Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A year in review
LONG Time! It’s been a while yet again since I’ve written. Since I’ve officially been in the village and in Zambia for a year, seems only right for me to do some sort of review of what has happened. But instead of spending countless hours at the computer Ill just review in a list… a top 10 of sorts.
Top 12 realizations of the year (in no particular order)
1) You can’t live in two places at once- In the beginning, I was really upset about being so disconnected from family and friends. I tried to live in America and Zambia at the same time in the sense that I tried to stay the person I was in American while living in Zambia. That didn’t work too well. As soon as I let my American life go - in the sense of accepting the fact that I’m no longer the person I was living the life I use to- I started to find my place here. I want to be a part of everyone’s life back home and I can, but I have to be HERE in order to make the most of the experience. I’m glad I learned that!
2) “Take chances, Make mistakes, get messy"- Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus said it best I think! You only get one life, might as well live it up and take anything for granted. I have the rare opportunity to do some amazing things that people only dream of. Seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world, petting a lion, living in Africa, meeting the ambassador, taking showers under the stars, seeing the 2nd longest waterfall in Africa those types of things. I also live a life most would hate. Black mambas, flesh eating ants, unreliable public transport, leaky roofs and of course no electricity or indoor plumbing. But really what is life without risk. I get bored easily and I haven’t been bored yet here. This is literally a dream for me even with the occasional series of unfortunate events but that’s anywhere. So long story short....I wouldn’t trade this for anything!
3) Don’t forget to say thank you- Many times in the hustle and bustle of my former life, I rarely took the chance to stop and take in the world around me. Here, it’s completely different. This place reminds me to stop and be thankful for the little things. One morning around 6am I was awaken by my dog, chickens and the sounds of the village. I was angry that I was up at 6am and I walked out my house grumpy. I looked at the sun rising over my yard and I quickly said sorry (for being grumpy) and thank you because I was up early enough to experience the beauty of nature. We ask for a lot and forget to be grateful for the little things and what we have. I catch myself saying thank you more often now.
4) If you bring them sweeties, they will come- When I first went to the village, I took so much pride in doing all my own chores. I felt independent and it kept me busy. As my service continued and started getting busier, I realized that there were just some things I hated and really didn’t have time for. I hate fetching water! It’s not like its far or anything I just really don’t like doing it. About 5 months in, I realized that the kids in my village wanted candy and they would do ANYTHING to get said candy. So now I give them candy in exchange for jerry cans full of water!!! Its perfect and now since I’ve started my garden the kids come around everyday to get me water. Too bad they can’t write my lesson plans ;)
5) Always bring a book to a meeting- Meetings never start on time…ever. So instead of being annoyed or angry I just bring a book or something to do. I like to think I’m multi-tasking. There really is no exception to this rule.
6) The secret ingredient is cheeky chili/ sweet chili sauce- I’m no chef but I do enjoy cooking. I like trying new things and making culinary creations. But I’ve noticed that literally everything I cook has either cheeky chili (hot sauces) or sweet chili sauce. Zambians love salt and I love spice. My teachers make fun of me because I like cheeky chili so much and use to carry a bottle in my purse.
7) Just because it looks or smells good, doesn’t mean it taste good- no explanation needed especially because this is in reference to what I make. I guess that’s why Zambians don’t smell their food….its deceiving.
8) Fat is a term of endearment- In the Zambian Culture, it’s a good thing to be called fat because it means you have enough food to eat and you are healthy. In American culture, it’s obviously a bit different. Even after a yr I cringe a little when I’m sitting in the village with the women and they can’t stop talking about how fat I am, especially after I’ve just come from Lusaka and Kasama where I’ve eaten my weight in cheese and they can tell. I’ve started telling people that it’s an insult in my country to tell someone they are fat. So now they say I’m just a “bit” fat.
9) “If soya pieces were in America, this is what America would taste like”- This is what one of my PCV friends said after we had Mexican night at my house and I used soya pieces. Soya is the new chicken! Soya pieces are basically tofu/soya bean chucks. You can cook them like chicken and add them to anything. I eat them at least 3 times a week. You can put them in pasta, curry, tortillas, or even eat them straight out of the bag (I haven’t gotten that desperate yet). To top it all off, they are a great source of protein! I’m bringing some back to the states.
10) After a long day, nothing hits the spot like a bucket bath- Bucket baths are so nice for some reason. I rather bucket bath then take a shower, especially when you can take a bath under the starts.
11) Hitch Hiking is an art…and a sport- People are so nice here and are willing to help you anyway they can, for me that normally means driving me somewhere. I’ve met a lot of interesting people getting a “lift” and it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. I get the seat with a seat belt 8 times out of 10 and the drivers are super nice. I even get free rides sometimes. Transport is the biggest problem in this country and since I live 10 hours away for Lusaka (Nations capital) and 6 hrs from my provincial house, I do what I can to get where I need to be. Especially when vacations are concerned.
