My Life So Far In Kabuta...

First, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post. After returning from 2nd site visit, training flew by, and before I knew it, I was swearing in and getting posted to my site. I wanted to post for everyone to read, but I was sick so I couldn't make it to the internet cafe, but I'm fine now.

I'll start by telling you a little about my house. It's small, which is fine with me. Since the roof is thatched grass, a lot of dust falls into my hut, so a smaller place means less to sweep. When I got to site, I was living in a mud hut for real!! The floor was mud as well as the bricks. Luckly, my neighbor, who also happens to be the Headman, is very motivated. He arranged for my house to be cemented. So technically, I'm still living in a mud hut, although it doesn't feel like it as much anymore.
I live on Lake Mweru, and my house faces West, so the sunsets are amazing. Since Kabuta is situated right on the lake, fishing is a large source of income for people. There are little tiny fish called cicense which are best caught at night. So after dark, the lake lights up from hundreds of boats with lights attached all around. All thel ights look like the Chicago skyline from a distance, it's really beautiful. There is also a large maket within walking distance. It's actually more like a sub-BOMA, so I can find almost everything I need there, even a cold coke!!

I've Been Adopted By 2 Kittens.....

I always thought it would be nice to have a cat at site to keep away mice and other "ROUS's", and I accidentally ended up with 2!! A couple of days after getting posted, I stepped into my icimbusu (pit latrine) only to be met by two grown cats who were equally as startled as I. They both bolted for the door and I fell backwards out of the icimbusu into a huge pile of dirt, (which by the way, I'm sure my neighbors found pretty amusing). It took me a few minutes to work up the courage to step inside again, because who knows what other animals could have been inside. When I finally made it back inside, I discovered a tiny kitten. She was hissing and trying so hard to be brave (even though she was so small that she could fit in the palm of my hand). I got a bowl of mild and put it ni the icimbusu and left her alone. A few house later, I saw, what I thought was the same kitten, by the tree in my front yard. I made a bed for her and went back to the "busu" to get the milk, only to find the original kitten still there. I named the kitten from the "busu" Kushipa, which means courage in Bemba, and the kitten by the tree Talala (peaceful). Their names fit their personalities... and they're both super cute!!

The Tech Team...

Right now I'm busy meeting everyone. My catchment area is so large (13 zones), so there are 2 Chiefs (one woman and one man). I've only had a chance to meet the woman, so right now, I'm restricted to zones 1-10 until I meet the other Cheif.
There are 4 people in particular whom I am working with. Ba Chile (my neighbor, Headman and the Health Center Chair), Ba philamon ( Social Welfare Extension Agent), Ba Chipampwe (Support Group and Community Aids Task Force Chair) and Ba Jakson (Agricultural Extension Agent). Together, they have formed, what they call, "The Tech Team". They are all community leaders, and as a group decided that someone from "The Tech Team" would accompany me to each of my meetings. These 4 men have a solid understanding of Peace Corps and, most importantly, our goal of sustaiable developement. I fell really lucky to have such motivated counterparts. They have helped me to arrange meetings with each zone, as well as with the schools in the area, TBA's (traditional birth attendants), CHW's (community health workers) and various women's groups. In fact next month, I have a meetings scheduled every day!!
As of now, I'm working with 4 suport groups for PLWHA (people living with HIV/AIDS), Nutrition and Breast Feeding groups, a farmers group and a few "stitch n' bitch" groups.

Chile Village Children....

At any given moment, there are at a minimum, 8 children playing in my yard. There are "regulars" and a few in particular that are really sweet. Some of the kids call me Ba Maria instead of Ba Lea (the Ba is for respect), it's cute and certainly better than Ba China. My house seems to be the current "hot spot" in Chile Village. Children come over by the dozens when Kushipa and Talala are outside playing. They all stand around wide eyed and cheer when the kittens jump in the air. You'd think they were watching some major sporting event from all the noise they make. It's really cute.
The other day, I shared some chocolate milk with some kids who were over. I think it was the first time they had ever tasted such a thing. They were quite apprehensive when I first gave it to them, (I don't blme them, it is, after all, a brown liquid). I think thye were testing it to be polite, but the minute they had a taste, their faces lit up, and they gulped down the rest. The look on their faces was absolutely priceless. I wish I had been able to catch it on film.
The little girls are especially cute. They insist on helping me with my dishes if I am doing them when they come over. Sometimes, I give them lotion, and we all sit on the porch together putting lotion on our hands and feet.

Random Things I Forgot To Tell You....

• My friend Katy and I were in a Zambia music video... quite by accident. We were really on our way to get Fanta's, but Ephram's (he's the singer) manager ran after us asking if we would be in his video. It was a bit akward, but fun. Then Ephram gave us a ride home and invited us to his luanch oparty. Unfortunately, we couldn't go.

• I learned/experienced traditional dancing. That's all I can write about it bceause the "events" of the ceremnony are only privledge to married women (we were an exception) and men are not allowed at all. So out of respect for Zambian culture, I clearly can't post it on the internet. But it was QUITE interesting. If you want details, just send an email or letter.

• I have a new address: Lea Wilkinson/PCV

US Peace Corps
P.O. Box 710150
Mansa, Zambia
Africa

• I get cell reception in my mud hut!! How crazy is that!?!?!? If you don't have my numer already, ust send me an email. Or chances are that you know someone who has it already

I have one request: Please send candy or fun little games (like jacks, or bouncy balls etc.) or crayons and coloring books for the children. I know they would just love it!!!

Thanks to those of you who have sent letters and care packages, they mean so much. I don't have internet access in Nchelenge, but I will be sure to post next chance I get. Until then, I'll have to rely on snail mail )or the cell phone n my mud hut... which I still can't get over!!)