I’ve been back longer than I was away in Zambia, yet I’m still reaching for words to describe what happened during this trip.

Practically, our week was very full. Meetings, home visits, business visits, planning, more meetings. I hadn’t been for a visit since December 2019, so there was a lot of uncertainty. After a few years of our planning being a reaction to the economic challenges of shut downs and health issues, it was time to begin a new chapter. One where we can look forward. To this year, to 5 years from now, to a renewed vision for CiH and its place in Zambia.

After 3 years away, I was confronted with questions from within:
Was there still a place for CiH?
Is our entrepreneur program even working?
What did our staff want?
What are the needs to be met?

I was braced for hard answers. To come to a scene of question marks and unknowns.

But that wasn’t what happened.

I walked into a quiet confidence from our staff. A peaceful assurance in our people. Validation that this is EXACTLY where we are supposed to be.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t still need. Rather the opposite. There is immense need. Poverty is more rampant and intense than ever. Abuse is widespread. Lots and lots of struggle.

But instead of the feeling of chaos to address these issues, there was a feeling of stability.

We have a history. We have a tested program. We have more than a decade under our belt. And most of all, we have a team who is more passionate and dedicated and unified than ever before.

I look forward to sharing details with our exact plans forward in an upcoming post, along with personal stories from our graduates and entrepreneurs. For now, I’ll sign off by saying thank you.

Thank you for sustaining us in the uncertain years when we blindly took one step at a time, unsure of how this story would play out. Thank you for your faithful commitment to empowering women in a sustainable way, for doing the hard long-term work of transforming communities led by locals. Thank you for continuing to hope. For sending your dollars and encouragement that kept our women going during times that seemed impossible.

It may sound cheesy or exaggerated, but this trip really was magical. Unexpected in every wonderful way. We lost our luggage and I brought home a parasite, so I don’t say that it was void of difficulty. But it was wonderful in the deepest sense. A unified vision formed. Meaningful relationships cultivated. Tender conversations spoken. Powerful moments shared. The stuff life is all about. Life. Love. Overcoming. Encouragement. Empathy. Compassion. Sacrifice. HOPE.

With Chikondi (Love),
Amy
CiH Founder

If you haven’t joined the CiH family just yet, now’s the perfect time. We need your partnership to continue this journey on behalf of women in Zambia. Sign up for the HOPE Club by clicking the button below:

Join the HOPE Club