Lara Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out this cool creation my brother is slaving over for me! Don't know if I'll be on the internet much, but when I am I'll try to post a new note or two. Take care, but don't take indoor plumbing for granted!
Lynne Mecum Hey Lara!! Best of luck!!! Let us know what the wildlife is like!!
Celeste Bernard Best of luck, Lara. We miss you already.
Uncle Fred and Aunt Debbie (Weber) I'm going to have to show ma ma your web site. I know that she will get a kick out of it. I'm also forwarding this web site to Chrissy so she can share it with her friends at work. We love you Lara. Great work Maj.
Fred,Karen and Justin Weber Hope you have fun and send some pictures when you can GOOD LUCK!
Major Weber (Dad) Good web site. Lots of links. Maybe other Zambia PCVs will also use it for a group kind of thing so all of you can collectively share your experiences.
Russell Stone I just wanted to drop by for a check of the website dedicated to Lara's upcoming Peace Corps adventure. Seems like only yesterday she came into Peace Corps - Chicago and sat down with me to explain the interest in helping others help themselves at this point in life. Based on the interview and conversation I came to the made the nomination that very day. In knowing Lara from the point of interview to the point of now I truly see her thriving as a PCV in Zambia. Well I just wanted to drop by. Good luck, both in Zambia and the USA. Take care and keep on keeping on... Saludos, Russell
Therese Shechter Best of luck from Robert De Niro and the rest of the gang here at Tribeca. Start writing that life story screenplay, Lara. It's a natural. I see Sandra Bullock as you...
Jill Boba I just hugged you goodbye yesterday, and I miss you tons already. I will be thinking of you every day. Chris and I promise to send snail mail, too. Remember your sunscreen. Love, Jill
Anna Beta, Arnar and Lara Margret Hello Best of luck in Africa. We know you are going to have good influence in Zambia and we are sure they will name a village after you. Watch out for the lions. Best wishes Anna Beta, Arnar and Lara Margret.
Chris Ralston Lara: Best of luck (again). I hope to soon be in touch with a friend who was a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso a few years ago for sage first-week advice as you adjust to your new hut. Have a safe journey and look for snail mail from Holly and me in the coming weeks.
Uncle Bill and Aunt Aleen (Thackery) Lara, Good Luck, on your new adventure! Your email was shared with Grandma Bauer last week. She enjoys keeping in touch. Thanks to Maj, for linking all of us. Love, Aunt Aleen and Uncle Bill
Carol Wilkerson Laura, Girlfriend, you are so creative! I love your Website. I'll have to share it with our Peace Corps Webmaster Cindy Newberry. Congratulations on your 27 month exciting journey! I'm jealous.
Peace, Carol
Kristin Boeke-Greven and Aaron Greven Wow! Hi Lara! We are so impressed with you and can't wait to hear about all your adventures. Good luck! Thanks to your brother for keeping everyone updated on your life. You've already had nearly 200 visitors to your web site! You are lucky to have so many friends! Kristin and Aaron
Patti McCracken Greetings from Slovakia! I'm thrilled for you! Zambia and the Peace Corps are incredibly lucky to have you. Enjoy the ride! Cheers, Patti.
Elizabeth (aka Lisa) Lester Lara, when I got your voice mail yesterday saying goodbye, you were just killing me! To hear my best friend since 4th grade saying goodbye, I'm leaving for Africa, hope I see you on a safari, was too much for my little heart to take in! Thank you, Maj and Mr. Weber, for putting together this website! What a great way to stay in touch. Lisa
george koop Hey Laura! We suddenly have this huge surplus of mocha since you've left the neighborhood! Good luck, our store's not the same without ya. -the starbucks guys
Mom and Dad Weber News update to all. 2 Feb 00 Lara and 20 other PCVs arrived in Lusaka, Zambia mid day Sunday, 30 Jan 00. We spoke to her Sunday evening after trying for two hours to get thru. She was excited and very tired. At 5:00A.M. Monday we got a call from Lara telling us she was going to be assigned to the northern area of the Eastern Province near the Malawi border after the 3 month training period. She will be working with another new PCV named Sam Rikkers. They will be learning to speak Tumbuka (a language spoken by 2 mil people in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania). They are now going on a 3 day trip to a field site (using tents) then on to the 3 month training center. She is loving it so far. Watch for photos to come.
Kelly Moses Lara, Good Luck over in Zambia. It takes a special person to do what you are doing. I know I will be able to know all about how you are doing from your mom, so keep up the good work. I am looking forward to hearing all about your experiences! Kelly Moses from Sunrise
Mia Jiganti Hey Lara we just got a look at your web site. Your brother is great to do this. I just looked at your local time and you should be asleep as I write this (assuming the jet lag is no too serious). We hope you are having a great time. Mia and Tim
Kym Liebler Hello, Lara! I'm beginning to get addicted to this web site. (Major, it is fabulous) Love the photo of you and your Peace Corps gang, and keeping up with your whereabouts. Hope the Tumbuka study is going well. Thinking of you and your adventure and wishing you the best, Love, Kym
Sarah Berthelsen I MISS LARA! (but i love her stereo!)
james yack Hi Emily Williams.
