Zikomo Felix and Martha!

“Bwanji.”

Thousands of Australians now know how to say, “Hello and welcome” in Nyanja, a Zambian language. They also know a lot more about the issues and challenges facing Zambia, a small very poor nation in southern Africa.

Martha Siame and Felix Banda, two young people from Zambia, came to Australia for sixteen hectic days around Simply Sharing Week. They came to share stories about water projects, debt and HIV/AIDS.

Only 28% of rural Zambians have access to clean, safe drinking water. Martha and Felix talked about this issue in lively interesting ways. Kids carried water cans on their heads (or tried to!) and they learnt how life can change if there is a water pump in the village.

Adults learnt about the ravages caused by AIDS - 20% of Zambian adults have HIV/AIDS and there are one million orphans. How can a poor country of 10 million cope with such a tragic burden?

It was encouraging to hear from Martha, whose work includes AIDS education, that churches are active in helping communities to look after victims’ families and educating young people.

People responded enthusiastically to Martha and Felix’s message, their smiles and their music. Forceten sold lots of water bottles and gift cards and raised thousands of dollars for projects in Zambia.

What did Felix and Martha notice about Australia?

there are lots of old people here (life expectancy in Zambia is only 37 years)
people on trains and buses seem so glum - nobody smiles
Australia is a very rich country
It is great that Australians care about Zambia

“Zikomo” - thank you Felix and Martha for coming to Australia

Amanda Jackson