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
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