Today, June 15, 2010, I am leaving for Zambia! I cannot even describe the excitement I am feeling. In two hours I will be leaving for the airport in Boston. I am all packed (finally!) and hopefully I did not forget anything! This experience seems surreal to me! At this moment I feel like the luckiest person alive. I know it is not the typical way to spend the summer, but in all honesty there is nowhere else that I would rather be. I cannot imagine how amazing this will be and I am so so excited to get to Zambia and meet all the children and families.
This trip is a big deal for me and I hope that with everything I do I can make the most out of it, there is so much to learn from a mission trip like this one and I am very fortunate to have this experience!
I will be gone for 3 and a half weeks (until July 9th) and during my time in Africa I won't have access to Internet or computer (or phones). So I will be writing in a journal everyday my experiences and memories and when I get back I will post the journal and pictures that I will be taking! So this it, I'll be back later!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A Quarter Sized Challenge
When traveling in or to Africa there are many different precautions that need to be taken. One of the most important parts of this is making sure the traveler has received all the necessary shots and immunizations and vaccinations. When preparing myself, I went to a Travel Medicine Clinic. There I received 5 shots for various different diseases ranging from Typhoid to H1N1. In addition to these immunizations I received two prescriptions and a LOT of information on the area I will be traveling to and its history of infectious diseases, how to prevent them, and tips to staying safe.
When traveling out of the country, especially to areas like Africa or less developed areas, it is so important to find a respected and reliable center for Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine. I was so grateful for the center where I got all of my treatments because they really educated me not only on what I was being protected from but why it was so important. One of the most serious diseases I am at risk of because of this trip is Malaria. The vaccination for this was a shot and also pills. The pills are supposed to be taken 1 week from entry into the country and then once weekly while there and weekly for a month upon arrival back into America.
This is the biggest challenge for me so far. The malaria tablets are a little smaller than a quarter and I need to start taking them today. While this shouldn't seem to be a problem it is because I have never been able to swallow pills, not even baby aspirin or tic tacs (I have been trying to practice with tic tacs, and unfortunately have been unsuccessful...). This is yet another obstacle for me. I overcame the first, which was shots. I have had a huge fear and dislike of shots, but when I got the shots for Africa I just had to suck it up because I knew that there were parents dying and suffering everyday so their children could receive such vaccinations. Now, I need to swallow these Malaria pills, so wish me luck and I'll let you know how it goes!
When traveling out of the country, especially to areas like Africa or less developed areas, it is so important to find a respected and reliable center for Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine. I was so grateful for the center where I got all of my treatments because they really educated me not only on what I was being protected from but why it was so important. One of the most serious diseases I am at risk of because of this trip is Malaria. The vaccination for this was a shot and also pills. The pills are supposed to be taken 1 week from entry into the country and then once weekly while there and weekly for a month upon arrival back into America.
This is the biggest challenge for me so far. The malaria tablets are a little smaller than a quarter and I need to start taking them today. While this shouldn't seem to be a problem it is because I have never been able to swallow pills, not even baby aspirin or tic tacs (I have been trying to practice with tic tacs, and unfortunately have been unsuccessful...). This is yet another obstacle for me. I overcame the first, which was shots. I have had a huge fear and dislike of shots, but when I got the shots for Africa I just had to suck it up because I knew that there were parents dying and suffering everyday so their children could receive such vaccinations. Now, I need to swallow these Malaria pills, so wish me luck and I'll let you know how it goes!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Getting Ready
It seems that the closer I get to finally leaving for Africa, the more I learn about it. I am grateful and blessed to know many people so willing to share experience with me. There are so many different aspects to taking an international trip, especially a mission trip in Africa. I received my travel visa the other day, a document that allows me double entry into the country as a volunteer worker. Without this document I would not be able to attend this trip. When I opened my passport and saw the official stamp from the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia joy and relief and excitment overwhelmed my every thought. At my school we have been running a drive (fundraiser) to collect items we need to bring to Malole for the High School. We have also been having meetings to prepare ourselves for the environment we will be immersing ourselves in. The lifestyle that the Zambians live is one that none of us (myself included) are accustomed to. The possibility of not having water, all different types of wild animals, no control in regard to temperature, sicknesses and diseases, as well as diet and hygiene differences. This trip is all about discovering and learning a new culture and then helping to improve it; to enhance the natural beauty and unique quality of this community. On this trip, we will be rebuilding dormitories in St. Francis High School, we will be painting classrooms, organizing the library, attending mass, and helping out in the classroom with English and math and computers and more!
I have no words to describe how appreciative I am for the chance to finally give something back to community who needs it. I am lucky to wake up everyday and be able to shower, eat, drive, go to a school with heat and air conditioning. I am lucky to wake up everyday with both of my parents alive and neither suffering from AIDs. I am lucky to wake up everday and not have immense worries bearing down on me. Most of all, however, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to travel to Zambia and meet extraordinary people with a motivational story and an inspirational philosophy on life.
I have no words to describe how appreciative I am for the chance to finally give something back to community who needs it. I am lucky to wake up everyday and be able to shower, eat, drive, go to a school with heat and air conditioning. I am lucky to wake up everyday with both of my parents alive and neither suffering from AIDs. I am lucky to wake up everday and not have immense worries bearing down on me. Most of all, however, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to travel to Zambia and meet extraordinary people with a motivational story and an inspirational philosophy on life.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
19 DAYS!
I remember counting down 150 days until departure for Zambia and now there are only 19 short days until I board a plane to take a trip that will change my life and hopefully the lives of many others. It seems so surreal that 19 days from now I will be riding in a bus from Lusaka to Malole, 19 days from now I will be building walls at St. Francis High School, 19 days from now I will be watching Victoria Falls and observing wildlife at Chobe in Botswana, and 19 days from now I will be singing and dancing with beautiful, kind, intelligent children who appreciate everything they have in spite of everything they don't.
