BLOG POST #6

This week started with another long drive from Lusaka to Kala Camp and then to Mwange. We had another great driver named Banda, who was like our dad the whole trip J It's great having such fun/kind drivers that we know we will see throughout our time here. We also picked up Annelisa, who is going to be working for FORGE in the US as a grant writer and as general FORGE staff. It was great to have her and John around for a week as Daniel and I settled into our jobs in Mwange. As soon as we arrived in Mwange, we got to work. In the first few days, we had to organize our room in Melu and the FORGE office, pay salaries for all FORGE's staff, fix the budget, hold meetings with all the staff, write reports and I had to meet a ton of different people I will be working with this year from UN staff to women at the market. Although we were busy, we had a lot of fun.

One night we had a birthday celebration for Annelisa with Peace Corps volunteers who live in the area. We had a fritter and banana "cake," room temperature (because there are no refrigerators) Zambian beer, wine, s'mores! and we played Apples-to-Apples (Yeah, EPACS tutors!). After such a great couple days, it was sad to see Annelisa, John and Banda go, because now it's just the two of us. But, Daniel and I are excited to start working and figuring things out on our own.

Outside of Mwange, Daniel and I have had a great time hanging out with the Mubanga family. They have all been really great in helping us transition into our lives here. We have great food, lots of laughs (and a lot of crying babies!), lots of time learning Bemba and teaching them English and some great soccer games with kids from all over Melu. I'm really happy to be living with a family this year. They are a very happy people and there is always something going on, so we'll never get bored. And, living with them is going to teach us a ton about Zambian culture.