What a day in...kitwe!

11/2/2024

Our latest adventure with took us to Kitwe, where each moment seemed to unfold with new surprises, challenges, and beautiful, sometimes bizarre, experiences.
Kitwe is one of the largest cities in Zambia, also located in the Copperbelt Province and a bit of a drive from Ndola, but generally on good roads. Known for its significant mining industry, Kitwe is a major center for copper mining and is an important hub in Zambia’s economy. The city is home to several mining companies, as the Copperbelt region contains one of the richest copper deposits in the world.
Apart from mining, Kitwe has a growing commercial and industrial sector. It has various facilities like shopping centers, schools, hospitals, and recreational areas. The city’s population is diverse, with people from different parts of Zambia and neighboring countries coming to work in the mines or other industries. Kitwe is also known for its beautiful natural surroundings, with scenic areas like the Kafue River, nearby forests, and the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, which is home to rescued chimpanzees.
Our day began with a visit to the bustling Kitwe market—a vibrant maze filled with colors, smells, and sounds that could only be described as intense. Stalls overflowed with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and every imaginable good, with local vendors calling out and chatting among themselves, each adding to the heartbeat of this place. There was an air of adventure as we wandered through the tightly packed lanes, with a constant buzz of life all around. Leonard led the way, skillfully weaving through the crowd and pointing out unique sights as we followed behind, sometimes in awe, sometimes slightly overwhelmed.
After buying gifts for home and soaking up the energy of the market, we headed to a small haven in Kitwe—the Lifesong coffee shop called “Roast.” Proceeds support the associated school and work of Lifesong and this place provided a much-needed breather in our day. The coffee was excellent, and the cozy atmosphere gave us all a chance to reset. Matt and Kevin decided to indulge in a chocolate milkshake, sharing sips between laughs, and enjoying the calm before more adventures called us onward.

The highlight of the afternoon was a football match featuring the Red Arrows Soccer Club, who just happened to be lodging with us at Ngele Country Park in Ndola. They were the away team today, and it was clear that the Kitwe crowd was ready for a lively game. Unfortunately our Red Arrows were dressed in blue (away) and the Kitwe team dressed in all red - so you can imagine the dismay when a few of us learned we had celebrated goals scored by the opposition (mistakenly cheering the red team instead of our boys in blue). Excitement buzzed through the stadium, and when a double rainbow appeared just before a sudden downpour, we thought it was a sign of the good fortune and possibly a comeback to come. Unfortunately, the ultimate result was a loss 3-1, but we cheered them heartily later when they came to dinner at Njele, and did our best to encourage them.
At the stadium when the rain began to fall hard just after half time, we all scrambled for cover, finding ourselves huddled under a shelter. It didn’t take long before the crowd around us started to surge forward, joining us under cover until the space became packed in an almost insane way—people squeezing shoulder-to-shoulder in a blur of bodies. Corrie described it as a “whole new adventure in closeness!” While Melissa and Kevin kept an eye on our group, ensuring everyone stayed safe, Linda looked at the chaotic scene and just said, “Yikes!”
Because of this chaos and near stampede, we decided it was time to leave the stadium and head back to the van. But, of course, our Kitwe adventure wasn’t over yet. We arrived to find our van boxed in by another vehicle! What could have been a frustrating setback turned into a unique bonding moment. Kevin and Leonard quickly organized a small team, who, in a move that seemed like a miracle, literally moved the car blocking our way. Matt called it one of the “tiny miracles” of the day—simple but powerful teamwork in the face of an unexpected challenge.
From the buzz of the market to the rain-soaked stadium, Kitwe gave us a day full of memories, each one intense, insane, and unforgettable. Each step of the journey reminded us why we’re here and why each person and experience matters in ways big and small. Today was yet another chapter in the incredible story unfolding for Tiny People Matter Zambia 2024.