Happy Holidays From Zambia!

It's Christmas here in Zambia, and though I miss sitting under the Christmas tree with family, I am at the Provincial House with 10 of my PCV friends singing Christmas music, baking, and enjoying one another's company.  We have a mini Christmas tree that we decorated last night, and though it's raining instead of snowing, it's a cozy kind of day.  There are a few major things that have happened in the past few weeks, so I'll start with the good.  I have given some really successful health talks at my clinic, mostly to pregnant women teaching them about HIV prevention, malaria prevention, and nutrition.  I have an incredible translator named Judy who is also one of my really close friends at the clinic, and who I have chosen as a counterpart to take with me to Lusaka for IST in just 2 weeks.  I am also hoping to start an HIV positive support group at my clinic, and I began mentioning my idea to the clinic staff, who seem to be excited.  My clinic is by the tarmac and gets very busy, so I think this group has the potential to be successful! I would also like to do an income generating project with this group (particularly because of the wonderful location of the clinic by the roadside), so I am excited to get back from IST to begin this project. I have a trip to Malawi coming up after IST for about 4 days (plus 2 days of travel on each end, which will inevitable be chaotic), and being by the water with friends who I haven't seen in a while should be so peaceful.

On the flip side, I returned to my hut after a heavy rainstorm to find what I have been worried about since I was stuck in a flood in Panama some years ago... my home was flooded.  Completely flooded, from the front door all the way across my hut and underneath my bed.  This is not a usual occurrence, because most volunteers have huts that are elevated on a layer or 2 of brick foundation, and not located on a slope.  My hut, however, is not elevated at all and is located on a slope-- not great for rainy season.  So, I have to get a new hut built in my village.  I have worked tirelessly to make my hut homey, putting up pictures and collages and shelves, spending weeks painting my walls and a beautiful tree on door #2 (the first door broke and this tree painted door resides at the provincial house).  However, I will be grateful to be in a new home where I feel safe and comfortable, it will just take some time and energy.  I feel a bit like a wanderer without a home; my mantra has been 'patience is a virtue.'  I am trying my hardest to stay present, accept that I will feel at home in the not-too-distant future, and I am feeling appreciative that I have so many beautiful friends here who constantly make me feel like I have a home and a family whenever I'm with them.  I know that the Universe tends to work in mysterious ways, and though the road now looks a bit windy and fogged, I'm still smiling and feeling grateful and loved.

For the holidays I wish for you to all feel thankful for family and friends, for sustenance, shelter, and love. I am sending my love to you all from Zambia!

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

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!

Beginning Again

I have one more day of preparation, and then I will be posted to my village, my new home for the next 2 years.  I am incredibly nervous, yet excited to begin to build and paint and make my hut a home, to create close relationships with those in my village, as well as other Peace Corps Volunteers in my province.  I will not say much as my stomach is in knots of anxiety, but there are a few things I already know: the other PCVs in my province are amazing people with whom I cannot wait to continue getting to know these next 2 years, and I am exactly where I need to be.

On a bit of a different note, today we had to go to the Ministry of Health in Livingstone, not far from Victoria Falls.  After meeting with the District Health Office, we went to see zebras, giraffe, and the Zambezi River!  We will be able to see the actual falls most likely around Christmas time, and I feel so lucky to live only 2 hours away from the falls.  Sending peace and love to you all as the adventure continues.

A Peace Corps Volunteer!

Hello all! Tomorrow I swear in as a Peace Corps Volunteer after 3 months of Pre-Service Training... I can't believe it! It is bittersweet, celebrating with all my friends before we leave each other for some time as we begin our service in our respective villages.  The next few days will be a bit chaotic, buying things for our new huts and preparing for Community Entry, but I feel ready for it all. 

For a good story... about a week ago I heard a noise under my door around 7pm as I was sitting on the floor of my hut.  I turned to shine my headlamp towards the noise... it was a snake!  The only thing I have ever seen Zambians fear is snakes, because most of them are very poisonous.  I jumped onto my table, called my host Mom, and before I knew it the snake had slithered out the way it came in.  My host Mom saw the snake, but it slithered back into the bush.  It was all quite terrifying!  Now I know I need to always put something to block the space between my door and the ground, especially at night.

I had to say goodbye to my Bamaama 2 days ago after cultural day (a goodbye celebration with our host families with tons of singing and dancing), which was incredibly difficult.  We developed such a meaningful relationship, and I will never forget spending time fetching water, washing clothes and dancing to Paul Simon, talking and laughing for hours after dinner with my host Mom.  She is one of the strongest, most beautiful women I have ever met, and I know we will stay connected in one way or another.

We are currently staying in a hotel in Lusaka, taking REAL SHOWERS before 2 years of life in the Zambian bush... I have never appreciated warm running water more in my life.  On Saturday we move to our provincial house where we shop for our new homes, and then next week I will be posted in my village.  Cell service in my hut is spotty (texts are much easier, as I have to climb an ant hill on the side of my hut to make phone calls), but at least I am 4km from the main road.  I am ready to become a part of my village, I am ready for the ups and downs of the toughest job I will ever love, and I am ready to continue allowing Zambia to fill my spirit with the deepest inner peace I have ever experienced.  Sending you all love and light!

