Term 1 is finished!

Hey all! I finished my first term teaching English, eighth grade and it went pretty well. I have 104 students!!!! So obviously that was one of the largest challenges. Another challenging aspect was the different levels the kids were on. Nevertheless, we still prevailed. Here's what we covered last term:

Nouns
Pronouns
Punctuation (periods, question marks, capitalization)
Reading Comprehension
Review of phonics
Verbs


You could be thinking, "these kids are in eighth grade and they don't know this?" The answer is yes they are and no they didn't really know it.

Life in the village as far as education goes is very difficult. There is not a great value on education because so many are not educated and I mean from knowing the alphabets and the sounds they make. So many of the children miss a lot of school, drop out and are not met with much resistance because their parents, and grandparents didn't go either. There are some whose parents make their children go to school but have no idea what they do there, and have no thought to help them or make sure their children's assignments are done. Villagers are slowly learning and accepting the change as we try to help adults get educated so they understand and can help their children. So I take one day at a time, or in local language...panono panono.

Another cool thing I got to see my entire intake just weeks ago and that was really fun. We had training regarding sustainable projects in our communities. I brought my host father as my counterpart, and we were both motivated and look forward to hitting the ground running, when I'm back in the village. He also saw many other Zambians educated and it inspired him to get more serious about his education. (He hadn't been coming to our adult literacy group) I was very happy to hear and see that he realized how important it was, and how he wanted to get more serious. I believe exposure is so important, because it speaks for itself, so I'm so glad he came and thoroughly enjoyed it.

While being on vacation I got some clothes made!!!! Two dresses and a pants suit! Pics later of all my adventures. I also got to hang with good friends, teach some music at the American International School of Zambia...and get more plugged in to the musical scene in Lusaka. I have had a great time so far. Well until next time guys. Be encouraged!

madetoencourageyou:)

CHITENGE!!!

Hello all! Hope you all are doing well. I know however that is not always the case and I want you to know that I would love to pray for you, about the good and the bad. Really let me know, I gots you! (gots: means I got you covered)

Well I'm writing this blog to share a secret, though not so secret to some....my love for fashion. Though I hardly wear heels I still love clothes and fashion. I love looking good, but being comfortable is very important to me. The reason why stilettos and I broke up years ago is because I was no longer willing to sacrifice myself for her beauty.

I still notice how great they look but we're for the most part exclusively done. How familiar are with chitenge's? It's a fabric seen all over Africa, and this fabric is often turned into all different types of clothing. I was so excited to be able to get clothes made. The cool things about chitenge fabric is they come in a myriad of colors and patterns and their all gorgeous! It just makes you pop, I don't think you can feel bad when you have on a piece of clothing made from chitenge; I never have been. So far I've had one dress made, three skirts, and a pair of pants. I currently have a pair of pants in the works right now. I don't have pictures of any of them but when I do, I'll post them. Oh I am wearing a skirt in one of my previous blogs during our cultural day during training. Here are some patterns and designs I want to done in the future.....I'm so excited!

To learn more about the history of chitenge's check out this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitenge

Around the village we use chitenge's for many things. Towels after bathing, aprons, decorations, carrying things, babies, also wear it over your nice clothes to protect them from dirt. 

As I stated before chitenge are turned into beautiful clothing but also bags, purses and so much more. Take a look.

She looks good honey!

I see this all the time. My closest neighbor came back from the bush with her baby and carrying wood on her head. It's hard to lift the amount let alone carry it on your head. The women are so strong.

Here are some styles I like and hope to get something made like it, or close to it.

Love this look. (I couldn't wear shorts like this in Zambia...thighs are considered private area but in America and other places where this is not the case....can't wait)

So fierce, I love it.

I'm hoping the ones I'm currently waiting for come out like this.

I love this free flowing skirt.

I like this.

So regal!

Yes!

I've started

and I will keep going! 

Here's to chitenge's!

Love you all,

madetoencourageyou:)

Mulli Uli?

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a while but in the meantime I hope you all have been well. I have been living in Zambia for almost nine months! Time flies when you're having fun! Well I will try and give you a run down of what's been going on till now.

Myoka Village

 http://www.mayokavillagebeachlodge.com

Beautiful Lake Malawi

South Luagwa National Park

http://www.luangwa.com/

December: Had training in Lusaka, learned more about teaching (literacy) and HIV/AIDS. My favorite was that I was able to see my entire intake again, as community entry was over. (Where you live in your village for three months getting acclimated to where you'll spend the rest of your service.) After training we went on our first vacation to Malawi, and swam in Lake Malawi almost everyday....it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The beautiful mountainous countryside was never ending. You know how you feel when you see all the changing color of the trees in the fall? The whole place was like that, I could barely breathe as we we kept driving through it. I would totally go back. The lodge where we stayed was also gorgeous...I twisted my ankle so it was swollen sometimes and hurt a little but it didn't stop me. The lodge was built on a mountain and the steps were steep and deep...and I landed too hard on it a couple of times and had to keep walking on it. I'm grateful it wasn't that bad...oh I forgot to mention that I also danced on it several times...for several hours! I was also a DJ for our nightly dance parties....what? Somebodies got to do it:) After Mayoka Village in Lake Malawi, we headed back to Zambia and went to South Luangwa National Park which is a word-renowned wildlife haven, I highly suggest it. Pictures are above.

January: Said goodbye to my fellow Pcv's and went back to the village...and started officially teaching, grade 8. I have around 98 students! Thankfully we have block scheduling, and there is a lot of absenteeism. Absenteeism is not good but I must say it can be a relief when the class is not jammed pack. I teach three days a week, two 80min classes. I have Mon. and Fridays off and I love it! On Jan. 20 while I was teaching someone broke into my home and stole most of my electronics and two flashlights. While this was sad, I have forgiven, and pray in hopes that they will be found and my things will be recovered. (My solar battery charger and inverter, my ipod, ipod speaker, my external hard drive, over the ear head phones ( I could hear the music so well;)) and my head lamp, and a flash light.) Peace Corps has been helping and giving me support...and thankfully I bought insurance, but please pray that I'm able to recover all that was lost, and that I will be able to get those things back. I miss being able to listen to music but I am hopeful, and will again soon.

February: I received some care packages from the USA! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all know who you are and I am very very appreciative. I also have visited some other PCVs around my area, and that has been a blast, seeing there houses and set ups. Very cool. Other than that I'm teaching and it's fun seeing the students grow and understand. Though at times it is very challenging, I'm having a great time!

Oh I forgot...as far as my personal development I've been exercising around two to three times a week it feels great, and I have been running a mile also and I haven't stopped. I can also do 20 push-ups at a time, I did 80 on Wednesday! I have never ran a mile and not stopped to breathe maybe only one other time in my life. Also I've started studying music, my hope is a chapter a week of theory, history, vocal pedagogy, arias, voice lessons, choral conducting, and sight singing. Pray I continue to be consistent and keep enjoying the discipline that is becoming me; I'm having a lot of fun. My goal is to have gone through the books by September, and then do it again. I must say, I'm feeling very proud of myself! Other than that....my hair keeps growing, trying to see how big my afro will get.

Well that's about it for now, but I'll see you soon. Thanks for reading, love you all.

Be encouraged,

madetoencourageyou!