Welcome to the first issue of what will be a regular account of the African adventures of Lisa Guilfoile.
Background
Having lived in Denver for the past four years, Lisa felt a calling to do something else. Dissatisfied with selling Hondas in Denver, she was drawn to the idea of joining the Peace Corps and serving in Africa. Lisa started cutting through all the governmental red tape almost one year ago and was finally called to service in September, 2002.
Major road trip
Lisa left Denver on September 2 and stopped for a few days in Atlanta where she met up with 23 other Peace Corps Trainees (PCT). After many fun vaccinations, the group boarded a jet for a 17-hour flight to Capetown, South Africa, then on to Johannesburg. After a four-hour layover in Jo-burg, they finally landed in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
Crammed into a Land Rover, they jostled, shoulder to shoulder, for 11 hours before arriving in Kitwe, Zambia.. Besides the three bags each PCT had on board, the vehicle also served as transportation for six young goats! That trip alone caused one PCT to drop out.
Kitwe living
Kitwe will be home for the next two months, and it's quite different than what most of us enjoy! Lisa is staying with a family of six, two parents and four boys. Their house is small, in fact, the whole thing is about 25 x 22! Lisa has her own room, right off the kitchen. Her twin bed takes up most of the space, but she does have a small desk which serves as her desk and dresser.
Mosquito netting is a necessity, and she can sometimes hear a rat milling around at night. Her netting is cinched down tight around her mattress and she feels safe that way, but she plans to get a cat when she is assigned to a village after training.
Speaking of bugs, the roaches and spiders are HUGE! It is disconcerting to try to use the pit latrine while roaches are scampering out of the hole! Lisa says that is giving them "pit issues".
Eating is an experience. Everything is eaten with their hands: rice, beans, chicken, etc. When they serve fish, the whole thing is plopped on your plate, eyes and all! The first meal with her host family was chicken, and as guest of honor, Lisa was awarded the gizzard.
Before dining, Ba Mayo (Lisa's host "mom") pours warm water over Lisa?s hand while she washes with soap. Lisa then returns the gesture. Then Ba Mayo washes her husband's (Ba Tata) hands. The three of them eat in the living room while the boys eat in the kitchen.
Next issue....
Working and learning in Kitwe.
