I have finally met Eddy. He came to our house in a large van with two other men: Valentine the dress maker and Israel the teacher. Eddy uses the word dream every few minutes: "It's just a dream," "It started with a dream," "I have this dream." This makes me very happy and I suddenly understand why Penny smiles so much when she speaks of him.
Ubumi is really nice. Nicer, in fact, then our house (meaning it's furnished, clean and the lights work). It has a large walled-in yard with a slide and a covered area with tables for various activities. There is also a medium sized, yellow dog named Marcos. Someone introduces him to me every time he comes around. Marcos and I just give each other knowing looks.
My first day at the orphanage was a lot of fun. The first thing we did was get to know each other's names. Israel helped with this as the kids were shy at first. I am called Auntie Vidya and the children are: Memory Mwape (The oldest and only girl), John and Steven Chanda (brothers who prefer I use their first AND last names), Dominic, and Bernardo (which may or may not be his real name but he seems to like it.) There are two other children who depend on Ubumi but they are away at boarding school.
Learning their names took longer than you'd expect due to many distractions in the form of giggling fits. After that, I presented them with the box of match box cars. What a hit. I have never seen kids so excited. When I finally tore them away from the cars, we made thank you cards for all you lovely people in the US who donated. I haven't figured out the post office yet so I don't know how soon you'll get them, but don't worry, you will. I taught them 'Duck, Duck, Goose' and they taught me an African form of the same game called 'Mai' (I think). Their version is a lot more complicated, is spoken in Bemba, and involves a towel but they assure me I will be able to learn it. They wanted to play "duck, duck, goose" over and over and over again. They go mad with laughter when someone takes longer than expected to say "goose" and there's a lot of yelling going on the entire time.
Today I tried to update the security software on Eddy's computer. Let me just say that I did not know the meaning of the word patience before I came here. I spent an hour working on it and then had nothing to show for it because I lost the internet connection. But Eddy explained to me that things often take a long time to get done and it can be frustrating but you just have to have patience. I have already experienced this waiting in restaurants, waiting for taxis, waiting for friends. If someone says they will come at 7, you can start looking for them MAYBE at 7:45. It's taking some getting used to and I just can't remember what it was like to have so much instant gratification in the US all the time.
I have talked to Eddy about getting a jumping castle! He will look into it. Everything here is very expensive so I don't know if it will work out but it might. We may be able to get one at a descent price in South Africa. I will keep you updated on this.
I am wishing I had brought: notebooks, pens, workbooks, and a large world map. If you are interested in sending any of these things, let me know and I will give you the address!
Things are finally moving forward and I'm excited to be working with the kids.
Until next time, Peace.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
I've made it to Kitwe.
It has officially been a week since I left Ohio. Most of this week has been spent alternately traveling and then waiting, over and over again. We just missed all those east coast flight delays (thank goodness) and the flights were totally fine. British Airways is marginally better than any American airline I have ever been on, food being the biggest determinant. Also, it occurred to me somewhere halfway over the Atlantic that it’s actually quite odd the way people behave about airplanes. The behavior I’m speaking of is the calmness. It doesn’t seem right that we can remain calm, sleep even, when we are moving at six hundred miles an hour 47,000 feet above the ocean… imagine moving that fast on land, I bet I wouldn’t be calm in that situation.
We spent half a day in London. We walked to the Big Ben and the London Eye and ate at a great little all natural deli and cafe chain called Pret. If you are ever in London, eat there. It’s basically on every street corner. Really, I spent most of the day thinking about the coming flight to Lusaka.
The flight was not full and I got two seats to myself which was extremely nice as we were in coach. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of Africa below me because we flew over-night but as we were approaching Lusaka, the sun was rising. It was spectacular and reminded me of Jodie Foster saying “They should have sent a poet,” in the movie Contact.
In Lusaka, we were met by a woman from the US Embassy which was odd because she looked professional and we looked dirty and tired. We were supposed to go straight to the lodge and settle in but ended up having to immediately go for a security briefing, without showering. The briefing wasn’t nearly as official as it sounds. We were basically told to watch out for pick-pocketers, don’t ride the minibuses, and be very careful at night. This was my favorite line: “If you do get mugged in Zambia, it will be with a smile…where as in Zimbabwe they might just shoot you.” This was the beginning of a series of mini testimonies that I’ve heard about Zambia. Everyone wants us to know that Zambia is absolutely not like South Africa and Zimbabwe and they are very proud of this (as they should be).
Even though I have never been on this continent, I expected it to be comparable to India. It is in some ways, they were both British colonies, but there is one thing that struck me as different immediately: the population. It is not very crowded at all. The whole nation only has 11 million people, which isn’t even half as much as Ohio. I find it much easier to breathe/think/speak without that sheer mass of humanity pouring down on me from all directions like in some Indian cities.
Unfortunately, we have arrived in Zambia in a time of national mourning for their late President Mwanawasa. He died on August 19th and tomorrow is his funeral in Lusaka. He was loved, from what I’ve gathered. In honor of his passing, radio stations only play somber music and all happy events, like weddings, have been cancelled.
We are now in Kitwe but tomorrow everything will be closed due to the funeral. We do not have a house yet but hope to have one by Friday. It will be nice to unpack.
Perhaps the bravest thing I’ve done this whole trip was come face to face with a large, hairy, black spider in the shower. It’s not that I wanted to kill him, it’s just that he was so huge, one of us had to die. My insides still squirm when I picture him.