12) Music is the universal language and dancing is how you communicate- I love dancing and I love that I am in a country where people express themselves with music and dance. My dancing abilities surpass my Bemba speaking abilities and at every function I go to (even school meetings sometimes) I’m required to dance. The women in my village even know my favorite Zampop song! Here you dance to tell stories also. During Camp GLOW, the girls did a dance showing how to say no when a sugar daddy approaches you. It’s also fun to dance to my American music with people in the village; they don’t know how to dance to Jay-z or Adele.
Top 10 highlights of the last year
10) 4hr hike to Kalombo Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfall in Africa
9) Gratitude Sunday (every Sunday)
8) KITCHEN PARTY!!!
7) Grade 9 Debates- it was the first time anything like it had happed at my school
6) Seeing Victoria Falls
5) Northern Province house days/ Camp GLOW
4) HENDRIX!!!!
3) TGM on teaching and learning aids
2) Village Birthday Party
1) Safari in Botswana/ Petting a LION
It’s been a great year in every aspect. There have been some ups and downs for sure and they have made me stronger to say the least. I’ve had some success in teacher training in the form of leading teacher group meetings. I’ve seen and improvement in the kids as they were able to hold debates in English. People say it (teaching pupils in the rural areas) can’t be done but it can. These kids were able to pick topics, develop arguments, counter arguments and express themselves verbally in what is probably their 3rd or 4th language. The teachers now know it can be done and want to implement these themselves. I’ve developed relationships with the women in my village and I’m seen as a daughter to them.
This week I helped with training of the new volunteers and watched the volunteers 1 yr ahead of me leave. It’s been a mix of; look at where I was a year ago and look where ill be a year from now. I’ve learned a lot about a lot in the last year and hopeful I could help the new trainees learn something too. I also visited my host family from training this week. It was emotional in the sense that with some rough patches in my current village, I wish I could have this family near and it was comforting to know they still remember me and have room in their heart for me. It’s great that they still love me even though my Bemba has gotten worse. Someone from home told me in a letter that this is an amazing journey that most people only dream of. A journey of happy and sad times, of growth and learning and she was right. She also told me to enjoy my journey….and I’m doing just that. I’m excited for what the next year of service will bring. Hopefully it will bring another great Camp GLOW, a resource center full of books and computers, more condom demonstrations, more trips to beautiful places, more village shin-digs, less books in my personal library because I would have read them all, more Bemba and more growth, strength and happiness.
Top 12 realizations of the year (in no particular order)
1) You can’t live in two places at once- In the beginning, I was really upset about being so disconnected from family and friends. I tried to live in America and Zambia at the same time in the sense that I tried to stay the person I was in American while living in Zambia. That didn’t work too well. As soon as I let my American life go - in the sense of accepting the fact that I’m no longer the person I was living the life I use to- I started to find my place here. I want to be a part of everyone’s life back home and I can, but I have to be HERE in order to make the most of the experience. I’m glad I learned that!
2) “Take chances, Make mistakes, get messy"- Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus said it best I think! You only get one life, might as well live it up and take anything for granted. I have the rare opportunity to do some amazing things that people only dream of. Seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world, petting a lion, living in Africa, meeting the ambassador, taking showers under the stars, seeing the 2nd longest waterfall in Africa those types of things. I also live a life most would hate. Black mambas, flesh eating ants, unreliable public transport, leaky roofs and of course no electricity or indoor plumbing. But really what is life without risk. I get bored easily and I haven’t been bored yet here. This is literally a dream for me even with the occasional series of unfortunate events but that’s anywhere. So long story short....I wouldn’t trade this for anything!
3) Don’t forget to say thank you- Many times in the hustle and bustle of my former life, I rarely took the chance to stop and take in the world around me. Here, it’s completely different. This place reminds me to stop and be thankful for the little things. One morning around 6am I was awaken by my dog, chickens and the sounds of the village. I was angry that I was up at 6am and I walked out my house grumpy. I looked at the sun rising over my yard and I quickly said sorry (for being grumpy) and thank you because I was up early enough to experience the beauty of nature. We ask for a lot and forget to be grateful for the little things and what we have. I catch myself saying thank you more often now.
4) If you bring them sweeties, they will come- When I first went to the village, I took so much pride in doing all my own chores. I felt independent and it kept me busy. As my service continued and started getting busier, I realized that there were just some things I hated and really didn’t have time for. I hate fetching water! It’s not like its far or anything I just really don’t like doing it. About 5 months in, I realized that the kids in my village wanted candy and they would do ANYTHING to get said candy. So now I give them candy in exchange for jerry cans full of water!!! Its perfect and now since I’ve started my garden the kids come around everyday to get me water. Too bad they can’t write my lesson plans ;)
5) Always bring a book to a meeting- Meetings never start on time…ever. So instead of being annoyed or angry I just bring a book or something to do. I like to think I’m multi-tasking. There really is no exception to this rule.
