Games, summer songs and diplomas at final school day

The last day of the spring term 2011 on June 8 was a day full of activities. Starting with games, the school lawn was full of students guessing the number of pasta in a bowl, looking for hidden shoes and answering tricky questions.


The sunny day (well, which days are not sunny in Lusaka?) continued with traditional Swedish summer songs and ended with school diplomas for the students. It was also an opportunity to say good by to our teacher for many years Lillian Dover before her moving back to Sweden.

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Namwandwe gallery - a good introduction to Zambian art

A visit to Namwandwe gallery is a good introduction to contemporary Zambian art. The gallery is situated a few hundred meters after the American School on Leopards Hills Road on the left hand side. It is not a “real” gallery but a private collection available for the public.


The gallery has no official opening hours but is open seven days a week from morning to evening. When you have parked your car under the planted pine trees in front of the main building, the guide (sometimes it takes a while before he notices your arrival) will open the gallery for you and show you a round an impressive art collection while classic music fills the beautiful rooms.


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A guide on how to throw a birthday party for children in Lusaka

by Bodil Sörensen

How to throw a birthday party in Lusaka? Well, there could be the same arrangements as in Sweden but will most likely be something totally different. There are a few reasons for that. 1. The weather. Accept for a few months of occasional rains (or continuously if very unlucky), Zambia is nice and sunny all year around. 2. People usually have big gardens and in case of rain, big houses. 3. You most probably have an inviting, sparkling pool. And 4. It is nice to get to know people, kids and adults, from different countries. Here comes a few tips and contacts when planning your party.


For jumping castles and water slides.

LEISURE HIRE LTD, +26 0979523232 or +26 0211257513, www.leisurehire.co.za They are located on 2 Lunzua rd off Addis Ababa rd and will deliver and pick up you jumping castle for a extra fee.

SHATINAS CRAFTS & PARTY FUN, +26 0979 386816 or +26 0211263265, is located on 237A Bishop rd in Kabulonga. They have a smaller choice and you will have to pick up and return the castle yourself but they are cheaper in price than Leisure Hire. There is a big variety in prices, styles and sizes. To rent one during a weekend, which is more expensive than weekdays, comes from ZMK 130.000 to 500.000.


Clowns, face painting and balloon figures.

'FUN WITH CLOWNS’ provide clowns doing face painting and balloon figures and different games. Call +26 0977 450141 for more information and prices.
Cakes and goodie bags.

If you do not want to make the cake yourself the ‘cake lady’ MICHELLE makes excellent, American style ones. You can have any picture copied as a decoration on the cake. Your child’s photo, Cinderella or Spiderman are just a few examples. The midsize cake is ZMK 180.000 and should serve 20 people. You have to pick up the cake yourself and she is located opposite Sandy’s Creations near Lilayi on Kafue rd. Call +26 0955 762208 for more information.


Goodie bags, candy and small gifts can be found in stores like GAME, SHOPRITE, SPAR and PICK & PAY. LEISURE HIRE recommends ‘SMILES’ located on plot 6468, Great East rd, near Arcades roundabout.

Other ideas are pool bathing, treasure hunts, egg hunts (around Easter), candy hunts (all year!) and various games. The Swedish tradition of fish pond fishing for your goodie bag is very appreciated.

Good Luck with your party, big or small!

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A few words from the chairman of the Swedish School

by John Billing

Finally the activities at the Swedish school begins after a long 'summer' break. This semester will include a variety of activities, apart from the regular school classes: crayfish party, lectures, movie nights, flea market and the traditional Lucia celebration. We start Sunday September 4 with a get-together for old and new member. There will be food, drinks and a bouncing castle.

For those of you who wonder and perhaps worry about the future of the Swedish school, we can to tell you that the future looks bright. We have a good income and are able to develop the school. During this year, we've spent a lot of resources in repairing and maintenance and we'll continue this work.

As always, we need tips and ideas from members on activities, so feel free to contact us.

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What Swedes like to do in Lusaka ...

Swedes in Lusaka like a coffee or lunch at;

Blue Moon Café, Woodlands near Pick’n Pay, 0211 261858
Delish, Kabulonga
Kilimanjaro Café, Leopars Hill rd near AIS, 0211 250527/255830
Mugg and Bean, Manda Hill
Sugarbush Café, Vegetables and Shop, 0211 213841, 0977 874771
Zebra Crossing, Ababa House, Addis Abeba rd,

Swedes in Lusaka like lunch or dinner at;
Chang Thai, Thai, Arcades
Dil, Indian, Ibex Hill
Dong Fang, Chinese, Long Acres, 0211 254 328
Dynasty, Chinese, Middleway, Kabulonga
El Lugar del Taco, Mexican, Svenska Skolan
Marlin, Grill and Steaks, Lusaka Club, 0211 252206
Masala Mantra, Indian, Omelo Mumba rd, 0977 894042, 0211 227090
Melsim Lodge, Éthiopian, Kalingalinga, 0979 193452, 0974 279279
Mezze, Lebanese, Kabulonga
Micki’s, Grill, Sable rd, Kabulonga, 0211 263272
Mike’s Kitchen, Traditional, Arcades, 0211 256643
Mumbai Café, Indian, Great East Roma, 0211 293003, 0977 091408
Oriental Garden, Chinese Indian, Long Acres, 0211 251163
Portico, Italian, Showgrounds, 0211 250111
Roma House, Roma
Southern Sun, International,
Rhapsodys, Arcades, 0211 256705/6
Taj Pamodzi, International,
The Mint Lounge, International, Arcades
The Plates, International, Arcades

Swedes in Lusaka like to visit;
Chaminuka Lodge, 0211 840883/4
Fringilla Lodge, 0211 214364
Lilayi Lodge, 0211 840435
Protea Lodge, 0211 212843
Sandy’s Creations, 0211 278116

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First impressions of Zambia from a newly arrived Swedish man trailing behind

By Gustaf

Newly arrived in a very different country – isn’t it a fact that first impressions are quite well parcelled? During my first months here in Lusaka, I thought I’d share some of my impressions. Maybe the reader will experience feel-good-recognition and hopefully a surprise or two. Just for the record, I am not entirely new to Africa. A couple of months in Ethiopia some 10 years ago have substantially contributed to my personal interest in the continent.

At this time, I probably have to admit that I have been added to the movement of “Swedish Men Trailing Behind”. This might not be one of Zambia’s larger identifiable species. But, if you would take only the Swedish expat community as one sub-population, then this species would definitely seem to be entirely dominating. Why this should be the case is probably a question only for Swedish political science researchers to explain.

So, what is it then that these men do? So far I have only been able to scratch the surface, but my investigations show that these men seem to be engaged, driven by genuine interest, in a large spectrum of activities (which cannot be said of their lower middle age spouses who all work for the embassy or for the UN). The only thing we “trailing men” have in common is that no one has a “real job”, even if some of us probably have a decent income from some sort of “business”, while others become rich on what life and Zambia has to offer us.

What activity I will be engaged in myself is still an open question. But I am certain that I will eventually be wealthy in either one of those ways,and maybe in both. And in the meantime, in the beginning of my family’s adventure here, it seems impossible for me to avoid getting rich on impressions and new encounters.

OK, I guess this didn’t add up to much of impressions of Zambia this time, but more of the trailing expat’s unavoidable impressions. In the next issue of Blaskan, I hope reflect on peculiarities in the languages spoken here in Lusaka, but that could of course change after upcoming impressions and new encounters…

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