Update on me...

      A hen made her way into my heart. Since I took in seven orphaned puppies two weeks ago, a hen showed up. She has taken on the role of 'mother' to the puppies. If a puppy strays away from the others she will fly over to it and herd it back to the others. 

     She also found the cat door--a hole I chiseled out of my hut wall to allow the cats to come in and out. So, at night she roosts on the back of my couch. She lets me pet her, too. 

     And I was worried I would become attached to the puppies!

     I've lost over 20lbs and I haven't cut my hair since I arrived in Zambia. My health is still great and I'm still getting around riding my bike and walking. I don't run much anymore, but I hope to get back into it when I come back to the States. 

     I've made many friends here and am enjoying my time here very much. My service ends in April of next year, so I have one more Thanksgiving, Christmas and a birthday (48!) before I come home. 

Crowned Hornbill, Tockus monteiri

     This bird species frequents my site usually in small flocks. They are large birds and beautiful in flight. When I hear their calls I run outside and watch them fly around in the tree tops.

Crowned Hornbill

     While riding my bike deep in the bush I came across this abandoned site. Reasons for abandonment could be a death of a family member or relocated closer to crop fields. Notice the termite mound in between the structures.

     Children visiting me. I have a bike pump so when children bring their bikes to have their tires filled they call out, "Pumpy!" 

English words that don't have a 'y' at the end, they add a 'y'. If an English word ends with a 'y' they omit it. Therefore, my name in my village is Gin.

     How some farmers continue growing vegetables during dry season with no rain for 6 months out of the year. There has to be a river nearby for irrigation. This farmer is one of the best in the village. Polio has left him unable to walk properly, but he and his wife farm acres together regardless. All of this work is done without machines. He amazes me.

Picture update...

     Harrison Kipamina is a friend of mine who resides in my village. He is a carpenter by trade and uses traditional methods of felling trees (indigenous) and cutting them for lumber.

     Because of this Harrison is very knowledgeable about trees found in northwest Zambia and knows their many uses as well as how some are used in traditional medicine. His mother was a traditional healer and he was taught by his mother about many of the traditional medicines obtained from trees and plants.

     I could read books on traditional medicines derived by plants, but the information Harrison provides is first-hand. For me to learn about this fascinating subject by a person who is Kaonde by tribe and has been handed down this valuable information that most likely has been used for thousands of years is something I feel a need to document. 

     A warm and friendly man who cuts his own lumber to make beds and chairs for his community; I am very fortunate to know him.

Winter in Zambia. 

Mutobankuso, Oldfieldia dactylophylla

     Mutobankuso is a tree that is found in my area. The root is sought after for use as a traditional medicine to help with intestinal issues.

     The root is dug up, but the tree is left intact. The bark is peeled, and then pounded into a powder. A small amount of the powder is molded in a ball of nshima and ingested to relieve stomach upset.

     The bark of the root is used for kapokota,  a disease which usually inflicts children when they’re intestines are infested with worms. The worms will irritate the anus and cause this disease.

    The bark is peeled from the root and pounded and then mixed with water and used as a suppository injected into the anus with a syringe. 

Pigeon Pea 

     Pigeon pea is a fast growing, short-lived (5-8years) exotic legume tree from Asia. I am promoting this tree in northwest province because it produces food year round, improves soil, excellent bee forage, easy to grow, and produces hot-burning firewood. I planted several trees at my site as shown above and I have not found any other tree that offers so much. 

     I had seven four-week old puppies brought to me a few days ago because the mother had died. All pups are very healthy. I have no other choice but to raise them and find good homes for them. There is one I may keep. One of the objectives to keeping the puppies is to show villagers, especially kids, how to handle and treat dogs humanely.