6) The secret ingredient is cheeky chili/ sweet chili sauce- I’m no chef but I do enjoy cooking. I like trying new things and making culinary creations. But I’ve noticed that literally everything I cook has either cheeky chili (hot sauces) or sweet chili sauce. Zambians love salt and I love spice. My teachers make fun of me because I like cheeky chili so much and use to carry a bottle in my purse.
7) Just because it looks or smells good, doesn’t mean it taste good- no explanation needed especially because this is in reference to what I make. I guess that’s why Zambians don’t smell their food….its deceiving.
8) Fat is a term of endearment- In the Zambian Culture, it’s a good thing to be called fat because it means you have enough food to eat and you are healthy. In American culture, it’s obviously a bit different. Even after a yr I cringe a little when I’m sitting in the village with the women and they can’t stop talking about how fat I am, especially after I’ve just come from Lusaka and Kasama where I’ve eaten my weight in cheese and they can tell. I’ve started telling people that it’s an insult in my country to tell someone they are fat. So now they say I’m just a “bit” fat.
9) “If soya pieces were in America, this is what America would taste like”- This is what one of my PCV friends said after we had Mexican night at my house and I used soya pieces. Soya is the new chicken! Soya pieces are basically tofu/soya bean chucks. You can cook them like chicken and add them to anything. I eat them at least 3 times a week. You can put them in pasta, curry, tortillas, or even eat them straight out of the bag (I haven’t gotten that desperate yet). To top it all off, they are a great source of protein! I’m bringing some back to the states.
10) After a long day, nothing hits the spot like a bucket bath- Bucket baths are so nice for some reason. I rather bucket bath then take a shower, especially when you can take a bath under the starts.
11) Hitch Hiking is an art…and a sport- People are so nice here and are willing to help you anyway they can, for me that normally means driving me somewhere. I’ve met a lot of interesting people getting a “lift” and it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. I get the seat with a seat belt 8 times out of 10 and the drivers are super nice. I even get free rides sometimes. Transport is the biggest problem in this country and since I live 10 hours away for Lusaka (Nations capital) and 6 hrs from my provincial house, I do what I can to get where I need to be. Especially when vacations are concerned.
12) Music is the universal language and dancing is how you communicate- I love dancing and I love that I am in a country where people express themselves with music and dance. My dancing abilities surpass my Bemba speaking abilities and at every function I go to (even school meetings sometimes) I’m required to dance. The women in my village even know my favorite Zampop song! Here you dance to tell stories also. During Camp GLOW, the girls did a dance showing how to say no when a sugar daddy approaches you. It’s also fun to dance to my American music with people in the village; they don’t know how to dance to Jay-z or Adele.
Top 10 highlights of the last year
10) 4hr hike to Kalombo Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfall in Africa
9) Gratitude Sunday (every Sunday)
8) KITCHEN PARTY!!!
7) Grade 9 Debates- it was the first time anything like it had happed at my school
6) Seeing Victoria Falls
5) Northern Province house days/ Camp GLOW
4) HENDRIX!!!!
3) TGM on teaching and learning aids
2) Village Birthday Party
1) Safari in Botswana/ Petting a LION
It’s been a great year in every aspect. There have been some ups and downs for sure and they have made me stronger to say the least. I’ve had some success in teacher training in the form of leading teacher group meetings. I’ve seen and improvement in the kids as they were able to hold debates in English. People say it (teaching pupils in the rural areas) can’t be done but it can. These kids were able to pick topics, develop arguments, counter arguments and express themselves verbally in what is probably their 3rd or 4th language. The teachers now know it can be done and want to implement these themselves. I’ve developed relationships with the women in my village and I’m seen as a daughter to them.
This week I helped with training of the new volunteers and watched the volunteers 1 yr ahead of me leave. It’s been a mix of; look at where I was a year ago and look where ill be a year from now. I’ve learned a lot about a lot in the last year and hopeful I could help the new trainees learn something too. I also visited my host family from training this week. It was emotional in the sense that with some rough patches in my current village, I wish I could have this family near and it was comforting to know they still remember me and have room in their heart for me. It’s great that they still love me even though my Bemba has gotten worse. Someone from home told me in a letter that this is an amazing journey that most people only dream of. A journey of happy and sad times, of growth and learning and she was right. She also told me to enjoy my journey….and I’m doing just that. I’m excited for what the next year of service will bring. Hopefully it will bring another great Camp GLOW, a resource center full of books and computers, more condom demonstrations, more trips to beautiful places, more village shin-digs, less books in my personal library because I would have read them all, more Bemba and more growth, strength and happiness.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Accomplished!!!
When I last wrote, I was attending the PEPFAR workshop. It was amazing! I learned so much and our counterparts did to. We took people from our village that we intend to work with so we would both be trained in talking to our communities. We all left the workshop with new knowledge and experiencing new things. Several counterparts had never been tested for HIV so the option was given to everyone at the workshop. Majority of all of us got tested which is a step in the right direction. Also one counterpart had never seen a condom until the workshop...she has 10 children. Now she knows how to correctly put on a condom! My counterpart (Julie) and I have already started our work. She is talking to mothers at the under 5 clinic for babies and I have taught about 4 HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness lessons in my English class. The kids really think im crazy now but they are learning! They now know that you CAN NOT get HIV from mosquitoes and from kissing!
