Drew's African Odyssey - Mwange Refugee Camp, Zambia

First day back in the camp. It was so good to get home and restart the routines of daily life. I was also really missing the coaches in the camp who I had worked so closely with for the past three months. The coaches were shocked to see us with a new vehicle and new driver. Peter had forged a special relationship with some of the people in the camp over his last two years in Mwange and it was touching to see him say goodbye for the last time. The day was a little bit hectic as Mr Kakua (the new driver) gained his bearings in the camp. As Peter and Sophie had always directed us around the camp, I didn’t know exactly where all the locations were where we had to visit – a bit/lot frustrating.

A funny moment came when we were accosted by this old drunk/crazy lady in the camp. She latched onto our vehicle and started cursing us and demanding money. She wouldn’t let go of our vehicle and was still screaming as an interested crowd started to gather. I got out of the vehicle to remedy the situation when the lady came running over to me and started slapping and kicking me, demanding money. It was all I could do to shield myself and get back in the car, but not before she had left a couple of welts on my back. It’s really hard when people see you with so much to give but don’t understand that we have not come here for that.