Meet the Mukumas

During my eleven weeks of training I stayed in Suse Village (outside of Chipembi, Zambia, where the main training center is) with the Mukuma Family.  The family is comprised of Peter (the father), Betty (the mother), and "my little brother" Paul.  They are, more or less, the typical rural Zambian family.  They wake up about 5 AM, when the roosters are just too loud to ignore any longer, and they go to bed just a little after the sunsets.  In between the rising sun and the setting sun they occupy their time with farming.

Farming for them is their livelihood.  If the rains don't come or if they somehow fail... then they severely struggle.  Life isn't the easiest for them.  They have no running water, electricity, or even a steady supply of candles.  What they did have, in very sizable abundance, was an awesome spirit.  They are amazing to be around.  They're bright, they love to laugh, and, most important of all to me, they took interest in why I was there.

The father, Peter, is a great guy.  He was full of all sorts of Peter-unique quips like, "Jordan, water is life."  This one he told me on an almost daily basis.  Luckily for him there was a pretty good rainy season this year, so I think they can keep on keeping on.  Betty, she was an amazing cook and even though I lost weight, I ate exceptionally well.  Paul was a kid's kid... always running around with a sling shot and singing at the top of his lungs.  His favorite song was the anthem / theme song for the Chipolopolo Boys - Zambia's national soccer team.

My favorite thing about staying with the Mukumas was that Peter loved maps and geography.  He had a large map of the world and after dinner would stand next to it, pointing at different countries, then ask me about those far off lands.  Lucky for Peter - I love maps.  I couldn't of had a better homestay.

Peter, looking by candlelight, at the map of the US I ordered for him.
Thanks for sending that Mom.

I tried to show my appreciation to the whole family in a lot of ways (buying them awesome thank you presents when I moved out, helping to build them a garden, and planting beneficial trees), but the one thing I got them, Peter specifically, that they loved the most was a map of Michigan and of the United States.  When Peter opened the map of the US, he exclaimed, "Praise the Lord."  No joke... he loved, loved, loved that map.  I had it specialized by having all of my fellow trainees sign where they were from on it.  I'll really miss living with them.  It made training that much easier knowing I could leave training and go home to a great atmosphere.