Ashley in Africa

My Housing:

I live in a three room house (which I have converted into a kitchen, a sitting room, and a bedroom) plus a bathroom, and a porch/sink area.  It’s made of cement (I think) with a tin roof.  There is no ceiling, so I can see the tin.  There are windows in all rooms, but no screens.  My sitting room has no outlet – the other rooms all have one.  This house used to be inhabited by the workers who worked for the guesthouse, back when SIM ran the guesthouse.  Now everything is run by Zambians (which is totally the goal!) and all the housing on the compound has been turned into guest housing, except for my house.

Ndola:

The city of Ndola feels quite comfortable.  I have a shopping area quite close to me, and another bigger shopping area (with a Walmart type store) about a half hours walk, which is called “town.”  The city is set up in compounds, which is just walled off areas.  Most of the places I have walked by have a house with maybe some workers quarters behind it inside a walled area with a gate (and a guard or worker to open the gate, etc.).  My compound has a 24 hour guard, and then several workers during the day.  I’m getting to know some of them and am hoping to learn some Bemba from them (the local language).  There are about three major roundabouts in the city and a couple of Western style shops and restaurants (but they are expensive!).  But I do know where I can find a good latte or western style sandwich!

The People:

There is quite a variety of people living in Ndola.  There is quite a large Indian population; they can make a better life here than in India.  So far the ones I have encountered own the shops in “town.”  I know they are here because they have been celebrating a Hindu holiday by shooting fireworks every night since I have been here !

There is also a large Chinese population, although I have not seen many.  Because Ndola is in the Copperbelt area, most of the Chinese here are men working either in the mines or on construction and their families are still in China.  (Apparently Zambia is trying to build a stadium to house some of the World Cup games and are working on one in Ndola.  How sweet it would be to go and not have to travel to South Africa!)

Then there are the actual Zambians.  They are beautiful people.  They are so friendly and helpful.  And they have such genuineness and true hearts.  I’m falling in love with them and have already found a Zambian mother and father!  (Mrs. Chikonku – the guesthouse manager – she really is a mother – she has told me in not so many words that I need a lesson in polishing floors and sweeping.  And also that walking a lot will help me burn fat…..)

The Church:

The Church that SIM is connected with in Ndola and now works alongside is called the Evangelical Church of Zambia (ECZ).  The specific church I attend is called Northrise ECZ.  The church is actually very nice and has actual cement floors!! (Something new for me in Africa.)  The church is young, with most people fitting into the “youth” category.  The youth meet on Saturday afternoons, and then there is a service on Sunday.  The youth also lead the worship.  And of course, there is lots of dancing and moving around!

I had the chance this last week to meet the ladies of the church and also the youth committee.  The church has been very warm and welcoming and very friendly.  The pastor I am working with, Pastor Momo, has been very understanding and encouraging that adjusting to a new culture can be challenging and takes time to adjust.  I think he must have lots of experience with foreigners!

The Food:

So far, I have only eaten what I have cooked or prepared for myself.  I have been hearing of some of the normal food though, and although I’m anxious to try it, I’m also a little afraid!  There is the always present nshima, then the other main food is kapenta.  Which is tiny little fish that are dried.  I think.  Once I have that experience I will share it with you!  There is this amazing juice that I love though, called Cabana.  It’s like a yogurt drink.  It’s so good!  Very refreshing when you’ve been out shopping and have culture fatigue!

Money:

The exchange rate is between 4,000-5,000 Kwacha for $1.  So for example, to use the internet for about two hours, it’s 200 kw per minute, so about $6-7.  Not too shabby!  Or about $1 for a coke/fanta.

The Language:

Bemba!  So I tried to learn a few phrases today!

Mulishaani = Hello

Bwino = the reply, I’m fine

Mwashibukeni = Good morning

Chingolopo = Good evening

Shinga = price or how much

Mwaiseni = Welcome

Random:

There are lots of shipping containers sitting around that the people in Zambia use as storage.  They are left from when westerners used to move here and they had to buy the shipping container to send everything over in because there were not a lot of things leaving from Zambia.  Everything was just coming in.