***Lisa in Zambia***: Orientation

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Orientation

Hi....I'm in D.C, living it up with 40 trainees. 32 chicas and 8 dudes...not quite balanced, but there are a lot of wonderful and inspiring people headed to Zambia and things are going well so far. I have had a day and a half of safety instruction and intro to Peace Corps work. We will be getting shots and vaccinations tomorrow and will have a 14 hour flight to Johannasburg, where we will be for the night. I arrive in Zambia the following day where I will have in country orientation and then visit second year volunteers. Following that we will be placed with host families and start language and skills training. I will be learning either Bemba (spoken in the north and Copper Belt), Lunda (South West), or Nyanja (near Lusaka (capitol) and central). Sometime at the end of March, I will be sent to my own village after passing proficiency tests (they want to make sure we are qualified and prepared to be on our own). I will not be able to update often, but I will try my best. Peace Corps also has guidelines about the information I give out, so if you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me or my mom. Above being a bit overwhelmed with all of this information, I am ecstatic to get to Africa and I am feeling all of your love and prayers. Thank you for everything!!! All the love...lisa

5 comments:

soccatrix said...: I love you sister! Be strong, enjoy those shots...I can't wait to talk to you.; January 23, 2007 at 11:05 PM
AP said...: This is my very first time leaving a blog comment. Now we can email, text, phone, blog, or any variation of the aforementioned. But can you wrap a rubber band around your blog and save it in your treasure chest!

So, my dear niece, I now know that when I am thinking of you, you are sleeping; and when I am dreaming of you, you are hard at work. At least the work will be accompanied by wonder. Your African family and friends will be no less fortunate than you are for your efforts. God bless you. Love AP; January 25, 2007 at 12:03 PM
PARKERS said...: Hey Lisa- It's Mer!

Sorry I wasn't able to come to your dinner- I really wanted to but I was out of town. I hope you are doing well, I will check your blog and try and keep updated with ya! Take care of yourself, and talk to you later!; January 25, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Crystal said...: I miss you already!!! I'm so glad I got to see you over the weekend!!!; January 25, 2007 at 8:31 PM
Lisa Sekulich said...: You are my heart.
mom; January 28, 2007 at 1:05 PM

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stats:

kilo's biked: 5,557 k
snake sightings: lost count
cockroaches: all over
mice: just got a KITTEN...this problem should soon be over
Ok KITTEN just had KITTENS..i think she's been influenced by the village on this one. Babies having babies.
most common food i eat: tomatos & popcorn
injuries/illness: strained hamstring, various bruises, burns and scrapes. Blasted right knee acting up again but luckily no stomach problems or malaria. Jiggers in my right baby toe.
TIREDNESS....figuring that one out.
months in country: 22

Shipping Advice from other PCV's

Declare "religious articles" and they won't search the package
Be sure to include a complete contents list somewhere inside the package so I will know if anything is missing
The more secure (tape) the less likely they will be opened
Padded envelopes are better that boxes
I've finally figured out this "paying to receive packages" deal here in Zambia. I have to pay to receive air mail parcel items-so when sending a package, try to just send it with the green small customs sticker (the package has to be under 4 lbs.)-not the full page white one

About Zambia

Named after the Zambezi River, Zambia is a landlocked country in central-southern Africa, and it is surrounded by Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zaire, and Zimbabwe. It is roughly the size of Texas and covers 2.3 percent of Africa’s total area. Much of Zambia lies on a plateau with an average height between 3,500 and 4,500 ft (1,066–1,371 meters). The huge valleys of the upper Zambezi and its major tributaries, including the Kafue and Luangwa Rivers, incise this plateau. The climate consists of three distinct seasons: a warm, wet season from November to April; a cool, dry season from May to August; and a hot, dry season in September and October. The relatively high altitude tempers the humidity so that the climate is generally pleasant.

Land area: 285,994 sq mi (740,724 sq km)

Population (2006 est.): 11,502,010 (growth rate: 2.1%); birth rate: 41.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 86.8/1000; life expectancy: 40.0; density per sq mi: 40

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Lusaka, 1,773,300 (metro. area), 1,265,000 (city proper)

Other large cities: Ndola, 349,300; Kitwe, 306,200; Kabwe, 219,600, Chingola, 151,100

Monetary unit: Kwacha

Languages: English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages

Ethnicity/race: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religions: Christian 50%–75%, Islam and Hindu 24%–49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Zambia is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most highly urbanized countries. Approximately 50 percent of the country’s 10.2 million people are concentrated in a few urban zones strung along the major transportation corridors. Unemployment and underemployment are serious problems. Compared to other African countries, Zambia has a relatively low per capita income at $385 U.S. (2001). It has a mixed economy with an urban public sector dominated by government, nonprofit NGOs, and parastatal organizations (many of which have been privatized or are being privatized), and a predominately private rural agricultural sector. Maize (corn) is the principal cash crop as well as a staple.

Lisa in Zambia

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Orientation

5 comments:

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