Does everyone remember the common kids game, Marco Polo? One kid is "it," closes their eyes, and blindly tries to find the other kids by following their voice as they respond to "Polo!" to his "Marco!" My brothers and I use to play in the swimming pools of the apartment complexes we lived in or in hotels.
Did you know that goats also play Marco Polo? In the past 9 months I've had ample time to observe goat behavior. The one thing I've noticed most often is that all goats at some point throughout their day of grazing and moving about also make time to play Marco Polo. This is usually accompanied by the participating goats running hither and thither in response to the answers they get from their bleating "Marco!" Mad dashes one way turn into sprints in another direction in a fraction of a second.
My favorite Marco Polo game to watch is when nanny's and kids play. It goes something like this:
Kid: "Mom..."
Nanny: "Maaa...."
Kid: "Mooooommmmm...."
Nanny: "Mmmaaaaaaaaaaa."
Kid: "MMMMOOOOOOOMMMMMM!"
Nanny: "Maaaa! Maaaa! Maaaaa!"
It continues until the game ends with the two happily reunited.
I think goats cheat though as they keep their eyes open while they play. They may be in a larger area than a pool but if I ever peeked during a game of Marco Polo, my brothers were quick to shout, "No cheating!" I guess I'll cut my four-legged forms of entertainment some slack though as it seems like acceptable behavior to all of the other goats and no one ever gets upset over this slight change of rules.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Being Brave
I can't count how many Americans and Zambians have told me how brave I am for becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer, moving to a remote African village on an often misunderstood continent, dedicating 2 years of my life to a people in a place far from my home. In truth, I don't feel brave. Most of the time I lock myself inside my hut as soon as it gets dark because I'm afraid of meeting my cobra neighbors.
Maybe PCVs don't realize they possess an uncommon courage no present in others. What we do, while out of the ordinary, doesn't seem strange or selective. Perhaps we have gene DRD4-7R that is linked to restlessness and curiosity in 20% of the population (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/125-restless-genes/dobbs-text). We don't see ourselves as unique or brave, though I think every volunteer would admit that the experience certainly is.
Maybe there is something within us that provides a sense of longing for experiencing the unknown or something new and novel. Certainly my friends in the states never understood my desire to hop trains of free-dive with great white sharks. I'm sure they were even more confused when my reasons for deciding not to do these things had more to do with the fact that trains really are quite noisy and I get mini panic attacks when trying to breath through a snorkel and not with the dangers inherent in such acts as train hopping and diving with sharks.
So, when people tell me how brave I am, I am always at a loss for words, puzzled by what leads them to say such things. While PC is not for everyone, I'm a firm believer that anyone can be brave and achieve amazing feats. You don't have to live in a hidden corner of the earth to be courageous. Courage is within all of us and bravery is when we rise to meet the challenges that await us. So I say cheers to everyone because while you may think I'm brave, I think you are equally so.
Maybe PCVs don't realize they possess an uncommon courage no present in others. What we do, while out of the ordinary, doesn't seem strange or selective. Perhaps we have gene DRD4-7R that is linked to restlessness and curiosity in 20% of the population (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/01/125-restless-genes/dobbs-text). We don't see ourselves as unique or brave, though I think every volunteer would admit that the experience certainly is.
Maybe there is something within us that provides a sense of longing for experiencing the unknown or something new and novel. Certainly my friends in the states never understood my desire to hop trains of free-dive with great white sharks. I'm sure they were even more confused when my reasons for deciding not to do these things had more to do with the fact that trains really are quite noisy and I get mini panic attacks when trying to breath through a snorkel and not with the dangers inherent in such acts as train hopping and diving with sharks.
So, when people tell me how brave I am, I am always at a loss for words, puzzled by what leads them to say such things. While PC is not for everyone, I'm a firm believer that anyone can be brave and achieve amazing feats. You don't have to live in a hidden corner of the earth to be courageous. Courage is within all of us and bravery is when we rise to meet the challenges that await us. So I say cheers to everyone because while you may think I'm brave, I think you are equally so.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Who knows what development means? Please raise your hand.