In addttion to wrokshops, I taught a TGM (techer group meeting) on Teaching/ Learning Aids for the teachers at Mpumba. I have yet to feel more accomplished in my service as a RED volunteer! They loved the presentation. The were active from start to finish, asked questions and even participated in making teaching learning aids.They did a GREAT job making teaching aids, I was so proud of them! I made a few T/L aids of my own to show them how they can use local resources. I made a computer form cardboard, place value chart with removable parts (cardboard), a solar system mobile from sticks, powedered milk lids and string, sentence cards and HIV transmission pictures. The teachers all said this was the best TGM they had ever done and that I was a very good teacher/presenter! The said that I should start leading all the TGMs. As a result, I am leading a TGM on learner centered teaching, the headteacher bought glue for the teachers to make materials and Ive already seen more T/L aids in the classroom!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYA. I love my job!
I also had my 1st birthday in africa! It was too fun. I basically had 3 parties, one in the village, on in the boma and one at my house. The one at my house was just a dinner with 2 other volunteers and the boma party was to celebrate my b-day as well as another volunteers and to celebrate our one year mark. But the village party was something else. We had it the Sunday before my b-day since I had to teach. I was given a chitenge suit to wear for the occassion (ironincally enough it had little crowns which was appropriate since my Bemba name Mwaba means princess). I bought a chicken and was just expecting me and a few other women to just have a good time cooking. I was wrong. Not only did we have chicken but we has all my Zam favorites: chicken, Nshima, chibwabwa(pumpkin leaves), beans, and ifishashi(ground peanuts & veg! It was a feast! The women kind of let me help. After we ate out amazing meal it was time to dance because no party is complete without dancing! But before I could dance, I was given a cake! Julie made me a cake!!! It was in the shape of a heart and had my name on it :) It was a great day. When the dancing started all the kids came to dance with me. They even sang my favorite ZamPop song so I could dance to it!!! The women even commented on how nice my hips are and how well I can move them. Yup I love my Job!!!
Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday...I couldnt have asked for anything better!!!!
In addttion to wrokshops, I taught a TGM (techer group meeting) on Teaching/ Learning Aids for the teachers at Mpumba. I have yet to feel more accomplished in my service as a RED volunteer! They loved the presentation. The were active from start to finish, asked questions and even participated in making teaching learning aids.They did a GREAT job making teaching aids, I was so proud of them! I made a few T/L aids of my own to show them how they can use local resources. I made a computer form cardboard, place value chart with removable parts (cardboard), a solar system mobile from sticks, powedered milk lids and string, sentence cards and HIV transmission pictures. The teachers all said this was the best TGM they had ever done and that I was a very good teacher/presenter! The said that I should start leading all the TGMs. As a result, I am leading a TGM on learner centered teaching, the headteacher bought glue for the teachers to make materials and Ive already seen more T/L aids in the classroom!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYA. I love my job!
I also had my 1st birthday in africa! It was too fun. I basically had 3 parties, one in the village, on in the boma and one at my house. The one at my house was just a dinner with 2 other volunteers and the boma party was to celebrate my b-day as well as another volunteers and to celebrate our one year mark. But the village party was something else. We had it the Sunday before my b-day since I had to teach. I was given a chitenge suit to wear for the occassion (ironincally enough it had little crowns which was appropriate since my Bemba name Mwaba means princess). I bought a chicken and was just expecting me and a few other women to just have a good time cooking. I was wrong. Not only did we have chicken but we has all my Zam favorites: chicken, Nshima, chibwabwa(pumpkin leaves), beans, and ifishashi(ground peanuts & veg! It was a feast! The women kind of let me help. After we ate out amazing meal it was time to dance because no party is complete without dancing! But before I could dance, I was given a cake! Julie made me a cake!!! It was in the shape of a heart and had my name on it :) It was a great day. When the dancing started all the kids came to dance with me. They even sang my favorite ZamPop song so I could dance to it!!! The women even commented on how nice my hips are and how well I can move them. Yup I love my Job!!!
Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday...I couldnt have asked for anything better!!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
I wish that I knew what I know now....
So Ive almost been here a year and while I learn something new everyday(about my village, my job and especially myself) I feel like I have a handle on things....today. Its almost time for the new intake of LIFE(agriculture)and RED(education)to come and Ive been thinking a lot about what it was like preparing for this amazing yet unpredictable journey I am on. I know one thing I spent a lot of time doing was reading blogs from current volunteers to see what I could possibly expect. So in the event that this will probably happen to me, I want to be prepared. So these are list of things Im glad I brought, had mailed to me or wish I would have brought:
In the context of being a RED Volunteer:
- a blazer- Zambian teachers dress better then I ever will so it would've been nice to bring nicer clothes to teach in. Not just skirts or trousers I expect to never wear again but nice clothes.
