Farewell Mwanya Family

Before I head to my specific village in Southern province, I feel I must take a moment to honor and recognize the family I have been staying with the past 11 weeks. Their individual stories and life continue to astound me daily.

Bataata/father: Greenwell Mwanya

Greenwell Mwanya grew up in Southern Province until he was about 18 years old. He only received education through grade seven. He failed the test to make it to grade 8 and his family did not have the funds to pay for his enrollment. Mwanya has spent the majority of his life in Chongwe as a police officer. He is almost 60 years old and now mainly supports the family through subsistence farming; growing and selling maize, growing onions, tomatoes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, melon and collects honey during certain times of the year. Although he grows many vegetables, he often struggles financially and sometimes his family does not eat a well-balanced dinner with protein, vitamins and carbs. This being said, he prides himself on the many animals he has. He has many cows, dozens of chickens, one pig, about five dogs and a cat. Cows are a large sign of prosperity and wealth. He plans to give his sons a cow when they leave the home if they have been respectful and are deserving of such a gift. Mwanya has a total of 10 children. In his first marriage he had five children. With his current wife (my host mother) he has had five children and one is one the way. It is often difficult to understand where all of the children actually live. Most of the children from his first wife are older and have their own compounds farther away. Several children stay with my host mother’s sister and visit on the weekend. There are a total of five children who live full time on the compound with my host father and mother; three boys and two girls. Currently the ones that are old enough attend school full time. When I have asked Mwanya whether he wants his children to continue pursuing an education he states that he has no doubt in his mind that he wants to find the funds for his children to attend school through secondary school. He recognizes the value of education. Mwanya is heavily involved with a local church and attends meetings on Saturdays as well as service on Sundays. He often speaks of God during everyday conversations, expressing his devotion and beliefs. This is very common in Zambia. He speaks three languages; Tonga, Nyanja, and broken English. Mwanya is an incredibly jolly, cheerful man who greets those he sees with a giant smile and upbeat voice. He is well respected in the community and seen as a man that can be trusted. He will be missed.

Greenwell Mwanya/Bataata lookin' good on his way to Lusaka

Bamaama/mother: Sarah Mwanya

I have grown to truly appreciate Sarah Mwanya. Bamaama is one of the most hard-working women I have ever met. She provides for many children, cooking three meals and multiple snacks each day, hauling water back and forth over 500m, cleaning dishes, washing clothes, waking early each morning to sweep and prepare, and all with a smile on her face and an incredible attitude. Bamaama has lived in Chongwe her entire life. Mwanya is the only husband she has had and she currently has five children and is pregnant with another. Although she is clearly pregnant, I have not heard her speak of the pregnancy once. I think it is rather taboo to discuss pregnancy in great length here. Bamaama received education only through grade 7. Although she has not received much ‘formal’ education, she is very intelligent. She is very in tune with everything that is happening in the community and seems to state her mind when she feels a need. She speaks Nyanja and a little bit of Tonga and English. When we speak I know that she understands what I am saying based on the brief responses and feedback she gives me. She is very patient and has taught me the few Tonga words she knows. When we first met I said to her, “we will learn together.” Since the beginning, this is exactly what we have done. Her English and my Tonga has improved immensely. She truly has become another mother of mine.

Each night my Ba Taata teaches me Tonga songs. We typically belt them out as a family while the children dance along excitedly. My host father calls me his daughter. After returning from a long trip away he explained to me how he thinks of me as a part of the family. He described this saying, “My daughter, we have missed you. A family is like a hand, with each finger representing a member of the family. When one is missing, we are not complete. We were missing you.” These are the moments when I know I will truly miss them….

Ba Maama and I washing (BTW not an easy task)

Naomie 4 yrs old and Matius 6 yrs old. Bundles of joy!

Peace Corps Training Updates

The weather is changing. “Winter”/cold season is ending and the hot season is approaching. Many volunteers tell us that this is the time of year when they often lay fully naked on the floor of their hut praying for the sun to go down each day. Coming from a very mild and moderate climate of the Pacific Northwest, I am a bit concerned. Ha!

In good news, training is near the end! We; as in 30 other Community Health Volunteers, have just about successfully completed 11 weeks of extensive training covering topics in various health approaches, technical information, cross-cultural lessons and language training. This coming week we will be having a large cultural day, sharing one final meal with our current host families. We will be cooking American style food, singing the American National Anthem, Zambian National Anthem, and performing many traditional Zambian songs and dances. After this we will be moved to a hotel in Lusaka where we will stay for several days before heading to our specific provinces. Within this time frame we will set up a Zambian bank account, buy the necessary items for our future homes and finalize loose ends before being dropped by a Peace Corps cruiser to our specific villages.

 Additional photos...

Relaxing a bit after long training days ;)

Presentation on water and sanitation

My Tonga language class. Ba Given 2nd in the row had his hands full with us ladies