So its been awhile

Hey Friends,

Sorry its been so long since my last blog post but I have been busy getting settled into the village. The last seven weeks have been some of the most intense of my life as I attempt to settle in and figure out what this whole Peace Corps thing is all about.

Most of my time has been spent organizing my house, although I am still without furniture, and getting to know my community. My day begins at about 5:45, an hour after my neighbors, when I sweep both my house and yard. After that its usually off to the borehole for my 20 L of water then its time to wash dishes and make breakfast. Some days its off to the clinic or a meeting but often I spend time just hanging out in the village (and thus have already finished 24 books). I spend a lot of time with the women of my village shelling peanuts or just sitting around. While I have been learning how to cook on the brassier I am also still being fed a lot by my village and recieve food all the time, definately not going hungry.

Since I am a first generation volunteer my work has been slow. Mostly I have been assisiting with ante-natal and Under 5 clinics where I weigh babies, take blood pressure, and give out birth control. Hopefully in the new year I will be able to get started on a few of my own projects but first I need to gain the trust of the community. Sadly my awesome clinic in-charge has left to go back to school so I am anxiously awaiting his replacement. My rural health center is very small only a staff of 3, well now down to 2, so I know the community will be greatful when a replacement comes.

November marks the beginning of the rainy season in which I have already found myself caught in the pouring rain once. This also means the beginning of both farming and malaria season. Farming season means that the villagers head to field for the morning and all other things slow down for awhile. Malaria season means that things get interesting at the clinic. My district and catchment area have some of the highest rates of malaria for all of Zambia. According to the people at the district health office the epidemic in the area may even be centered in the dambo in my village! They have a few interesting ideas to combat malaria including the testing of most individuals to test and treat adults without symtoms. I am not sure if this will actually occur but I am very excitied to observe it.

All the PCV's in Eastern are at the house this week to have biannual meetings and celebrate Thanksgiving. Currently we are hard at work making dinner featuring turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, pumpkin pie, and apple crisp...among other items. Even here in Zambia we are managing to have a pretty traditional meal. Its also been great to see my friends and hang out with other Americans. While in the village I will occasionally see my PCV neighbors in the Boma but its nice to have prolonged time together.

Things of course have not always been easy and my last week was particulary difficult. I recieved the very sad news of the passing of my grandfather coupled with a very leaky roof. Then I had a slight incident with the mentally ill woman who lives in my village but over all things have been good. While the bad days are tests of my strengh the wonderful support of my family and friends, both old and my new ones here in Zambia, have helped me release taht I can handle anything Zambia can throw my way.

Well I had better get off so someone else can use the computer. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Love,
Allie