Thursday, September 25, 2008
How a sticker relates to development theory:)
I had a kid steal a sticker from me the other day. After washing my pots, I let them choose a sticker and then they like to look at the rest. They never take more than one sticker. However, the other day when they left I noticed many more stickers gone than pots scrubbed. I’ll be honest, I felt betrayed. I thought these kids were cool; I thought they were my friends. Its just a sticker, but its also the principle behind it. Really more than one principle, even. Stealing is bad, they shouldn’t steal from me or anyone. However, it also brings up the issue of volunteers being seen as “donors.” Because so many NGOs, Aid agencies, missionaries frequently address development by giving both things and money away, a relationship of dependence often develops among those in developing nations. An organization (typically white people) comes in and dumps a bunch of food or stuff on a community for a number or years and then when the organization pulls out and moves on, the people are left not knowing how to satisfy their needs. When PCV CJ moves in they see another white person and just more money. Every new group that I work with has to be sensitized to the idea that I’m not here to give them money or even stickers. Peace Corps philosophy is about capacity-building, developing people not things, and teaching people to meet their own needs. Many people ask me if I know donors who can help them. While I know of some grants to apply for, this is not the point of me being here and I hesitate to associate with a project that will perpetuate the idea of “white person as donor.” This is also why when people at home ask me how they can help or what they send me that my villagers need or would like, I am hesitant. What they need can’t be sent in a box from America. To be fair, many development organizations are moving away from the donation paradigm but it continues to persist and is frustrating for those of us trying to offer a different approach. So while I feel like an old curmudgeon complaining about a sticker thief, there is more to it than the loss of a dime-sized piece of entertainment.
tsitsi lali fupi (short hair)
So the hair is gone. Why would she be so crazy, you might be asking yourself.
1. I’m in Africa. Less than 10 degrees south of the Equator. Its HOT.
2.Its really hard to keep your hair clean, no matter the season, when you wash it upside down in a bucket.
3. I would never have the nerve to do this in America, and a lot of Zambian women have hair this short so I blend in a bit more.
4. As a result of living in a foreign environment, my hair is falling out. Not in chunks but just enough to be annoying. The medical officer told me this is one of the most common complaints of PCVs worldwide, due to the stress of living weirdly.
5. To let go of a natural vanity most women have regarding their hair (I haven’t shaved my legs in 7 months either! Imagine!?)
6. Its just hair, it will grow back.
7. I think secretly, I was always jealous that my brother could do this as a kid and be so cool in the summer. I’ve always wondered what it would be like.
I can’t stop rubbing my head.
The wind-in-my-hair thing has a whole new meaning now.
My mom said, “It looks weird, it will look better when it grows out.”
My friend said, “Man, I wish we had a basketball court here.” (In reference to the very round orangeness in front of him)
The housekeeper here in Chipata said I look like a boy.
I’m really enjoying it so far.
1. I’m in Africa. Less than 10 degrees south of the Equator. Its HOT.
2.Its really hard to keep your hair clean, no matter the season, when you wash it upside down in a bucket.
3. I would never have the nerve to do this in America, and a lot of Zambian women have hair this short so I blend in a bit more.
4. As a result of living in a foreign environment, my hair is falling out. Not in chunks but just enough to be annoying. The medical officer told me this is one of the most common complaints of PCVs worldwide, due to the stress of living weirdly.
5. To let go of a natural vanity most women have regarding their hair (I haven’t shaved my legs in 7 months either! Imagine!?)
6. Its just hair, it will grow back.
7. I think secretly, I was always jealous that my brother could do this as a kid and be so cool in the summer. I’ve always wondered what it would be like.
I can’t stop rubbing my head.
The wind-in-my-hair thing has a whole new meaning now.
My mom said, “It looks weird, it will look better when it grows out.”
My friend said, “Man, I wish we had a basketball court here.” (In reference to the very round orangeness in front of him)
The housekeeper here in Chipata said I look like a boy.
I’m really enjoying it so far.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
September 10, 2008
6 months in Zambia! Woot!