Dawn Keeler I am a good friend of Nicole LaRosa, another trainee who is in the same training group with Lara. This site is terrific, and it was SO good to see a picture of her when she seems so very far away! My heartfelt congratulations to all the members of the group as they begin the next 2 year journey -they make us all proud.
Bonnie Bellew Very cool of you to do this for Lara! This is well designed, too. I hope if I ever take this kind of "life adventure," my family will be this supportive.
Joe and Jeanne Tepen--Parents of Bethany Tepen PCV Really enjoy your page and looking forward to the updates. Thank you so much for sharing.
Julie Caicedo Congratulation! you have made an outstanding job creating this website. I wonder how much you will miss the technology in central Africa. Take care
Ron and Haleen Armijo Thanks so much for this website. We are the parents of Vanessa Armijo who is a PCV with Lara. It has been wonderful to speak with our daughter and hear about the country, but to actually see pictures it is awesome! We keep all of the volunteers, their families and the people they are serving in our thoughts and prayers.
Therese Shechter Last Sunday, group of us who knew Lara when she was a Westerner got together in NYC for brunch. We scored a slot on the Zambian cell phone PCVs have access to and got to all talk to Lara. She sounded quite elated by the whole thing, and the fact that we were eating quiche and drinking Mimosas in mid-town Manhattan did not faze her one bit! She wanted all the updates on the political race and any other news of the US. If I were her, I rather not know, but we did what we could to fill her in. Took pictures of ourselves talking on the phone to her with raised champagne glasses. All the while she regaled us with stories of bathing out of a small cup and sleeping with lizards and flying termites! Although Julie, Sara, Steve, Kevin, Herman and I were all happy to have electricity, I think we all envied her new life and the joy it has brought her.
Rick Tuma Lara: Steve Layton passed around your most recent email to the staff. It was fun to read the latest news. Your simple life sounds amazing! I can't imagine getting up without rushing down to the computer to check on the latest email, or picking up the TRIBUNE off of the driveway, or rushing the kids to school, or feeding all of the animals my wife has managed to collect, or rushing off to work, or a 1 1/4 hour commute and on and on. Glad all is well for you. Your courage is being rewarded many times over. Now that I have the address to your 'official weber website' I'll check in now and then. Rick Tuma
Charles Apple Wow! Your web journal is most impressive, but not nearly as much as your explorer's spirit! Best wishes from your old pal in Iowa.
Andy Bohl Hey Lara, Hope you have fun over in Africa. Good Luck!!!
Major and Rose Weber To all PCV families and friends, I just spoke to the Washington, D.C. PC Africa Office today and here is the address to send mail and packages straight to the PC Training Center: Name of your PCV P.O. Box 21527 Kitwe, Zambia Good luck to all, Major
judy dever It sounds like you are having the time of your life. It reminds me of my summer excursion on the People to People Ambassador Program to Russia and Europe but even better. I would miss my toilet, shower and stove however. I will write you about our escapades in Chicago even though the winter has been quiet. When the wedding rolls around there will be much more to tell. Be careful. Judy
Anjou from San Fransico, CA I am a friend of Vannessa's who is in Zambia with you. Just a note to let you know I am so proud of what all of you are doing. Your website is wonderful and really gives me a bigger insight into your life there.
sandra scherer I hope that lara and the other pcv's will have a safe, wonderful and rewarding experience - i applaud you for your unselfish, adventurous natures. i know vanessa armijo thru her mom, haleen, and i was in Kenya in 1981.(but as a tourist) From lara's pictures life in africa hasn't changed that much. i too loved the smiling friendly people and the beautiful landscape. good luck to all and love to vanessa if you see her. My kids in CLUB CTK (at school) all know vanessa and have been making her cards for her birthday and st paddy's day. What a wonderful website you have created! God bless you. Sincerely, sandra scherer
Debbie Wilson I too, am a friend of Vanessa. I have known her since grade school. What a rewarding experience for all of you. Please say hello to Vanessa. Thank you so much for the wonderful website and sharing all your adventures. You're all to be admired. Will be thinking of all you and wishing you all the best. The pictures are great!! Debbie
Barbara Rudd Lara's page is wonderful. Vanessa Armijo's Mom told me about it. Vanessa's Mom and I are childhood friends and Vanessa is a PC friend of Lara's. My daughter, Meghan is graduating in May and has been curios about the Peace Corp. I am going to tell her about Lara's page. Thanks for developing it!
