the power of zambia!

Hey friends,
The final days have arrived. Just 4 more days until we get the plane back… It’s a little strange because I know I will miss Zambia a lot when I will get back home, but I also miss home a little now. The little things are those I am missing here. Like talking with my friends and making some music whenever you like, or listen to music whenever you like. I also miss the food a little bit xD after 3 weeks of eating rice, Nshima and sweet potatoes you also would like to get some spaghetti. But that will be there soon again and then I think I’ll miss the Nshima again xD
I wanted to give you all a update about what we have done so far until now. Last week Thursday we had our first ‘real’ working day here in Mpongwe. GCMF Is building a poultry (chicken farm) in Ibenga and they asked my dad, two other volunteers and me to go and help the Zambians out a little bit. The only thing we didn’t think about was that it would be 30 degrees in the afternoon. So while working it would feel like it was 40 degrees outside. So we got there waaayy to late and it was already about 25 degrees. After a half hour work we already were soaked of sweat and really tired….. So when we got to go to the market for a lunch we all were really happy to have a break haha  We went home that day black of paint and wet of sweat hahahaha but it was a really amazing experience  So you can imagine that the next day (Friday) the timer was set on 6:00 xD 7:00 we had the bus and 7:45 we could start  Ow. Yeah… The bus!!! xD that’s a fun story. Imagine in Holland a family minibus. A vehicle meant for about 8 persons. If we would drive that vehicle in Holland with 8 persons we ‘wouldn’t sit that comfy ggrrrr’ and if the police would see us with 9 persons in it we would get a fine. We drove a similar minibus here with 25 people, 1 chicken, a baby and all the luggage xD xD That means that we had two persons sitting behind the wheel because they had to share a seat….. the passenger seat was also parted into two seats xD xD In the back there were some adjustments made. They got out all the old seats and drilled some new holes. Now they putted in two more benches so you couldn’t almost sit in it. It would only fit if you would lay your legs behind you face xD xD But we got there….. although my dad and I already were sweating just because of the fear that we would have an accident xD xD (4 weeks ago there was an accident with a minibus like that and 7 people died). After a hard day of work we could rest again because it was weekend.
Saturday we went with our two sponsor girls to luanshya. They have their practical term now and they had to get some stuff for that. (teaching coat, duster, pencils, marker, manila paper, stapler, perforator, etc.) We gave them these things because many people gave us money to give for a good cause. (I had to thank from them). We had an amazing day and after we had lunch at the Indian restaurant and did an interview we got back home to Mpongwe.
Sunday we went to Mr. Kalima’s church. Mister Kalima is one of the most respected men here in Mpongwe. He also is head of the school project from GCMF. He is a very nice man and has the most amazing laugh xD He also is priest in the catholic church next to GCMF Guesthouse. So we went there for the English service. We had an amazing time and I made lots and lots of photos and videos while rehearsal. (we were the first ones to get there: Zambian time is always being late time… still have to get used to that xD) After the service we went home and at 14:30 we went to the local football field. The Dutch leader of GCMF’s VTC project (the school project) has made a football team of his workers. They build an football field in no-man’s land and got themselves into the amateur competition. (after 3 games there are second with no losses. Only fewer goals than number one) At 15:00 the game started and as the game had started the local community also started the African party xD Football is really popular because it’s an activity from which they can forget everything for a while and just celebrate. It was soo much fun! We had an amazing time! We won with 1-0. After the game we all went home on the GCMF truck. That means about 50 children and some parents went on the back of the truck and the entire time while we were driving we were singing celebrating and having a good time!!! Never had such fun in my life! xD That evening we had a bbq with 1,6 kilo of beef, a fish and some sausages. (in total €2,50 per person)
Monday we had to work again. This time not at the poultry but at the guesthouse. My dad and I had to check the electrical plan of the VTC project (a 16 hectare big schooling complex with 27 teachers houses, many class rooms and practical rooms, a few boarding halls, sanitary, carpentry and all the other stuff). It was really fun to do and after we finished it we made some electrical adjust here in the guesthouse.
Tuesday we started preparing everything for painting the guesthouse. We washed almost the entire building. In the afternoon we went to mpongwe’s primary school where one of our sponsor girls has her practical! It was soo different then the Dutch schools. When we got into the classroom every child stood up and said good afternoon, how are you. After we said good how are you, they said We are fine, thank you. Then they sat back down and the lesson went on. Our sponsor girl thought the children about amphibians. All the children were quiet the entire time unless they we asked something. If someone gave a correct answer the teacher would say clap for him/her, which was done by everyone while saying for you alone. It was beautiful!
Wednesday we went on preparing the guesthouse for painting. In the afternoon we got some rest.
Thursday we went to lake kashiba. One of the deepest lakes in Zambia which has many myths. One true story is that a diver went searching for a connection between lake kashiba and a other lake nearby. After he went down he never came up again. The local people also believe that there is a underwater city in the lake I was told. It is an amazing part of nature. You can dive down from cliffs into the water. Now the water was about 4 meters from the edge. It can get up to 10 meters in the dry season! xD Just a beautiful place!! After a good swim and some dives, we layed for 2 hours in the sun and saw some beautiful insects. We Got back home at 17:00 and of course (because it is so good and cheap) we heat up the grill again xD Got 4 fishes, 1 kilo beef and some sausages for 10 euros (all fresh) and had a delicious meal!
Today we went to see our other sponsor girl while doing her practical. She was teaching about the human body: blood circulation. She is also teaching a grade 6 class. It was again really beautiful to see. It was very similar to the other school! While sitting there all the other children from the other classes who had breaks came looking through the windows to see those mzungus xD After that we went home. We are now going to eat some pork chops with chips and cold vegetables.

So this was again a long blog :s maybe a bit too long xD but yeah…. I hope you liked it!!

See you all in 3/ 4 days!!

(you can find some photo's on my facebook!)