Muli shaani!
I have been in Zambia for almost a week now!
Some of you may have heard I got a little sick on our first flight and I had to stay in London an extra day to recover. Cherie, another JF, stuck around with me for that extra day. After rejoining the rest of the JFs in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia), Cherie and I had some catching up to do! We missed the first day of in-country training. So, the next day we went on a scavenger hunt at the local markets. The scavenger hunt included a list of items we had to buy.
I have been in Zambia for almost a week now!
Some of you may have heard I got a little sick on our first flight and I had to stay in London an extra day to recover. Cherie, another JF, stuck around with me for that extra day. After rejoining the rest of the JFs in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia), Cherie and I had some catching up to do! We missed the first day of in-country training. So, the next day we went on a scavenger hunt at the local markets. The scavenger hunt included a list of items we had to buy. One item on our scavenger hunt list was a "chitenge" (pronounced "chee-teng-gay"). A chitenge is a rectangular piece of decorated cloth with many uses, such as skirt, head wrap, and shoulder bag. Trevor even uses a chitenge as a table cloth and a curtain!
***Pictures coming soon. I have pictures of chitenge...but the internet cafe is making me love "cannot find server" every time I try uploading a picture***
Most of the time I will be wearing very western clothes, but when I go to villages I will wear a chitenge over my trousers*. I am not very good at tying a chitenge as a skirt yet. Hopefully the women in Milenge will teach me.
After a few days in the capital, Trevor, Madavine (another JF), and I bussed to Luapula Province (a 10 hour bus ride!). We have spent a few days in Mansa, where Trevor is working at the WaterAid provincial office. He has introduced me to the WaterAid staff here in Mansa and we have been discussing what I can work on throughout the summer in Milenge. We will explore more options once we arrive in Milenge this week.
Overall, I have felt very welcomed here! There are only three months left until I return to Canada and I am definitely anxious to start working in Milenge and to meet more people!
If I don’t post for a while, that’s because I’m still in Milenge where I will not be able to access the internet. I will have my cell phone, however, so you can call me!
* I used the word “trousers” because the word “pants” actually means underwear in Zambia.
Most of the time I will be wearing very western clothes, but when I go to villages I will wear a chitenge over my trousers*. I am not very good at tying a chitenge as a skirt yet. Hopefully the women in Milenge will teach me.
After a few days in the capital, Trevor, Madavine (another JF), and I bussed to Luapula Province (a 10 hour bus ride!). We have spent a few days in Mansa, where Trevor is working at the WaterAid provincial office. He has introduced me to the WaterAid staff here in Mansa and we have been discussing what I can work on throughout the summer in Milenge. We will explore more options once we arrive in Milenge this week.
Overall, I have felt very welcomed here! There are only three months left until I return to Canada and I am definitely anxious to start working in Milenge and to meet more people!
If I don’t post for a while, that’s because I’m still in Milenge where I will not be able to access the internet. I will have my cell phone, however, so you can call me!
* I used the word “trousers” because the word “pants” actually means underwear in Zambia.
3 comments:
oh olivia. that sounds so exciting :)
I've told SO many people that you are in Africa, its like a sickness. Keep up the good work/the good tan! Miss you!
Good to hear that you are "on site" Olivia and ready to contribute! Do any of the men wear skirt or dress like clothing. Somewhere I remember seeing some African guys in such attire?
Love,
Dad
Thanks for the comments!
Dad- I have only seen men wearing western style clothing. Sometimes they make dress shirts out of chitenge material so the shirts are a little more exciting & colourful than they are at home!
Liv
Post a Comment