Wow. 3rd day. The past days here have been very different yet very memorable, not to be cliche but of course it's different, it's Africa. Everyday I wake up (very early, but very excited) the birds are chirping the sun is shining, and the young kids are already hard at work, watering the gardens full of tomatoes, eggplants, strawberries, peas, bananas, elephant plants & something called "veg" (I'm guessing this leafy green is a vegetable?) Anyways, you will probably hear people saying over and over again how awe struck they are. These people and children lead simple lives, don't complain, don't have much, yet really do know how to live. They are happy. I love it. They are fabulous singers and dancers (literally the choir of 15 or so girls and the I guys deep voices chiming in is gorgeous) perfect harmony. And their dancing makes us Americans seem worse than awkward robots. I got pulled on the dance floor. Thinking, "oh great I'm not ready for this," I danced anyway and had a great time. (Still cursing under my breath that I never took dance lessons or taught myself on YouTube).
Yesterday we walked miles to the farm to de-kernal corn. By hand yes. No machines, no tools just bare hands. These tedious processes of life make one realize what we take for granted... Yet, they are what brings people together.
One slower day I brought out a Book & magazine ... It's funny how it catches & everyone gathers around outside to hear a random girl from America tell "story hour." They love it, and I love how intrigued they are.
Today we started putting up the shelves in the food pantry. Working Together once again we carried long boards and cleaned the inside. When that was done I learned some African games, rock games, dirt games, then I brought out cards and they had tricks too. I showed them tic-tak-toe. Then how to play "PIG" basketball with a soccer ball. It was cool exchanging & comparing common games kids play on completely different sides of the world. They were pretty similar.
Today was also exciting because we finally got to pass out the gifts to each child! We set up a lovely "mall" in the Study room and they came shopping. The girls loved it (take note for next time -pink is a favorite, also everyone wanted blue "tropicals" or flip flops).
The thing that makes my heart melt the most= smiles. The small children who have no idea what you are saying look up you with wide eyes and you can't help
wanting to hug them and give them whatever they want (Jo clayton
was powerless to our little 6 year old Kabwe and brought him to the store & bought him strawberry milk). I would give everyone in the world strawberry milk if they would smile as big as he did. Smiles; they really do go a long way. One if my favorite things was waving to the small kids walking down the road as we drove here
in our car (down the smooth as glass absolutely no bumps dirt road). That was the best part about seeing this new country. The kids, walking home the many many miles in their uniforms, gave the brightest white-teeth smiles like it was the happiest day of their life. I felt like a celebrity. You realize just how friendly everyone is here. I can't even count how many "good mornings " & "how are you's " I receive throughout each day. I guess it makes you realize how Americans really need to smile more (me including); so I will have to work on that when I get back.
P.s. I learned from a teenaged boy, Dalitso, today that in "Bemba" (their language) "how are you" is "mulishani."
And that's all for today folks !!
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