Greeting again from Zambia. Yes, I'm still out here living in my hut, eating with my hands, and peeing in buckets in the middle of the night. My Uncle Curtis is in town visiting from Atlanta, which has been a super nice treat having him spoil me to lunch and other treats around Lusaka. This week has also been SUPER special, as I got the BEST carepackage ever from the BEST family ever. I mean it was AMAZING. I love you Cheers family. But really Imani, a PBS bumper sticker. Where am I supposed to put it? On the back of my bike? It arrived in mint condition with no problems passing through customs. I placed it in storage at our training facility, cause there is no way in Hell I was bringing it back to my hut. Not for the mice and roaches to eat through it. But nontheless between my Uncle coming to visit and receiving my package, I really have had a good week.
Village life continue to move on and as always promised, here is an update as to what has been going on over the past couple of weeks. Friday we got our site announcements as to where we will be living after training. I will be moving to Southern Province, Mazabuka District, in Magonye Village. It is about two hours from Lusaka using public transportation. I am 30K from my rural health clinic, which truly sucks so I guess I need to start paying alot more attention in bike training considering I will be on that damn thing faithfully biking to and from the clinic everyday. I am about 20K from the main road and from my closest neighbor who is one of my best buddies here. Super excited about that!!! The village poisoned and killed our family puppy last week which I thought was really f**ked up, but apparently Zambians don't like domestic animals and it is unfortunately really common here. Later that day, I also learned that the village had also killed a cat on my neighbors compound. Really Zambia? Really? On another note, I stopped eating chicken since I've been here cause I practically live with them and I've come to the conclusion that they are disgusting and eat everything around. And, one threw up in the main house where I eat and after seeing what came out of it has completely ruined my life.
I burned myself making nsima with my host sister, causing a very ugly and painful second degree burn on my right arm. Ironic because I was the volunteer who gave a presentation on burns earlier that week and of course it would happen to me first. I almost set my hut on fire trying to use candles to create a soothing environment after a long day which I don't think I will be doing again. The candle feel over and rolled near my mattress which of course in on the floor surrounded by dirt and grass that falls from my roof. I think that I'll be staying away from fire from now on and only use my head lamp and solar lamp for light at night.
Training continues to be more time consuming and language is becoming more intense. Or maybe I just need to study more. Probably that actually. As a group, we have been doing more hands on work in the community, getting out to individuals and small groups to assess and observe the knowledge and skill abilities of people living in the village. Last week, we had an assignment to collectively build a dish rack for a family to help ensure dishes are properly cleaned and dried before using again and to help decrease contamination by unclean water and flies. We also built a fence around a borehole water source to help keep animals (cows, goats, chickens) out and away from contaminating the water supply and possibly spreading bacteria and disease. The community seemed to respond well to our new interventions but we'll see how long they last considering people were awkwardly staring at us while working and then huffed and puffed while walking around to the fences entrance as if we made their journey 10k longer.
We were also given an assignment in community health base training to facilitate interviews with people in the community on the common myths, traditions, and cultural practices about HIV/AIDS. I chose to interview my host family mainly cause they speak English fairly well and we got the assignment really late that day, and we all know my rule about going outside after dark. I don't! So, interviewing my host parents it was and what I learned was interesting, but unfortunately to me, not too surprising. Some common myths and traditions I learned were as follows: Sex with a virgin cures HIV/AIDS. Sex with an infant cures HIV/AIDS. If you are circumcised (males), you cannot get AIDS. Oral birth control contains HIV/AIDS. Tradition healers can cure AIDS. Traveling to South Africa to get a blood transfusion can cure AIDS. Needless to say, this interview was an eyeopener and an informative introduction to what I will be dealing with when living and working in my rural health clinic alone come October. Like i said, it was only an interview. Step One, is to assess and observe. Gathering collective data to set up the implementation process of my work will come in step two, and from what I have been hearing, I seem to have my work cut out for me. Let's face it behavioral modification is going to be my biggest challenge. Many of these people have lived by and followed some of these myths and practices for years. Changing behavior and introducing new practices such as condom use, HIV testing, hand washing techniques WITH SOAP, water sanitation practices (boiling and/or filtering), using the pit latrine to pee and poop, which many Zambians do not use, is going to be a great challenge. Hard, but not impossible so as I've said, I will keep you all posted on the many projects I find myself working on over the next 2 years.
