I just recently found out that I will be spending my internship year with Grassroot Soccer in Lusaka, Zambia! Or as I like to call it "Lusoccka"... I will have two fellow GRS interns with me in Lusaka and the rest of the 20 or so interns will be placed throughout South Africa and Lesotho.
Beyond Lusakaaa being a fun name to say (try it, I promise you will not be dissapointed) it seems like a pretty amazing place to spend the next year... From my extensive and scientifically supported research (aka wikipedia), I have learned a few things about Zambia that I thought I would share with you!
1. The new name of Zambia (it was previously named Northern Rhodesia) was derived from the Zambezi river, Zambezi may mean "God's river."
2. Zambia gained its independence on October 24, 1964.
3. It's very hot(most of the time), like Ghana hot, and I like it!
4. It's roughly the size of Texas.
5. Lusaka is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern Africa.
6. There are over 2 million people in Lusaka and around 13 million in Zambia.
7. It is offically a Christian nation, but a wide variety of religious traditions exist.
8. "There is a lot of dancing in Zambia, so be prepared." Just picture me clicking the "like button" right now, and don't worry Zambia i'm ready.
9. "African" or "Zambian time" most defintely appilies.
10. The other two interns and myself will be the proud owners of a dog named Kamba and a cat named Ping...yessss!
11. English is the national language, but there lots of dialects spoken throughout the nation, with Nyanja being the most widely spoken in Lusaka.
12. Zambia is a landlocked country bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.
13. I will be driving stick shift/manual and on the left side of the road...so watch out EVERYONE else on the road.
14. Nsima is one of the staple foods(a thick, strachy porridge consistency), which is prepared from maize or cassava(a lot like Ghanian banku) and can be eaten with a variety of veggies, beans, meats, fish or sour milk.
15. A typical Zambian greeting can include kisses on the cheek and hand holding during conversations :)
I will stop there for now, as you have obviouly learned everything there is to know about Zambia now...or at least you can now pick it out on a map!
In all seriousness, I am so excited and blessed that I will have the opportunity to be working with GRS Zambia in helping with their fight to stop the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. And thank you so much again to everyone who has donated on behalf of GRS and my internship or is keeping me in their prayers, lots of love being sent your way!!
Until next time,
Casey
