Training almost complete

"We are almost done with our training and we are preparing for our final language exam. They will be tape recording it since it is oral. We will have to converse with the tester for up to 30 minutes. Bob and I are struggling but hopefully we can make it. If we pass the language test, we will be sworn in on Sept 25. Keep us in your prayers! The sworn in ceremony will take place at the American Ambassodor's house in Lusaka.

We have had some misfortunes. A few weeks ago one of the homes of our host family burned. The thatch roof caught fire and there was nothing we could do but stand there and watch. It is so devastating to see how easy it is to lose all you have here. Fortunately, no one was in the hut. We all had just finished eating smores (Bob and I bought some to share with our host family, they loved it!) Evidently, someone left an unattended candle in the hut and that is how the fire began. The family that was living in that hut is now staying with the husband's family in a nearby home. These people don't have much so it must have been tough to see it go up in flames. Also, as the fire began Bob started to run toward it (He thought there may be children in the hut) and he fell. He cut open his big toe pretty good. Actually, I was very concerned about infection. We called our PCMO (peace corps medical officer) and someone picked him up the next morning and took him to the health clinic. We cleaned it as best we could at the time using filtered water, peroxide and anitbiotic cream we had on hand. Everything here is more of a concern because the lack of access to medical aid quickly. Even waiting till morning was hard but everything did turn out ok. I thought they may stitch it but they didn't. They cleaned it and gave him some antibiotics. So far no concern about infection. We also have since travelled to our site we will be posted at to meet some of the locals and see our new place. We spent less than 24 hours there but we did see our "house" it is being built. It will be 2 rooms (about 12 x 14 ft total in size). It looks just like the huts on you tube. They also have to build us our latrine and Kinzenza(outdoor kitchen). The people seemed very excited to have us there so we did feel comfortable. We will be in the Northwest province of Zambia in a village called Matushi which is in the Mufumbwe District. While in the NW we stayed a few days with another volunteer as well so we can see more how our life will be like there. It went well but Bob got a little sick (sinus congetstion) and I had some upset stomach problems (maybe something I ate) Despite this we are both fine now. While on the trip our group met with one of the Natural healers (or as some refer to as witch doctor). She has up to 50 people stay on her compound and she treats them with herbs and roots from anything from body aches to HIV/AIDS. Some of the locals really believe in all she does. She did a demonstration for us by making some small cuts on the back of the person with a razor, adding piece of paper dipped in kerosene in a plastic cup and then lighting the kerosene and attaching the cup over the place of the cuts on the back. Evidently, this draws out the poison in the body. It is very strange. Some illnesses are believed to be placed on people by "Ju Ju" (magic or spells) so this natural healer takes care of these as well. Kind of crazy huh!

We see so many extremes, one day we are in the bush seeing people live so primitively and then we may be in the capital city like yesterday when we went to a tourist spot "Munda Wanga" It is an African wildlife sanctuary, botanical garden and water park (swimming pool and water slide). We enjoyed this trip to Lusaka. At the wildlife sanctuary we saw lions but in action. First, meat is placed in an outside area, sometimes up in a tree or other areas where the lions have to find them, then the lions are let out and they go searching for the food. It was amazing to see. They also did this with wild dogs."

Also, if you wish to write to Marie and Bob here is their permanent address for where they are being assigned.

Marie and Bob Sather/PCV
PO Box 130050
Mufumbwe, Northwestern Province
Zambia
Africa

If you wish to send a care package here are some of the things that would be helpful:

Body lotion
pocket size kleenex packs
Wipes
non flouride toothpaste
children's coloring books and primary reading books
crayons