Home Sweet Home: What it's Like

One of the things I didn’t expect is how far I am from the main city—hence the infrequent access to internet. A second surprise is the layout of Cibusa; I had expected a dorm set-up or close quarters, but Cibusa is actually quite large. Situated in Garneton (about k from Kitwe), Cibusa, like most homes in the area, is a former British plantation. The property was owned by a former Buffalo Soldier, purchased by a Catholic Missionary association, and donated to the organization--truly a gift!  

Its lot is expansive and there is enough room for a large garden consisting of: a grove of bananas (I just counted them today—148!) and plots of maise (corn), ground-nuts (peanuts), impuas (bitter little eggplants that a visitor from Ireland called Garden Eggs), eggplants, rape (collard greens), cabbage, Chinese cabbage, onions, chili peppers, green bell peppers, and cassava. There are also mango trees (“too many to count”), papaya, lime, mulberry, manna trees, and the largest avocado tree I have ever seen. In addition to the fruit trees there are multiple mature pines, a plumeria tree, and others I don’t recognize. On the grounds there is also a very small, two room house for the night watchman, a block consisting of three large rooms that house chickens, a large shed for kalulu (the rabbits that Cibusa raises), and a water tower; a rigged volleyball net, basketball hoop (minus a court, hoop, and net—but that doesn’t slow the girls down a bit!), and a now-empty-pool—and now to the house itself.

As I mentioned, the home is large. The house has a sitting room and a bar that is stocked with the girls’ arts and crafts, a dining room, pantry, and a large kitchen; seven bedrooms (three have been converted to an office, storeroom, and library), two large rooms (rec room size), four  bathrooms, a large patio, and a detached garage. I hadn’t been sure how much space I would have to myself, so I had mentally prepared for shared quarters. I needn’t have worried since I have the privilege to stay in one of the large rec-rooms in the separate wing housing the office, storage room, and private bathroom. When it comes to cleaning, the sitting room, dining room, and kitchen are swept, mopped, and waxed daily; as are the hallways and rooms. Frankly, these girls put me to shame when it comes to household chores! What’re even more impressive are their attitudes as they work!

So, what does a day during Holidays (the girls have a month off from school right now) look like?

Monday-Friday

0700: Awake for worship.

0745-0900: Chores

0900: Breakfast (All meals are made and cleaned up by a rotating schedule of the girls)

1000-1300: Literacy Class

1300: Lunch

1300-1500: Rest/games

1500-1700: Afternoon Program (Cultural Awareness, Rug Making, Bead Making, Worship, Exercise, Garden Work, Cooking, and Nature Walk)

1700: Supper

1800-2000: Clean-up, Free-time, and Worship

2000-2100: TV (News and then Shree or Greys Anatomy (lol!)

2100: To Bed

Apparently, once school starts some of the girls will get up as early as 0500 to get everything done and to school on time—wowzers! I’m interested to see how things are then.

Saturday and Sunday are a bit more relaxed except Saturday is laundry day and a deep clean of the house; and Sunday is church, rushing home to watch Shree (three girls just came running and panting through the door to make sure they didn’t miss the beginning!), a light picnic lunch, and free time.  Sunday morning is really the only time there is actual silence when everyone else is at church. For the most part, the girls allow me to participate in everything, but there are some things I am not allowed to do: cook or clean-up for myself after meals, wash my own clothes (though I’ve negotiated we split that chore), and get water for a bath (a basin of hot water is brought to me each morning to bathe).Mentioning the girls brings me to the true jewels of Cibusa: the people who live inside these walls and have made me part of their family.

There are 12 girls ranging from the age of 7-19, the baby of one of the girls, two care-givers who alternate every four days, and me. Shockingly, despite being a household of 14 people, all the trash and waste collected fills at most two 2 ½ gallon buckets and usually just one per day. When I asked for a small trash can for my room I received an incredulous look. I’m coming to realize the true wastefulness of my US existence.

These are pre-teen and teen girls so there are moments of disagreement, but for the most part there is a cheerful, albeit loud atmosphere. I have been incredibly pampered and honored; I use the china and nicest glasses, Fanta is saved for me, and they go above and beyond to make sure I am eating enough. Food, though, and what I've been eating will be saved for another entry! Suffice it to say, I haven't come anywhere near starving.