Written May 21st
Today, Wednesday, after dinner my favorite sister, Dailess wandered
off into the house with my headlamp. I sat around the fire and chatted
for a bit. Eventually everyone started going back to their houses,
and I was also ready to walk the 20 feet home and get into my pajamas.
I called out to Dai to see if she was busy, and then stepped into her
& Agogo's (grandmas) house to see what was going on. She and my other
sister Lontia were making their beds. They share a bedroom about 4
feet wide, 7 feet deep, and 7 feet tall. The bed they were making
consisted of a reed mat with blankets on top. On one side, Dai had a
piece of foam about an inch thick that looked old and beat up. There
were plastic zambags hanging on the wall probably with clothes and
books and shoes. As they made their beds they proudly showed me a beat
up, coverless book in Nyanja.
***
On Sunday I came home from Chipata and enjoyed dinner and chatted with
my sisters. I asked Sharon who I think is 16 but my family says is 21
why she hadn't gone back to school since term was starting back up.
She said there wasn't money. This is strange because its harvest season and I've never heard her or
anyone else in the family mention it. Also we had beef for dinner
which is a huge luxury.
The next day I'm chatting with Agogo and ask where all my sisters are
and she says Sharon has gone away to be married and won't come back. I
asked if she would still continue school,but I wasn't surprised when
the answer was no. I felt frustrated and said to Dailess and Lontia in
my caveman Nyanja, "you will not have boy, you stay in school, you
have a lot of knowledge, you get a lot of money." They smiled and
agreed but it did little to ease my mind. For days I have brooded over
this, was there an intervention I could have made?
I have been part of this family for 9 months and in that time I have
seen 3 of my 6 sisters ages 16-21 leave to get married. I am so
passionate and committed to girl empowerment and education but I can't
even dissuade my sisters from entering into early marriage.
***
"The toughest job you'll ever love" is not a Peace Corps exaggeration.
When I glimpsed into Dai's and Lontia's small bedroom today, I
couldn't help but think maybe I would also marry early to have my own
house, space, autonomy. Maybe being 21 (or maybe 16) and in 10th grade is not enough.
It is still frustrating to me that Sharon
didn't go back to school. She was in a pretty good boarding school in
Chipata, the nearest town. But maybe I don't have the right to be
frustrated. I'm not sleeping in a tiny room on the floor, or
struggling through school towards goals which may not be visible.
Maybe all I can hope is her husband treats her well, she's healthy,
well-fed and doesn't have too many kids.
Zambian Lions
Image from inhabitat.com 1/13/13
Maya Angelou
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
visiting Americans with important reminder
In day to day life I get bogged down sometimes. I get lazy and dont want to fetch water, or I get caught up in my routine and i forget. I forget that every day I'm here I'm not only accomplishing my own goal of joining Peace Corps, but i have a special opportunity that many people working in development (or even people who don't) wish they had. I get to spend my time becoming part of a rural African community. I get to have friends and joke with people that are culturally a world away. I get to see how aid works, close up, the good and the bad.
I was at a clinic meeting today when people started cleaning up and preparing for somthing. Two men from the District Health Office came and George told me there were people from outside Zambia coming to meet the Saving Mothers Action Group. I heard singing and looked outside and sure enough they were welcoming 3 American women. They interviewed the SMAGs as a group and took lots of photos and videos. Afterwards they also interviewed me and I showed them around the clinic.
One woman lives in Lusaka and commented how nice it was to get out of the city and into rural Zambia. Another woman who lives in New York said something like, "We probably spend our time thinking about the same things but I'm sitting at a desk, and you are out here living it."
It can be easy to miss home, family, friends, foods, and creature comforts. It can be easy to take for granted that I live in a beautiful place far away from light pollution, traffic, and tall buildings. And since I'm here day in and day out it can even be easy to take it for granted that I am helping to create change and encourage learning. Meeting these women today reminded me how truly lucky I am to be here, with people, as part of the community, working towards improving their lives.
I was at a clinic meeting today when people started cleaning up and preparing for somthing. Two men from the District Health Office came and George told me there were people from outside Zambia coming to meet the Saving Mothers Action Group. I heard singing and looked outside and sure enough they were welcoming 3 American women. They interviewed the SMAGs as a group and took lots of photos and videos. Afterwards they also interviewed me and I showed them around the clinic.