-Index cards- Sure you can make your own index cards from paper and I have but index cards have been great for teaching/learning aids, remembering pupils names and making flash cards.
-Craft materials- You can buy colored paper here and some arts supplies but having my arts and crafts things have been nice because you can incorporate them into lessons and Ive also have a few pupils meet me on the weekends to color/draw which has been fun.
-Children books: These are good for the younger grades and to test English literacy for the older grades. Also when the kids are yelling at you and playing in your yard its great to sit them down and read to them. A lot of PCVs have kitchen libraries where they loan out books to the kids.
-Scissors- all the zam scissor break
As a PCV:
-extra headphones- headphones break and things are expensive in country
-batteries- expensive in country
-tevas/watershoes- I wish I would have brought them it would've made a few vacations more fun
-FITTED SHEETS!- just trust me! One set is nice. You are given a pair of sheets and a blanket when you get here but fitted sheets just make life a little easier
-Crystal light/flavored water packets- water can get boring
-Tea- Yogi tea hasn't hit Zambia yet
- Sweat pants- sure we work 24/7 (technically) but you can never have too many sweat pants in rainy and cold season when you cant go anywhere or when its too cold and you don't want to go anywhere
-bras- sorry but don't just bring sports bras....bad idea and don't just bring one...even worse idea
-home decor- pictures, posters, anything to make your hut feel homey.
-Tennis Shoes- good for running and vacations
-"Town" clothes- so yea we live in the village but we aren't there all the time. You travel all over the country and don't want to look like a bush rat all the time.You can keep your nicer/vacation clothes at the provincial house.
-Jacket/coat- cold season and rainy season can get pretty chilly. I have a raincoat and a light fleece jacket and that's fine.
-Whatever makes you feel comfortable!!!!- I brought my stuffed animals (yea I said it) because two years is a long time and some days you just need something from home.
-IPOD/MP3 player- duh! Music is a must and CD get scratched really easily
-Laptop- ok so I didn't bring one and I kinda wish I did. So if you bring one bring a converter/ voltage changer to charge it. We have reporting we do every quarter and a laptop would make it easier but you can do fine without it. A lot of volunteers have small laptops they've brought and they can update blogs, shrink pictures and watch movies in their hut. It really is a convenience thing but think about it.
-Solar Charger- its just a good idea.
Things I freaked out about:
-Phone!!! getting a phone is literally the 2nd thing you do in country! Bring money to buy a nice phone(with internet)and you'll get your sim card and everything here. Communication by phone is easier than I thought!
-Post- The post office is a crazy. It takes 2 weeks for letters and about a month for packages. Bring stationary :) I spend a good bit of my free time writing letters home. This form of communication can be frustration hence getting a phone with internet. Ive not have a huge problem with the post while Ive been here.
-light- you can buy a solar lamp in Lusaka when you are getting posted and you can buy candles in bulk...no problem there
-length of skirts- so they say don't wear anything above the knee, which I think is a good rule of thumb. As for shirts, showing arms is not a big deal.
-Water- A water filter is provided and you can buy chlorine in country
-Food/Spices: Ive have gotten just about all my species in Zambia and I cook all my meals so I use spices often. The only spice I haven't found...seasoning salt. Some things are harder to find but you can get anything in Lusaka even crushed red pepper :) Parmesan cheese is nice to bring or get sent even if its in little packets from fast food restaurant. You can get dairy in this country in town not really in the village but powdered milk isn't so bad. You can make some pretty fancy things in the village with local ingredients you just have to look or stock up in Lusaka. Ive always asked people to send me M&Ms, junk food or things where you just add water. If you are a tea or coffee drinker...bring that!!! I have people mail me tea in every package. There's good tea in Lusaka and some bomas but I hear if you are an avid coffee drinker to bring that. You can buy a french press in Lusaka.
I think this is it for now! No matter how you pack you will always have someone offering to send you something which is great because there will always be something you forget! Feel free to email me or ask me questions here. Happy Packing!!!!
In the context of being a RED Volunteer:
- a blazer- Zambian teachers dress better then I ever will so it would've been nice to bring nicer clothes to teach in. Not just skirts or trousers I expect to never wear again but nice clothes.
-Index cards- Sure you can make your own index cards from paper and I have but index cards have been great for teaching/learning aids, remembering pupils names and making flash cards.
-Craft materials- You can buy colored paper here and some arts supplies but having my arts and crafts things have been nice because you can incorporate them into lessons and Ive also have a few pupils meet me on the weekends to color/draw which has been fun.
-Children books: These are good for the younger grades and to test English literacy for the older grades. Also when the kids are yelling at you and playing in your yard its great to sit them down and read to them. A lot of PCVs have kitchen libraries where they loan out books to the kids.
