Little moments and a wish list

Things have been going well. Or maybe I'm just getting better at coping and adjusting. It helps that I've made friends in my general area with the other peace corps volunteers. I have no doubt that my village and community really care about me and want me here. I can see the sky through my roof and I said I'd run away if they didn't fix it for rainy season. Within a couple days I had more straw bundles arrive at my hut than I think I'd need for 2 roofs. Yesterday I was sick and left a meeting early and today I had not only my counterpart come check on me but also the head and assistant nurses came to my hut. They chatted for a bit and then excused themselves because they left a woman in labour! The head nurse said, "just like you are here for us, we are here for you."

I've been struggling with bed bugs which is so frustrating. I sprayed insect killer on all my stuff today and put it in the sun to dry. Fingers crossed it will work.  Then I laid in my hammock and read. It was a good day. I don't feel like I have anything exciting to say now that I feel pretty settled in and accustomed to life in Zambia, but I'm hoping my friends and family are interested, and even if not, one day ill look back and be glad I wrote about the little moments.

My clinic.has been doing soy cooking demonstrations and I'm so impressed by the dedication. My head nurse had 20 mothers with malnourished kids come stay at the clinic for 12 days to teach them about cooking nutritious food. We weigh the kids every day, and they all improved at least a little. I'm continually impressed by my communities dedication.

I've started reading "the boy who harnessed the wind" by William kamkwamba and Bryan mealer. It's a super inspiring autobiography about a boy who taught himself to maker a electricity generating wind turbine. It takes place in Malawi but its about the Chewa people which is my tribe here in Zambia. It's super fun to read and gives a great portrait of Malawian and even Zambian culture. If ur a future pcv for Zambia or Malawi you should definitely read it.

If people want to send me a letter or post card ill be super happy and hang it on my wall!! If u want to send a care package here's some stuff that would rock my world:

Zit cream
Just add water hashbrowns
Instant mashed potatoes
Instant gravy
Pudding
Gatorade powder
Parmesan cheese!!
Canned meats
Beef jerkey
Sour patch kids
Chocolate chips or chocolate anything
Anything cheesy I just add water to
1.5 volt N batteries (u can buy them at batteries plus and Wal-Mart)
The best itch cream America makes :)
Magazines
Letters
Photos
32 gb card for kindle fire
Cliff bars :)

Remember to write god is watching and air mail on any packages.
Samantha ezgar/peace corps volunteer
Po box 510203
Chipata, eastern province,
Zambia, Africa

Xoxox