Before leaving Europe in October, Betty and I "unlocked" our phones. We debated whether or not to buy cheaper, basic phones that we would not mind losing, or getting damaged or stolen. The expensive pieces of plastic given to us by our mobile phone providers seemed unnecessary. We presumed the tricks that modern mobile phones are capable of would do nothing more than attract the unwarranted attention of thieves. We could not have been more wrong. Thankfully, in the rush of...

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It is a question overseas travelers and aid workers would not want to ask themselves: Should I be honest to my family about everything that happens here? While you want your family to know at all times you are safe and that there is nothing to be gained from their worrying, they also want to know everything that goes on. Sometimes these two are not compatible, and six months into our Zambian adventure, Betty and I had to face this dilemma. To save any drama, and knowing that my pare...

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Taking public transport in Africa is an interesting experience and helps you understand the small obstacles that people living here have to overcome every day. As with many aspects of Zambian life, the people seem to stoically accept the problems without ever really questioning the cost of this to society. Good public transport holds the opportunity to stimulate society economically and democratically by reducing the cost and difficulty of travel. Equally, poor public transport can act a...

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The Peace Corps, America's alternative to armed service, has come under fire from many critics in recent years, as summarized by Devex journalist David Lepeska some months ago. Since I arrived in Zambia, I have been wholly impressed with the young people who undertake to serve their country in such a manner, and last week I visited a community who clearly felt the same way about their departing volunteer. For those sitting in academic swivel chairs or looking down on developing count...

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