Sitting in the VSO Programme Office in Lusaka, waiting to be given my bits & bobs to go off to my placement proper. Slightly frustrating as I should have got the 10am bus to Chipata (which is an 8 hour journey) and yet I'm still hanging around waiting ... Hey-ho, thought I'd log on and give a quick update:
So Wednesday and Thursday were full-on learning days. We were given workshops on the Culture, History and another on HIV/Aids. The culture and history ones were brilliant, giving a real insight into Zambia. The family structure is interesting and different to ours. For example your Fathers brothers are also your father, and your fathers brothers children are your brothers and sisters. You reverse it so that your Mothers sisters are your mother and so on. So one person can have 12 fathers and 12 mothers and if those 'parents' have lots of kids, you could potentially have 100 brothers and sisters. Cool huh? The History is fascinating too but too little time to go into it here ...will bore everybody to death with it when I get home. One-in-four in Zambia have HIV/Aids which takes some getting used to. Of course, with the great availability of ART's it is not immediately apparent so it was good to have the training and we were priviledged to have two HIV positive people come and give their personal perspectives ...a sobering time, I can tell you!
Met my new employers yesterday, a great young man called Franlin and lovely young lady called Fatness ...we spent a good couple of hours putting together our work-plan and I have much more confidence now that I will be able to do a fairly good job while I'm here.
Last night we were treated to a drinks reception at the British High Commission - each was personally greeted by the High Commissioner, a lady called Carolyn something (sorry, just too many names to rememeb). Anyway, she was most gracious and very welcoming. The official residence was something to behold but not a Ferrero Rochet in sight...!
Must go now, or the bus to Chipata will be leaving without me..... xxxxx
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Hi Teenie,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear every thing seems to be going to plan ,and it appears that Zambian time is exactly the same as Kosovan time, but I’m glad you got your bus eventually, do Chirpy Chippendales serve Chips or Chapattis on the Chara to Chipata, I like the family thing imagine having 100 Nat’s and Soph’s ironing, cooking washing, and housecleaning you would never have to get out of bed, Final question does FatNess have a boyfriend called SlimSmithy,have a great weekend Teenie and keep on blogging, Johnnie,xxxxxx
Hi!!
ReplyDeleteYes I was wondering about that as well!!
Wouldn't want to say anything rude - but "Fatness"!!! - is that really her proper name or a name by her mates!! Any other interesting names? Or are you allowed to make them up as you go on based on physical descriptions?
Do you have a name? Miss Tina?!! Or Miss Scared of Spiders?
Geraint
xx
Hello!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're "settled" in Chipata - if after rather an adventurous bus journey!!
Well done for surviving it! Don't ever complain about our buses again!
So after hobnobbing with the Ferrero Rocher set at the high Commission, you're out up country in the jungle - watch out for spiders -they're even bigger out there!!
Good luck!!!
Geraint
xxx
Hi Tina
ReplyDeleteFirst week over for us both - you out there and me in work without you! Elizabeth and I are coping(!) Glad to see it's all going well - how would I manage to eat though. Catilin sends her love and is checking your blog - didn't like sound of ants. Not the same in work - no singing and quiet. Looking forward to news from Chipata. Take Care Jude x
Hello
ReplyDeleteHope your journey went well, and that you settle in okay. Carys's project this term in school is 'Amazing Africa' and I told her this morning that Auntie Peanut is in Africa helping people. She asked if you were helping people without shoes, and i said yes. She then said 'oh, that's very kind of her'
We have been to the cinema this afternoon to see the Prinsess and the Frog.
Anoter piece of news - Cathrine's daughter Sarah had a baby girl in the week - 8lb 6, and they have named her Millie.
Carling Cup Final tomorrow - I'll keep you posted with the result. Oh, and Wales lost to France last night, but it was quite an exciting game. Wales could and should have won.
Carys now nagging me to play games on the ceebeebies site so time to go.
love Catrin
xx
Hiya Tina
ReplyDeleteIt's Caitlin, Judith Budding's Daughter...
Sorry But Only Just Got Chance To Read This Since U Left!
I'm Glad U Liked Ur Last Day Of Work, Decorated Desk, African Music & Box Of Supprizes!! I Enjoyed Making Everything For It.. x :)
I Read Ur Recipe For Fried Flying Ants And I Was Like OH MY GOSH, MAM HAVE U SEEN THIS!!!!:D Mam Was Laughing At Me. I Could Never Try The Catippilar Though... I Won't Even Try Different Things From The Chinese Take-Away! U Were Really Brave There :)
Anyway I Will Leave Another Comment When I'm Looking Next x
Bye (Good Luck With The Rest Of Ur Stay!!)
Hi Lovely Bev, and not so Lovely Chas,
ReplyDeleteWill copy and paste your comments on to my blog spot, and am happy to do this for you in future if you wish to keep in touch with Tina the trainee Zambian Witch Doctor,
Regards,
Johnnie One Taff,
xxxxxxx
Hello – how are you? – hope all is good there and you’re not being blown away today!... I’ve just been reading tina’s blog and tired to add at comment….. but I can’t do it as I don’t have any of the accounts… so can you give her our love when you blog your comment her – thanks matey and hope to see you soonish!!!
Take care, Bev
Hi Tina Two Taff :)
Robin Hood here from rainy Essex on a Sunday afternoon. Just catching up on all your news and I think by the time you read this you'll be in our new abode, Chipita... which sounds good enough to eat.. better than Catapillars deep fried or otherwise!..I think you'll get used to phrase 'poli, poli!' slowly slowly!!.. pleased all going well and look forward to reading more over the coming weeks. Did you use your infamouus line ... 'unaccmstomed as I am...' at the BHC?...take care and keep blogging ! :) bev & chas xx
Hey!!
ReplyDeleteI called Nan and Bamp for you. Bampi said that himself and Betty check your blog every day and they are enjoying keeping up to date - they can't work out how to post a comment to you though! Hope you are enjoying your little notes!
I've been ill all weekend and am off school today - got a bad throat and all the jazz that that comes with! Still, Roo's looking after me and it's sunny today which is nice!
I wasn't able to seply to your texts as my phone has broken and my old one didn't have your African number so I wasn't ingnoring you!!
Anyways, glad all is well, Happy St David's day and speak soon. Love you xxx
Hello!
ReplyDeleteJohn (the boss) is down from Ilkey today so i'm having to go for coffee with him at some point today! Other than that i have no news ... how sad is that? ha ha!
Spoke to Geraint a little but the other day and heard about your awful journey! Heard you refused to join in with the off the bus activities!
Love you loads! x
Hi!!
ReplyDeleteAwaiting your next blog with baIted breath!! Especially now you're in Chipata. Any local delicacies?!!
How's the wildlife there? Any spiders seen? Where's that photo you promised after all that money was raised? No pressure now!!
Anyway - good luck with the work!
Geraint
xxxxxx