Zambia's economic situation. Copper mining has been the base of Zambia's economy since World War II. Despite good land, commercial farming has not been well developed. For the last 20 years, the mining industry has slowly declined, taking Zambia's economy down with it. People are truly much poorer - at least by half. The middle class has been largely "pauperised". The poor in rural areas survive on subsistence farming. In the cities, whole poverty-stricken shanty townships exist just above the starvation level. The AIDS pandemic has hit Zambia hard, and every family is affected by the high sickness and death rate.

Zambia's political situation. Kenneth Kaunda led Zambia to independence from Britain in 1964 and was President thereafter for 27 years of which in the last years Zambia was a one-party state. In 1991 a peaceful revolution brought in multiparty democracy with Frederick Chiluba as President. After 10 years he attempted to change the constitution to allow him a third term as president, but was defeated by an active civil society led by the lawyers and the churches and Levy Mwanawasa became President in 2001. He has instituted measures to prosecute those in the previous regime accused of corruption and plundering the national wealth.

Although Zambia has had several attempted coups, there has never been any serious civil unrest as in most of the surrounding countries, and Zambians have a reputation for cheerfulness and friendliness in spite of extreme poverty.

Zambia's strategic but unfortunate location. Lying just north of Zimbabwe, Zambia is easily mixed up with Zimbabwe and this has harmed tourism, investment, etc. Equally bad, Zambia lies due east of Angola and due south of Zaire/Congo. Angola’s civil war has just ended. Congo is still suffering a devastating civil war. Zambia accommodates thousands of refugees from these neighbouring countries.

Livingstone is one of the oldest towns in Zambia, and is 11km from the famous Victoria Falls. In the last few years tourism has developed rapidly. There are two Sun International hotels next to the Falls and many lodges next to the Zambezi and hotels and guest houses in Livingstone. There are many tours and activities available, including elephant rides, white water rafting, bunji jumping, river cruises, microlight and helicopter flights over the Falls.

In Livingstone town, there are many interesting historical buildings and two museums. The Livingstone Museum has papers and items belonging to Dr David Livingstone and the Railway Museum is the place for train enthusiasts.

Lubasi Home is in Maramba, opposite the Maramba Market, where almost anything can be bought.