As you all enjoy fall back in the states things here in Africa are heating up! Gone are the mornings of warming myself by the fire, now I basically just sweat all day long. And it’s not even "hot" yet. Enjoy the warm drinks, fall fashion, and changing leaves for me! Things have been a little hectic the last couple weeks, so sorry for not keeping you in the loop. I'll just highlight a couple of the things that are taking place in my world.
=Livingston
I am back here in Livingston today, trying to get my work permit signed and processed through the ministry of health. It is a bit annoying to have to deal with this again (I was here 2 weeks ago). It does look like things will go through today or tomorrow and then I can settle into my village for the long haul. We has a really fun mini-vacation the last time we came-went bungee jumping and on a real life jungle cruise.
=Village Life
I am feeling encouraged about the influence I can have in my village here. I met with the staff at the school and I'll be involved in after school programs and health education. I'm passionate about youth and have connected with a lot of the students already, so I'm excited to see what will come of that over the next two years. My next step is to identify student leaders to be peer educators. I haven't been as involved at the clinic as I would like, so I'll focus on that upon my return. We don't have HIV testing available at our clinic so I want to petition for that with the Ministry of Health. I just really want to do all I can and not have any regrets about the time I spend in Chifusa.
=Cholwe
My sweet village friend, Cholwe, is doing awesome! We have started a Tuesday night tradition of her coming to my hut for "America" food. Things like spaghetti, tacos, cappuccino and anything else I got in a package from the States. It has been really fun and I love the conversations we have over candlelight. She continues to impress me every time we are together. She is doing really well in school and has plans to become a teacher one day. If you come visit me I know you'll love her too!
=Provincial Meeting
Our provincial meeting went fine. Basically it is a time to discuss Peace Corps policy and update each other on what is taking place in our villages. One thing I am really looking forward to is a Zambia-wide conference we will be putting on called GLOW (girls leading our world). Each volunteer will be able to take 2 girls from the village to the conference. We will talk with them and equip them with skills to bring about change in their own lives and in the village. I'm really excited to be part of the planning and implementation of the event. We are working on the grant proposal now, so as more details unfold I'll let you know how you can pray!
=Friendships
I spent the last couple days with my friend Andrea in her village, Dembwe. I felt like God orchestrated the whole thing-we had such great talks and it was just what both of us needed to get refocused and encouraged. My friendship with her continues to grow and really is a huge blessing. We caught a ride to Bryan's village on Monday night at worked at his clinic on Tuesday. Andrea and I weighed babies for most of the morning and then I gave polio immunizations in the afternoon. That night Bryan's headmaster slaughtered a turkey in our honor and we enjoyed it for dinner.
=Returning
If all goes well with the visa situation I'll be heading back to the village tomorrow night. Please keep me in your prayers-pray for my influence in Chifusa and that God will continue to meet me each day. Also, with elections for president coming up this next week there is potential for civil unrest (the current president's vehicle was stoned yesterday) so please pray for physical safety.
I miss you all more than you will ever know. Blessings!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Running Wild
16:30 every day at my house. That is the time we set off. Me, I've got my Nikes, my IPOD, and my LA Marathon t-shirt. The seven of them, sometimes in skirts, sometimes in dresses, always barefoot. Our numbers change on a daily basis, the boys want to see where we are going, or little siblings tag along. We head down a different path each day, we run for 40 minutes, taking new turns each day, crossing fields, passing cows, goats, and pigs. Hurdling bushes, watching for snakes. After 20 minutes we stretch, each child getting to listen to a bit of music on my IPOD before heading for the second part of the run.
We learn about each other. They know my right knee starts to ache at mile 3 and I'll go at whatever speed the slowest runner needs. I know Lisa is one amazing hurdler and we're all slowing her down. I know Cholwe will get us home regardless of how lost we've gotten ourselves. Brillian runs to try and do something better than her sister Brenda. And on and on it goes. And I can see it in all of them, a desire to belong, to run at the same pace, to not be left behind.
In the future we'll talk about HIV, how they can protect themselves. We'll talk about the biological and cultural factors that cause HIV infection rates in Zambia to be 4x higher for girls in their age group, that 1 in 6 Zambians is already HIV infected. I'll tell them that if current prevalence persists, more that 1/2 of the 15 years will die from this single disease. And together we'll figure out ways to keep this disease from ruining their lives.
All in all it is just an hour, an hour I'd spend working out anyway. But hopefully, somewhere in between strides God is using the time to draw us-closer to Him and closer to each other. In spending time with me these girls are catching a bit of my passion for them-that they can be more than barefoot and pregnant; they can be barefoot and running, chasing their dreams.
We learn about each other. They know my right knee starts to ache at mile 3 and I'll go at whatever speed the slowest runner needs. I know Lisa is one amazing hurdler and we're all slowing her down. I know Cholwe will get us home regardless of how lost we've gotten ourselves. Brillian runs to try and do something better than her sister Brenda. And on and on it goes. And I can see it in all of them, a desire to belong, to run at the same pace, to not be left behind.
