Well, I'm finally back in Africa, on a fellowship in Zambia from August through early December. I've been fascinated with Africa for as long as I can remember. I went for the first time in the winter of 1994 on a family vacation to Kenya. That summer I went back and taught at a secondary school in Monduli, Tanzania, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a group of students from my high school in Dusseldorf, Germany. In the spring of 1998 I made it to Botswana, with the School for International Training's study abroad program to learn about Conservation and Ecology in the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta. For an independent study project I carried out a vegetation assessment to determine the health of grasses and trees at Mokolodi Nature Reserve outside Gaborone, Botswana, which allowed us to determine carrying capacities of herbivores on the 10,000 hectare fenced preserve. After graduating from Tufts University in 1999 I returned to Mokolodi and ran the vegetation assessment for a second time, teaching the methodology to local rangers which has since allowed them to carry out the annual study without outside help. During this trip I also served as Senior Environmental Educator at the Mokolodi Env. Ed. Center, teaching ecology, conservation, and the importance of Botswana's amazing natural heritage to local students from kindergarten through college. Since that time I've dreamed of doing real conservation work in Southern Africa, which The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have finally made a reality. Thanks for staying posted!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Looking back

It's been 7 months since I finished my fellowship in Eastern Zambia. What an incredible experience!? I'm certain that I'll be returning, although I have no idea when or under what circumstances. So, could I work in Southern Africa on a long-term basis? I think I would have to have someone with me who was up for the adventure and difficulties of living so far from family and friends - probably somebody who has spent time there, knows what they are getting into, and is looking for similar work challenges.

Before leaving I completed the two landscape assessments for COMACO, despite having to put in some work on my vacation. I delivered two reports with lots of maps, hard data on the conservation challenges that the project is trying to address, and some strategies for approaching them that the staff came up with in brainstorming sessions. I said goodbye to John and Betty and the PC crew after an amazing weekend on Lake Malawi. Their hospitality and friendship made my time in Lundazi so much easier. My dad, Jim, came to visit and travel with me for the last two weeks and we made it to Victoria Falls and South Luangwa National Park, spending several incredible days at Kapamba bushcamp, a gem on the Kapamba river deep in the park. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience!

Since I got home one of my good friends, Jaffary, passed away in Nyimba, a shocking, sad, and sobering reminder of the harsh reality of life in Africa. He was my age, maybe a few years older, strong and full of life.... and apparently very sick, although the actual cause isn't clear, so I make the easy assumption. The attached photo is from one of our afternoons fishing at the dambo in Nyimba, with Jaffary's bright, rasta essence standing out! He was a man of peace and truth and love, and I miss him.

That's it for now. I thank everybody who took the time to follow my posts. The access to email and skype really made this experience easy compared to the past in terms of feeling connected to home, and since returning to stay in contact with new friends. Without that connection the isolation can be pretty overwhelming out there in the bush. Until next time! Love - Ryan
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