Firsts!

This past week I had a few firsts in my time here in Zambia. Yesterday I ran my first meeting of villagers. Those who came are interested in forming a tree interest group. The Forestry Department may be able to provide such a group with seedlings, so I facilitated a discussion about what would be done with the seedlings if we were lucky enough to receive them. It wasn't a complete train wreck, but at a few points i the meeting, my translator/counterpart got up and left... Otherwise it went decently and I have an action plan to give to the district forestry officer who will then determine how many seedlings we can receive and whatnot.

Later in the day I went to visit the Chief of Luchembe for the first time. The last chief died almost a year ago so this new one has yet to really take office. He lives in Chongwe (near Lusaka- where I did my Pre Service Training) with his family as a teacher. There is a temporary 'palace' set up right across the road from my house in Kambe. He is here visiting now because there is a big Bemba Ceremony up in the provincial capitol of Kasama this weekend. There are all kinds of rules about meeting chiefs here and I wasn't sure I would get them all right. Usually you're supposed to bring something to him like money or sugar or chickens--- so I had 20,000 with me just in case. Then you're supposed to kneel on the ground as you approach where he is sitting and clap three times slowly. He will then acknowledge you and you can stand up. So I did just that and it turned out well. I didn't have to give up my 20 pin which was nice since no one asked for it. He was meeting with some of his aids I guess (my neighbor is the Chief's Representative- so he was there and helping me out). The Chief already knew my name which was surprising(my Bemba name that is...) and was very pleasant. Him and his wife are both teachers so they speak great English. They are wanting to build a permanent, modern palace eventually but not sure where in the chiefdom yet. Too bad it won't be right across the road from me. It would be nice to have him as a resource. Anyways it was a nice visit- I just hope he gets out to Luchembe permanently sometime soon- but it doesn't seem like he's in much of a hurry.

Otherwise I am preparing for my big 'thank you spaghetti lunch' for all the community members who helped me work on my house. Poulin and I will lime the old room tomorrow and the community's work will be officially over. (other than the holes in my insaka roof that need repaired). My closest PCV neighbor Chris, and a volunteer with the Mpika diocese are going to come and help me cook and whatnot. It should be a good time