In the future we'll talk about HIV, how they can protect themselves. We'll talk about the biological and cultural factors that cause HIV infection rates in Zambia to be 4x higher for girls in their age group, that 1 in 6 Zambians is already HIV infected. I'll tell them that if current prevalence persists, more that 1/2 of the 15 years will die from this single disease. And together we'll figure out ways to keep this disease from ruining their lives.
All in all it is just an hour, an hour I'd spend working out anyway. But hopefully, somewhere in between strides God is using the time to draw us-closer to Him and closer to each other. In spending time with me these girls are catching a bit of my passion for them-that they can be more than barefoot and pregnant; they can be barefoot and running, chasing their dreams.
Crying for Mother Africa
Before he left to return to his village, Freedom handed me a note. Inside was the following:
I want to tell you my poem! My poem is entitled about AIDS.
"Ooh AIDS, ooh AIDS,
You are a killer.
You don't even feel shy.
For many people you have taken.
People from North, East, South and West,
crying, shouting your name.
AIDS.
You are the killer.
Many thousands of people died because of you, AIDS.
How are we going to live,
for this crying continent Africa.
Last year I bury Father.
Later, I bury Mother.
I cry a lot when I think of my beloved parents, and I think things will be easy if my parents still appear.
Ooh AIDS.
Feel mercy,
please we beg you."
Thank you a lot.
Pray for this young man. Pray for all of the orphans in the same place Freedom is because of this disease.
I want to tell you my poem! My poem is entitled about AIDS.
"Ooh AIDS, ooh AIDS,
You are a killer.
You don't even feel shy.
For many people you have taken.
People from North, East, South and West,
crying, shouting your name.
AIDS.
You are the killer.
Many thousands of people died because of you, AIDS.
How are we going to live,
for this crying continent Africa.
Last year I bury Father.
Later, I bury Mother.
I cry a lot when I think of my beloved parents, and I think things will be easy if my parents still appear.
Ooh AIDS.
Feel mercy,
please we beg you."
Thank you a lot.
Pray for this young man. Pray for all of the orphans in the same place Freedom is because of this disease.
Freedom To Go To School
I met a boy this week. He spoke English well, was visiting from a neighboring village. He came to ask his uncle for money to go to school. He'll be in grade 10 this year. In Zambia, high school costs about 129,000 kwacha, per term, equivalent to about $30 USD. This boy was so sweet-helped each day at my hut as we cemented the floor, whitewashed walls, put locks on the door. He loves school, wants to be an engineer one day, and wants to go to school in Lusaka. But he just didn't have the money. He lives with his older brother; both of his parents have died. Thirty dollars that is all that keeps him from being on the path to following his dreams or being stuck in a sick cycle of poverty. We talked about what I am doing here in Zambia, about HIV and all the issues that it is presenting. I talked to him about my faith in God, that I know He put me here for a reason and that He is watching over him too. I told him how I want to see him graduate-I'll still be here when he finishes grade 12. And he'll do it too; I see something in him that tells me he'll succeed. He is leaving today (Thursday as I write this), school begins on Monday. He has the $30 to go to school now. I met a boy this week...his name is Freedom.
I don't know if your heart aches the way mine does at the extreme injustice of these situations-the gross imbalance of wealth in the world. If it does, if you have ideas, thoughts, solutions, send them my way. I believe God has put me here, put kids like Freedom in my path for a reason. And he has also connected me with a network of people back home that can help. I want to be a voice for these kids. Proverbs 31:8 says, "Open your mouth for...the rights of all the unfortunate." Together we can bring about the "freedom" to go to school.
I don't know if your heart aches the way mine does at the extreme injustice of these situations-the gross imbalance of wealth in the world. If it does, if you have ideas, thoughts, solutions, send them my way. I believe God has put me here, put kids like Freedom in my path for a reason. And he has also connected me with a network of people back home that can help. I want to be a voice for these kids. Proverbs 31:8 says, "Open your mouth for...the rights of all the unfortunate." Together we can bring about the "freedom" to go to school.
For You Chipego
Wanted to share a note that Cholwe, a girl from my village, gave me last night before I left to come into town today. I kept it just like she wrote it- enjoy! Oh, and Chipego is my Tonga name, it means "gift".
"Hi Chipego-
How are you? Me I am fine too. My main point is, I want to inform you that you must gave a great journey, and you must not thinking that you are alone in this world. I am with you, and God is with you and I love you like what I love my self and like what I love my mum. I will ask God day in and day out to bless you, everwhere you go, be happy like what you was in America, I love you Chipego because you are kind to me and to everyone but God knows why I have become your friend in this world, I love you very very much. I end here. Yours, Your Friend Cholwe."
That is why I am here, notes like this, lives like this that I can touch for a moment and hopefully make an eternal difference.