Some Sad News, and Some Happy News

It has been a difficult few days here, as we have lost a beloved member of our Peace Corps Zambia family.  Paul Blum, a CHIP volunteer who was deeply loved by our entire group and who was like a father to many of us, recently passed away from natural causes.  We are about to hold a memorial service for him at the Peace Corps house in Lusaka, and we are all wearing chitenge bracelates in his memory.  We have all committed to carrying out his service through our own Peace Corps service over the next two years.  He was a man whose smile was infectious, whose stories will always be remembered, and a friend with whom I enjoyed bicycling home as the sun set over the Zambian landscape of mut hut villages, cows, chickens, and goats after a long day of training.  Paul was so present and at peace here in Zambia, and was carrying out his longtime dream of serving in Peace Corps after his many years of teaching.  We are all sending our love and support to Paul's entire family during this incredibly difficult time.

I do want to also give some happy news about life here in Zambia as well.  We are almost finished with training, and just returned from second site visit where we first visited a volunteer living in our province, and then spent 2 days at our sites where we will be living for the next 2 years!  My site visit was incredible, Ty and I were able to weigh babies at the Under 5 clinic and teach mothers how to make ORS for their children to help with diarrhea.  We also did a soya demonstration for many village members, where we spent an afternoon making soy milk, soya sausage, and roasted pumpkin seeds as a nutrition demonstration.  The village loved our cooking!  We gave a safe sex talk for about 70 high school students, and it felt amazing to know that with just a simple skit about delaying sex until the students are ready, having a discussion about healthy relationships, and giving a condom demonstration, the students gained so much knowledge about staying safe, and protecting themselves against STIs, HIV, and unwanted teenage pregnancies. 

When I arrived at my site, Muzoka village, I was immediately greeted by my host family.  I live with a family but not right on top of their compound, which is perfect-- I live slightly down the hill from them, so I have my privacy, but also feel very safe.  I live in walking distance (4km, about an hour walk or a quick bicycle ride) to the tarmac (main road), a sizable market, my health clinic, the bus station which can take me to the provincial house and Choma boma in about 20 minutes, and very close to the school and church.  Although most of Zambia is flat, I live in the hills and have an absolutely beautiful view of my entire village from just outside my hut.  I live within a 3 minute walk from a peaceful dam that runs into the Zambezi river, and I played with my little 4 year old brother Joe at the dam for an afternoon.  He is the sweetest! I have to pass through a large cow field to get to the school and water pump, and I also have to climb on top of a hill to make and receive phone calls.  But it's ok because I live so close to the main road, I usually receive text messages, and I live very close to the provincial house and not far from Victoria Falls!  My village is so friendly, motivated and supportive, and each night we gathered around a bonfire as my Bamaama (who is a gradmother) and grandchildren danced to the radio.  I already felt at home, and I was only there for 2 days! I cannot wait to decorate my hut and make it my own. 

I am sending so much love to you all back home, huge hugs and smiles!

Da da da da, Feelin Groovy

I can feel the energy in the air vibrating quickly here in Peace Corps Zambia, as these days in training are flying by.  We are about to leave for second site visit! I will be staying with a small group of volunteers in what will be my new home (Southern Province) for 6 days, and then will be staying alone in what will be my new home in Muzoka village, Choma district for 3 more days.  Only a short distance from the infamous Victoria Falls! I will also get to see our provincial house, where I can meet other volunteers 4 or 5 days and nights out of each month after Community Entry (so beginning in January).  Each day I feel blessed for this opportunity to be a part of Peace Corps, for my family and friends back home, and for my new Zambian family and friends.

My hostmom and I are getting nervous about parting ways in about a month.  We have grown so close, and I cherish the hours of conversation we have freely each night after dinner.  I asked her to give me my first Tonga  name, and at first she said that my village would name me.  I told her I really wanted a name from my first Bamaama in Zambia, and that she could take all the time she needed to think of the name.  The next evening she came to me and said, "Chipego, or Chipo for short. That is what I have chosen as your Tonga name."  I asked what the meaning was, and she told me-- gift from God.  She told me that she has never had a relationship with one of her children (she now considers me her daughter) where she can speak so openly about so many things, and laugh so much.  My goal each night is to make her laugh, and I have succeeded almost every night!  I will miss her so much, but she comes to Southern province once or twice per year to visit her family, and I'm sure I will pass through her village to visit her after trainings in Lusaka.  Today in Lusaka I printed pictures we took with each other, and I will give them to her when I return from second site visit.

What more can I say... the sky here continues to amaze me, the sunsets of glowing golden, pink, and orange hues, the moon that lights the sky when it is full, the stars which speckle and shoot across the Universe right above me.  I love being alive, I love the people in my life, and I continue to live in the present, full of gratitude.  I am sending you all my heart, and know that I love you!