One woman lives in Lusaka and commented how nice it was to get out of the city and into rural Zambia. Another woman who lives in New York said something like, "We probably spend our time thinking about the same things but I'm sitting at a desk, and you are out here living it."
It can be easy to miss home, family, friends, foods, and creature comforts. It can be easy to take for granted that I live in a beautiful place far away from light pollution, traffic, and tall buildings. And since I'm here day in and day out it can even be easy to take it for granted that I am helping to create change and encourage learning. Meeting these women today reminded me how truly lucky I am to be here, with people, as part of the community, working towards improving their lives.
Morocco
Of course the best part of Morocco was being able to spend 8 days with my brother. I am beyond lucky to have such a fun, loving, and smart big brother. We flew into Casablanca and saw the famous gigantic Mosque, as well as had dinner at an old military fort, and drinks at Rick's cafe. Later we watched the movie Casablanca on the train and realized it isnt at all the same as the movie.
Next stop was Fez, and we saw a lot of the historical landmarks as well as their handicrafts. As one of the oldest cities it boasts the first University, which was opened by a woman, as well as the first astronomy center where the number zero was established. We saw old Jewish Synagogues and streets from the 14th century. In the center of the Medina were tiny streets about 3 feet wide that date back to the 9th century. We stayed in a beautiful Riad in the old part of town that had gorgeous mosaic everywhere, as well as beautiful carved and painted wooden furniture.
Next up we took a train over the country side more towards the desert to Marrakesh. We saw a bit of the Atlas mountains. We enjoyed more delicious couscous, tangine, harriera, and other traditional Moroccan food, as we did all week. And we even got sushi once. Score! We saw parts of the city but mostly relaxed and chatted. There is no time like quality time with family. And ultimately theres nothing better than spending time with Aaron.
At times it was frustrating that most people didn't speak English, and we didn't speak French or Arabic, but overall it was a beautiful country and interesting to be in such a completely different African country. It was also my first time in a Muslim country.
I have come back to Zambia feeling refreshed and invigorated. I'm grateful to be back in Zambia. Who would have thought a year ago that when I arrived at a mud hut in a village I would feel at home? I may not have expected it then but I surely do now. Everything in my hut was safe and in order and even my cat was fat and happy.
The day after getting home, my community hosted the district wide World Malaria Day. I am so impressed to show up at a well organized day long program complete with the usual Zambian dancing, as well as skits, health talks, and question and answer sessions with net distribution for right answers. My community rocks and I am so grateful they are committed to working hard for better lives and healthier futures.
Next stop was Fez, and we saw a lot of the historical landmarks as well as their handicrafts. As one of the oldest cities it boasts the first University, which was opened by a woman, as well as the first astronomy center where the number zero was established. We saw old Jewish Synagogues and streets from the 14th century. In the center of the Medina were tiny streets about 3 feet wide that date back to the 9th century. We stayed in a beautiful Riad in the old part of town that had gorgeous mosaic everywhere, as well as beautiful carved and painted wooden furniture.
Next up we took a train over the country side more towards the desert to Marrakesh. We saw a bit of the Atlas mountains. We enjoyed more delicious couscous, tangine, harriera, and other traditional Moroccan food, as we did all week. And we even got sushi once. Score! We saw parts of the city but mostly relaxed and chatted. There is no time like quality time with family. And ultimately theres nothing better than spending time with Aaron.
At times it was frustrating that most people didn't speak English, and we didn't speak French or Arabic, but overall it was a beautiful country and interesting to be in such a completely different African country. It was also my first time in a Muslim country.
I have come back to Zambia feeling refreshed and invigorated. I'm grateful to be back in Zambia. Who would have thought a year ago that when I arrived at a mud hut in a village I would feel at home? I may not have expected it then but I surely do now. Everything in my hut was safe and in order and even my cat was fat and happy.
The day after getting home, my community hosted the district wide World Malaria Day. I am so impressed to show up at a well organized day long program complete with the usual Zambian dancing, as well as skits, health talks, and question and answer sessions with net distribution for right answers. My community rocks and I am so grateful they are committed to working hard for better lives and healthier futures.
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