Holiday Cheer

Mwapoleni Mukwai…Greetings

It seems these last few months have flown by and it is hard to believe I am almost at the end of my 11th month in Zambia. Christmas has surely snuck up on me. Mwamba is void of the usual seasonal cues…Christmas music, lights, consumer craze, snow…it’s strange to think people are gathering with families in the states, wrapping presents and fighting snowy roads. Christmas in the village is much more rooted in the original purpose of celebrating the birth of Jesus without all of the clutter (which I, for the most part, enjoy). People go to church and usually slaughter some chickens and a goat, if lucky, feast, brew village beer and celebrate. The day before and after are typical work days, there’s really no rest during planting season.
It is officially rainy season and has been dumping at least once a day. The land has turned green and farmers are busy planting their fields. My thatched roof just got patched in time for the heavy precipitation and my leaks have been mended so I felt ok about leaving the place on holiday.
Speaking of…I’m not sure if everyone knew I am off to roam the Holy Land for Christmas. Yes, I’m going to Israel with two Peace Corps friends (Hannah & Lyndsey). Hannah lived in Jerusalem for a year and one of her best friends is getting married the 26th. I joked with her that I wanted to join her there and a few weeks later she extended the invitation. I really couldn’t fathom making the trip, especially on Peace Corps stipend, but I decided it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Hannah is Jewish, knows the language and land and has many friends there, and Lyndsey is a spirited Lutheran who truly lives her faith…the perfect trio. I still can’t believe I’m going. We fly out the 22nd and have a 6 hour layover in Ethiopia where we hope to taxi to dinner if we can persuade the border officials to wave the entry fee. We arrive in Tel Aviv the 23rd, will be in Bethelehem on Christmas, then stay in Jeruselem till the 27th, head to the Dead Sea for a night and be back in Lusaka the 4th. I’m continually in awe of the incredible opportunities that fall into my lap…and ever grateful.
The last few months at sight have been really busy. Because I am so close to the boma (Kasama) My community is very active and involved in many different groups and projects and there are endless work opportunities. I’m working on a bunch of different projects including an OVC (orphan and vulnerable children) community preschool. I am hoping to fund construction and get it going with a Peace Corps Partnership Proposal which I am working on and will be completed in January. I will give you more information on how you can help out once it is approved and in motion. The community is really excited and I’ve had people at my door wanting to register kids already.
As far as my CAHP (health) work goes I just trained my 3rd Neighborhood Health Committee and it was great. I had the previous group come and facilitate some of the health sessions to give them practice in teaching health education and they did a wonderful job. It is so cool to see the students become the teacher. They were proud, empowered and beaming, and so was I for that matter. It was nice to see people really come out of their shell, especially the maayos, who tend to be more reserved in educational settings. One of my Nutrition Club members had a baby on her back while she gave her talk on Safe Motherhood and it was just precious. I really want to focus on giving the skills of sharing knowledge because these clubs and groups will have to be comfortable in that realm to encourage change.
My trainings are usually 4 hours for 5 straight days. They include club strengthening and health education and are exciting and exhausting. I give certificates at the end and usually require they help out with the following training. This past group, Ndoloka Village (6k from Mwamba) was so grateful for the training they sent me home with a bike load of parcels, including a giant mushroom, mealie meal (nshima flour), onions, tomatoes, bananas, cassava, cabbage ect. They are such a generous community and would give me the clothes on their backs. I am always in awe of Zambian hospitality. I’ve been here almost a year and I’m still treated with such grace. I love work, my hut, and my villagers. It helps to ease some of the holiday melancholy and longing for my friends and family at home.
I want to end with a reminder how much strength I gather from and am ever grateful for all of your love and support, especially during the holidays. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish all of you a cheery holiday season and I hope you revel in the love that surrounds you…. nalimutemwa –lisa