Navigating Crisis with Purpose: Join the Journey's Response to Cholera in Zambia

In the heart of our mission to empower impoverished mothers in Zambia, Join the Journey found itself facing a sudden and pressing challenge when a cholera outbreak swept through the community of Chawama. The situation was dire, with hundreds of cases reported and the Zambian government instituting strict crackdowns on movement and activities. This crisis demanded immediate attention and adaptive action.

Responding to Urgency: Canceling Plans and Taking Initiative

The onset of the cholera outbreak forced us to reevaluate our initial 2024 plans, leading to the cancellation of some training sessions we had scheduled for the first of the year. Instead of sitting back and waiting, Join the Journey and our partner on the ground, Spark Zambia, quickly pivoted to plug into the ongoing government and community responses. It was a moment that underscored the need for purposeful and immediate action in the face of crisis.

Lessons from Haiti: Community-led Action that Became the Birth of Join the Journey

 Reflecting on my own experience during a crisis situation in Haiti back in 2010—and my subsequent 13 years of military service—became a guiding light for Join the Journey in this present moment in Zambia. Back then, part of the USS Normandy crew, sent on a mission to provide aid to victims of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, we were given boxes of food to distribute. Our mission involved landing a small boat on isolated parts of Haiti's cities next to water. Once there, truly strangers in a strange land, collaboration with community leaders was essential to decipher the most effective distribution plan. This experience laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Join the Journey, as months later we partnered with leaders of a tent village to deliver needed resources to get them back on their feet.

Translating Lessons to Zambia: Assessing Needs and Taking Action

In Zambia, facing the cholera outbreak, our experience in Haiti served as a blueprint for immediate action. Recognizing a need for education and safe drinking water, Join the Journey, in collaboration with Spark Zambia, swiftly moved to purchase water purification kits. The next crucial step involved going out into the community to provide education and distribute these essential kits.

Crisis Planning Lessons: A Blueprint for Action

Our journey through these crises has unveiled critical lessons in crisis planning that resonate at the core of our response:

1. Understand the Current Situation and Needs:

In times of crisis, a clear understanding of the immediate situation and pressing needs is the foundation for effective intervention.

2. Figure Out Resource Gaps:

Identifying resource gaps is crucial. By recognizing what the community lacks, we can bridge those gaps strategically.

3. Take Action:

Purposeful and decisive action is imperative. Proactive engagement ensures that aid reaches the right places at the right time.

Adapting to Empower: A Positive Impact

While Join the Journey's primary role is empowerment toward poverty alleviation, our adaptation to the cholera crisis showcased our commitment to being relevant in the community and making a positive impact. Crisis planning became an extension of our core mission—uplifting communities in their time of need.