Sara Moslemi Zadeh from BuroHappold Engineering has been out in Zambia volunteering as Build It Assistant Project Manager at the Centre for Excellence. We caught up with Sara as she comes to the end of her time in Zambia.

I remember exactly a year ago when I called Andrew Jowett, Build It CEO for the first time to discuss the placement opportunity with them in Zambia. I can now confidently say that it was one of the best decisions I made in my life.

It is sad to leave Zambia but life must move on and it is time for a new chapter. However, my perception of life has changed and I feel that I am a better version of myself, full of new experiences and great memories.

My time in Zambia was not quite long enough to achieve all the plans and ideas I had in my mind! However, as well as my usual project management duties I managed to supervise the construction of the block working training area giving trainees additional space to practise their brickwork skills in preparation for their trades test.

I have designed the surface water drainage strategy for the Centre for Excellence, and have been able see some of the progress on both drainage and landscaping across the site.

The past 7 months have been an absolute adventure for me. I have visited so many places in this amazing country from Northern, Eastern and Southern Province. I met some exciting new people, ate many delicious foods including trying new fruits, and experienced sleeping in a remote village for a night after my car got stuck in mud in the middle of forest reserve!

For me this is not definitely not goodbye to Build It. The privilege of working with the trainees on a day-to-day basis has made me even more committed to the organisation, and this is just the beginning of further co-operation with Build It.

#BuildingBrighterFutures