Sunsets on the Savanna: October 2010

Hey Everybody! Hope all is well with everyone. Im in the boma using a computer but don't have much time to type so I apologize in advance for the short post. Things have been going great in the village. Finally got a bookshelf and will get the rest of my furniture just in time for a visit from PCMO(medical officers)! I have started teaching grade 8 English and its really fun. Ive seen so many improvements to my 9a English class and I am so proud of them but my 9b class think they are too cool for school! They have exams in Nov and its crunch time. I really want them to do well. The
We had Honours day(awards day) at my school and it was great. I made certificates for club members, smartest dressed, best actor, best literacy and 1st position in class. The school wrote letters to the community and asked for donations and the day was a success. The teachers loved it and the parents saw value in their child's education. It was sad to see that some parents did care enough to come and accept awards(more that just certificate) with their children but it was amazing to see the teachers step up. You could tell some of these teachers really care about their pupils!
I also went on a field trip to Nachikufu Cave which is the largest Cave in Zambia and its in my district! It was amazing to see these kids go on a "field trip". I didn't even know that was allowed! The wanted to know and do everything. We had to climb up the cave to see somethings and they loved it, even the girls in their skirts and ties had a blast. My co-teacher impressed me, she even did some climbing too. We sang songs on the way to the cave and ate lunch there. There were even rock paintings and tools at the cave that were used and made by the Bush people there. We learned about the spirit of the cave and the wars fought in the area it was nice.
I then headed off to Isanga Bay at Lake Tanganyika Zambia. AMAZING! I did a 4 hr hike to Kalambo falls to see the 2nd tallest falls in Africa and I got to lay on a beach for a few days. R and R was needed. It was nice to see new parts of the country. Zambia is so beautiful is unbelievable.
ok im getting kicked off the computer now. BUT!!!! PLEASE remember to donate to CAMP GLOW throught the Peace Corps website!!!! We are half way to our goal. Also if you are still interested in having a Zambian penpal (other than me) please let me know. I am mailing the first batch of letters next week!!!! So proud of them! Love you all and talk to you soon. Thanks for all the love, support and help that you all continue to give! It means the world to me!!!!

To donate to camp glow to go: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cmf?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=611-062 or just go to www.peacecorps.gov click "donate to voulnteer projects" and search under the name "FRITZLER"

Chishimba falls with Christine

Chishimbe falls (yes I love this place)

Sunset on the Savanna...literally

Hendrix and her favorite ball

Do you see it? Its a rock painting of an elephant at Nachikufu Cave

Jess and I on the boat after our 4 hour hike to Kalombo falls

Honors day! The school's cultural dance club performing

Mpumba Basic goes on a Field Trip!!!

Grade 8 girls getting ready to explore Nachikufu Cave

All of the grade 8s outside the cave

Ceclia and I after Honors day. She is one of the leaders in the Girl's Club at my School

At Honors day. She won an award for best literacy and she's only in grade 2! She is super smart but since her parents werent there to help her get the award the teacher accepted the award with her....

Honors day!!!! My teachers dancin' it up...

Two of the leaders in the Girl's club reading a speech they wrote for Honors day...I was so proud. I got so nervous when all 4 leaders got up and read a poem we wrote together that I forgot to take pictures....oops!