July Already?

It is hard to believe that July is half-way over! Time is moving so quickly, but so harmoniously! Both Joey and I have been staying busy both in and out of our village. At home, we have been involved in local agricultural shows setting up display booths on everything from Conservation Farming to Peace Corps goals to community libraries. Joey has been collecting data on the recent maize harvest and interviewing farmers on their planting season. Currently he is preparing for a workshop coming up in Mkushi where he will help train new farmers on Conservation Farming techniques. I have been assisting in the new preschool (which has been a lot of fun) and helping our nearest Peace Corps neighbor set up a library at her school using some of the books that were donated. I am also preparing for new shelves to be installed in our own school library as well as working with the grade 8 and 9 students writing letters for their new American pen-pals. Outside of the village, Joey and I have been attending workshops in Serenje trying to build relationships with the Zambian Ministry of Education and Ministry of Forestry. Of course, with work there is also play. For the Fourth of July, we attended the same event from last year. Although this time, instead of being a bit overwhelmed, we jumped right in! Along with a few other PCVs and a few local teenagers, we formed a team and got to participate in the cricket tournament and squash tournament. It turns out that Joey is an excellent cricket player, especially at bowling! However, the best part of the day was watching fireworks and playing wiffle ball. It was an awesome piece of America here in Zambia. We also find time at least once a month to meet up with a few PC friends to play volleyball, kickball, and basketball. Joey is even working on a sports tournament to be held in September for all of PC Zambia!

We continue to take each day at a time here. Time is moving, but I think we are moving with it. We recognize this is a very special experience, and we intend to cherish each moment.

The Head Teacher (right of Joy) and his family, as well as the new preschool teacher (2nd from the left) came to visit over tea and groundnuts. It was the first time for them to see where we stay, and they were very impressed!

Joey bowling the cricket ball during one of our cricket games.

Joy learning how to bowl while trying to keep her arm straight!

Joey up to bat!

Last week, we took a hike to cell phone mountain to watch the sunset over our village. It was beautiful.

Joey made a kiln out of mud bricks and demonstrated how to turn maize cobs into charcoal to be crushed into to a carbon powder which helps keep nitrogen in the soil.

The finished product!



Joy's adult literacy class continues to go well.



Learning how to write a letter.