June 15, 2010 9:30 p.m. I will depart on a plane from Logan Airport (in Boston, MA) and with a short lay over in London, I will arrive in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) at 6:20 a.m. on June 17, 2010. June 15 is barely weeks away(only 19 days!) and I feel like just yesterday I handed in my deposit to a secure a spot on this trip. Months of anticipation, preparation and excitement will soon be over and the three and a half weeks I spend in Africa will go by faster than I ever expected they would. I hope that on this trip I learn that all the hype and excitement was worth it to see one smile, to give one moment of my time, to give a tennis ball to a young boy or a doll to a young girl. I hope with everything in me that on this trip I can help someone, truly help someone and maybe make a difference in their life.
June 15, 2010 9:30 p.m. I will depart on a plane from Logan Airport (in Boston, MA) and with a short lay over in London, I will arrive in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) at 6:20 a.m. on June 17, 2010. June 15 is barely weeks away(only 19 days!) and I feel like just yesterday I handed in my deposit to a secure a spot on this trip. Months of anticipation, preparation and excitement will soon be over and the three and a half weeks I spend in Africa will go by faster than I ever expected they would. I hope that on this trip I learn that all the hype and excitement was worth it to see one smile, to give one moment of my time, to give a tennis ball to a young boy or a doll to a young girl. I hope with everything in me that on this trip I can help someone, truly help someone and maybe make a difference in their life.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Facts about The Republic of Zambia
The country Zambia is bordered by Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe and a few other African countries. Zambia is a little larger than Texas and its landscape is for the most part savanna. Zambia is also home to Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, which is a waterfall (its "local name" is Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning The Smoke That Thunders).
Zambia's economy has experienced much growth especially with a rebound in copper prices and maize crops however it still needs work. Despite the growing economy Zambia still suffers from serious poverty. In Zambia only 2.3% of the population is over 65, compared to a 13% in America. Out of 1,000 live births, 99.92 Zambian infants die opposed to the 6.14 in America. The people of Zambia suffer not only from diseases including malaria and typhoid fever but also HIV/AIDS, the most devastating of all. In Zambia there are 1.1 million people living with AIDS and 56,000 deaths. But AIDS does not just make a victim of the body it destroys, this disease makes a victim of the family. Children are often orphaned because parents have died from AIDS. This trend does not tend to support eduction and while around 80% of Zambia is literate (able to read and write) the total number of years a student can expect to attend a school is 7. In America, a student can expect to be in school for up to (or more than) 16 years.
Zambia is a very interesting and very unique African country. There is alot to learn, so for more facts check out: CIA-The World Factbook
Zambia's economy has experienced much growth especially with a rebound in copper prices and maize crops however it still needs work. Despite the growing economy Zambia still suffers from serious poverty. In Zambia only 2.3% of the population is over 65, compared to a 13% in America. Out of 1,000 live births, 99.92 Zambian infants die opposed to the 6.14 in America. The people of Zambia suffer not only from diseases including malaria and typhoid fever but also HIV/AIDS, the most devastating of all. In Zambia there are 1.1 million people living with AIDS and 56,000 deaths. But AIDS does not just make a victim of the body it destroys, this disease makes a victim of the family. Children are often orphaned because parents have died from AIDS. This trend does not tend to support eduction and while around 80% of Zambia is literate (able to read and write) the total number of years a student can expect to attend a school is 7. In America, a student can expect to be in school for up to (or more than) 16 years.
Zambia is a very interesting and very unique African country. There is alot to learn, so for more facts check out: CIA-The World Factbook
Monday, May 24, 2010
"Imiti Ikula e Mpanga"
In the language of Chibemba the saying "imiti ikula e mpanga" literally translated means "small trees will someday make a forest." This saying applies to the children becoming the future. I chose this Zambian phrase to be the title of my blog because I think it shows a beautiful insight into the culture of Zambia.
Learning a language is a good way to introduce oneself to a culture, and when traveling to foreign countries it shows the local people that you, as a visitor, have genuine care and made a true effort to understand their lifestyle. With that in mind, I am making a sincere effort to learn the language of Chibemba. Here are a few basic sayings:
Learning a language is a good way to introduce oneself to a culture, and when traveling to foreign countries it shows the local people that you, as a visitor, have genuine care and made a true effort to understand their lifestyle. With that in mind, I am making a sincere effort to learn the language of Chibemba. Here are a few basic sayings:
- Mwapoleni- Hello(anytime of day)
- Mulishani? - How are you?
- Ndifye bwino. - I am well
- Natotela mukwai - Thank you
Check in soon for more, I'm excited to start writing about this incredible life experience and I hope you learn a little bit too!
Sendamenipo mukwai! (Good Night!)
About this Blog
This blog is my personal journal of a mission trip that I will be taking to Zambia (a country in Africa) over the summer 2010. Here you will find information about Zambia, the Zambian culture, the mission trip and more!
In today's society it is important for everyone to put forth as much effort as possible to help cultivate and support cultures and communities of the world. I hope that from this blog every reader can learn a little something about a different way of life and feel inspired to engage with people all over the world and help someone in a unique and personal way!
There are many opportunities to volunteer and help people, look for a way to reach out in your community!
In today's society it is important for everyone to put forth as much effort as possible to help cultivate and support cultures and communities of the world. I hope that from this blog every reader can learn a little something about a different way of life and feel inspired to engage with people all over the world and help someone in a unique and personal way!
There are many opportunities to volunteer and help people, look for a way to reach out in your community!
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