jean larosa mother to Nicole she is still just as positive about her assignment to Zambia as Lara. her health has been very good & her Zambia family very supportive. she will be returning to spend time in a village this week. she is learning the bemba language which is used in at least three districts in Zambia so she won't know her assignment until graduation. the training is half over now. I'm so glad you set up this website so we can share info
Somsri Adams Thank you for the nice Webpage, I truly enjoy reading it. I have not been able to received a picture from Zambia, since they left U.S.A. I am a girlfriend of Dr. Edward Herod he is also one of the volunteers. I am receiving his letters, he has been sending rolls of films, but they never made it here! I received your site today, and was able to have a glimpse at him in one of your pictures. Sincerely, Somsri Adams
Karen Nally :)
John J. Freeman Excellent! I am involve in a Parish Twining Program and our adopted church is a church located in Belle Anse, Haiti. We have been there in 3 Medical Missions. While reading your sister or Lara's letter reminds me of the living conditions these people in Belle Anse, Haiti have. There is no electricity at all, water is from a river and you better bring your own water. No houses at all, just some cardboard one with maybe a roof. Only the lucky one's have a house made of wood and zinc roof. Sometimes we complain that we don't have this kind of house, or car, or boat. But what we have to give thanks is for what we have. These poor people have nothing. Belle Anse is located 40 miles south of Port o'Principe capital of Haiti. It takes 8 hours to commute 40 miles. Just like Lara's says about commuting. I wish Lara good luck on the Peace Corps, you are really making a big difference.
Steve McCue
Fred Ehichioya Lara, I am proud of you. As an African native, I quite sympathize with you at this time you are trying to know the people of Zambia. Life in Africa especially in the remote areas (villages) could be depressing and could affect you physically and mentally. My advice to you is to blank out from your memory the luxury like good roads, clean air, good water, food, housing and other amenities you are used to in the United States throughout your two year stay in Zambia. Once you get to know the people of Zambia and their life style, you are going to enjoy yourself. They will treat you like a queen and will do anything possible in their own way to make your stay enjoyable. Always do the best you can and don't over stretch your-self. The people of Zambia or any body on earth will not be able to reward you for your efforts and kindness but God will protect and bless you abundantly. I am originally from Nigeria and a bit far from Zambia but if you have time and wish to know or visit other countries in African especially Nigeria let know so I can give you some insights. Good luck and God bless you.
Deb Porter
Maribeth Sturgeon Wow! Interesting. Tell Lara to stay in that net at night!
Mike Kirk Loved the photos and Lara's letter I'm a friend of Vanessa's Please tell her Tim and Mike say Hi, believe me, your not missing anything in the U.S.A. Life sounds really real there!
LeeAnn Cudemo I shall be following your progress...am so proud of you and will e-mail you often. Lisa is here with me in Maine for about ten days. Lucia was married in the chapel at Princeton on Saturday. What fun that was! She was such a pretty bride.....and so-o-o-o happy. She and Fred are honeymooning on Hilton Head Island. Best of luck to you. Lisa and I are going to be sending you a CARE package. Love, LeeAnn
Mariah, Matthew, Andy, Brenda,& Charlie too Keep posting the info and photos -- they're great!!
Kay Cook Enjoyed your website, as did the entire Chief counsel's office of FDA (Chris McHenry gave us the address)
Chandra Moore It was nice to see pictures of Africa. I grew up in Mozambique ('87-'92), right next door. My best friend works at Mfuwe Lodge there in Zambia, I don't know if you heard of it. I plan to visit Zambia. My parents may go there soon for a mission assignment.
Robert Copp, Ann Arbor, Michigan Mainly, I want to thank the webmaster for these pages. I understand that's Lara's brother. What a really great (and expert!) contribution. [I'm a friend of Christopher McHenry via our daughter Catherine Copp, another lawyer with whom Christopher worked at the Food and Drug Administration.]
Robert Copp, Ann Arbor, Michigan My second comment of the day, after reading the other comments in the guest book. That reading prompts me to tell all of you that the Peace Corps concept was announced by John Kennedy at 2 a.m. on a 1960 morning from the steps of the Michigan [Men's]Union of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I was just at the University Club in the Union for lunch again today, and noted both the bronze plaque that commemorates the Kennedy visit and the bronze disk imbedded in the step where he stood. I thought of all you dedicated souls as I read the plaque again. Thanks for your service!
jennifer butler I don't know Lara, I know Chris. Actually, we talked on the phone once! He worked at the FDA with a childhood friend of mine. I was a PCV in Botswana (94-95), so I talked to Chris about my experience when he was making his decision. I get so homesick reading Chris' e-mails and seeing Lara's pictures!! Best of luck. And the best advice you can get is take it one day at a time. It will seem excruciating and painful sometimes, but it is an amazing and life changing experience!!
Major & Rose Weber To All Signers & readers of the Guestbook, Lara asked us to let everyone know that she and her fellow PCVs check this website every couple of weeks and they all read the messages and greatly appreciate your comments and support. All comments get to the intended recipient and they really boost moral and a "connection" to home. Besides your comments, send real live snail mail, they love those letters! If you don't know the address, use Lara's, attention your friend and they'll get it eventually. Regards, Lara's Dad
Pam Gordon Here I am (finally) at your website. I came into it, in a hurry, rushing to go into a meeting. I left it (having missed my meeting) in awe...of so many things.... Of Lara's dedication and commitment, of the support from the other guests to the site, of the obvious pride felt by Lara's family, and at the most basic level, in awe of this site overall! So informative, so well put-together, so entertaining! (Major, because I have spent the past three months of my life putting together a corporate website for a huge packaged goods manufacturer, I must tell you I truly am impressed with the professionalism of this site and the work that went into it.) Anyway, I can't wait to go home and share this with my daughter (Lara's Goddaughter). We read books that Lara gave us about Africa every night. What a unique and special experience I can expose her to, and what a role model she has to look up to!