Before volunteering in Peace Corps, I had no idea what international development work entailed. It is an abstract idea that I couldn't explain to my friends, family, or even myself although I regurgitated the description of the project to those who were curious. After seven months in country, I'm still no expert on development but I have a much better idea of what sustainable development means and how to go about achieving it. I may even be able to explain it to you now!
In America, we don't often think of what development is or how to go about achieving it. It so inherent in our culture. America already has the foundation for industry, markets, education. We merely expand upon the structure that is already present, which in one way is a hindrance as it makes starting new businesses and developing new ideas more difficult. But, how do you build something that doesn't exist yet especially when you're coming from a country where the idea is already established, the infrastructure already built...meaning, you haven't the vaguest idea of how to begin. This is one reason I struggled with the idea and definition of development before completing Peace Corps training and living in my village. I've never developed anything. At least, not in the sense that development workers do.
Recently, the LIFE 2013 Peace Corps volunteers attended technical training and a Project Design and Management Workshop. During this time, my definition and understanding of development and what it means, especially in a rural setting, was solidified. The training and workshop helped me define my goal for Peace Corps service. While most volunteers spearhead a large project during their time in-country, something that will be recognized and appreciated by Peace Corps and the community in which the volunteer lived and worked even after they're gone, I wonder how sustainable the project is. Most projects are ideas generated by the volunteer to meet a need they have observed in the village. This makes the motivation and drive for the project directly connected to the volunteer and their presence. While the community may be involved in the construction of whatever the PCV may have in mind, it isn't owned by them. What do I mean when I say that a project is "owned" by the community? To me, it means that the members of the community have identified a need in their area and agreed to address it, they are passionate about improving their village in the way they see fit, they have the motivation and dedication to see the project begin and continue with it until its' completion. They have a sense of ownership over the idea, they see a benefit in remaining steadfast and moving forward, and they can take pride in the outcome. It will be something they want to protect and showcase.
Oftentimes volunteers want to see observable, tangible changes in their villages within the 2 years they serve. They want to know that they created something and didn't dedicate years of their life in a foreign country with no end result. While the projects typically do benefit a community, I wonder how much the community learned about developing itself, about relying on the skills, talents, and ideas of its' people. It's wonderful to see motivated and enthusiastic volunteers bringing change to their communities and even if the projects don't survive, the village still remembers their volunteer thus achieving the second goal of Peace Corps (promoting a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served). But, what I've learned during the 7 months I've been here is what I truly want for my village. I want to empower them, to teach them how to build the things they want, how to bring about development to their rural community long after I've gone. I want to teach them what I know about capacity building, about community development, identifying projects, and defining goals and then how to achieve them. I want them to be able to do what I do and have the knowledge I have. Perhaps I'll never have a remembrance, a memento commemorating my time here, but if one person learns that they themselves are a powerful force for change and have the tools they need to make those changes occur, then I'll be happy to be merely Milimo, the first PCV in Nalube.
In America, we don't often think of what development is or how to go about achieving it. It so inherent in our culture. America already has the foundation for industry, markets, education. We merely expand upon the structure that is already present, which in one way is a hindrance as it makes starting new businesses and developing new ideas more difficult. But, how do you build something that doesn't exist yet especially when you're coming from a country where the idea is already established, the infrastructure already built...meaning, you haven't the vaguest idea of how to begin. This is one reason I struggled with the idea and definition of development before completing Peace Corps training and living in my village. I've never developed anything. At least, not in the sense that development workers do.
Recently, the LIFE 2013 Peace Corps volunteers attended technical training and a Project Design and Management Workshop. During this time, my definition and understanding of development and what it means, especially in a rural setting, was solidified. The training and workshop helped me define my goal for Peace Corps service. While most volunteers spearhead a large project during their time in-country, something that will be recognized and appreciated by Peace Corps and the community in which the volunteer lived and worked even after they're gone, I wonder how sustainable the project is. Most projects are ideas generated by the volunteer to meet a need they have observed in the village. This makes the motivation and drive for the project directly connected to the volunteer and their presence. While the community may be involved in the construction of whatever the PCV may have in mind, it isn't owned by them. What do I mean when I say that a project is "owned" by the community? To me, it means that the members of the community have identified a need in their area and agreed to address it, they are passionate about improving their village in the way they see fit, they have the motivation and dedication to see the project begin and continue with it until its' completion. They have a sense of ownership over the idea, they see a benefit in remaining steadfast and moving forward, and they can take pride in the outcome. It will be something they want to protect and showcase.
Oftentimes volunteers want to see observable, tangible changes in their villages within the 2 years they serve. They want to know that they created something and didn't dedicate years of their life in a foreign country with no end result. While the projects typically do benefit a community, I wonder how much the community learned about developing itself, about relying on the skills, talents, and ideas of its' people. It's wonderful to see motivated and enthusiastic volunteers bringing change to their communities and even if the projects don't survive, the village still remembers their volunteer thus achieving the second goal of Peace Corps (promoting a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served). But, what I've learned during the 7 months I've been here is what I truly want for my village. I want to empower them, to teach them how to build the things they want, how to bring about development to their rural community long after I've gone. I want to teach them what I know about capacity building, about community development, identifying projects, and defining goals and then how to achieve them. I want them to be able to do what I do and have the knowledge I have. Perhaps I'll never have a remembrance, a memento commemorating my time here, but if one person learns that they themselves are a powerful force for change and have the tools they need to make those changes occur, then I'll be happy to be merely Milimo, the first PCV in Nalube.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Voyage of the Mini S.S. Minnow
Lake Tanganyika - the second deepest lake in the world and
the most biologically diverse. This is where I’m spending my post IST
(In-service Training) vacation. Mpulungu, only port town in Zambia, is much
like other Zambian towns. Small shops line the main road selling a variety of
goods and necessities like biscuits (cookies) or shampoo. There’s a market near
the water that is packed with people, the shore lined with boats, and smelling
of fish and salt.
Excited
to get out on the lake and in the water, the group of PCVs that made the trek
up north from Lusaka rented some boats with the intention of rowing out to a
nearby island. I climbed into the boat that looked more reliable, meaning the
bottom wasn’t filled with water. I should have known when they only wanted 3
muzungu’s in the boat and 5 in the other that I’d probably chosen the wrong
one. As the Zambian crew, one man in the bow and one in the stern, pushed off
from shore with their apprehensive flock of PCVs, I was certain we were going
to capsize at any moment dumping me and all of my precious electronics into
Lake Tang. As water began pouring into the boat from the seams in the boards,
patchily plugged with bits and pieces of chitenge, I began to think we may also
sink. I’ve been jumping off boats and docks in the Midwest all of my life and
can hold my own in the water so aside from possibly ruining my camera/ipod/phone by accidentally
ending up in the lake, I wasn’t too concerned…until we spotted a crocodile.
Yep, a crocodile. I’d heard rumors of crocs in the lake but thought they would
be a rare sight and not encountered on this little adventure. Now the stream of thoughts in my head have
quickly been consumed by, “capsize, sink, Lake Placid, capsizing sinking
crocodiles crocodilescrocodilescrocodilescrocodilescrococrocscroc…”
All
ends well though as the boat neither capsized nor sunk, the crocodile did not
pursue and attempt to eat us, and we arrived at the island. We spent a blissful
hour dangling our feet in the greenish-blue water and gazing out over one of
the most beautiful and least visited areas of Zambia.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Cultural Day, Swear-in, and Southern Province!
Within the last week I have passed all my exams, finished training, bid farewell to my host family, took the oath to become a Peace Corps Volunteer (which I am fairly certain is the same oath that military members take), gotten lost in Lusaka, traveled to Southern Province (SoPro), and gotten most of my house shopping done for posting (when I get dropped at my village!).
What do you get when you have 22 PCTs camping out a day before graduating? A very hectic morning (don't worry, I know my jokes aren't humorous but they make someone smile anyway...Mom at least)! In preparation for cultural day the PCTs had to cook and bake food for 100 people (our host families and village and PC officials as well as the chief). There was dancing that everyone participated in - even if we weren't prepared ::cough cough:: (me, I wasn't prepared but if I had known I would have to dance around and sing in front of my family and 100 people I would have practiced so as not to be as embarrassed). There was an exchange of gifts and then farewells. It was back to The Barn Motel thereafter, but not until our bus broke down - radiator trouble. We eventually made it after the PCTs valiantly sacrificed their water for the cause.
Two days later, we became official Peace Corps Volunteers - basically a graduation for us. It was held at the ambassador's house and consisted of a light breakfast, swear-in, and a light lunch of samosas. This was the last night for all of the PCVs to be together after 12 weeks of seeing each other every day, supporting each other through sickness and aggravation, and just being in our protective American bubble with people that share our culture and are experiencing the same roller-coaster that is Peace Corps service.
So now, I am at the Provincial House (Peace Corps house) in SoPro waiting to be posted. Has been nice to relax, read, eat familiar food, and take showers. I am excited to be at my site, though. Being stuck in a something like Limbo since being in country has been stressful and I am ready to be somewhere on a semi-permanent basis (2 years if fairly permanent I suppose). Building relationships with the Zambians in my village, gaining development experience, and basically constructing a life in the African bush has been a long time in coming. Hopefully posting will be Wednesday (when I get Napoleon, my cat!)! Then it is 3 months of isolation in my village!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
New Address
Nicole will be moving around the 1st of May to her new site and she will have a new address, you can start sending her mail to the new address now.
Nicole Parker
PCV Zambia
P.O. Box 630569
Choma, Zambia
In the last letter I received from her she said to post this in her blog.
It's about 4pm, or in Zambia 1600 because they are on military/24 hr time. I'm sitting in my customary place. If you find a picture of the house on FB (it's the long one with the weird wooden structure, which is used for storing corn, in front of it) I sit on the left side of the door when facing the house. It's shaded for most of the day and gets a nice breeze. Bamaama normally sets up the brazier on the opposite side of the door & takes up residence. Right now she's making fritters, I think. We frequently chase chickens out of the house as the door is typically left open & they just wander in. Okay, it's not fritters... I've no idea. Don't think she's made it for me before. This is the picture of Zambia that I want. A candid shot of Bamaama looking, moving coals about, measureing out oil, and little bro sitting on the stoop licking the bowl the held the batter. No matter where you go, some things are the same . Giving the cookie bowl to a child, preparing dinner for the family. The difference is in the way we do all of the daily activities. For Americans it takes only a few hours or minutes each day to prepare and eat our meals or go to the store. For Zambians it's an all day process. Things like a trips to the store are a planned, all day affair. Cooking is endless. Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner is what occupies most of the day. With things like laundry, pulling weeds, and sweeping thrown in. I think she's making bread...or a cake. Still not sure but she's put a lid on the pot & placed coals on top and underneath it. It will be a surprise
Nicole Parker
PCV Zambia
P.O. Box 630569
Choma, Zambia
In the last letter I received from her she said to post this in her blog.
It's about 4pm, or in Zambia 1600 because they are on military/24 hr time. I'm sitting in my customary place. If you find a picture of the house on FB (it's the long one with the weird wooden structure, which is used for storing corn, in front of it) I sit on the left side of the door when facing the house. It's shaded for most of the day and gets a nice breeze. Bamaama normally sets up the brazier on the opposite side of the door & takes up residence. Right now she's making fritters, I think. We frequently chase chickens out of the house as the door is typically left open & they just wander in. Okay, it's not fritters... I've no idea. Don't think she's made it for me before. This is the picture of Zambia that I want. A candid shot of Bamaama looking, moving coals about, measureing out oil, and little bro sitting on the stoop licking the bowl the held the batter. No matter where you go, some things are the same . Giving the cookie bowl to a child, preparing dinner for the family. The difference is in the way we do all of the daily activities. For Americans it takes only a few hours or minutes each day to prepare and eat our meals or go to the store. For Zambians it's an all day process. Things like a trips to the store are a planned, all day affair. Cooking is endless. Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner is what occupies most of the day. With things like laundry, pulling weeds, and sweeping thrown in. I think she's making bread...or a cake. Still not sure but she's put a lid on the pot & placed coals on top and underneath it. It will be a surprise
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
FIRST POSTCARD FROM NICOLE
Well I've arrived safely in Lusaka, Zambia! While the flight from JFK to Johannesburg was rather long, it wasn't bad. Got a few meals, watched some movies, and snagged some sleep. Everything is so green as it's the middle of rainy season. Was surprised to see women already selling ears of corn! Am excited to learn Zambian cropping practices! So far I've seen ant,cockroach, and beetle friends. Glad to of avoided the mosquito friends though. Hopefully you received the email with the attached picture. It was taken at the airport after we cleared customs (Yay, made it!) Luckily it's not too hot yet although it feels slightly muggy. Nothing compared to the Midwest though. (thank goodness). Hopefully will get into a routine soon. Sunday we're doing site visits where we go stay with a current volunteer in their village for a few days.
This postcard was sent from Zambia on Feb 15 and received in the US the first of March. Nicole is now staying with her Host Family and living in a hut. She will be learning Tonga language and stationed in the Southern Providence.
This postcard was sent from Zambia on Feb 15 and received in the US the first of March. Nicole is now staying with her Host Family and living in a hut. She will be learning Tonga language and stationed in the Southern Providence.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
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Thursday, February 14, 2013
Welcome to Zambia!
Made it to the beautiful Zambia! Wish I could post the photo that PC took when we arrived at the airport but that's not likely to happen, sorry! The PC staff has been keeping us all very busy with information overload and medical stuff. On Sunday we go for our first site visits! This is to give us a better idea of what life in rural Zambia is like and help us determine if being a volunteer is the right fit for us. I'm surprised to actually have internet access so soon, but that may change as we head out to our villages to stay with host families during training. Gotta go before all of the volunteers decide to check their emails for the night.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Teaching Mom to Blog!
Mom is learning how to blog in case I don't have internet access she can still update everyone. This should be interesting. Cheers!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Departure & LIFE
It's getting closer and closer to departure time! Finally received staging details. I'll be meeting up with the other Zambia Peace Corps volunteers in Philadelphia on February 11th, 2013 and departing from JFK on February 12th, 2013.
Thought maybe some of you would be interested in the LIFE Project. Late last week the LIFE volunteers had a conference call with the staff and a few current PC volunteers in Zambia. It seems like volunteers have a lot of opportunities to work on or with projects that really interest them as well as the main project. Each volunteer has a unique experience that can be drastically different from volunteers even in nearby villages. As any RPCV will tell you, your PC experience is what you make it. So, if you are motivated, there are many many opportunities and projects to work on/with. Here's a link to a description of the LIFE Project.
http://zambia.usembassy.gov/zambia/life.html
Thought maybe some of you would be interested in the LIFE Project. Late last week the LIFE volunteers had a conference call with the staff and a few current PC volunteers in Zambia. It seems like volunteers have a lot of opportunities to work on or with projects that really interest them as well as the main project. Each volunteer has a unique experience that can be drastically different from volunteers even in nearby villages. As any RPCV will tell you, your PC experience is what you make it. So, if you are motivated, there are many many opportunities and projects to work on/with. Here's a link to a description of the LIFE Project.
http://zambia.usembassy.gov/zambia/life.html
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