Zambiance: a journey to central Africa with the United States Peace Corps

Mwapoleni mukwai! Muli shani? Oh wait, I should use English. That was a polite greeting and "how are you" in the Bemba language, one of 73 tribal dialects in Zambia.In this writer's humble opinion, the Peace Corps was (and is) one of John F. Kennedy's greatest ideas. It was a life-changing experience, going from Alabama to Africa, but serving in Zambia was truly rewarding, and with many amazing and momentous occasions along the way.

In September of 2003, 28 Americans touched down on the tarmac at Lusaka International Airport. After a gruelling 4 month training session, each of us were sent to our posts in rural Zambia. I was stationed in Kasonde village in Northern Province. Twelve kilometers from electricity in Malole and 70 kilometers away from the Peace Corps headquarters in Kasama, I felt what I imagine Thoureax experienced living in a mud hut with no electricity and no running water. At first it was difficult, battling homesickness and refining my Bemba-speaking skills, but after a while, the pure simplicity of living in rural Africa was an amazing experience.

Our group functioned as Rural Aquaculture Extension Agents, and we also engaged in a simplified form of grassroots diplomacy as we helped the fish farmers network with surrounding villages. Waterfalls, monkeys, zebra, and giraffe were in nearby game parks, and watching a giraffe slowly gallop beside a train I was in were just some of the highlights.

Zambia gave me exhilaration, fear, wonder, joy, surprise, disorientation, serenity, and harmony with nature. If you ever get the chance to visit Zambia or serve in the Peace Corps, I highly recommend both. Shalenipo mukwai...(remain well)