OU College of Architecture

Photo Voice Exploration

with
Family Legacy Lifeway Christian Academy
& Tree of Life Village Respondents
Lusaka, Zambia 2014
University of Oklahomas College of Architecture
Zambia Service Learning Project
August 2014

INTRODUCTION

Photo Voice Exploration

Family Legacy LCA & Tree of Life Respondents
Lusaka, Zambia
Photo voice is a participatory action research method which enables people to record their communitys strengths and concerns through
photographs and narrative; promote critical dialogue of personal and community issues through large and small group discussions based on
the photographs; and be used as a tool to reach policy makers (Wang, Journal of Womens Health, 1999, pg. 1). The ability to visit a place and
photograph it, as well as receive a narrative explanation from the respondents of the reasons why they have chosen the particular locations
they did, is invaluable in recording the weight or gravity of circumstance. The photographs are concrete and help translate experience to people coming from different backgrounds.
As a part of a service learning trip for the University of Oklahomas College of Architecture and in partnership with the Family Legacy organization operating in Lusaka, Zambia, photo voice was used as a method to both gather as much information as possible in a limited time
frame, and to help us bridge divides not only in the translation of language, but also translating across the social and environmental landscapes of the children being served by the Family Legacy organization and our American backgrounds and experience. We were able to visit
locations in the context of their environments (the neighborhoods or compounds that the Lifeway Christian Academy students live in, and
the Tree of Life residential village), and bring back photos of the respondents favorite places, favorite buildings, least favorite areas and narrative with their explanations. Our goal was to use this information, along with information we gathered from focus group interviews and interviews with key administrative staff members, to triangulate to specific criteria that are important to the children and the organization, and
which would be imperative for us to consider in the creation of a Master Plan for Family Legacys expansion to a new village.
We were able to use the information to meet the goal of determining what was important in the way of physical spaces, and learning
which aspects of Zambian culture are important to the children and inform their daily lives. A secondary outcome of the photo voice activities
was to highlight some areas in the compounds that could be addressed in future service programs to help create environments that these
children can prosper in with the aid of Family Legacy.
Included in this document are the photo voice responses from Garden and Mtendere compounds, and Tree of Life students and House
Mothers, and a list of the conclusions we were able to draw from the information.

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Garden Compound
The Market

Kampala Ground

Remarks:

Remarks:

Spend time with friends

working in booths, selling

Buy food or goods for

family

Suggested Changes:

Lots of activity and pretty

things

Play games with friends, open,

not chased off by adults

Would be nice if they put in

grass & made it pretty, and
added options like swings or
netball

Sewage Treatment Ponds

Ground at Church near rail line

Remarks:

Remarks:

Spend time with friends running

along paths, skipping stones

Quiet place to study, reflect

A place to interact with nature

Play games with friends on

weekends and evenings

Suggested Changes:

Would like if it was kept clean

Suggested Changes:

Would like if the weeds were

cleaned out to keep snakes
away, and maybe a fence to
keep people from dumping
bodies

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Garden Compound
Lubuto Library @ Ngwelele
School

Neighborhood Road
Remarks:

Remarks:

Play computer games

Read books

Classes like dancing, drumming, drama, art

Run with friends, walk to

their homes, walk on road
and talk

Suggested Changes:

The Olympic Training Center

Remarks:

Open 105 every day

Free admission

Indoor field house for netball,

soccer, judo, etc.

Outdoor fields for soccer, field

hockey, etc.

Track

Swimming pool

Would like if the road was

paved, so his shoes would
stay clean

Favorite Buildings
Garden Compound
Garden Compound Lifeway Christian Academy
Remarks:

Education

Opportunity to do something different with life

Spiritual Education

Lubuto Library Tech Center and Reading Room

Remarks:

Access to technology center to learn computer skills

Place to read books and have reading time with Library staff

Classes in creative arts

Opportunity for structured play outside of school

Somewhere that they can learn new things

Like the style of the buildings, with the thatched roofs and courtyards. It is unique and nice.