"Hi Chipego-
How are you? Me I am fine too. My main point is, I want to inform you that you must gave a great journey, and you must not thinking that you are alone in this world. I am with you, and God is with you and I love you like what I love my self and like what I love my mum. I will ask God day in and day out to bless you, everwhere you go, be happy like what you was in America, I love you Chipego because you are kind to me and to everyone but God knows why I have become your friend in this world, I love you very very much. I end here. Yours, Your Friend Cholwe."
That is why I am here, notes like this, lives like this that I can touch for a moment and hopefully make an eternal difference.
Words Fail
With a BA in Communication and 26 years of verbal and non-verbal under my belt, one would think I should be able to express myself. But words fail. I can't adequately tell you of the experiences I've had these past 16 days in the village, the extreme manic of it all-highs and lows, loneliness and community, joy and sorrow, love and hate. I'll do my best and trust that over the next 2 years words will come to fill in the gaps.
Some background first regarding the Peace Corps. Peace Corp has 3 main goals, to help the host country with technical needs, for Americans to learn of the culture and then for the host country to learn how Americans live. My specific program, HAP (HIV/AIDS) focuses on education regarding the disease, assisting orphans and vulnerable children and teaching on healthy living. That is about all the structure I've been given. The ambiguity of the situation is both a blessing and a curse. In my 2 years I'm supposed to partner with host country nationals to build sustainable development- programs, clubs, mindsets that will continue long after I've returned to caramel lattes and guacamole. So this last Sunday I was dropped off in the middle of the village, and told to radio from the clinic if I'm dying. You can imagine the extreme panic that hits a girl as she hugs her friends goodbye and watches the Land Cruiser kicking up dust as it drives away. Words fail.
My village is amazing! My hut is about 100 feet from my neighbor so I can see them and know they're watching me at all times-literally. Everywhere I go people are so excited to stare at me, to talk with me, touch me. For some of them I am the only white person they have ever seen. I've always thought it was funny that Jesus is portrayed in our American culture as light skinned and blue eyed. Now I'm convinced that he may have looked like this-it definitely gets people's attention. The setting of my village is woodsy right by my home and then lots of fields just past. We have a couple small dams and with my love of water it is pretty rad to just sit and think. My actual village is called Simane village, one of the 13 villages that make up the greater Chifusa area. I have found a couple people who speak English, but for the mostly part Tonga is the only way I can talk with villagers. I try my best, but again, words fail.
Already, in spite of loneliness and severe annoyance with bugs, I feel God has me here for a reason. I'm going to break up the blogs and tell you more specifics-but it’s really awesome to see hoe things are falling into place. Relationships and experiences with you all back home have shaped and equipped me to serve effectively here. I am praying about specific ways I can bring you into this experience with me and ideas are forming. When my words fail to God I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who can communicate my needs far better. Please continue to pray for me, that I can glorify God through my life here, that His plans will be my reality.
I thank my God in all my remembrances of you.
Some background first regarding the Peace Corps. Peace Corp has 3 main goals, to help the host country with technical needs, for Americans to learn of the culture and then for the host country to learn how Americans live. My specific program, HAP (HIV/AIDS) focuses on education regarding the disease, assisting orphans and vulnerable children and teaching on healthy living. That is about all the structure I've been given. The ambiguity of the situation is both a blessing and a curse. In my 2 years I'm supposed to partner with host country nationals to build sustainable development- programs, clubs, mindsets that will continue long after I've returned to caramel lattes and guacamole. So this last Sunday I was dropped off in the middle of the village, and told to radio from the clinic if I'm dying. You can imagine the extreme panic that hits a girl as she hugs her friends goodbye and watches the Land Cruiser kicking up dust as it drives away. Words fail.
My village is amazing! My hut is about 100 feet from my neighbor so I can see them and know they're watching me at all times-literally. Everywhere I go people are so excited to stare at me, to talk with me, touch me. For some of them I am the only white person they have ever seen. I've always thought it was funny that Jesus is portrayed in our American culture as light skinned and blue eyed. Now I'm convinced that he may have looked like this-it definitely gets people's attention. The setting of my village is woodsy right by my home and then lots of fields just past. We have a couple small dams and with my love of water it is pretty rad to just sit and think. My actual village is called Simane village, one of the 13 villages that make up the greater Chifusa area. I have found a couple people who speak English, but for the mostly part Tonga is the only way I can talk with villagers. I try my best, but again, words fail.
Already, in spite of loneliness and severe annoyance with bugs, I feel God has me here for a reason. I'm going to break up the blogs and tell you more specifics-but it’s really awesome to see hoe things are falling into place. Relationships and experiences with you all back home have shaped and equipped me to serve effectively here. I am praying about specific ways I can bring you into this experience with me and ideas are forming. When my words fail to God I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who can communicate my needs far better. Please continue to pray for me, that I can glorify God through my life here, that His plans will be my reality.
I thank my God in all my remembrances of you.
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