization that works in the developing world (mostly Africa and mostly in refugee camps) with a goal of helping to improve the livelihood of some of the worlds most disadvantaged children. I will be moving to Zambia on Sunday, March 6th, and will be meeting my project partner Sophie in Lusaka, where we will travel to our home in Mporokoso (2 days drive). The refugee camp is located in the northern copperbelt region, about 50 km from our home. Here is a little excerpt from the Right to Play (www.righttoplay.com) website about the camp:

"Mwange Refugee Camp, ZambiaSportWorks ProgramMwange Refugee Camp was established in 1999 as the first refugee camp in northern Zambia to shelter people fleeing the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mwange has approximately 23 000 refugees, making it by far the largest population in the local vicinity. On World Refugee Day in 2001, Mwange was declared the World’s Most Organized Refugee camp by Kofi Annan. Thanks to Olivia "Momma" Shannon, the camp’s initial UNHCR Field Officer who strongly encouraged women to hold positions of political and economic power in the camp. Mwange saw the arrival of the first team of Right To Play Coaches in September of 2002. Initial focus has been on recruiting and training local coach volunteers. There has been a concerted effort to train teachers in adaptive recreation, with a special workshop on inclusion of children with special needs."

Please feel free to go to the website and learn more about Right to Play.

This blog will allow you to keep track of me, who i'm meeting, what im doing and where im travelling. I hope you enjoy it!