Favorite Buildings
Garden Compound
The Olympic Training Center
Remarks:

Field house for indoor sports such as netball, basketball, indoor

soccer, judo

Kids can participate or watchfree admission, open 10 to 5

every day

There are also outdoor fields, a track and a swimming pool

Many of the respondents, female and male, mentioned the

Olympic Training Center as either their favorite place to hang
out or their favorite building

Beautiful, clean , nice building

The new Soccer Stadium

Remarks:

A nice building

Would like to go there to watch a match someday

Least Favorite Places

Garden Compound
The Bars
Remarks:
The bars and informal drinking areas (i.e. right corner
photo) are the scourge of the compounds.
Adults and teens drink, do drugs, and become mired
in a cycle of violence and poverty.
Young girls end up working in the bars in the sex trade
as one of the few ways to earn a wage.
Changes:
Move the bars out of the compounds
Shut them down
Work on a personal level to teach friends and family a
different way to live.

Least Favorite Places

Garden Compound
Ngwelele Stream

The Rail line

Remarks:

Remarks:

Trash choking the stream

Place for thieves and murderers to dump bodies and loot

During the rainy season it is

very unsafe and people have
been swept away

Not safe, many large pot

holes, places where you
could fall or hurt yourself

A lot of weeds or grass

where snakes could be, or
other things/people could
hide

Another place where bodies

are often dumped

Suggested Changes:

Cleaning the stream

Policing it to make certain it is

maintained

The Sewage Treatment Ponds

Remarks:

They smell bad

People dump bodies here and

it Is a place where violence
occurs

Would like a wall-fence

around the ponds to keep
people out.

The female respondents did

not like the ponds, but the
male respondents did, for the
most part

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Mtendere Compound
Chinamaground Recreation Field

Mtendere Market

Remarks:

Remarks:

Can play both soccer and basketball

Large enough for many people

Cars driving through causes the dust

from the ground to kick up which irritates their lungs and make the respondents feel unsafe

Running errands for family

Variety to choose from

Fun activity

Suggested Changes:

Would like to see more variety

Suggested Changes:

Add a paved road so drivers dont

drive through the field.

Clear the bushes surrounding the field

to keep snakes away

Clearing the bushes would also keep

murders from occurring in the thickets

Montiground Recreation Field

Remarks:

Place to meet friends after school

Able to play soccer

Suggested Changes:

Would like to see it cleaned up and

the removal of glass and rocks

Nicer Neighborhoods in Mtendere

Remarks:

Roads to keep traffic away from

play areas and to help manage the
dust

Nicer Homes

Safer area

Favorite Buildings
Mtendere Compound
Jarmy Christian Academy

Tuck Shops

Remarks:

Remarks:

Read and play netball with

friends after school and on
Saturdays

Nice variety
Fun to shop and
browse the selection

It is quiet and can meet

friends there

Suggested Changes:

Would like it to be open every

day.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Remarks:

A safe space where they can

learn about the word of God with
friends

Practice singing on Saturdays and

Sundays.

Can get really cold inside of the

building because it wasnt built
properly and some parts are still
under construction.

Suggested Changes:

Would like if the building could

get the repairs that it needs.

Mtendere Library
Remarks:

Quiet space to study

Can meet friends there
Variety of books to read

Least Favorite Places

Mtendere Compound

The Bars
(The respondents cautioned to not take pictures directly at the bars, so this a picture of the group
walking past one)
Remarks:

Unanimously the most disliked space amongst the respondents.

Operate 24 hours a day in the middle of the community, not far from the school and Montiground
recreation field

Scares them because the people inside are often belligerent and are known for harassment and
being violent.

Suggested Changes:

Would like to see the bars completely removed from the community, and that their removal
would make Mtendere a much more positive and safer place.