So upon returning to my village after being away for two weeks I felt a bit lost. The city, transport, and training were all highly stimulating so back to village life I felt a bit underwhelmed. School break had been extended a week because of the death of the President, so i didn't have much to do. The villagers were often gone or busy, so I was a bit lonely. Also, I discovered that my various vermin had decided to re-take up residence in my house while I was away. Yes. Bats and Rats. I'll spare the details because I feel like this blog has become a story of Peace Corps volunteer vs. the common pest. Anyway, this mad me both furious and a bit depressed. After I discovered the mouse had somehow worked its way into my bag of peanut M&Ms from Monika (who sent me a super awesome package!) it was the last straw. You just don't mess with my M&Ms. My counterattack has begun. Yesterday I purchased poison and hopefully the sucker is now dead. However, I am scared that he has crawled into my roof and may at some point just fall on me. or my stuff. Mice are so stressful. I'm also fearing that I will wake up to a giant fat rat dead on my floor. Why am I so afraid?
School finally started yesterday, so I have stuff to do. What I'm doing...still not exactly sure. Feeling my way in the dark.
Its hotttt in Zambia, only to get hotter.
I miss everyone from home!! Thanks for the recent packages!! Mom and friends, Zack and family, Monika , Dad and Pat!
Email me!
Love,
Caitlin
So upon returning to my village after being away for two weeks I felt a bit lost. The city, transport, and training were all highly stimulating so back to village life I felt a bit underwhelmed. School break had been extended a week because of the death of the President, so i didn't have much to do. The villagers were often gone or busy, so I was a bit lonely. Also, I discovered that my various vermin had decided to re-take up residence in my house while I was away. Yes. Bats and Rats. I'll spare the details because I feel like this blog has become a story of Peace Corps volunteer vs. the common pest. Anyway, this mad me both furious and a bit depressed. After I discovered the mouse had somehow worked its way into my bag of peanut M&Ms from Monika (who sent me a super awesome package!) it was the last straw. You just don't mess with my M&Ms. My counterattack has begun. Yesterday I purchased poison and hopefully the sucker is now dead. However, I am scared that he has crawled into my roof and may at some point just fall on me. or my stuff. Mice are so stressful. I'm also fearing that I will wake up to a giant fat rat dead on my floor. Why am I so afraid?
School finally started yesterday, so I have stuff to do. What I'm doing...still not exactly sure. Feeling my way in the dark.
Its hotttt in Zambia, only to get hotter.
I miss everyone from home!! Thanks for the recent packages!! Mom and friends, Zack and family, Monika , Dad and Pat!
Email me!
Love,
Caitlin
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Long time, no blog...
Hello everyone! Its been awhile since I've blogged but there's not much new going on here in Zambia. After three months in my village, I went to Lusaka last week for a week of training. I was reunited with my training class and it was nice to see everyone. It was really weird to be in a city though. I got to see the new Batman--the first time I'd been to the movies in 6 months, so I splurged and bought some popcorn. It was probably the highlight of the week. Batman was awesome. Also during that week, the president of Zambia died, Levy Mwanawasa. This was pretty sad, though not altogether unexpected. After Lusaka I went with a couple friends to Chipata to just hang out for a few days because we decided to postpone our trip to Malawi. Here, we became addicted to the show Prison Break, managing to watch an entire season over two and half days. I'm heading back to the village today after having been gone for nearly two weeks. I'm really looking foward to going back.
Village life has been good for the most part. I went to some meetings. I tried to organize a community meeting but it failed to happen a couple more times. They should start building my house soon because hot season is fast approaching and then it will be rainy season and there won't be any time to build. We'll see.
I went to the post office yesterday and had about 6 packages--so if you sent me a package I probably got it. The problem is that my backpack is so huge and heavy right now that I won't be able to get them back to my house until the next time I come into the Boma. It might be a couple weeks. I did take two small packages from my dad and my mom's friend Paula. So thank you!!
That's about it for now. Miss you all!
Love,
Caitlin
Village life has been good for the most part. I went to some meetings. I tried to organize a community meeting but it failed to happen a couple more times. They should start building my house soon because hot season is fast approaching and then it will be rainy season and there won't be any time to build. We'll see.
I went to the post office yesterday and had about 6 packages--so if you sent me a package I probably got it. The problem is that my backpack is so huge and heavy right now that I won't be able to get them back to my house until the next time I come into the Boma. It might be a couple weeks. I did take two small packages from my dad and my mom's friend Paula. So thank you!!
That's about it for now. Miss you all!
Love,
Caitlin
Thursday, July 17, 2008
5 months!