LARA Hi Hi! I'm in Lusaka today with Scott, Emily W. and Sam and we're taking full advantage of the perks available at the PC office -- email, old video tapes of Cheers and MASH, flush toilets, etc. We're on our way to Eastern Province for a weeklong visit to some of the volunteers there. It's our last little adventure until we swear in on April 8 and move out for real. Crazy how fast training has flown by!!! We found tons of packages here at the PC office, but alas, none for moi. Maybe next week when we pass through Lusaka again on our way back to Mwekera. Anyway, as my dad mentioned, THANK YOU for all the notes! Unfortunately, after next week my access to this site will be greatly limited (like almost non-existent). So... I am looking forward to all that snail mail that I'm sure is on the way!!!!!! By the way, I did receive letters this week from a lot of you: Bonnie, Dede, Cindie, Celeste, Mom, Lauren (and Kevin) and Sarah B. THANK YOU!!!!!! I will write back as soon as I get to my site! Love you all, and miss you much. Lara, the African Queen.
Tom Smith Hello from Connecticut. We enjoyed your website and will check it regularly. Platt High School Key Club
melanie larosa hey lara -- say hi to my sister Nicole! and greetings from berkeley calif to you. and if you meet someone named tamra fetters, tell her hello from her brother jeff, who i work with. tamra works with care in lusaka. melanie
Paul&Kate Mchenry Thanks so much for sharing! Christopher's parents
Arnd�s Berndsen and �sa grandmother Hello Lara, best wishes from Iceland, we know you do a grate job in Africa. Have a good time. Arnd�s and �sa from Sau��rkr�kur
Susan and Dave Fox Thank you so much for setting up this great site! We are friends with Chris McHenry who is a PCV with Lara. We really enjoyed the pictures and Lara's info about her experiences so far. Chris--if you see this--Hello! We love your e-mails and wish you tons of luck as you set out on your adventure to your site. Snail mail coming.
The Goepp's Hello Vanessa.....we (Michele, Peter, Mary Ellen and Jennie(me)) are gathered here in Chico at your sisters house for our sisters 21st birthdays...!!! Adam and I cruised up after work and are ready to hit the fine local drinking establishments....Your mom was showing us Laras sight and we just wanted to say hello and let you know you are thought of and we hope all is well. We all send our love ..... Your friends The Goepp's xxoxoxoxox ps-Petie and Mary Ellen would love to write there own note but have yet to get familiar with the technology highway!!
Patrick & Carol Doyle We are Jessica Wubbels Uncle and Aunt. If you talk with her, tell her HI from us and we Love her. Thanks.
Brad Wubbels I am the father of Jessica who will be serving in the northwestern region. Thank you very much for the great web site. If anyone sees her tell her hi from home in Minnesota.
Aunt Aleen and Uncle Bill (Thackery) We're so glad to keep in touch, not only on the website, but your Mom keeps us informed after those long-long-long distance calls. I've been sharing pictures, letters, and notes from the Guestbook with Grandma Bauer, which helps shorten the distance between us. Grandma Bauer, Bill and I wish you " A HAPPY BIRTHDAY" on April 24th. Heard this will be a National Holiday! What a way to celebrate! Love, Aunt Aleen, Uncle Bill, and Grandma Bauer
Major and Rose To All, This is an Email Address you can use to send messages to Lara while she is serving in her new assignment: pczchpta(at)pop3.zamnet.zm In the subject line put "For LARA". The message will then get directed to her folder for her to pick up at a later time. Lara does not expect to get to check her email or reply back very often. Therefore she is requesting lots of snail mail. Mail letters (no postcards) to: Lara Weber c/o Peace Corps P.O. Box 510203 Chipata, Zambia Africa
Ron & Haleen Armijo To All of the new PC Volunteers in Zambia Congratulations! Can't wait to hear about the swearing in ceremony and the subsequent celebrations. Best of luck to each and every one of you as you begin your new assignments and face new challenges. God bless, The Armijos (Vanessa's Parents)
Adele and Denny Fritz We heard about your Peace Corp assignment and this web page from your aunt (?) Aleen Thackery. We go to St Peter United Church and live on James Road in Brookville. I will enjoy visiting your web page and reading about all your activities. I so admire what you are doing. When I graduated from college in 1968, joining the Peace Corp was a dream many of my friends had. Good luck, God go with you and enjoy your opportunity.
maggie lachica Hi lara! I miss you. Hope your having a great time1
Mom and Dad Happy Birthday Lara ! We Love you, Mom and Dad
steve Hmmm. So you picked Peace Corps over Habitat? that shocks me... I was leading a work camp to my old affiliate in the Dominican Republic, and met Stephanie, your old next door neighbor who gave me this web address. Wow. Things have changed a lot since our old Chicago Tribune day's, hunh? I spent two and a half years in the DR, two in Peru and now I find myself Costa Rica heading up international communication in Latin America. (And I just hired a writer. Where were you when I needed you?) Well, good luck in Africa. I'll write you an e-mail...