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Tree of Life Students Group 1
Netball Pitch

Play park

Remarks:

Remarks:

Spend time with

friends

Come here to cheer up when

bored

Suggested Changes:

Swing & play with friends

Would like it if the

pitch was paved

Suggested Changes:

Would like benches

and more jerseys

Basketball court, soccer fields

Remarks:

Place to relax with friends, play soccer

or basketball

Suggested Changes:

Would like water taps , benches and

trash receptacles at the fields

Would like if the weeds were kept

down so snakes cannot hide in them

Would like a play area for

older children

Would like more shade and

flowers

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Tree of life Students Group 1
Houses at Tree of Life
Remarks:

Enjoys spending time with

siblings

Suggested Changes:

It would be nice if it were

easier to keep clean

Also if they could do laundry

inside when its cold or wet
outside

FCA Library
Remarks:

Enjoys reading and learning

computers

Suggested Changes:

Would like more opportunities to

work with computers

Would like more books

Favorite Buildings
Tree of Life Students Group 1
Faith Christian Academy
Remarks:

Comfortable, quiet

Education attainment and opportunity

Suggested Changes:

Would like more light, and more toilets

and maybe some heaters

An exam center would be nice so they

wouldnt have to bus to one

Would be nice if there was a pitch close

to school

The Legacy Center

Cafeteria at Faith Christian Academy

Remarks:

Remarks:

An attractive, nice,
clean building

Campit is the
place where found
Salvation

Suggested Changes:

Also used for special

events, feel special
when go there

Its a good place to gather for play

or study

More tables & chairs, and ones

which are easier to move would be
nice

It would be nice to have a separate

place for worship services

Least Favorite Places

Tree of Life Students Group 1
The restrooms at the School

Walking paths

Remarks:

Remarks:

Not enough toilets

Often the sinks or toilets

leak or run water

Too many stones and

rocks

Would be nice if they

were paved

Very muddy in wet season

and dusty in dry

No lighting so it doesnt
feel safe to go anywhere
after dark

The Play Park

Remarks:

Too many stones, kids get hurt when they fall off the equipment

The sand makes her feel dirty, and also makes her cough

Would like it if it were planted with grass and cleaned up of rocks

and debris

One of the male respondents doesnt use equipment at play park,

wishes for bicycles to ride around paths

One of the female respondents said the equipment (specifically the

swings) arent sturdy enough for the older children

Favorite Places
Tree of Life House Mothers Group 1

Houses at Tree of Life (for privacy and propriety, photos were not taken inside residential buildings)
Remarks:

The sitting room & dining room are good places to do work and keep an eye on the children

Bathrooms get a little congested in the morning trying to get everyone ready for the day. Modesty is also an issuesome of
the showers are positioned in front of toilets and the girls dont have any privacy because the curtains dont close all the way.

Suggested Changes:

It would be nice if they were easier to keep cleanfloor and wall finishes dont ever look shiny, and concrete is spalling in
places from damage from heavy cleaning and water

Some of little children cannot use the toilets easily because they are too highone or two childrens toilets would be nice.

Wardrobes for the kids rooms, or more shelves in the closets would be nice for storage.

A higher water tap and utility sink would make laundry easier. Also, the laundry room space in the house is not well utilized.

Separate bedrooms for the housemothers would mitigate issues where an older mother has more privilege to use the space
due to cultural norms.

A lounge for the house mothers would be welcomeda place where the mothers from Chelstone can leave their things
when they come in for the day or get a drink or bite to eat without taking from the house mothers on site, and where mothers can listen to the radio or watch TV for a short break.

Solar geysers for hot water would cut down on energy use heating water for baths on stove.

All the mothers felt a better quality of construction would help the houses be more sustainable in the long termless broken
fixtures, knobs, shelves, etc.

