In the bustling heart of Zambia’s Copperbelt, within the dynamic yet tumultuous Chamboli, known colloquially as “Biafra,” my dad embraced the role of a social worker after his initial career as a teacher. His transition to the ZCCM mining company marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, leading the Youth in Chamboli initiative against a backdrop of potential unrest and youthful exuberance. Amidst challenges that could easily spiral into chaos, my dad wielded a powerful tool transcending conventional methods of conflict resolution: active listening. His ability to truly hear, understand, and empathetically engage with the community’s youth cultivated a remarkable sense of calm and order in a place nicknamed after a war-torn region. This narrative explores the profound impact of my dad’s active listening, a testament to the transformative power of genuine empathy and understanding within the complexities of human interaction and community building.