Eva Kober & Edgar Sch�n Hello from Switzerland - we're friends of Chris McHenry who is a PCV with Lara. Thank you so much for setting up this great site! It's terrific - we really enjoyed Lara's mails giving us an insight into the PCV's everyday life. And it was so good to see Chris' smile on the pictures - so we know that he's doing all right over there. Chris - if you read this - we LOVE your e-mails, keep it up that way! Gertrude, Norbert, Lisbeth & Richi say Hello - we're all so proud of you! Good luck & all the best to all of the PCVs!
Dave Chang Hi Lara, The weather is finally warming up a bit in Chicago. Wait a minute -- a cold front is rolling in as I type. One great thing about being in Zambia is not having to deal with the fickle weather in Chicago. Sunday softball starts up this weekend. I guess we'll have to wait a bit for your return to the diamonds at Hamlin Park. We'll have a toast (and a beer or 3) in your honor following the game. Hope you're doing well. Sounds like you're having a great time while helping to make this world a better place to live.
Take care.
Bill Recktenwald Hey Lara It looks like messages to you are beginning to wane, so I thought I would sign in. I hope you have received my letters and also a recent e-mail. All is well here in Hard-up County, make that Hardin County, Illinois deep in the Shawnee Forest where the leaves are changing and it is simply gorgeous. See http://home.infospace.com/reckman1 I am in my third semester as a professor at Southern Illinois University's School of Journalism, just turned 59, and blessed with good health as I move to, yet another, new career. I also have all my hair. My classes have waiting lists, so the word must be out that I am easy on grades. Take good care, I love your web site. Be careful. Much love.
Mom & Dad We just returned from a visit in Zambia, Africa to see Lara and the sights. We can vouch for the slow mail, poor roads and very unreliable public transportation to anywhere near Lara's village site. Lara is about 6.5 miles from nearest town (Chama). Chama is over 200 miles of rough, dirt road from Chipata, the nearest city with a Peace Corps office. Mail runs by the Zambia mail system are only once a week at the most, in a minivan bus that only leaves when it has 18 paying customers. It is a 10 hour run of noise, dust and bumps. BIO breaks are in the bushes beside the road when you can talk the driver into stopping. I hope this helps. Write often. Lara is living in peaceful primitive, conditions. Army Special Forces have it better, believe me, I've been there.
LARA, the African Queen Ah, out of the bush and back to civilization once again! Hello everyone! Thought I'd drop a quick note to thank everyone for posting on this guestbook. Unfortunately my access to the internet is EXTREMELY limited, but when I can get on line it's a real treat to find notes from friends afar. Life is good here, though it is a little odd spending the holiday season so far away from the torrid frenzy of Christmas shopping. I feel a bit homesick for the chance to see friends and family, but I can't say I miss the malls at all. For my holiday celebration I am in Chipata now to see off some PC friends who are USA-bound for the holidays and then I am heading south to Lusaka and then Victoria Falls for a bit of Christmas river rafting and general leisure. Please keep on writing. It's great to get your letters up in the hinterlands of Chama-rama. Peace to all of you over the holidays! -Lara
Dave Chang Greetings from frigid Chicago. We've had snow (13"), more snow (3") and even more snow (4") the past few weeks. Somehow, I've gotta believe you're having better weather. I can't believe you're almost halfway through your PC stint. Hope all is going well for you. Happy Holidays & Best Wishes in 2001! -Dave
Phyllis Echternacht Hi Laura, I think what you are doing is very special. I hope that you are well. I received a Christmas card from your folks and went right to your site. Thanks Maj. You have the most interesting family. I teach in a poverty area of Trenton off Perry Street. I can only imagine what your days must be like. Trenton has changed a lot since you were there. Perry St is actually pretty nice and we are in the middle of urban renewal. Tomorrow is a half day and then a weeks vacation for Christmas. I went by your old house not too long ago, it looks pretty much the same. Hiltonia has really been fixed up. I have been teaching my children that the equator is hot and I can't put my finger on it, I can't wait to tell them about your placement. We make a difference, one child at a time.
Jill Boba Merry Christmas, Lara! I was just reading one of your recent postings on this Web page and thinking of you. Hope you are healthy and finding some unusual new ways to enjoy the holidays. Love this Web site! Jill
LARA, queen of nshima Hello! I'm in mid-visit with Celeste, Jamie, Julie and John today and figured I'd drop a note to let you all know that I am planning to kidnap them and keep them with me here in Zambia for the remainder of my service! It's SO GREAT to have friends from home here!!! Aside from a little snafu with getting their luggage at the airport (read: three bags took a few extra days to arrive), all is well. We just spent a couple of days at Victoria Falls. Julie and Jamie are now experienced Class V river rafters. John, Celeste and I polished our bargaining skills with the curio ladies in Zimbabwe, and we all are getting used to spending countless hours in our rented Mitsubishi Pajero 4x4. Now we're Eastern Province-bound, to the game park and hopefully to Chama (depending on the condition of the roads). I hope you all are doing well and enjoying a great new year. Keep on writing, I love hearing from you all! Love, LARA
Jason Great website, been a great source of information as I think I may be heading to Zambia in June for the PC environmental education program.
