Archive for August, 2009 — Page 2
Matt • 17th Aug 2009 • Africa
There’s just something nice about restful weekends in Zambia.
Friday evening was a pleasant first-dinner at home prepared by Staz, and then an equally pleasant second-dinner and drinks out. We then went dancing at the infamous Alpha Bar, and after a good “power hour” (where we commit to staying one hour, no more no less), we went home and slept.
Saturday began with building bamboo bikes out at the farm with Jeff as Vaughn went in search of materials to build a skateboarding halfpipe with our friend Dan Sosa and his son Diego. Dustin had some meetings with some friends (non-Zambikes… an informal Saturday rule), and after Lunch, we all met up at home, napped, then had a nice dinner at a Korean BBQ place with Matt Grollnek (our mainest man) and a few other people. We had a great conversation back at our house about Zambia and development, and honestly, sometimes those conversations bore me and make me tired, but on Saturday ni
Matt • 11th Aug 2009 • Decisions
So as some of you may know, I’m hoping to move to London in January. Heather is beginning a Masters program there in September and after nearly seven months apart this year, I really want to be in the same city as her next year. She’s worth it.
With that all said, however, I can’t just live in London on a whim with a desire for a healthy relationship with a great woman — I need a job and a visa. So I’m writing on this blog humbly asking for assistance… any job leads or recommendations or friends or relatives that might know about a job opportunity, no matter how big or small. I’m up for the challenge or the monotony.
At most with my job, I would hope to continue the trajectory that began in university with my International Business and Theology degrees and that has continued in my time here in Zambia working in social business and economic development while getting a work visa. At least, I just need to make a few pounds (quid? learned that recently, I believe) to pay my rent and eat a little bit… in a pub job or as a telemarketer. Again, I’m up for the challenge or the monotony, I just want to live in London.
You can email me at mwcastle@gmail.com or just comment on this post with any thoughts. Thanks in advance… I know jobs are not plentiful anywhere in the world and are especially scarce for people without work permits in a foreign country, but it’s worth a shot.
Matt • 9th Aug 2009 • Recommendations
Your Sunday recommendation this week is a band called Monsters of Folk. The band is comprised of 4 well-respected musicians, Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and singer/songwriter M.Ward. Their album is set to be released September 22nd, but three songs are available for download now on iTunes.
Do yourself the favor and have a listen and download the tracks. Be sure to listen to all three… they’re all pretty different and all SO good.
Matt • 3rd Aug 2009 • Zambikes
20 of our Zambikes employees applied for savings accounts with a local bank this week… This is a big step for them and will hopefully enable them to save for their future.
It’s just another small way that Zambikes is empowering those around it… We used to run savings programs through our company but now we are taking ourselves out of the equation and the guys are now beginning to save for themselves!
Matt • 2nd Aug 2009 • Africa
…things have been incredibly busy. Now that August has begun, there are only three weeks until Heather arrives here in Lusaka and then two more weeks until I leave Africa. I know that I’ll be back when the time is right, and thinking about this is helping me prepare to say goodbye to everyone here.
BUT, since I last wrote a real blog entry a ton has happened. Zambikes has been on the BBC radio all around the world and has also been on NPR’s “The World” this last week. Listen to the story! Much thanks to my good friends Jo and Kieron, who are a ton of fun to spend time with and are true professionals that are excellent in their lines of work.
We were also very fortunate to have been visited by some good friends of ours, the Heneghans. They are a fantastic family and it was so much fun to show them around town and to be with them as they were experiencing what Zambikes is all about. One of the best experiences was last Sunday evening when we split the group up (there were 7 of them in total) and we went to three different houses out in the village for dinner. Vaughn nominated three different workers of ours to be the hosts and we all had great village meals. It was great to see the Heneghans sharing the stories with each other when we all met up after dinner!
Dustin and I also took the Heneghans to Livingstone to check out Victoria Falls and relax for a few days before they went home to New York. It was such a great time white water rafting, bungee jumping, and having some of the most fun meals I’ve had in a LONG time. Heneghans, if you read this: thanks again… See you soon!
Pictures from this trip coming soon… I’ll let you know when they’re up.