I will be traveling next week to Southern Province for my second site visit with my Tonga classmates to get one last in-depth look at how we will be living and working on our own come October. I'm super excited and I continue to ask you all to keep my in your prayers as I travel and visit my new village I will be living in come October. Until the next time I find myself in the wonderful presence of internet...
Peace & Love,
Baby Cheers
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Internet Again...??!!!
I've found myself in Lusaka once again. Wow, two weekends in a row!!!! Thank God. I'm especially happy I'm here so I can buy some more toilet paper. I ran out earlier this week and you DO NOT want to know what I had to use to wipe myself with yesterday morning as I found myself running outside to use the bathroom with poop practically running down my left leg. But I'm back in the city for a field trip to the Lusaka Museum and I'm happy to check in with you all and let you know how my week went.
Another volunteer went home yesterday and although I wasn't too surprised at his decision, we all collectively supported him in his choice to leave. This week has been a good one, and as I continue to learn how to adapt to my life here in Zambia, I find that taking things one day at a time is my best bet. My BaTaata fixed my door this week so hopefully the mouse that was staying with me off and on will find a new place of residence. I'll keep you all updated on how that goes. On another note, I completely wiped out on my bike earlier this week and broke it. I mean I straight up cleared grass and ate dust and dirt with this accident. But it's all good. I just picked myself up and kept it moving. The next day I found that I had a flat tire and had to get my holes patched up, so needless to say, this hasn't been the best bike week for me.
My ass is spreading from east to west here with all the carbs that I am eating. I'm not joking. I read prior to coming here that women tend to gain weight here especially the first three months because of all the carbs that we are feed, but got damn. I mean really. I eat 5 to 6 slices of bread for breakfast. Donuts for tea time and potatoes/rice/pasta for lunch and all the above for dinner. No joke. But with all the crap that I am eating, I'm just thankful that I get food to eat. Ahhhh, I am really looking forward to the care package that Imani sent out earlier this week.
My host family continues to show me lots of love while I am staying with them. I spend half of my time with my BaTaata studying my language, as he constantly stresses the importance of my studies, and I spend the other half of my time with my BaMamma learning how to cook like a Zambian woman. Oh my life. The kids in the family spend most of their time starring at me which is okay cause I just stare back. I mainly stare at my two year old brother who when done using the bathroom scoots across the front yard. I'm not sure why and I haven't yet asked. I'm not sure if he has worms or if it's because they can't afford toilet paper to wipe with. I really want to flip him upside down and examine his butt, but I'm not sure how that will be perceived and I really don't want to end up on locked up abroad Zambia edition for child molestation. But other than that, I'm really enjoying my time spent with them.
I continue to take things one day at a time and the outpouring love and support really makes me feel good. A care package with lots of chocolate would also make me feel good. So feel free to drop that in the priority mail anytime soon. I'm not sure when I'll be back in Lusaka to update you all. I'm heading down to Southern province in a few weeks to checked out my house and village for second site visit. Please keep me in your prayers, as I have been told that second site visit is another culture shock that normally sends more people home. I love you all and don't forget about that care package I asked for. I'm serious. Until next time friends and family around the world.
Peace & Love,
Baby Cheers
Another volunteer went home yesterday and although I wasn't too surprised at his decision, we all collectively supported him in his choice to leave. This week has been a good one, and as I continue to learn how to adapt to my life here in Zambia, I find that taking things one day at a time is my best bet. My BaTaata fixed my door this week so hopefully the mouse that was staying with me off and on will find a new place of residence. I'll keep you all updated on how that goes. On another note, I completely wiped out on my bike earlier this week and broke it. I mean I straight up cleared grass and ate dust and dirt with this accident. But it's all good. I just picked myself up and kept it moving. The next day I found that I had a flat tire and had to get my holes patched up, so needless to say, this hasn't been the best bike week for me.