Fran & Steve Crouch in Topeka, Kansas USA This is a little like being a voyeur as we are looking in on your life and vicariously sharing your experiences in Zambia. Thank you for allowing us to be "flies on the wall." Anne Baker told us about you and about your web page. Good luck on your journey.
lara, exhausted volunteer hello all! i'm in lusaka (once again!) and thought i'd toss a quick note up on the wall. we just wrapped up a Diversity Conference for PC volunteers and staff from throughout the southern africa region. it was tons and tons of work (much of it rather last-minute) but somehow it all came together well. the conference was designed as a way for PC folks to promote a more diverse pool of volunteers (still seems we're mostly white middle-class just-out-of-college types) and develop ways to support those who DON'T fall into that rather narrow category. i had my reservations about some of this at the start, but i was overwhelmed by the energy at this conference and believe there really is much that can be improved in the peace corps recruiting/training process. plenty of work ahead of us for sure, but it seems worth the effort. for me, it was also a great way to meet volunteers from other countries who i probably wouldn't have met otherwise. made lots of new friends, had great discussions and did plenty of dancing and drumming too. not a bad week. more when i can! -rala
Don Cavallini
Rich and Nancy Bartlett Have really enjoyed this website because our daughter Karri will be very close to Laura. She has just visited her site and will be there in about a week. It looks like she will be close to Kavinga. 2Ks from the entrance to Lukusuzi N.P. Would love to share thoughts and letters with your family. We live in Wisconsin and Karri left for the P.C. in Jan. after graduating from the U.W.
Lara, Rala, Lola, Flora... Hello everyone! Back from the bush again and in Lusaka for a slew of meetings, medical checkups and random socializing. We had our quarterly provincial meeting last week and met the new crop of health volunteers, who will swear in this weekend and get posted the following week. Yes, I did meet Karri, as well as the five other new Eastern vols. Karri will be closer to Chipata than I am, but we'll still see a fair amount of each other during our service. This week is an extremely hectic one in Lusaka. The group of health volunteers before mine is preparing to go home. I believe they "officially" close their PC service at 14 hours today with some sort of ceremonial bell ringing. So the office is crazed with those vols getting their final medical checkups done, finishing tons of paperwork and running the gammut of emotions about leaving country. For some, it's exciting to be free to travel now and get on with other life plans. For some, it is scary as the future remains very uncertain. Grad school? Real job? Moving in with the parents for a while? Plenty of options for most but generally a lot of anxiety. This weekend I will travel up to Mwekera with Joel, Ana Maria and Marie to watch the new health group "swear-in" as official volunteers. First time I'll be back to Mwekera since training so it will be fun to visit the Zimbas (my host family there) and see all of the trainers. Next week I'm back to Lusaka for our mid-term medicals, which generally means a few days of being poked and prodded and tested for parasites and strange diseases. After that process, a huge group of us are traveling to Malawi to climb Mt. Mulanje and camp in the huts on top. Should be a fun time. I'll take plenty of photos. I hope all is well with all of you! Keep in touch, and I promise I'll try to write you all individually more often. Love, LARA
Stephanie Arnold April 4, 2001 Hi, Lara! Thanks for your recent letter. It's great to hear that things are going well!!! Reading your letters and messages makes me very nostalgic. They remind me of my days as a PCV in Ghana. I hope you know that you're having the time of your life!!! A real job will NEVER be the same as what you're experiencing right now. Enjoy every minute of it - even the annoying ones! Especially the annoying ones!!! They'll be most vivid in your memories. I'm planning to visit Ghana in December to celebrate 5 years since my close of service!!! I'll send you a letter soon! Stephanie Arnold
Delia Caldwell Thank you for this information. I needed it very badly for a school project.