Hello! I am approaching the 5 month mark of living in Zambia and this is very exciting. Just a few weeks left of my Community Entry period and I then I will go to Lusaka for In-Service Training. The last month has flown by as I have been really busy visiting schools and further integrating into my village.
If you read this regularly, you might remember how one of my first realizations in Zambia back in February was that being in Peace Corps meant a lot of time spent on daily living and the technical project side of things more or less was secondary to living in a rural village. This was somewhat reinforced my first 6 weeks in the village when I didn't really understand what I was supposed to be doing, or even how I was to go about figuring that out. Visiting 15 schools in 4 weeks, however, has inspired me and energized me to focus on Rural Education Development. Many of the schools are in sad shape. At community schools (not directly supported by the government) the classrooms are the equivalent of a shelter or a thatched pavillion with mud benches. Most of the teachers may not have even completed 12th grade. However, these are the most dedicated teachers and their commitment to educating kids makes me want to help them in any way i can, whether that be helping them improve their teaching skills or starting income-generating projects for the schools. So right now, I have a lot of ideas about how I can be useful over the next two years. While I'm sure some of these will not work out and there will be many frustrating challenges to come, I'm looking foward to it. I also decided that because I want to work in international development in the future, I am not going to be one of those PCVs that hangs out in the village for two years and ignores the first goal of PC--To improve the capacity of people in the developing world to help themselves (my own paraphrasing). That is not to say that many volunteers ignore this, in fact, I'm learning more and more of the beneficial contributions PCVs have had on their communities and continue to be inspired.
For example, today I am in Chipata for a LIFE (Linking Income, Food and Environment) training which is being given mostly by other volunteers. Because of rising food and fuel prices and food security issues in general I think we have all become increasingly aware that understanding the way our communities support themselves is crucial to having a positive long-term impact. I, however, have no understanding of farming techniques or challenges. This training has given me a good basis for being able to ask villagers the right questions about the challenges their facing.
In the last week I've tried twice to have a community meeting to explain to surrounding villages why I'm here, what Peace Corps is, etc. Both times, only 3 people showed up. Soooo sad. This was due to some glitches in the headman-dissemination-of- knowledge system. In short, the headmen received notices to tell their villages and they did not do so. I am brainstorming on how to rectify this problem.
It has been quite cold in Zambia the last few days. I've been wearing jeans and sweatshirts all day, which is very unusual. Yesterday I biked for two hours, mostly uphill in a sweatshirt. COLD!
My email situation has currently switched from what it was. I can now check caitlinjohnson31@gmail.com but cannot check cait_the_Great99@yahoo.com. So just FYI.
America seems like a very different and far reality right now. Its hard to describe, but the world I've known for 23 years is hard to conceptualize from a distant rural village in Zambia.
I have become obsessed with both peanuts Peanut Butter. I eat it everyday and its probably (with soya pieces) the bulk of my protein intake. Also, bananas in Zambia are far superior to the bananas we eat in America. And so cheap!! I can get a heap of 5 smallish bananas for the equivalent of 25 cents. Peanut Butter and bananas also happens to equal a great breakfast or lunch.
I'll try to write more later.
Love,
Caitlin
If you read this regularly, you might remember how one of my first realizations in Zambia back in February was that being in Peace Corps meant a lot of time spent on daily living and the technical project side of things more or less was secondary to living in a rural village. This was somewhat reinforced my first 6 weeks in the village when I didn't really understand what I was supposed to be doing, or even how I was to go about figuring that out. Visiting 15 schools in 4 weeks, however, has inspired me and energized me to focus on Rural Education Development. Many of the schools are in sad shape. At community schools (not directly supported by the government) the classrooms are the equivalent of a shelter or a thatched pavillion with mud benches. Most of the teachers may not have even completed 12th grade. However, these are the most dedicated teachers and their commitment to educating kids makes me want to help them in any way i can, whether that be helping them improve their teaching skills or starting income-generating projects for the schools. So right now, I have a lot of ideas about how I can be useful over the next two years. While I'm sure some of these will not work out and there will be many frustrating challenges to come, I'm looking foward to it. I also decided that because I want to work in international development in the future, I am not going to be one of those PCVs that hangs out in the village for two years and ignores the first goal of PC--To improve the capacity of people in the developing world to help themselves (my own paraphrasing). That is not to say that many volunteers ignore this, in fact, I'm learning more and more of the beneficial contributions PCVs have had on their communities and continue to be inspired.