My ass is spreading from east to west here with all the carbs that I am eating. I'm not joking. I read prior to coming here that women tend to gain weight here especially the first three months because of all the carbs that we are feed, but got damn. I mean really. I eat 5 to 6 slices of bread for breakfast. Donuts for tea time and potatoes/rice/pasta for lunch and all the above for dinner. No joke. But with all the crap that I am eating, I'm just thankful that I get food to eat. Ahhhh, I am really looking forward to the care package that Imani sent out earlier this week.
My host family continues to show me lots of love while I am staying with them. I spend half of my time with my BaTaata studying my language, as he constantly stresses the importance of my studies, and I spend the other half of my time with my BaMamma learning how to cook like a Zambian woman. Oh my life. The kids in the family spend most of their time starring at me which is okay cause I just stare back. I mainly stare at my two year old brother who when done using the bathroom scoots across the front yard. I'm not sure why and I haven't yet asked. I'm not sure if he has worms or if it's because they can't afford toilet paper to wipe with. I really want to flip him upside down and examine his butt, but I'm not sure how that will be perceived and I really don't want to end up on locked up abroad Zambia edition for child molestation. But other than that, I'm really enjoying my time spent with them.
I continue to take things one day at a time and the outpouring love and support really makes me feel good. A care package with lots of chocolate would also make me feel good. So feel free to drop that in the priority mail anytime soon. I'm not sure when I'll be back in Lusaka to update you all. I'm heading down to Southern province in a few weeks to checked out my house and village for second site visit. Please keep me in your prayers, as I have been told that second site visit is another culture shock that normally sends more people home. I love you all and don't forget about that care package I asked for. I'm serious. Until next time friends and family around the world.
Peace & Love,
Baby Cheers
Sunday, August 7, 2011
One Day At A Time
I apologize about the delay. Peace Corps wasn't joking when they said that we wouldn't have access to email/internet during our first three months of service, but in desperation, I have found myself in the presence of an internet cafe. I arrived safely in Zambia on Wednesday July 20, 2011, and it has already been a roller coaster ride of emotions I am currently living about an hour away from Lusaka h my hot family in a village called Chishiko. My host family consists of my BaMamma and BaTaata, three of there children, their daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, an orphan they took in some years ago, four cows, four chickens, a dog, a cat, and a rooster that I want to f**king kill. I live in a mud brick hut with a mouse and wall spiders, free of charge of course. The main house has roaches. I bathe outside everyday in a bucket with warm water that my BaMamma prepares for me which comes with challenges considering the fact that I dropped my soap in cow shit the other day. I poop in a hole outside that's about 8-9feet deep. I do keep a pee bucket in my house cause the thought of leaving my house in the middle of the night scares the Hell out of me. And with the exception of me dropping my bucket the other morning and spilling my pee all over me and the wall, it seems to be going great. I am dirty about 95% of my day. My skin is terribly dry from the Doxy, soap, and water here and my hair, well lets just say...hair...be..gone! That's right, I chopped it all off. Oh, pictures you want. Well you well just have to come over here and visit me to see the new do that I'm rocking.
My training is intense yet full of information. I spend four hours five days a week learning Tonga which is spoken in the South of Zambia. That's right, I will be living in Southern province which is home to the Victory Falls. So when you come visit, fly into Livingston. The second half of my day is spent primarily learning about community/village based issues that we will need when moving into our province in October (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Nutrition, etc.). Like I said, training is intense and I'm so ready for October to come so I can just post up in my village and start working. Truth be told, all of Zambia has been a bit intense. From the diet which consist of trans fat oil and empty carbs, to the snake that scared the living shit out of me on my bike ride home the other day, all of this has been a big adjustment. People have gone home already, some are facing crucial illnesses forcing them to seek medical attention in Lusaka and leave training, and the rest of us, well we have gone crazy and have fallen into a state of delirium. But regardless, we have found ourselves sticking together and supporting one another each and everyday. It may be hard, but it ain't impossible.