-Scissors- all the zam scissor break
As a PCV:
-extra headphones- headphones break and things are expensive in country
-batteries- expensive in country
-tevas/watershoes- I wish I would have brought them it would've made a few vacations more fun
-FITTED SHEETS!- just trust me! One set is nice. You are given a pair of sheets and a blanket when you get here but fitted sheets just make life a little easier
-Crystal light/flavored water packets- water can get boring
-Tea- Yogi tea hasn't hit Zambia yet
- Sweat pants- sure we work 24/7 (technically) but you can never have too many sweat pants in rainy and cold season when you cant go anywhere or when its too cold and you don't want to go anywhere
-bras- sorry but don't just bring sports bras....bad idea and don't just bring one...even worse idea
-home decor- pictures, posters, anything to make your hut feel homey.
-Tennis Shoes- good for running and vacations
-"Town" clothes- so yea we live in the village but we aren't there all the time. You travel all over the country and don't want to look like a bush rat all the time.You can keep your nicer/vacation clothes at the provincial house.
-Jacket/coat- cold season and rainy season can get pretty chilly. I have a raincoat and a light fleece jacket and that's fine.
-Whatever makes you feel comfortable!!!!- I brought my stuffed animals (yea I said it) because two years is a long time and some days you just need something from home.
-IPOD/MP3 player- duh! Music is a must and CD get scratched really easily
-Laptop- ok so I didn't bring one and I kinda wish I did. So if you bring one bring a converter/ voltage changer to charge it. We have reporting we do every quarter and a laptop would make it easier but you can do fine without it. A lot of volunteers have small laptops they've brought and they can update blogs, shrink pictures and watch movies in their hut. It really is a convenience thing but think about it.
-Solar Charger- its just a good idea.
Things I freaked out about:
-Phone!!! getting a phone is literally the 2nd thing you do in country! Bring money to buy a nice phone(with internet)and you'll get your sim card and everything here. Communication by phone is easier than I thought!
-Post- The post office is a crazy. It takes 2 weeks for letters and about a month for packages. Bring stationary :) I spend a good bit of my free time writing letters home. This form of communication can be frustration hence getting a phone with internet. Ive not have a huge problem with the post while Ive been here.
-light- you can buy a solar lamp in Lusaka when you are getting posted and you can buy candles in bulk...no problem there
-length of skirts- so they say don't wear anything above the knee, which I think is a good rule of thumb. As for shirts, showing arms is not a big deal.
-Water- A water filter is provided and you can buy chlorine in country
-Food/Spices: Ive have gotten just about all my species in Zambia and I cook all my meals so I use spices often. The only spice I haven't found...seasoning salt. Some things are harder to find but you can get anything in Lusaka even crushed red pepper :) Parmesan cheese is nice to bring or get sent even if its in little packets from fast food restaurant. You can get dairy in this country in town not really in the village but powdered milk isn't so bad. You can make some pretty fancy things in the village with local ingredients you just have to look or stock up in Lusaka. Ive always asked people to send me M&Ms, junk food or things where you just add water. If you are a tea or coffee drinker...bring that!!! I have people mail me tea in every package. There's good tea in Lusaka and some bomas but I hear if you are an avid coffee drinker to bring that. You can buy a french press in Lusaka.
I think this is it for now! No matter how you pack you will always have someone offering to send you something which is great because there will always be something you forget! Feel free to email me or ask me questions here. Happy Packing!!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Christmas in Africa! 2010
So one of the best things about my new job is ….TRAVEL! I finally got the chance to see some more of Zambia and a bit of Botswana. So a group of 5 of us spent 2weeks in Livingstone, Zambia, home of Victoria Falls. It was an amazing trip. It had not so great begins though. I was stuck in Lusaka for a few days by stuck I just mean spent more time there then I planned and got stopped at the Botswana boarder. I was just searched but I was the only one in my group who was searched….ill let you guess why! (Sorry I don’t look Zambia just because I am black!) But that was nothing major and I went on about my day. Strange how that happens to me here, I would’ve never imaged being singled out for my “race” here but that’s another story for another day!
