First weeks in Kasama

---

Dearfriends,

This is longer version of my email that I sent you previously. I took my laptop this time ans therefore I will be sending more comprehensive emailsJ

Zambia, 25.january 2012

So I found my way to the community of Salesians sisters here in northern Zambian town, Kasama. I will week by week introduce this community to you, my friends, through my eyes, which are of course influenced by my previous experiences in Asia. However,I promise to be as impartial as possibleJ

The journey to Lusaka wasn’t the easiest one I’ve made. It took me whole 2 days from London. After a couple of hours in Dubai, and then many hours on the plane with 2 hours delay, I finally arrived in Johannesburg in South Africa. Here I watched beautiful storm passed by and amazing sunset while boarding the plane, final plane to my destination, Zambia.

When we were approaching Lusaka airport, I was amazed of the darkness outside compared to any other airport, this one was not lit so extensively and there was not many lights around. Once I got off the plane we were 10 minutes ahead of scheduled arrival, only a number of taxi drivers were waiting in the hall. It was nearly 9 o’clock and very dark outside and I started to be a bit afraid. Fortunately, two sisters were then coming towards me and all the worries were wiped out with their warm welcome and giggling smiles. We drove to the regional house in Lusaka where I took some rest. The next morning I was on my way to see the city of hope, another Salesian sisters’ project with one volunteer from Czech Republic, Kristina, whom I gladly chatted about her exciting experience in Zambia.

Now, let me talk about some differences. I noticed that Zambians are very affectionate when greeting a person for the first time. The handshake is accompanied by two kisses on the cheeks. People here in the centre speak English fluently, even though accent is a bit strong. I had my first long trip from Lusaka to Kasama on the bus; it took us 12 hours to get to our destination. The roads seem to be alright, not too bumpy. This pleasantly surprised me.

Today, I had my first typical Zambian food. It was beans with rice and lots of vegetables. They also served some tiny mini fish from the lake. After fast dinner all of us watched the football match between Zambia and Lybia. African cup is taking place and I am very happy to be part of it. Each time Zambian team scored, girls were happily dancing, clapping hands, just amazing to watch them expressing the support for their team. During the match one of the girls asked me if I like caterpillars. She offered to cook them for me tomorrow. I politely thanked her and asked her to wait with such specialities for another weekJ I know it will come one day, but I would like to get a bit stronger before.J

The centre is big, with the secondary school with around 300 girls and many teachers. There is convent for girls, currently 10 girls are here. Then there is a boarding house for another 44 girls, all teenagers whom I am going to help with. It should be a good fun, however, as an English teacher I am not going to have a big work (unlike in rural India, people speak really good English here).



26/01/12

Today I attended a morning mass in the chapel, which is so peaceful with the beautiful carved African map is behind the altar and the Zambian borders are indicated there. The body of Christ is placed in the middle. The floor is of marble stone and cooling.

Later after breakfast, I received my timetable. Ach, it is a bit busy, but I cannot complain since I enjoy being busy. Still I have time to write these lines here and will have time to study as well as develop my English language skills. This is the copy of the timetable:

Timetable for a volunteer:

5:00- Rising up

6:20- Mass (Monday to Friday,

7:00 on Saturdays

7:00 on Sundays, 6:30 walking with the girls to the parish church)



Monday to Friday:



7:00- Breakfast



8:00- Library



10:00- Tea break



10:15- Assistance during break time with aspirants/postulates



10:40- Typing (or any other jobs)



10.15- Lunch



14:00- Oratory (13:30 on Fridays- Sports at school) with aspirants/postulates



16.30- Tea break/shower



17:00- Assistance at the boarding during meals/washing dishes and preparation



18:00- Preparation until 20:30 (extra English classes)



19:00- 20:00- Dinner



20:30- Good night



21:00- switching off the lights



Saturday- free day (14.30- Sports)



Sunday- 10:30- Preparation

Video after lunch

18:00- Preparation



I was shown around the Laura centre today and must say it is a big place. Girls were greeting me and they didn’t seem shy at all. Many of them study there, 400-500 pupils altogether from grade 8 up to 12. There are at least 40 girls in one class, they don’t lack desks and chairs though.

In the late morning, Sr Ireen took me to town. It is busy but small and lovely. I have not seen any tourists though. It would be very interesting to go there on my ownJ as it is walking distance, I will indeed walk there. The prices in supermarket are high however; the same as in England or even more expensive depends on commodity.

For lunch I did something brave- I ate caterpillar. I considered very long whether to try it or now, my curiosity won over basic instincts and I crunched on it. It was deep fired, so tasted like some little snack, not too bad. I could however feel little legs in my throat and did not try to eat the second one. Next time I shall be alright eating plenty of them…



28/01/12

The day of Don Bosco feast is on coming Monday, but we here in the Laura center were celebrating it today. It was a special day for me as I had a chance to meet many new people from the parish as well as get to know my girls much better. In the morning I woke up with a bit of worry about the day as the previous days I was a bit down, suffering from cold and cough as well as the new people, new culture and a bit of strong accent that makes me slower to understand the meaning behind the conversation with sisters and girls who on the other side are confused by my accent too- fair play. All of this made me a bit down I must admit and all of this heavy feeling disappeared today. (I should also mention that yesterday I got a small welcome gift, the traditional colourful garment that is used for everything, as the skirt or bathing suit, it looks like big cloth). Already in the morning, I found a small paper under my door. One of the girls draw a picture of me and on the back of the paper wrote useful phrases in local language, Bemba. I straightaway went to thank her, it was really kind gesture. Later in the afternoon, she test me on same phrases, unfortunately I could not remember anything else apart from thank you-natotela. The language itself sounds like Italian, have no clue why…

Then after breakfast, we walked to the parish church and the mass there was an experience. The choir was amazing as was the priest, who asked questions and when he received unsatisfactory reaction from the churchgoers he asked again and again. He made me laugh on many occasions. The mass itself lasted more than two hours, but the time passed very quickly. Then back to the centre where the program was ready. Until 2pm we stayed in the hall listening to speeches about life changing stories of the people from the town, some drama inputs and especially music which I enjoyed so much. It took my breath away to see these young people dancing. Then we had many activities, including dice, pool, football, volleyball, handball, and more. Kids enjoyed it very much. Late in the afternoon the lunch was served and more games followed. I took the role of a photographer of this celebration and enjoyed taking pictures of everybody. The girls from boarding chatted with me with no shyness that was shown during the previous days, even asked me many personal questions. From the local kids I received one question over and over again- “Do you want to become a sister?” J



With love,

Maria

---