Pitani bwino

"Pitani bwino" go well.

I'm so sad to be leaving my homestay. In the last 3 months they really have become my family. I'll never forget the day I came home in a terrible mood, and little Roberta (3 yrs) came over and made the funniest faces. Every day when I come home the kids run to me with open arms. They love being tickled and high fives. They love to be close to me, sit on my lap and get hugs. Today Roberta sung my name with some other noises it was adorable. Initially the kids were so shy and now they're so incredibly loving. I remember on day 1 little Dola (2 yrs) wiped her hand on her pants after shaking my hand. Hahaha it was funny then and even funnier to think about now because when I pick her up she won't let me put her down. I gave them and also ruthie (8 yrs) friendship bracelets today. And although I've given out a lot of friendship bracelets in my life I've never seen anyone so excited. They loved them!! Even priviledge (a little boy) wanted one. I'm truly going to miss these kids.

I'm also going to miss my amai. Even though she was strict and a little hard on me she treated me great and we had many laughs and good chats. She has taught me so very much about Zambian life and culture, even on days I didn't wanna hear it hehe. Like any good mom she laid down the law and took great care of me and I'm going to miss her kindness, but maybe not her telling me what yo wear.

I built my amai a fuel effecient stove that produces less smoke. We used bricks she already owned. And I am beyond escastic to see her actually using it. Behavior change is difficult and takes time but I've had a great homestay experience and feel optimistic and inspired as I begin my service.

I've passed all my final tests: language, medical, bike, technical, and safety. The day after tomorrow ill be pulled from my homestay to spend a week back at the motel this all began in. On Friday we swear in to become real volunteers. I'm looking forward to actually starting my service. I'm gonna miss this family but I also think ill fall in love with my family in lundazi.

There were days I hated training and didn't think I could bear it. Now that its essentially over I feel like it happened super fast and I wish I could save the good moments like a photo to pull out and experience at any time. The 27 of us trainees have gotten close and its a bummer we're all going to be so far apart. I'm gonna miss having American companionship and being able to share laughs. I think that the way I feel about training will be magnified for my service. I'm sure the 2 years will fly by, although i'll definitely have rough and long days.

As always I miss my friends and family tons and tons. And American food, toilets, showers, movies, & so much.

But I have no doubt that people appreciate me and want to learn what I have to teach. Yesterday I was in DAPP (imagine Goodwill) and the guy working asked why I was in Zambia. I told him I was a health volunteer (in nyanja) he asked what I was going to give them, I replied knowledge. I was surprised when he asked me to teach him because he wanted to know. So in all nyanja I explained the need to eat good food, especially protein and vegetables, every day and every meal. He asked questions, and afterward he turned to the other worker and explained (in English) what I had told him. Even though it was a quick conversation it made me happy that strangers are interested and willing to learn. Also while I was in the market I got at least 50 comments on the piece of rope I was wearing as a belt. "nice belt" "where did u get it?" "how much?" Haha I had a good time joking with people, and it was probably the funniest thing they saw all day. I'm so lucky to be in a county where people are friendly.

Wish list & first weekend in Ndaiwala

I had a great first few days in Ndaiwala. Which in Nyanja means I forgot. I know this place will be one I never forget. I learned that Ester Phili is an awesome Zambian World Champion female boxer, so I instead of feeling like Ester is an old lady name, I feel very privileged that my Atate gave me that name. Also I should qualify the story in my last post about hot roasted peanuts and say that Zambians pick up burning coals and so of course they laughed at me being burned by peanuts.
Sunday morning I introduced myself at 3 different churches and stayed at the third with some of my sisters and Amais. I joined in on the dancing (I didn't have a choice) and my lack of rhythm was obvious but the Zambians appreciated my effort and the women made a wooping noise similiar to the indian call we do in the States but more of a"lalalala" very fast & very high pitched. I spent the rest of the day relaxing with my family.
Monday I woke up about 8, even though my sister Betty told me to wake up at 6, and swept most of the dirt ground of the compound with a bundle of sticks. Everyone was very happy to see me doing traditional Zambian women's chores. Afterwards I ate breakfast and then went with my awesome counterpart George to see the clinic and meet the staff and NHC (Neighboorhood Health Committees)which are made up of Community Health Workers(CHW).I think its great my Atate (the Chief) is a CHW. We spent at least an hour of our meeting talking about what PC is and what work I will be doing. They made a big deal of my security being very important and that I can't get married while in service, which made me feel very comfortable. I did a fairly good job introducing myself and my project goals in Nyanja. Everyone is very impressed with my language skills (although they think I just started learning this weekend). I was surprised to see how motivated my clinic staff was. They seem great and I'm looking forward to working with them. We shared a nice lunch and then I returned home to relax with my family.
After dinner I stayed up later than usual chatting with my sisters. Many of them want to learn English/ improve their skills. One even asked me to teach her science. I also want to teach my sisters to sew. As we sat around the fire one of my little brothers brought me a book to read, and I did my best even though it was a manual for basic repairs.
Zambians are such kind people that it surprises me that they treat animals (especially dogs) with such insensitivity. They don't see them as having any feelings, and have never heard that dogs can be a man's best friend. I really want to do my part to try to change their feelings about animals. If you're willing to please send childrens books like Berstein Bears, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Arthur, Curious George, or anything else along those lines, or low level books especially "Where the Red Ferns Grows"
Here's my wish list of things I would be beyond grateful to recieve:
thread and needles to teach my sisters to sew
books personifying animals
Goal Zero Speakers (about $25 on Amazon)
Spices (cloves, cayenne pepper, basil, nature seasoning, taco mix, garlic powder)
baby wipes
Burt's Bees face wipes
Vitamin E
SIM candle for kindle fire with lots of memory
a nice map of Zambia
bubbles
a good Thermos
embroidery floss
pictures!
good smelling candles
gummy vitamins and chocolate calcium chews (for the kids)
lavender seeds!
jewish prayer book
scrabble tiles
Uno
good smelling soap and lotion
any kind of chocolate like twix, milky way ;-)
nail polish
My address is: Samantha Ezgar/ Peace Corps Volunteer
PO Box 510203
Chipata, Eastern Province, Zambia

