Officially a PCV

Swear-in was today at the US ambassadors house in Lusaka. Everyone got all dressed up and it was a lot different to see all of us with make-up and skirts and the boys even wore suits. We will have tonight to celebrate and then early tomorrow we all pack in the land cruisers for our trips out to our provinces. I have to buy a bed and some kitchen stuff for my house and I should be moving into my village on Monday or Tuesday.

This past week was great. We had the last language test on Tuesday and I passed. But one of the girls in my group didnt, so its just 2 of us moving to Southern Province. (she has a week to study and try again and then she can move into her village). We also had final presentations to our technical HIV classes and everyone loved my impersonations of our teachers. On Wednesday we had the families come for cultural day and that was hilarious. They were all so proud of us and the food was awesome. There was a lot of dancing and I even had to give a speech in Tonga. Everyone laughed at the right spots so I guess it actually sounded like Tonga. sweet!

Last week we had to practice teaching at a nearby school and I taught 40 8th graders. I had them write down any questions about anything they wanted to know.
My favorite:
1. Is the WWF real or acting?
2. What is your phone number?
3. How does a girl feel when sleeping with a boy?
My answers:
1. Its acting until someone gets hurt. Then its real entertainment.
2. ah, but you are too young
3. It depends..........hahahaha I really talked about decision making and the different parts of a person that feels, like physcial/spiritual/emotional. awesome, i know.

So yea, Im headed out to the bush. Im allowed to leave for Thanksgiving so I will try to post then. Otherwise it wont be until December. So I guess, no news is good news.

I will write letters and please send me some because then I dont feel so lonely. Its been a good 9 weeks of training and Im ready to live by myself and learn alot, and hey maybe even teach a little.

God bless and Peace OUT!
Lweendo

Last Week of Training

This past week we have been busy finishing up language classes and technical training. This next week we have to pass final tests- im most excited about technical presentation. I plan on impersonating Fraser, Brother Mizhi and Ba Charles...our teachers. should be fun. On Wednesday the 24th we are bringing all of the families that have been hosting us together to cook an American meal and to exchange gifts. I already know my old man has been building me a chair and another grinding wooden thing that is used to make peanut butter, my favorite!!
Then on Thursday we move out and prepare for swear-in on Friday. Me and Carroll-Anne are getting traditional skirts tailored and it should be an ok time of feeling awkward at the ambassador's place. I have to give a speech in Tonga on Wednesday in front of the group so I gotta practice that too.
Older volunteers that are returning to America held an auction of all of their stuff. I got an Oxford dictionary/thesaurus for a hug, a washcloth for a high-five and a beach boys tape by giving my intimidating mean mug face.
Make sure to check out my new address posted, its in Southern Province. I can still get stuff at the Lusaka office but I wont be back there until Jan. 12.
Hope everything is great back home. Enjoy electricity for me!
Peace Out,
Lweendo

Second Site Visit

We are in Southern Province for a couple weeks staying with a volunteer one year in and also visiting our new villages. I will be in Dimbwe which is 50k from town. Good thing Im such a fierce biker! The volunteer we stayed with this past week has shown me some great cooking tips. homemade tortillas and salsa are a nice break from nshima and cabbage.
A couple days ago we had a meeting with a traditional healer. He said the most common ailments that he cures are when a man doesnt have the apetite for marriage (zambian way of saying homosexuality), a spouse has too many dreams of her deceased partner, and bad luck. Most of the treatment involves grounding roots and boiling the mixture with water. Then either breathing the steam, drinking the mixture or making small cuts on your body with razor blades (they call them tattoos) and being splashed with the mixture.
We asked where he learned these remedies and he said he has dreams and visions of certain sicknesses and their correct treatments. Now up to this I was very respectful and interested. But then he mentioned how he helps a woman that cant conceive. Basically it involves a root and certain cavaties of the boody. At that point I had a "coughing attack from the dust" and had to take a break. I mean seriously, adoption is always an option.
He showed us the jars that he keeps his concoctions in. Noticing the jar labeled "Die and Push" we asked what it treated. The healer told us about "talking coffin" This happens when a person dies of unknown causes because it is believed that someone is resposible. So the healer makes tattoos on the body, rubs in the mixture, and asks it to lead them to the murderor. People then carry the coffin around the village and they are led to the guilty person. African village ouji board?
So in reflection: it was very bizarre and |I think about the Christians that convince themselves of a fair God that probably supernaturally helps these isolated tribes...maybe his dreams are real but Im not trying out any roots.

Peace Out
Lweendo (my tonga name "journey")

In other news I had to say goodbye to Trent, my best buddy in the PC. He decided to take a different direction in life. I respect his decision and Im very thankful for his friendship over these past few weeks. And since your probably reading this "Im a woman for change so I will beat you as my husband!" I miss you pesi mbubo badela, ndanywa mosi zyotatwe in your honor! Love, Ba B