this one is for Rubes

This is for my mum as she wanted to know about where I'm staying.

The project has 3 houses and I'm staying at Mushelli Way which is the house with the best showers. There are 8 of us in the house and I share a room with Jude who is more of a grown up like me.
Sarah Zoe Laura and Natalie are all friends from college and Imi is about 20 and been here for 6 weeks already. Lynda is 50 and a paedeatric physiotherapist and reminds me so much of Yas.

The blue or orange van collect us every morning at 7.30 to take us to the project and on several occassions we've had to push it to get started. I use the 'I had an operation last year' to get out of it.

We have 2 ladies who do our washing (except our smalls) and clean the house. They make sure everything is ironed as apparently when the washing is hung outside on the line - there is the possibility of a certain insect that likes to lay it's eggs in the damp clothes. I alway make sure my underwear gets a good ironing. LOL

The food is all homecooked - breakfast is help yourself, lunch is a cold buffet or home made quiche or pasta. Evening meal is always hot with vegetables. I'll be coming home much heavier I suspect.

We had our first rainfall on Tuesday evening and I've had my first Mossie bites on my elbow.

I'm still amazed by what the women can carry on their heads - huge baskets full of vegatables.

Dave will be staggers that it costs 5 pounds for 200 cigarettes - but NO I'm not bringing any back.

Hope that tells you enough mam. See you soon. Love you loads. Sue xx

Week Two

It's amazing that my first week has already gone and Monday is here again.

Today the teaching volunteers were helping with exam revision papers at Nakatindi school which has over 2000 pupils. We went through a science paper with them and I was surprised how many simply struggles with reading the questions.

Dave wanted to know about the weather and the local talent - well it's probably around 35 degrees (not sure what that is in real money) and all the young men are charming and would marry you given half the chance.

We had another power cut last night but it was only the lights (and NO it wasn't just a fuse)apparently they're on a different grid???

There are loads of market stalls on the side of the road and the owners are happy to exchange goods for anything you're willing to part with.

This afternoon I spent with about 70- 80 kids just playing at a local centre - it's called family support and we go just to give the families a break from the kids. They just want you to play with them and give them a cuddle and they never tire of playing the same game and singing the same songs.

I apologise now if some of the blogs seem to repeat themselves - I'll try and keep it interesting.

Well I have to go - tea will be on the table and I am so dirty I need to get in the shower quick - just in case there's another power cut.

Maybe next time I'll try and upload some photos

Bye for now!!

Sunday in Livingstone

Today is sunday and went to church. Such a difference to the UK - the singing is soulful and everyone is happy. I had to go to the front of the church to say who I was and where I was from (all the newcomers have to do this) and then the congregation clapped and and sang to us. Notices for the week were interesting - they brought out about 6 different blankets for sale. I really enjoyed it though and will go again I think.

Yesterday our house had an afternoon tea party and we invited everyone from the other houses. We played musical chairs - pass the parcel - egg and spoon and lots of other silly games. We had sandwiches cakes and scones and icecream for afters. Best part were the gin and tonics.

During the week I've been helping with Adult literacy and a lady called Christine with her computer. People have got wind that I work in IT - so now I'm the resident expert and they want me to deliver a Life skills course next week on Word and excel. Life is so very different. I've alread been involved in building a wall around Maramba clinic - we did 2 layers of an 8 metre section on a very hot afternoon. Hard work but very satisfying so now I add 'Builder' to my CV.
Well that's all for today - must walk back in the midday sun to the house for lunch.

I trust everyone back home is well.
Watch this space. LOVE TO ALL

ZAMBIA

Well I'm finally here.
The transfer at Johannesbury airport was a little hairy but after I'd realised that my luggage had been sent straight on to Livingstone I was a lot happier.
Accomodation is fine and the people great too, though we have had 2 power cuts already when the water goes off too.
The schools have actually broken up for the 4 weeks that I'm here but there is Holiday camp for the school which I've been taking with some of the other volunteers. The children are always so happy to see us and they call us 'white person' or 'teacher'. They enjoy the games and reading
I've had a language lesson so now I'm quite fluent in all things. LOL

Roads are a bit scary - the mini bus ride to the schools are along dirt tracks with major pot holes and we've broken the record for how many students you can get in the bus - 20 including the driver.

But life is much slower and I'm enjoying the experience - will write again soon

Family night

Night before take off

Well it's the eve of the great departure and I'm sitting here thinking I must get this blog up and sorted. I did have the great idea of using msn for sharing my photos but find that everyone will have to register with MSN so that's not the best idea.

Hopefully by tomorrow morning I'll have it all sorted and then we'll be up and running

See you tomorrow!!

Planning my 2008 trip

On 7th April 2008 I'll be leaving the UK to explore some different countries, experience some very different lifestyles and hopefully find that spiritual space that seems to be missing from my life

Over the next few weeks I'll be planning my trip and getting organised. This is one if the tasks I set myself. A blog where I can record events of my trip and post photos so all my family friends can view. Especially for my mum as I know she'll miss me.