So, I'm currently going through Peace Corps Service Training (PCST) and living in Chongwe, Zambia. I've been here since the middle of July and I quickly discovered that I will have limited access to internet (probably about once a month). I'm part of the CHIP program, which is a group that focuses on bringing health education in rural areas. The training is six days a week and approximately eight hours a day (Saturdays are only 3 hours). The training is made up of language, technical, cultural, and bike maintenance. In language, I am learning Bemba which is the most widely spoken language in Zambia. Also, if a person doesn't know Bemba, they will get the gist what you're saying because it's similar to the other languages. I'm in Zambia with a group of 38 people. We basically learn the same things, except for the language (the language determines which area of Zambia we will be living in for the two years of service).
In technical training, we learn about the main health concerns and issues in Zambia. Since I don't have a health background, this is extremely beneficial to me. We also learn the culturally appropriete ways to talk about this issues. For example, we explain the HIV virus by using a scenario about a garden. (The cows <HIV> are trying to break through your immune system <the fence>to eat your vegetables <white blood cells>)
On an average day, I wake up when the sun rises (because there are roosters EVERYWHERE) have breakfast with my host family and ride my bike down the bush paths a mile to get to class. After class, I go back to my in'ganda (house), bathe, spend time with the host family (which usually includes stirring up bread and watching a dubbed-over japanese soap opera), eat dinner, and go to my hut to study Bemba and read. I've been told that I will be "well read" by the end of my service.
The family I'm staying with lives in Kabeleka village and is made up of my Ba Taata (father), Ba Mayo (mother), two sisters (Carol and Naomi), and three brothers (Bruce, Brian, and Martin). They're very happy to have me and another volunteer (Kristin) stay with them, and say that we increase the value of their household, because of the knowledge that we share.
Food is extremely important to the Zambia culture. When I went to my first site visit in Luapula, all of the villagers at the site got together, brought practically all of the food they have, and cooked us the traditional dishes. As a guest, it is extremely impolite to tell them that you don't want something, so you must atleast try everything. Everything is eaten with your hands. The main food that is eaten here is nshima, which is basically made from corn meal that is cooked down into a mashed potato-like substance. It's then dipped into a relish (the side dish) and enjoyed. It's extremely plain tasting, but upon arrival we were warned to never say anything bad about nshima to a Zambian. I don't think that there is a Zambian that doesn't like nshima. It is served at every single lunch and dinner. Another traditional dish is "rape". It's made of kale-like leaves that are cooked down in water for about 15 minutes. Ground nuts (peanuts) or tomatoes and onions are sometimes added to it. So far, my favorite food is soya, or dehydrated soy pieces. They can be put into any dish, but usually they're cooked with tomatoes and onions. (Tomatoes and onions are crops that can be grown year-round). In general, the food is plain, but growing on me, and with hot sauce everything is good. :)
I found out yesterday that I will be living in Luapula for my two years of service. My hut will be near my health clinic, near a market, and on a lake. I'm running out of internet time, so I apologize for the misspellings and twakamonana (see you later).