So we started out trip at Chobe National Park. Highly recommend it. I’ve never se
en so many elephants and so many different types of animals. W stayed for 2days and 1 night in the park. The first day we did a boat game drive and saw the most amazing birds, 
hippos, and elephants. We even got to see elephants swimming, that was probably my favorite thing. I 
learned that hippos can only stay in the water for about 5 mins so every so often you would look in the water and see noses sticking out. We were on the water for a few hours then had an ama
zing lunch and went back into the park but in a jeep this time. That’s when we saw the lioness. She apparently had just given birth and was alone. The cubs were hiding in a bush (we never saw them). After seeing more elephants and the occasional warthog, we went to our camps site. Tents with beds were set up for us and we had a great meal. It was Christmas Eve so we volunteers came up with our own version of the 12 days of Christmas. It was fun. We even meet some RPCV (returned Peace Corps volunteers) from Namibia which
was great! They are still involved with Peace Corps and still living in Africa! So Christmas Day we did our final game drive and it PORED! We got soaked but it was ok because we say more lions, giraffes, every species of antelope /impala, a leopard, and crocodiles. We went back to Livingstone, Zambia and had MEXICAN for Christmas Dinner! That’s a tradition I can live by!So while in Livingstone, we saw
so many things and met tons of new people. We met volunteers from other countries, ran into more volunteers in Zambia, more Americans and great great staff at the hostel. We stayed at Jollyboys Backpackers…NICE and a good price too. They helped us set all our activities for the week. So I went to Victoria Falls twice, went to a local concert, pampered myself, ate lots of Mexican and other good food, spent to much at the market, went to the Livingstone Museum went on a Sunset/Booze Cruise and the best ever…..walked with lions! LITERALLY!Victoria Falls was of course amazing. It’s beautiful. The water is tricky. The first time I went the water was low for some reason the 2nd time I went I got rained on from the mist of the falls There’s really not to much I can say about the falls expect for words and pictures don’t do the place justice! It was also nice to go to the Livingstone Museum and learn more about Livingstone, the Tonga people and Victoria Falls. We did the Sunset Cruise for New Year’s Eve and it was a nice way to bring in the New Year and to end our trip. But the highlight of my vacation…LIONS.
So I got to walk with and pet lions. Yep I petted a lion! The lions (Rwanda, Rama and Raja(?)) were 17months old. They were huge. They were very playful and Rwanda was a big baby when is two sisters were beating him up….well they were playing. The program I did the w
alk with is trying to re-introduce lions into the wild with a 4 phase program. The lions I was with were just on phase 1 still. They are learning how to hut on their own and fend for themselves. It was fun and educational! On this trip I saw 4 of the big five (Rhino, leopard, lion, elephant, and buffalo). We didn’t see any rhino because they are extinct in the area we were in. It’s amazing how beautiful these animals are in their natural habitat. It also amazing how much beauty there is around 
us and we forget or were to busy to notice it! This was a great Holiday! Wonder what Ill do next year!A PCV's Christmas Carol:
*When created this as a group on Christmas Eve, its all in good fun*
So the 12 days of Christmas are a little something like this:
1st day- A bot-fly in a bush tree
2nd day- two guinea foul
3rd day- three village chickens
4th day- four stupid goats
5th day- five PCVs
6th day- six juicy mangoes
7th day- seven canceled meetings
8th day- eight Obama packets*
9th day- nine creepy hitches*
10th day- ten lumps of nshima*
11th day- eleven chewing rats
12th day- twelve iwes yelling*
* Obama packets are little sachets of alcohol with President Obama's face on them...its the "winning spirit", hitches are the lifts we get when hitch hiking, NISHMA is the Zambian staple food and no meal is complete without it, "iwe" literally means "you" but its also what the kids are called*
Ready, Set, GLOW
Wow! LONG TIME. First off let me say HAPPY NEW YEAR! I’m glad you all enjoyed your Holiday Cards and the pictures. I just got back from my 2week holiday in Livingstone/Botswana. I was in the village for two weeks, started teaching for the term and now I’m away again. This time I’m in Kasama for PEPFAR! I’m really excited about this workshop. We all are bringing counterparts from our villages we can work with. I'm bringing BA JULIE! Ba Julie is my best friend in the village. She’s the one who teaches me how to cook, how to dance, she feeds me every time I see her and she’s even given me a Bemba name(Mwaba which means Princess). After the workshop, hopefully we can work on HIV/AIDS related projects in the village. I’ve been waiting for this; I’m really excited and hope it goes well. I’ll update you for sure. Speaking of updates…..GLOW!!!
Camp GLOW was AMAZING! The girls really had a great time! The week was filled with arts and crafts (headed by yours truly), camp songs, sessions on rape/ sugar daddies/ confidence/assertiveness/gender roles/goals and s’mores. As far as arts and crafts go we made: journals, picture frames, menstrual pads from local materials, thank you cards and painted with edible finger paint. So much fun. I'm inner camp counselor showed up and had too much fun! Camp GLOW (Girl’s Leading Our World) is a Peace Corps Zambia project as well as a Global Peace Corps initiative. The goal is to help give girls a space where they can be open about issues that concern them as well as learning new skills and tools to help them achieve their goals in the societies they live in. In Zambia, one of the missions in the Ministry of Education is to focus on the education and development of the girl child. The Ministry, as well as the Nation, has noticed the lack of education for/ given to girls as well as the distinct gender roles assigned to girls that limit them from getting a proper education. Camp GLOW speaks on this by having sessions centered on these sensitive issues. I’ve already noticed a change in the girls I took from my village. I took a grade 6 (now grade 7) and a grade 8(now grade 9). The grade 7 is more outspoken with her leadership and the grade 9 is more confident in herself. This is the 2nd term I’ve taught the now grade 9. At first she never spoke in class and never raised her hand, I had to tell her to put her hand down and let someone new try last week!
The girls weren’t the only ones who learned new things this week. The teachers also learned a lot about how to start clubs, facilitate, be open and create a safe environment for the girls. The warmed up to the idea as the week went on. They all have the potential to be good facilitators.
