Cultural Time (2)

When working for the International Red Cross in Southern Africa, I also had to do some research in Northern Zambia. One day, I was supposed to meet a guy to discuss a project for which he needed funding. When I finally managed to find his office (which consisted of a small room with a table and a stool on three legs), he was not there. His charming secretary showed me an impressive amount of letters that he had written to lots of different organisations and institutions all over the world asking for money. Unfortunately, she said, he had to go to see his relatives in his home village. And when would he be back? Anytime from now, she said ...