Lara, the movious one Hello All! Well, the weather in Zambia is slipping into the cold zone as "winter" approaches. Hardly cold by U.S. standards, but after more than a year here -- and at least one "hot" season in Chama with 100+ days for ALL of October -- this is feeling a bit frigid. Latest "Lara eats anything" story: Last week, the old woman next door brought lunch over to me... it was a just-killed and cooked water monitor! What's a water monitor, you ask. Well, something like a big ol' gila monster-type lizard. They flourish in the swampy river areas around my village and the people love to eat them. Having already eaten plenty of bullfrog and rats, this seemed quite tame. And it turned out to be excellent! Just like chicken. No, not really, but very good nonetheless. Of course, if I prepared one, I'd probably remove the feet, claws and head but that's perhaps just my western squeamishness creeping in. It's been more than a year here now, and so some of you are starting to ask me what in the world I'm going to do when this vacation (I mean assignment) ends. Hmmm... I'm really not certain yet. Some of us are planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro just after our service ends. If I survive that, I hope to do a bit of traveling around Africa before returning to the U.S. From there, I suppose anything can happen. Naturally, I'm open to suggestions and potential job offers! Seattle has been calling me to resettle there for a while, but I have no definite plans yet. Send me ideas! And remember: one year is still a long time left here. We volunteers start feeling a bit forgotten when friends stop writing, so keep those aerograms and letters coming our way! I hope you area all enjoying the first hints of summer and that life is taking you where you want to go. Peace, LARA
Charles Carpenter Hello Lara, I regret not having posted something sooner. I've been spying on you for several months here. Major has done a great job with this site. I'm sure that all who are acquainted with you, are as pleased as I am, to say that we know you. You are doing great work! If you happen to go through Miami, on your way back, you have an open invitation from me. I'm still in the same place, same job etc. Best Wishes, Charlie
sue smit Lara, I have enjoyed looking at your web site. Our daughter Alie is planning to come to Zambia in Sept to help in the fish farming with the peace corps. Thank you for sharing your experience with others. Your news and photo's are a comfort to me knowing that my daughter will be among people like you. Sue and Hank Smit
Christine Very cool web page. Hope all the best for Lara on her journey in Zambia!
Rala, Roller, Lala, Flora, aka: Lara Quick hello! I'm in Lusaka, we're on our way tomorrow to Vic Falls where we'll be holding our annual "in-service training" for about five days. After that I hope to spend a day rafting with some of the volunteers then I'll be back to the village once again. This time, however, I was particularly happy to make it to Lusaka. Three nights ago, two friends and I were lost somewhere in the mountains around Chama! We'd ventured up for what was supposed to be a one-night excursion at the top of Mphalausenga, the highest peak. Well, to make a long story short, we climbed the wrong mountain, had a great night anyway and got lost on our way down. Nearly out of water and rather disoriented, we feared the worst as afternoon approached on our second day in the bush. Just before we died of thirst, though (not to mention sore feet, legs and morale), we found a small river bed with real wet water in it!!! Thanks to our handy-dandy iodine tablets, we were able to drink the water. We camped by a waterfall for the second night and found our way home the next day. Phew! Disaster averted, I'm happy to be a tourist for a few days in Livingstone now. Cheers! LARA
Eric Tongren "Little by little the bird makes its nest." July 25, 2001 Hi ya, You water monitor eating, wrong mountain climbing, totally dehydrated, ray of sunshine to a stagnated, Prozac popping (not really but came close!), complacent individual. E pluribus apologies for not writing more expediently. I have been checking up on your website for a while now, every time I got depressed and needed a little boost African style. It seems by reading your accounts that you are doing AMAZING, no big surprise on that one! One year plus in your glorious Peace Corps experience where you're reached the summit and are skipping coming down the other side. Kudos extraordinaire go to Major and yourself of course for this incredible web site! No needs to worry about finding work immediately upon return to the States because Peace Corps will probably contract you two out for a while. So keep on enjoying the gastronomical delights that the village offers, plod up every mountain you can find (although bring enough water), cherish the remaining time, and if you pass through Heathrow/Gatwick on your way home- give me a call. I'll take you out to a pub for some really good food!!! Well I guess bangers and mash probably fall into the spectrum with the water monitor but the beer will be cold!!! I'll write you with my logistical information (when I get my logistical information [affordable housing is an oxymoron in London]) but I'll be in Atlanta until late September. Thank you for letting us share your amazing experiences and don't forget to take your Mefloquine! Cheers, Eric
Roberta Marley Thanks for such a great web site. My daughter, Heather, will be coming to Zambia in September with the Peace Corps. She will be doing fish hatchery work. It was so nice to see a little of where she will be and to read about your experiences. Perhaps you two will meet in the future. Roberta
Dave Chang Hi Lara, Hope you're doing well. We're in the midst of the summer softball league and we miss having you around. But after each game, we honor you with a round or three at Augie's. It's hot and humid here in Chicago. Wacker Drive is being completely renovated, so traffic is worse than it usually is downtown. The commute home takes about 10-15 minutes longer now. I'm a bit envious of your lifestyle every now and then -- no annoying pagers, limited e-mail to respond to, no traffic jams to deal with... Gotta run -- phone's ringing. Might be some telemarketer from the Tribune trying to bolster subscription figures for the upcoming audit period. Take care. -Dave
Courtney Kemps Nice site!-- I'm on my way to Zambia as a PCV next week, so I appreciate all the info!
Lori Spears Thanks for such a great website. I will be leaving next week as a RAP volunteer in Zambia.
Lori Spears Thanks for such a great website. I will be there next week as an RAP volunteer.