Camp GLOW has been one of my favorite activities so far, can’t wait for next year. It was a lot of planning, lots of meetings, and a lot of stress at time but we pulled it of. The 7 Mpika volunteers did an amazing job and I can say “I love my team”! Also a huge THANK YOU!!!!! To everyone who helped donate money, give ideas, sent goodies and was supportive. You played a huge part in the success of this camp and I hope you’ll be on board next year! NATOTELA SANA MUKWAI!!! Thanks everyone.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Kitchen party
Quick CHRISTMAS POSTAGE ANNOUNCEMENT: if anyone is planning on sending anything to Zambia for Christmas, you should mail it by Nov 20th if you want me to get it before Christmas. This includes letters. I will be away from the post for 3weeks on my Christmas vacation! If there is anything you want me to have before I leave the village around Dec 21st, Nov 20th is your deadline for mailing everything...even cards/letters!.... Hello all! The end of the term is approaching filled with 9th grade exams and one nervous volunteer, revisions, final touches on events and transfers that cometh! More on the last one later. Last week in grade 8 and 9, we played English Jeopardy for revision. They had so much fun. 9b (the too cool for school class) wanted to play more and even do a debate! This week we had a Camp Glow meeting. Things are coming together nicely. We are $350 away from our goal! Thanks to everyone donating and if you havent its not to late ;-) Rainy season has officially hit Mpumba Village. Water equals life and the village came alive this week with the 1st rains of the season. The highlight of the week was the Kitchen Party yesterday. Ba Julie's (my go to/bff in the village) brother is getting married and I got invited to the kitchen party. This was my kitchen party so I had no idea what to expect. A kitchen party is a house warming and bridal shower in one. Everyone comes with gifts that the bride will need in the kitchen and things she will need to be a good wife. I went to Julies at 10hrs and was feed beans, nshima and katapa(casava leaves) ifisashi with a cup of moncoyo. I then sat and waited for directions which ended up being to sit and wait. While waiting: a mayo told her baby to stop crying and look at the "Muzungu" ("white person"/english speaking person/non Zambian), I was told that the kids were so happy to see me that they didnt want to bath and I met the most adorable little girl ever. She was trying to wear a chitenge scarf around her hair like mine so I tied it for her...her eyes lit up. I also practiced dancing. At kitchen parties the owner of the gift dances the gift to the bride, dances while showing the gift off and then explains the gift. I cant dance like a zambian women but I tried! The ladies at Julie's were happy I tried and they were even semi impressed. The party was at a guest house in the next village and there were over 100 women there. Girls arent allowed to go because the dancing taught and done is mainly
the dancing you do for your husband. The community sets up a commitee to arange everything for the party it was really nice. I even had chicken and a CORN MUFFIN which is rare in the village. The party started out with the bride and her 2sisters crawling in with a chitenge covering them. Every few steps they would lay to the left and right and clap 3times as a sign of respect. We all did this throughout the party. Then a women lights a match and the bride unvails herself. The groome even makes an apperance to give the bride a gift of flowers. The bride also give the groome and three high women in the village(1 being future mother in-law and 1 being the Chief's wife) a cake as a sign of love and respect. The whole time matrons are guiding the bride through the ceremony. The bride doesnt talk or smile during the party to show that she's humble. The party was so much fun! All the women had a good time singing and dancing, even the Chief's wife danced. When it was my turn to dance the Chief's wife handed me her chitenge to dance with...HUGE DEAL. All the teachers got up and danced with me to make me feel more comfortable and everyone cheered! The bamayos in the village may not be impressed with my Bemba but the sure do like my dancing! I had too much fun. I ended a great day riding home staring at the stars and listening to bamayos singing the songs Zambian women have been singing for generations. I hope I get invited to the wedding!
the dancing you do for your husband. The community sets up a commitee to arange everything for the party it was really nice. I even had chicken and a CORN MUFFIN which is rare in the village. The party started out with the bride and her 2sisters crawling in with a chitenge covering them. Every few steps they would lay to the left and right and clap 3times as a sign of respect. We all did this throughout the party. Then a women lights a match and the bride unvails herself. The groome even makes an apperance to give the bride a gift of flowers. The bride also give the groome and three high women in the village(1 being future mother in-law and 1 being the Chief's wife) a cake as a sign of love and respect. The whole time matrons are guiding the bride through the ceremony. The bride doesnt talk or smile during the party to show that she's humble. The party was so much fun! All the women had a good time singing and dancing, even the Chief's wife danced. When it was my turn to dance the Chief's wife handed me her chitenge to dance with...HUGE DEAL. All the teachers got up and danced with me to make me feel more comfortable and everyone cheered! The bamayos in the village may not be impressed with my Bemba but the sure do like my dancing! I had too much fun. I ended a great day riding home staring at the stars and listening to bamayos singing the songs Zambian women have been singing for generations. I hope I get invited to the wedding!
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