I have not been to the orphanage yet but I have been to CINDI (Children in Distress NGO). I may do an internship or some teaching for them. Thursday I will finally meet Eddy and the kids, I am very excited!
Peace,
Vidya
We spent half a day in London. We walked to the Big Ben and the London Eye and ate at a great little all natural deli and cafe chain called Pret. If you are ever in London, eat there. It’s basically on every street corner. Really, I spent most of the day thinking about the coming flight to Lusaka.
The flight was not full and I got two seats to myself which was extremely nice as we were in coach. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of Africa below me because we flew over-night but as we were approaching Lusaka, the sun was rising. It was spectacular and reminded me of Jodie Foster saying “They should have sent a poet,” in the movie Contact.
In Lusaka, we were met by a woman from the US Embassy which was odd because she looked professional and we looked dirty and tired. We were supposed to go straight to the lodge and settle in but ended up having to immediately go for a security briefing, without showering. The briefing wasn’t nearly as official as it sounds. We were basically told to watch out for pick-pocketers, don’t ride the minibuses, and be very careful at night. This was my favorite line: “If you do get mugged in Zambia, it will be with a smile…where as in Zimbabwe they might just shoot you.” This was the beginning of a series of mini testimonies that I’ve heard about Zambia. Everyone wants us to know that Zambia is absolutely not like South Africa and Zimbabwe and they are very proud of this (as they should be).
Even though I have never been on this continent, I expected it to be comparable to India. It is in some ways, they were both British colonies, but there is one thing that struck me as different immediately: the population. It is not very crowded at all. The whole nation only has 11 million people, which isn’t even half as much as Ohio. I find it much easier to breathe/think/speak without that sheer mass of humanity pouring down on me from all directions like in some Indian cities.
Unfortunately, we have arrived in Zambia in a time of national mourning for their late President Mwanawasa. He died on August 19th and tomorrow is his funeral in Lusaka. He was loved, from what I’ve gathered. In honor of his passing, radio stations only play somber music and all happy events, like weddings, have been cancelled.
We are now in Kitwe but tomorrow everything will be closed due to the funeral. We do not have a house yet but hope to have one by Friday. It will be nice to unpack.
Perhaps the bravest thing I’ve done this whole trip was come face to face with a large, hairy, black spider in the shower. It’s not that I wanted to kill him, it’s just that he was so huge, one of us had to die. My insides still squirm when I picture him.
I have not been to the orphanage yet but I have been to CINDI (Children in Distress NGO). I may do an internship or some teaching for them. Thursday I will finally meet Eddy and the kids, I am very excited!
Peace,
Vidya
Monday, August 11, 2008
First Time Blogger.
With my trip to Zambia looming two weeks from tomorrow, I figured I better set up this blog I've been telling you about! Hopefully I'll be able to keep this periodically updated for the four months that I am there.
Of course I've been dreaming of safari's since I was a child (no doubt due to that fabulous Wild Thornberry's Show!) But it became a very serious goal after I read the Poisonwood Bible (by Barbara Kingsolver) sometime at the beginning of High school. If you've read it, you may wonder why it would create such a burning desire to leave the comfort of American life for a comparatively more strenuous one in Africa. The truth is: that book spurred my interest. From the day I finished it, I have been learning (from any book and anyone who will teach me) about what happened on this particular Continent. In fact, my personal diary contains a giant red line that signifies a division in my life: Before the Poisonwood bible and After the Poisonwood Bible. And I am almost sure that it is about to contain another line: Before Zambia and After Zambia.
If you don't already know, I am going to be working in an orphanage called Ubumi in Kitwe, Zambia. Incidentally, I will not be doing missionary work but will be trying (to the best of my ability) to be an open minded and loving friend and teacher to the children there. One of my biggest goals is to give them competitive communication and technological skills that they may use to find a well paying job and to function in our ever growing global society. I hope my gusto in this plan doesn't fizzle when I get there. I'm sure it's not going to be easy. I guess we'll find out.
In seemingly unrelated news, if you know her, Katie Eppley is coming home today from Nicaragua. For now, all my excitement and energy is pouring into her return!
good bye for now.
peace,
Vidya
Of course I've been dreaming of safari's since I was a child (no doubt due to that fabulous Wild Thornberry's Show!) But it became a very serious goal after I read the Poisonwood Bible (by Barbara Kingsolver) sometime at the beginning of High school. If you've read it, you may wonder why it would create such a burning desire to leave the comfort of American life for a comparatively more strenuous one in Africa. The truth is: that book spurred my interest. From the day I finished it, I have been learning (from any book and anyone who will teach me) about what happened on this particular Continent. In fact, my personal diary contains a giant red line that signifies a division in my life: Before the Poisonwood bible and After the Poisonwood Bible. And I am almost sure that it is about to contain another line: Before Zambia and After Zambia.
If you don't already know, I am going to be working in an orphanage called Ubumi in Kitwe, Zambia. Incidentally, I will not be doing missionary work but will be trying (to the best of my ability) to be an open minded and loving friend and teacher to the children there. One of my biggest goals is to give them competitive communication and technological skills that they may use to find a well paying job and to function in our ever growing global society. I hope my gusto in this plan doesn't fizzle when I get there. I'm sure it's not going to be easy. I guess we'll find out.
In seemingly unrelated news, if you know her, Katie Eppley is coming home today from Nicaragua. For now, all my excitement and energy is pouring into her return!
good bye for now.
peace,
Vidya
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