For example, today I am in Chipata for a LIFE (Linking Income, Food and Environment) training which is being given mostly by other volunteers. Because of rising food and fuel prices and food security issues in general I think we have all become increasingly aware that understanding the way our communities support themselves is crucial to having a positive long-term impact. I, however, have no understanding of farming techniques or challenges. This training has given me a good basis for being able to ask villagers the right questions about the challenges their facing.
In the last week I've tried twice to have a community meeting to explain to surrounding villages why I'm here, what Peace Corps is, etc. Both times, only 3 people showed up. Soooo sad. This was due to some glitches in the headman-dissemination-of- knowledge system. In short, the headmen received notices to tell their villages and they did not do so. I am brainstorming on how to rectify this problem.
It has been quite cold in Zambia the last few days. I've been wearing jeans and sweatshirts all day, which is very unusual. Yesterday I biked for two hours, mostly uphill in a sweatshirt. COLD!
My email situation has currently switched from what it was. I can now check caitlinjohnson31@gmail.com but cannot check cait_the_Great99@yahoo.com. So just FYI.
America seems like a very different and far reality right now. Its hard to describe, but the world I've known for 23 years is hard to conceptualize from a distant rural village in Zambia.
I have become obsessed with both peanuts Peanut Butter. I eat it everyday and its probably (with soya pieces) the bulk of my protein intake. Also, bananas in Zambia are far superior to the bananas we eat in America. And so cheap!! I can get a heap of 5 smallish bananas for the equivalent of 25 cents. Peanut Butter and bananas also happens to equal a great breakfast or lunch.
I'll try to write more later.
Love,
Caitlin
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Exploration
So this week I have been visiting schools in my zone. There are 14 altogether and this week I went to 6. This also provided me the opportunity to revisit the paths and roads that led to me getting heinously lost. Come to find out I really wasnt that lost, I was always kind of near where I was trying to be. Now, I have a very good idea of how to get to these 6 schools and I have made maps with landmarks so I will never get lost again (at least in the western part of my catchment area). However, the next two weeks I will be exploring the other areas and visiting the remaining 8 schools. They are not as far away though, so hopefully, they will also be easier to find. Visiting these schools has also made me feel more productive, as I am finally able to do some of the "assessing" that I'm supposed to, in order to figure out what the heck I'm doing in Zambia. I have really been enjoying biking around and visiting these schools. A lot of biking involved but I'm loving it. Why didn't I bike more in Americaland? Today I'm hopefully getting my brand-spankin' new bike which is exciting. It has red and white stripes (yes!) so as if I didn't already stick out (you know, the white skin) now my bike is very showy. All Zam bikes are the same--solid black. At least now I won't be worried someone will steal it, because everyone will know exactly who it belongs to.
I think I have finally solved my bat issue! I had made peace with my bat. After a few nights where he was crapping on my head, I had had enough. I sought help from the village. Right now, I'm stuffing a piece of cloth above my door and he hasn't visited in a few nights. I had named him Malfoy. Hopefullly, I'll never see Malfoy again and he will get the idea that our co-habitation is over. I've kicked him out of the house.
A note on dirt/sand: Dirt is very useful for cleaning! Who knew? If you are having trouble cleaing something like a pot, just use dirt! A village secret. Also, I think I have a permanent layer of dirt on me. The dirt is like the color of clay soil so it kind of looks like I've been using fake tanner. Heheh. Scrubbing is no use. I've made peace with this.
That's all for now, so who's coming to visit me?
I think I have finally solved my bat issue! I had made peace with my bat. After a few nights where he was crapping on my head, I had had enough. I sought help from the village. Right now, I'm stuffing a piece of cloth above my door and he hasn't visited in a few nights. I had named him Malfoy. Hopefullly, I'll never see Malfoy again and he will get the idea that our co-habitation is over. I've kicked him out of the house.
A note on dirt/sand: Dirt is very useful for cleaning! Who knew? If you are having trouble cleaing something like a pot, just use dirt! A village secret. Also, I think I have a permanent layer of dirt on me. The dirt is like the color of clay soil so it kind of looks like I've been using fake tanner. Heheh. Scrubbing is no use. I've made peace with this.
That's all for now, so who's coming to visit me?
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