A Brief Glossary of Useful Terms

Throughout our time in Zambia - and throughout the life of this humble blog - you will no doubt be enthralled by our clever anecdotes, our sweeping dramas, and our professorial explanations about "the way things are".  You may also come across terms that are unfamiliar to you, such as "mwaiseni" or "SCCP".  In order to avoid confusion, and to give you a quick introduction to our life in Zambia, here, for your edification and reading pleasure, is A Brief Glossary of Useful Terms.

Bemba - The name for both the language and tribe for the dominant ethnic group in Northeast Zambia.

Bright Hope International - A nonprofit organization that exists to bring hope and practical help to those living on less than a dollar a day.  BH operates in nine countries worldwide, including Zambia.  In Zambia, Bright Hope partners with organizations in and around the town of Samfya to provide the community with education, clean water, medical services, and microloans.

Brubacher, Carmen - With a background in Engineering, Carmen fills a number of roles to help the community.  She is one half of the Bright Hope staff in Samfya.


                                                          

Brubacher, Mark - A native of Zambia, Mark has a background in agriculture. Like his wife, Carmen, he wears many hats in his position.  Mark makes up the other half of the Bright Hope Samfya staff.

Cassava - This root plant is a staple for many African diets, sorta like a potato except with cyanide.  Make sure to cook thoroughly before serving.


Lake Bangweulu - A large, shallow lake that measures 40 km by 75 km, it contributes to one of the world's largest wetland systems.  Bangweulu means "where the water meets the sky" in Bemba.



Luapula Province - A mostly rural province in the north eastern part of Zambia, it is home to Zambia's current president.  It is also where the town of Samfya is located.




Mwaiseni - A common greeting and the most indispensable word in the Bemba language.







Samfya - A small town in the northeastern part of Zambia which acts as the administrative center for the surrounding rural district.  Roughly 23,000 people live in the Samfya district, many of them in the town proper.  Samfya is located at the southwest corner of Lake Bangweulu (think Chicago in relation to Lake Michigan) within the Luapula Province.  In a few months, the population will leap to 23,002 when the Deweys move in.




Samfya Community of Care Providers (SCCP) - a group of members from 24 Samfya churches that work together to help meet the essential needs in their community.  Several years ago, Bright Hope came alongside the SCCP to provide additional resources and support.  The work of SCCP represents the kind of vision and leadership that will bring lasting opportunity and prosperity to nations like Zambia.


Zambia: A landlocked nation in southern Africa, Zambia has 14 million citizens and covers an area roughly the size of Texas.  While Zambia has enjoyed peace and democracy since its independence in 1964, overwhelming challenges have made progress for this nation a long and difficult climb.  However, it is beloved in Africa - Nelson Mandela is said to have called Zambia his "second home."  Recently, Zambia claimed victory at the Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament.