bemba for days

We are down to the wire. I have 1.5 weeks left here at training. These last few weeks are killer. Let me tell you. They are jam packed with teaching assessments, many other assessments and the big final language test.

Here is the deal... I know I will pass the test. There is no question about that. I want to be the best I can be and learn as much Bemba as possible before I leave to my village.

I study for an hour every night and morning. I will get tested by all sorts of teachers and here is the thing... some days I feel like I have improved so much and other days I am slightly suicidal.

I guess that is the beauty of learning a new language. I always go in confident and coming out, things sometimes take a turn.

I know I will learn most of my Bemba in the village the next two years. My goal is to hit the road running. Is there any shame in that?

This is how I describe myself and families in Bemba:

Ishina lyandi nine Megan Emily Butler. Nafuma ku Amelika mu musumba wa California wa San Jose. Ndeikala mu Chipembi mu mushi wa Chikonkoto. Ndemusambi ici Bemba panuma nkalafunda pa Mikunku Basic sukulu. Ku Amelika, nalefunda abaana abanono pa Oak Elementary sukulu.

Ku Amelika, badaata niba David Butler. Bamaayo niba Moana Butler. Ba David niba shimakewbo bwa ng'anda. Ba Moana tababomba lelo ba kaipela pa EDS. Nshakwata bandume. Nakwata bankashi bane. Bankashi niba Kerianna, Ba Kaleigh, Ba Erina na Ba Taleah. Ba Kerianna balupwa. Abalume niba Jacob. Ba Kerianna tababomba lelo Ba Jacob niba shimakewbo bwa ama computers. Ba Kaleigh niba kafundisha abaana abanono pa YMCA. Ba Erina bakwata imiyaka 12 na Ba Taleah bakwata imiyaka ikumi. Ba Erina na Ba Taleah niba sambi pa EDS.

Mu Zambia, Bamaayo niba Terry Mwape. Badaata niba Fred Mwape. Ba Fred balimi. Ba Terry tababomba. Nakwata bandume bamo. Bandume niba Peter. Ba Peter bakwata imiyaka basano. Ba Peter balitemwa ng'ombe sana sana. Nakwata bankashi bamo. Bankashi niba Gertrude. Ba Gertrude bakwata imiyaka ikumi. Ba Gertrude balitemwa ukubelenga The Magic Tree House.

Chopwa. (Finished)

Mikunku Village

This will be the 4th time I have tried to write and post this blog. Luckily, I have smartened up and I am first writing it in my notes so I do not lose everything once more. 

Long story short: I am going to live in Mikunku Village in Central Province. The closest BOMA is Mkushi and I am going to be a second generation volunteer. 

We found out our sites through a balloon popping activity. We got separated by language. Our sites were inside the balloons on a small piece of paper. We had to pop a balloon and then find who had our paper. It was super fun.

I have been to Mikunku now. My hut is super duper spacious compared to the average PCV abode. I have 4 rooms. Currently, the last volunteer set up the rooms as a living room, bedroom, kitchen and a walk in closet. I am thinking about switching that up maybe but for now it is so wonderful.

The village I will live in has 2000ish people. The school is over crowded. I will teach grade 8 and have close to 80ish pupils. I can't even fathom to tell you how much I love them all. This is so cheesey but I walked into the class and my heart was so full. They cheered when I went into the classroom. The previous volunteer, Kara, made it very easy for me to come into this village because of all the good she did. 

I met a lot of people. I was introduced to Bacilolo (the chief advisor), all the students and staff at the school, villagers, the clinic, shop keepers and so much more. It was awesome to talk to everyone and get a feel of what is needed in the area. I feel like I have a hefty laundry list of things that I can possibly do. I am so excited there is so much to do to keep me busy. Ex: building a library, woman literacy, planting flowers, helping at the clinic, etc. 

Basically, if you are planning to come visit... I will keep you very busy. 

I feel like I live in a mansion in the sky. My village is wonderful. My new host family seems incredible. The volunteer before me set me up for success. I feel so super blessed. 

On another note: this area I have been assigned to is exactly where I have been praying to go. I will only be about 2 hours away from Kabwe. That is the town they are making a new branch. Only 2 hours away when I could be days away. That is incredible.