For reading, there are two good libraries, the Lusaka municipal library and the University Library. In addition, there are three “not very good” book stores, Kingstons (a Rhodesian chain) and “The Book Centre” in Lusaka and the University Bookstore which is influx because of the recent university takeover of the store from a private concern.

For many of the volunteers in Zambia, the night life in Lusaka (and much of the rest of the country is very limited). Most of the bars close very early, often as early as 10:00 in the evening. There is one attempt at a nightclub, the Woodpecker Inn, and of course the Lusaka Intercontinental Hotel which caters to Zambia’s limited number of tourists. Some of the nightclubs in the “compounds” are open much later again reflecting a kind of “double standard” of life.

While in Lusaka the amount of time that I had to see and talk to volunteers was limited by the fact that much time was used making contacts in ministries, at the University and with “shopping” for the course. Nonetheless, it was possible to have extended interviews with eight volunteers at which notes were taken. A summary of the interviews follows:

Mogens Fischman, Group 16, works in the Computer Centre as an instructor. Mogens felt that the course as it existed in his time was too long. He suggested that a shorter main course was needed of between two or three weeks. He felt that there was an “overemphasis on the behavior type of thing” and on health.

With regard to Area Studies said that the best procedure would be a combination of lectures and student reports, perhaps one for each volunteer. He felt that the stress should be upon the Economic and Political Development of Zambia. He liked the idea of making use of outside people, for example the Rhodesian on group 16.

Niels Lauritsen is also an instructor at the computer centre in Lusaka, (Group 21). Niels felt that the move from Elsinor (Denmark) was not a good thing. He felt that Tengeru was in many ways “A Volunteer Factory” and that some of the original spirit had been lost. He would like to see the course moved from Tengeru to Lusaka. The basic English should be completed before the course begins and that the course should be seven weeks for all. He feels that Tengeru stressed “living in the bush” far too much as far as the Zambians are concerned, since most of them live in urban or semi-urban situations. He felt that the training course should encourage people to hitchhike around East and Central Africa as a good orientation. Stress should be made on the purely professional aspects of the programme, specifically on the Technical English programme.

As far as the Area Studies is concerned he feels that during the short time he was in Tengeru, many “small faces” gave them a great deal of information. He feels that the idea of having each volunteer prepare a long lecture is a good one as it makes people “dig deeply” into a subject of interest. In combination with this he feels that the course should show as many films as possible.