Thursday, November 29, 2012

Finally Feeling Comfy

It has been a bit since I last blogged, and so much has changed... I don't know where to begin!  First thing is that I biked 80km with 10 of my friends to Lake Kariba.  It was incredibly difficult, probably one of the hardest physical challenges I have ever embarked upon...but I did it!  We camped for 3 nights, relaxing together by the lake and swimming pool (the first pool I've been to in Zambia).  After our trip we had Provs, where all of the 30 volunteers in my province come together for 4 days of meetings (dancing and celebrating at night of course), and on the last day we had a lovely Thanksgiving with staff members and volunteers together at the house.  After our bike trip and provs, I felt like I have a family here in Zambia.  The volunteers in my province are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met, and I know that this support system can carry me through anything here in Zambia. 

I have also begun to feel completely comfortable in my hut.  I used to be very nervous at night, when all of the critters come out, the noises in the dark used to be foreign to me. But now "I am used" as we say here, and I feel at home.  The shift happened after provs, when I put up shelves, collaged candle holders, put up pictures of family and friends, and of my favorite musicians from Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.  If I ever feel sad, Jimmy Hendrix, George Harrison, and Joni Mitchell keep me company in my hut.  One night when it was raining, I lit candles, blasted my ipod speakers, soaked my feet in a warm water bucket, and then painted in my hut.  It was beautiful.  I thought, I am home.  My host family and the clinic staff help me when I need, they give me their love and smiling faces every day.  And now, I also enjoy being alone, writing and reading and creating.  Thank you Zambia! Sending my love to you all


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Village Life

Hello to my beautiful family and friends!  I have been in the village for about a month, I'm sorry to be so out of touch. My cell phone service is spotty, I climb an ant hill to make and receive phone calls.  My days are long, but the weeks are flying by.  I love my work at the clinic and teaching at the school, traveling with friends, the sky.  Things are slow in the village, which is alright unless it concerns my hut door and roof.  I am learning patience, I am finding my voice, I am learning my strength.  Testing my strength more than I could have ever imagined.  Zambia is changing me every day, pushing me to grow up quickly.  My best friend at the clinic is named Judy, and on slow days I sit and talk with her, Vivian (the HIV psychosocial counselor) and the nurses (who work day and night because there is no doctor at the clinic) and eat fruits called masuku.  My clinic consists mostly of community health workers who come from far away villages and get paid next to nothing. 

I give health talks to pregnant mothers on HIV testing, malaria prevention, and proper nutrition during their pregnancy and for their children.  I have spoken to students about setting goals, both finding and being role models, and about gender roles.  That boys and girls can BOTH do anything they want to do.  I have begun to work with a women's group, and we are hoping to begin making citenge clothing to sell at the market and in our village.  I will begin working with an AIDS club at the school next week.  I splatter painted my hut, but the rains have put brown stains on my colorful walls.  Zambia is teaching me to let go, completely and totally.  Things take time, and it's finding peace in the long processes that is the key.  I love and miss you all, and I can't wait to hear from you!