Whether you are volunteering, working or learning a language abroad, living with a host family is often a great way to get to know another culture and community
Many people form meaningful friendships and lasting connections with their new found family abroad.
During my experience with Restless Development, I stayed with the Chanda family who welcomed me into their home and looked after me like they did their own family. Read on to hear more about my experience to inspire your homestay abroad.
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My host dad Cedrick Chanda is head of the house and a pillar within the Kafalulu community, working as a farmer, goat keeper and handyman.
Most village households within the Kafalulu district are headed up by an authoritative male figure. But Mr Chanda has a more gentle character and always wears a smile.
After discovering my fear of fire, Mr Chanda would help me to light the coals on the brazier every morning for breakfast. We all ate at different times in the morning, with some getting up with the sun to head to work and others looking after the house and garden.
What is rare in the village and in Zambia, Mr Chanda tells me, is that he and his wife Catherine both have children from a previous marriage. Both widowed, Mr Chanda is father to three sons – Cedrick Junior, Elvis and Elliot – and Catherine is mum to three daughters – Marta, Sharon and Peggy.
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Step families, or blended families, are uncommon in Zambia. “Divorce is widely frowned upon”, Mr Chanda says. Yet he and Mrs Chanda tied the knot when Peggy was just two years old and the families merged.
Mr Chanda began building what is now their beautiful family home, planting trees, rearing animals and building enough mud huts for their six children to sleep in.
My host mum Catherine always made sure I was safe and well. A strong mother figure both to her family and the community, she is a devout Catholic and an important figure within the Kafalulu community. Despite local traditions that encourage daughters to leave school early to help at home and marry young, she encourages her daughters to dream big, further their studies, and build a career.
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In the neighbouring compound, Catherine’s eldest daughter Marta lives with her two children and her grandmother. The 28-year-old would visit the main family home with her little girl Ethel every day. Her nine-year-old son Patrick would often join, who insisted on being called Barry instead. The pair were absolute cuties, always wanting to play games and learn new things.
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Sharon, 25, is a charity worker and visits every village within a 30 mile radius on her bright orange bicycle. She works for an American NGO where she is responsible for monitoring the progress and wellbeing of vulnerable children in the community.
Whether sick, orphaned, or homeless, the street children have been taken in by the community and are being looked after by another family.
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Sharon visits the families to assess each child’s wellbeing and ensure their needs are being met. When she is not at work or helping around the house, she takes evening classes at the local school to resit her English and Maths “GCSE equivalent” exams. She also spends a lot of time with her nephew and niece, Barry and Ethel, when they visit the compound.
Just before my time in Zambia came to an end, Sharon told me she was expecting a child of her own. It was a great moment <3
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Last but certainly not least, 18-year-old Peggy. This incredible young woman became one of my best friends during my three month project in Zambia and is an inspiration to all women.
Peggy’s ambition and determination has her sights set on the University of Zambia in the capital city of Lusaka. She is always asking question, working on school projects, and trying new things. Our favourite pastime was night yoga, where we would stretch on garden mats under the stars and catch up on the day’s events.
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The evenings were spent as a family, drinking tea on the porch with Catherine and Sharon. We would set up our mats under the shade of the trees, telling stories and laughing our way into the night. Peggy was adamant I would not return home without being able to hold a conversation in Lenje, and she would test me every night on the Zambian dialect.
Whenever I was missing home or feeling down, these two little munchkins were a certain pick-me-up. Barry and Ethel were the most adorable children. Barry would ask for help with his maths homework while Ethel would come and sit next to me while I was cooking to be my taster.
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At just two years old, Ethel was the best dressed tot in the village. She was always debuting new outfits and running around the yard with one flip-flop on and one flip-flop off. Her favourite treat was plain rice and she would always come and perch next to me when I was cooking it. Some of my best memories are doing arts and crafts, making posters and playing in the yard with the youngsters.
Thank you for following and I hope my experience with the Chandas inspires others to consider a host family stay. If you are in the process of planning a homestay abroad, do not hesitate to fire any questions my way.
Until next time,