If you do decide to mail any of this you can leave a comment saying which item so I only recieve one thermos etc. And thank you thank you thank you!! I am so very appreciate. Also if you want to make it for my birthday, just let me know and I will wait until then to open it :-) Also feel free to include anything else you think kids or teenage girls might like. xoxoxox

First day in Ndaiwala. Lion #1

I have a million things to share and I'm gonna do my best to tell it all. Today I was dropped off at my site at a little after 9 am, I'm visiting for 3 days before heading back to training to finish up.
I live with a senior chief. In every village is a headman, he reports to the senior headman of a few villages, who reports to a chief of a larger area, who then reports to the senior chief of an even larger area. Literally I'm an African princess. My whole family is extremely welcoming and won't stop feeding me. Zambians think its great to be fat and are trying to fatten me up as soon as possible. They laughed and laughed and thought it was crazy that people in America want to be skinny. I guess we always want what doesn't come easy. Anyway, my atate (father) has 3 wives and 18 kids!!! The family is huge!! I know almost no body's name except atate (friday phiri) and a sister named betty. The compound is huge and there's at least 10 huts, probably more. Atate has a nice brick house off by itself.
Almost everything I do my family finds hilarious and mimicks. They offered me roasted peanuts and when I picked one up it burned my hand so I dropped it. This was probably the highlight of their day because they immitated me for a good 10 minutes. Also while I was helping cook dinner a boy came and sat by me and when I realized he was holding a dead mouse I jumped up and was like I'm not eating that!! If nothing else, I will entertain Zambians for the next two years lol.
My hut is huge!! It's got 3 rooms and is really nice. Right when u walk in the door u see the lion that Ben Snyder, the last pcv, painted. I have no doubt this is exactly where I'm meant to be for now.
I never liked being called Samantha, for a long time I went by Sammie, and then in college I repatriated my brother's nickname, ezzie. Ezzie has gone over pretty well the last couple months, but within an hour of being here I was renamed Ester Phiri. Awesome. Maybe I shoulda stuck with Samantha.
At meal times I sit with my sisters and we start by washing our hands and then we all eat with out hands out of communal bowls. It felt kinda weird at first but I actually like it. Bite by bite we all dig in. It makes sense really, no way would I wanna wash individual dishes for over 20 people, by hand everyday, every meal.
I carried a bucket of water on my head today. I did pretty good. Someone took a photo on their camera so I'll try to get it. There's a well literally 5 meters from my hut so its great I won't have to haul water very far.
It's beyond beautiful here. I love it. It's warm and has lots of mountains and trees.
My address for the next two years is
Samantha Ezgar/peace corps volunteer
Po box 510203
Chipata, Eastern Province, Zambia.
I would absolutely love to get letters and photos. I'm also gonna post a list of stuff I'd like in case anyone is feeling generous and like mailing a package :)
My compound is essentially on the tarmac which is super great. I'm about 30 km from the boma (post office, stores, etc), 20 km from other peace corps volunteers, and only 15 km from Malawi's border!! I'm only like 3 hours from Calcutta bay I think. I'm super excited to be able to travel and relax on the beach.
Overall I'm happy and healthy. My biggest concern with placement was safety and I feel beyond safe living with such a huge family, having so many sweet sisters, and living with the chief. My nyanja is improving and so is my cooking. If u aren't already, u can see tons of my photos on facebook or instagram.
I love u and miss u all!!! Xoxoxxx