Places Where the Children Spend Time with Friends

Tree of Life House Mothers Group 1

Play park
Remarks:

Convenient for the little kids, the older ones go to the fields

Not always convenient for the mothers because they cannot see the park from the houses and cannot get their work done
while watching the children at the park

Suggested Changes:

More variety of equipment would be nice, maybe a trampoline or jump house

Its dusty and dirtysome softer materials or grass would be nice

Would like benches or tables to sit at when there to watch over their kids

Favorite Buildings
Tree of Life House Mothers Group 1
The Legacy Center
Remarks:

An attractive, nice, clean building

The chairs are comfortable

The sound system is good for gatherings and worship services

The Cafeteria
Remarks:

A place where they can talk to each other and share advice
or get support from each other

They share work rotations cooking lunch for the kids and
helping set up and take down for meals and worship services

When it is finished, it will be really nice with a kitchen and

sinks inside that function better than the current set up

Favorite Places/Places Where Spend Time with Friends

Tree of Life Students and House Mothers Group 2
Playground
Childrens Remarks:

A communal space where they can speak and interact with their friends and of those of the opposite sex. The
village holds strict regulations regarding people of the opposite sex interacting with each other and this is
one of the spaces where that type of interaction is permitted.

Equipment was built for younger individuals and is not very durable for adults, who are heavier.

Would like more covered seating.

House Mothers Remarks:

House mothers stated that they wish the playground was closer to the actual homes so they can keep a better
eye on their children

A good distance away from the homes and surrounded by trees that block the ability to see the playground

Recreation Field
Childrens Remarks:

Student respondents enjoy playing soccer and baseball at the fields with their friends

Childrens Suggested Changes:

Would like to see new goals with nets

Also, lights for the evening games and more bleachers so observers can be comfortable while watching.

Some of the young female respondents said they would like to have a separate field just for the girls

House Mothers Remarks:

House mothers enjoy watching.

House Mothers Suggested Changes:

Remove the stones from the ground to prevent injuries

Favorite Buildings
Tree of Life Students & House Mothers Group 2
The Pavilion
Remarks:

Place to have meetings

Also a place for worship and play basketball

Multi-functional outdoor space

Suggested Changes:

Would like more of these types of spaces

Bomas
Remarks:
Shaded, outdoor area
Communal space where they could visit friends in comfort
Also used as meeting areas for friends and house mothers
Suggested Changes:
Would like more around the village to have more interaction
with friends

Least Favorite Places

Tree of Life Students & House Mothers Group 2
Waste Disposal Area
Remarks:

Buried food waste to compost

Burn pit for dry waste like paper

and other trash which stays there
until a garbage truck can pick it
up

Suggested Changes:

Would like to have the waste

managed in a different way so
they would not have to see or
smell it

Laundry Area near Waste

Management Pits
Remarks:

Unpleasant odors get

in to clothing

Unsanitary

Irritates eyes and respiratory system

Rocky Recreational Fields

Remarks:

Causes multiple injuries

Dust irritates eyes and respiratory system

Dust gets on to everything

CONCLUSIONS

The children, both in the compounds and in the Tree of Life village, crave areas where they can gather socially after school and in their free time.

The older children need quiet areas where they can study. Quiet areas are also often prized as places to find peace and reflect.

The children arent exposed to many pretty spaces, and they often mention that if they could change their favorite areas, it would be to clean
them up, and also to make them bright - to plant grass or have flowers and generally make them nice spaces.

Safety is a major concern of the compound childrenall of their least favorite areas are places where bodies are dumped, thieves rob people, or are
the bars where there is violence, noise and degradation.

The older Tree of Life children wish for more age-appropriate options for social interactions outside of schoolright now they can either be at the
play park which is more suited to the younger children, or at the recreation fields which dont have a lot of seating and arent useful if you arent interested in athletics.

The House Mothers at Tree of Life have concerns about the quality of construction of the homes, and worry that they wont last because of prior
problems with fixtures and damage to the concrete in some places from water exposure and repeated scrubbing.

The House Mothers have concerns about the location of the play grounds, in that not all of their houses are convenient to the parks and they cannot
keep an eye on their younger kids and still get their work done at the houses

Landscaping and infrastructure at Tree of Life were not addressed at the beginning and now require some attention to mitigate some of aspects
identified as being things the respondents would like to change, such as poorly maintained pathways and a perceived lack of security.

The children in Tree of Life and in the Compounds are extremely appreciative of the opportunity they have been given to obtain an education and
have more options available to them than they have seen in the compounds. They all believe they can affect change in the compounds by being examples for the friends and family and sharing what theyve learned through Family Legacy.