Obituary

Roxy T. Rabbit
Nee Bunny

Roxy The Rabbit was born circa 2005 in Chipata, Zambia. She has recently resided in M’thumba Village with her husband of 1 week, Oscar T. Rabbit, who survives her. She was killed tragically on June 22, 2007 by a dog of unknown breed. The details are unknown and the investigation is ongoing. Her husband Oscar was awarded the Lucky Foot for injuries sustained in the battle. Roxy was loved by those who knew her and will be dearly missed.

Happy 4th of July (early)

It has been a busy couple weeks – but very fun! I hosted first site visit with much help from Julie. Four new RAP Trainees came to my house 3 days after they arrived in Zambia. We visited fish ponds and gardens, ate traditional Zambian food, witnessed N’yau dancing, and had a good ol’ American party! The 4 that came to my house will make great volunteers.

The only negative thing in the last couple weeks was Roxy’s death. I’m planning to get another female rabbit in a few weeks and the Rabbit Multiplication Project will be back up and running.

I’m in town to work at CDFA (Chipata District Farmers Association) and Julie and I have a meeting with our counterparts. I’m also here to relax a bit, buy food, blog, email, and get ready to go to Malawi for the 4th of July. Julie and I are going to the lake to get a tan and go snorkeling and kayaking.

I’ll update pictures as soon as possible.

Meet Roxy & Oscar

These are my newest pets! Roxy and Oscar. I just got them today and I'm staying at the house in Chipata tonight so they will be relocated to their new home tomorrow (pictures to follow). Their new home was built by Julie and I last weekend. I still need to build a nesting box and maybe put up a wall so they can't breed all the time but it will be fine for a while. Roxy is already pregnant (they aren't that fast, she was pregnant when I bought her!) so it's too late to prevent anything. Everyone has been giving me advise. That's probably what it's like to have real human children, huh? Anyway, I'm going to be giving the babies away to people that want to breed them or eat them. Four of them are already accounted for!

1 Year

I’ve now been in Zambia for 1 year. It seems like last week when I was saying goodbye to Mom and Dad at O’Hare. It’s funny that I remember those moments so clearly…saying goodbye, snaking through the security line, sitting at the gate, and the plane taking off. But I can’t remember my first few days at site. Both events were emotional and overwhelming but I just don’t remember my first few days in the village.
Anyway, you’re probably wondering what I have to show for myself after 1 year. The answer, on the surface, is not a whole lot. I have not dug a single pond, and I’ve only helped with one harvest. But those are Peace Corps goal 1 things (technical). Goal 2 & 3 are a different story. Goal 2 is bringing American culture to Zambia and I have done that. I’ve shown that if you are not happy it can be changed. If you find something inefficient, fix it. If you want something, ask for it. I’ve also shown that women can be independent and a man does not define who you are.

Goal 3 is bringing Zambian culture to America. I do that as much as I can through blogs, emails, letters, and phone calls but that work will be done starting in September 2008 when I get home. In the interim anyone who visits me is able to do that now.

I guess what I’m saying is that I’m making a difference in small ways that are not documented with numbers. I think those who will benefit most from me are the children. They see that education is invaluable, independence is possible, and putting yourself on the line is scary but makes you stronger.

My family in the village has made changes since I moved there. My sister, Edith, now goes to school. They now have a bathing shelter and latrine which improves hygiene. I’m not sure if that is because of my influence but it’s still change and change is uncommon in Zambia.