WriterandeducatorMaryBomforddescribestheformativeyearsofherlifeworkingasateacherinZambia,andthelong-lastingimpactthoseyearsimprinteduponher.Attheageof21,CanadianteacherMaryBomfordandherhusbandofjusteightweeksembarkedonajourneythatwoulddirectlyaltertheircareers,theirmarriage,andtheirfamily.Thatjourneywouldtraceaninvisiblebutpalpablethreadthroughtherestoftheirlives.Enticedbydreamsofadventure,in1969MaryandherhusbandLarrymovedtoLundazi,atownneartheeasternborderofZambiatoworkasCUSOvolunteersinasecondaryschool.Atthetime,thecountry,anationnewlyindependentafterdecadesofcolonialism,waslookingforvolunteerstofilltheteachershortageuntilenoughyoungZambianshadcompletedtheirteachertraining.Newtomarriage,teaching,andZambia,Maryembarksonaprofoundjourneyconnectingthemtothecountry,theirstudents,andtheircolleagues.Zambiagavethemtheexperienceofasecondhome,filledwithmomentsofdelightinthebeautyoftheareaandenrichedbythecultureoftheZambianpeople.Yearslater,Maryreflectsonherexperiencesofthelandscape,culture,andpeopleinthehopefultimefollowingindependence.RedDust&CicadaSongsisanexplorationofthedeepandlastingconnectionshestillfeelsforhertimeinZambia.