I think about home from time to time, but the thought of coming home has never crossed my mind. Mainly because my mom has told the entire world about me serving here and how proud she is of me. So, come Hell or high water, mice and yes oh God even snakes, I'm not leaving Zambia no time soon. Beside when I find myself feeling down and questioning my decision, I look around and take in the GORGEOUS scenery this place has to offer. The sunset, the stars, and the sunrise are just to good to leave. I keep telling myself "One day at a time Nia". Keeping in mind that God has me here for a reason whether I understand it now or not.
I find myself in prayer a lot. It's amazing how when you have nothing, or very little, God is everything. It's a good thing though. I'm enjoying my relationship with Him. I continue to work on my relationship with patience, but trust me, this is the perfect test to be put through. One day at a time. Remember Nia.
I Live in the middle of Africa. Literally. And although I have mice and roaches and the occasional bug I find on the back of my neck, I still know that this is right for me. The best times are when I get calls from Adam checking up on me, or emails from Karl and Heather putting me in contact with a good friend they have here in Lusaka to meet up with. Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I journal everyday and I'm quickly learning the difference between independence and loneliness. It gets really lonely here from time to time and my cravings for chocolate and something other than nshima (the staple food here in Zambia; corn crop) drive me to the point of eye twitching. But like I said, I'm staying. I pray that God continues to protect and bless my friends and family back at home and those in various other parts of the world. I love and miss you all and continue to thank God for all the love and support you all continue to show me.
Peace & Love,
Baby Cheers
My training is intense yet full of information. I spend four hours five days a week learning Tonga which is spoken in the South of Zambia. That's right, I will be living in Southern province which is home to the Victory Falls. So when you come visit, fly into Livingston. The second half of my day is spent primarily learning about community/village based issues that we will need when moving into our province in October (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Nutrition, etc.). Like I said, training is intense and I'm so ready for October to come so I can just post up in my village and start working. Truth be told, all of Zambia has been a bit intense. From the diet which consist of trans fat oil and empty carbs, to the snake that scared the living shit out of me on my bike ride home the other day, all of this has been a big adjustment. People have gone home already, some are facing crucial illnesses forcing them to seek medical attention in Lusaka and leave training, and the rest of us, well we have gone crazy and have fallen into a state of delirium. But regardless, we have found ourselves sticking together and supporting one another each and everyday. It may be hard, but it ain't impossible.
I think about home from time to time, but the thought of coming home has never crossed my mind. Mainly because my mom has told the entire world about me serving here and how proud she is of me. So, come Hell or high water, mice and yes oh God even snakes, I'm not leaving Zambia no time soon. Beside when I find myself feeling down and questioning my decision, I look around and take in the GORGEOUS scenery this place has to offer. The sunset, the stars, and the sunrise are just to good to leave. I keep telling myself "One day at a time Nia". Keeping in mind that God has me here for a reason whether I understand it now or not.
I find myself in prayer a lot. It's amazing how when you have nothing, or very little, God is everything. It's a good thing though. I'm enjoying my relationship with Him. I continue to work on my relationship with patience, but trust me, this is the perfect test to be put through. One day at a time. Remember Nia.
I Live in the middle of Africa. Literally. And although I have mice and roaches and the occasional bug I find on the back of my neck, I still know that this is right for me. The best times are when I get calls from Adam checking up on me, or emails from Karl and Heather putting me in contact with a good friend they have here in Lusaka to meet up with. Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I journal everyday and I'm quickly learning the difference between independence and loneliness. It gets really lonely here from time to time and my cravings for chocolate and something other than nshima (the staple food here in Zambia; corn crop) drive me to the point of eye twitching. But like I said, I'm staying. I pray that God continues to protect and bless my friends and family back at home and those in various other parts of the world. I love and miss you all and continue to thank God for all the love and support you all continue to show me.
Peace & Love,
Baby Cheers
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