actual names of people in Zambia...

In Zambia, people, especially in the rural areas, will name their kids based on the objects or circumstances surrounding their birth. To say the least, this can lead to some bizarre names. Here are a few of my favorite:

- Hatred
- Shoe
- Neveragain
- Jealousy
- Tire
- Sock
- Hat
- Trouble
- Petrol
- Anger
- Advice
- Diesel
- Funny
- Madeinusa (= Made In the U.S.A.)...this is not a joke people!

I suspect that years of therapy will be needed for some of these people.

an interesting Zambian law

Section 54 (2) in Chapter 268 of the Employment Act of Zambia states that:

"...each female employee shall be entitled to one day's absence from work each month without having to produce a valid medical certificate."

This law, known as "Woman's Day" is given all working women in Zambia, supposedly to alleviate the discomfort that comes during "that time of the month." Go figure! That women's rights for you! I want a Women's Day in the States!

RAIN!

Last night, for the first time since I've been in Zambia it rained! (I seriously haven't seen a drop of water fall from the sky in the 3 months I've been here.) I never thought I would miss rain, but it was wonderful to let the sound of the drops falling on the dirt roads and tin roofs sing me to sleep.