Back In Zambia, with a bit of perspective

So I've been in Lusaka now for the past few days, here on a 3 week trip to visit our projects, facilitate our semi-annual Field Staff Meetings, and receive a new group of Project Managers.  Its been over 5 years now since I first came to Zambia, and having spent the better part of the first 3 years of FORGE here on-the-ground its always a bit hard to reconcile that when I come now, I'm a visitor.  Its especially difficult in the camps, as the main fact that seperates FORGE International Staff from our refugee staff and the people that we work with is the simple fact that we have the option to leave.  I think we all feel somewhat guilty about that, and thus whenever we leave the camps its always a reminder of how fortunate we really are. 

Interestingly, the fact that I now spend much less time in-country than I used to has given me some perspective on how fast things are really changing in Zambia.  Everytime I come back, there are new buildings, new products, and new opportunities that hadn't existed just months before.  Several Universities in Lusaka have quadrupled their enrollment in the past two years alone, and their are new cell phone networks, internet cafes, and paved roads popping up in all areas of the country.  Operating in Zambia today is vastly easier than it was in 2003, and FORGE is reaping the benefits of the increased infrastructure.  Things are far (very far!) from ideal, but the speed at which they are changing is extremely encouraging.

Not being an economist, I can't speak to how well each of these developments have trickled down to affect the lives of the most vulnerable, and I can't say for certain whether the right infrastructure developments are always being prioritized.  What I can say is that, for all of those naysayers who believe that Africa will never change and is destined to stay behind, come and see what is happening in each peaceful country on this continent.  What you will see in just short periods of time may really surprise you.  As comes peace, so comes development and the rapid improvement of human security and wellbeing.  That I can be sure of.