After 2 fleeting years of village life in Eastern Province, my service has finally come to an abrupt end. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that I spent two years living in the African bush, but even more difficult to understand where the time went. Through all the challenges, hardships, accomplishments and victories, I can confidently say that it was my greatest adventures, and that’s why I couldn’t bring myself to ending it entirely – not just yet.
Currently I’m residing in one of the more affluent sectors of Lusaka; at a desk with lighting and electricity. If I get thirsty, I walk down the hall and get water – from a faucet! And, if I really wanted to splurge (but not really), I could get ice. Things have drastically changed in the past week. No more candles or fetching water from a well, no more cooking with charcoal or living alone. I have 3 roommates, my own room, bathroom, and all the wonderful luxuries that come with a modern house.
My last few weeks in the village were tough, but I kept my sights on the future. After accepting my new position at Grassroot soccer, I looked forward to the next chapter and getting back to modern civilization. I bid farewell to village friends, my hut, consolidated all my valuable possessions, and set things up nicely for the next incoming volunteer to take over my site. The hardest thing was leaving behind my animals. My turkeys I sold, my cat I gave to my girlfriend, and my dogs I let run free as they’ve always been - the sad thing (very sad) was that they couldn’t understand that this time, I wasn’t coming back.
On my last few days, I walked around the village, handed out remembrances and said my goodbyes. Many were confused and unwilling as they had just been getting use to my presence in the village. It was emotional at times but for the most part I was ready to move on. I ate every meal with my host family and left them with sentimental parting gifts that won’t allow them to forget me so easily. They still call me every few days to tell me how much they miss me.
A lot of people hear my story about living in the village and baulk at how I managed. They’re mostly surprised at the fact that I was able to live for so long with the lack of amenities that they consider necessary. To them I say it’s not the lack of amenities that make life in the village difficult. The difficult part is developing deep relationships with others as a foreigner. Most conversation I had, from day to day was merely small talk. With neighbors and farmers, I’d greet them, ask how there day was and that’s about all. I never was a volunteer that could engage in meaningful conversations or relate genuinely with villagers because of the language barrier. There has been many monumental instances of understanding and moments of cultural linkage, and sure I could get by with what I knew, but going two years without being able to fully express yourself – on a deeper level, is a challenging feat and enough to get one excited about returning to a more familiar living situation, one where communication flows more freely.
Not only was it a flurry of weeks in which I had to say goodbye to those in my village but also fellow PC friends in my province. Those who grew with me, learned with me, failed with me and succeeded with me were all difficult to part with. But I know that life after PC will bring us together in some instance at some point back home. It’s been a wild ride and it would have been quite different without having a few of the better ones to experience it with. To those of you (you know who you are) I love you.
As for my new position with GRS, I am the Peace Corps/Grassroot Soccer coordinator for Zambia. I handled virtually all of the rural affairs for GRS with Peace Corps. My job is about conducting training, monitoring and evaluation, recording data, participating in camps, following up with volunteers and improving the partnership that is Grassroot soccer and Peace Corps. I’m still trying to find my feet in the midst of the whole transition, but each day my role becomes clearer. The important thing is that I like what I do, find it meaningful and am excited about the impact I can make in improving things. I live on the same compound as my office; I get along with my roommates, and get to play soccer competitively 3 days a week. For now life is good, and I’m sure this year will end even faster than the previous 2.
I do get home sick now and then, though the memory of home gets cloudier each day (America is becoming a scary thought); the weddings I’m missing, friends I haven’t kept in touch with, and family members that are living their lives without me. Facebook seems like my only window to the world I once knew. Some days are tougher than others, but what keeps me positive is the thought of a bright future with opportunity. I’m hoping that all these tough decisions will pay off and lead me to a career that I can be proud of. Commencement is the name of the game I’m playing, and it’s all about the closing and opening of doors that lead to new things..