Lara Hello everyone! I hope you are all well. The news from America has been hard to digest here, but my thoughts are with all of you who were in any way affected. In Zambia, we feel a bit detached from it all, an odd feeling. The onslaught of news doesn't reach us, which in some ways is a good thing, but it also has left many of us wondering how we'll process the change in American psyche once we return home. For now, we stay as informed as possible and we keep busy with our usual projects here. I'm in Lusaka again for a Diversity Committee meeting. While I'm here I'm also frantically trying to get lots of other errands, shopping, etc. taken care of. And trying to get my fill of pizza, nachos and other delicacies unheard of in the village! Cindie and Dom arrive this weekend... I can't WAIT to see them! Public congrats, by the way, to them for their recent engagement! Well, I have too much work to do and too little computer time. Stay well, everyone, and keep on writing! Love, LARA
Tiffany and 2nd grade students in Kansas We really enjoyed seeing the pictures. Look for a package to arrive from us in a while. We look forward to hearing from you and some of the children in the village. We learned a lot from your letter and the pictures you sent us. Happy Thanksgiving from 2nd graders at Berryton Elementary in Kansas.
John Kemps Love your website. My daughter, Courtney Kemps, is also a PCV in NW Province (Mwinilunda area). She's finishing training now, ships out to NW Prov. on 12/2/2001. Best wishes and health to Lara.
Arlene Gesell Koester We love your website Lara; especially the pictures. Best wishes for your experience in Zambia. Your mom's cousin, Arlene Gesell Koester
Dave Chang Hi Lara, I hope you're doing well. It's finally beginning to feel like winter, and that's not good as far as I'm concerned. Please send some of the warm weather you get to Chicago. Have a very Merry Christmas! Best wishes in 2002. -Dave
Lara, the traveling fool Surprise and Happy Holidays! I seem to have caught the wrong mini-bus out of Chama and ended up in America for Christmas! Mom and Dad's generous gift of a plane ticket home for the holidays probably helped a bit. In any case, I'm home for a few weeks, enjoying the small patches of snow we've had, keeping warm and over-indulging on too much wonderful food (be it a huge Christmas dinner, a pint of Ben & Jerry's or a Quarter Pounder with cheese). Three weeks is flying fast, though, and I only regret that I won't have time to see or even talk with everyone I'd like to during my visit. Still, I have some amazing friends who have gone to great lengths to make my short trip memorable... Steve and Theresa for hoofing it out to JFK for a coffee visit during my short layover in NYC... Brian for a change of plans to fly in to DC in time to surprise me for dinner... Cindie and Dom who are heading down for new years... and Julie for all-around heroics in making my too-short jaunt out to Chicago relaxing and enjoyable. In a typical Zambian understatement, you all are "just OK." I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, that your families are healthy and safe and that you can steal at least a little time away to sit back, relax and appreciate the good in the world we live in. I'll be at my parents' home in Virginia until 4 January (703.892.1399) if you have time to say hi. I'd love to talk with everyone, but forgive me if I run out of time (I've forgotten the American art of multi-tasking you know!). Happy New Year! And see you again sometime in mid-2002. -Rala
Lisa Hi Lara, It was so great to talk to you 2 days ago (01/01/2002). Sorry I spent the whole time asking questions...I guess you get that a lot. We can't wait to see you this summer. The website looks great. Love you! Lisa
Bill Prange One of my best friends is leaving for Zambia next week, and told us about your web site. My wife and I just went through the whole thing, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It sounds like the same thing Lara has experienced. Also, I would like to be involved in posting his experiences on a web site. Any info you could give me would help. Again, thanks for your wonderful info, and we wish you the best. Bill Prange
Taffney Hey Major, whoo hoo.
Cheers, Taffney PS nod to the brits in the office.
Bill Prange Just wanted to let you know that my e-mail address has changed. Again, loved the site, and hope all is well. Please let me know how things are going. Bill
Michael Rutledge I met your parents in the Bahamas and found them delightful. they bragged about your service. I wish I could get my students involved with LIFE good wishes M
Heather Lester Hi you dont know me or any thing but i am a 6th grade student at Lansdowne middle and we are learing about diffrent parts ao zambia your site really helped me
Lara, the returned volunteer Hi Everyone! If you've made it this far into the website, thanks for checking it out! My Peace Corps service ended in April of 2002, but I hope you still find the site useful, especially if you are getting ready to serve in Zambia. After my service ended I traveled around East Africa quite a bit -- climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, relaxed on the beautiful island of Zanzibar, explored the coastal towns of Kenya and explored the jungles of Uganda with a handful of rare mountain gorillas. It was a magical way to wrap up my time in Africa and convinced me that I will certainly return many times to the continent. Now, I'm back in Chicago, readjusting to cold winters but loving life in the city. The transition back to American life is tough at times, but just as Zambia was where I belonged for the last few years, this is where I belong now. If you ARE getting ready to go to Zambia (or Malawi) for PC, feel free to email me. Best to email me now at lweber(at)tribune.com Cheers all!
Joe Sullivan Hello, Lara, Glad you made it back the the US OK and here you saw Kerry Waco a few weeks ago. Chicago seems to be the place to meet. Although I left Zambia in December 2001, my 7 boxes I sent back to myself didn't get here (and your website address was in one of them) until just a few weeks ago. All seven boxes took more than a year to get here and one took about a year and two months. Before any had gotten here, I had had already been back to Zambia for a month (in October) and returned. I don't any recent additions to this guestbook, so I will send you a copy of this e-mail to your e-mail address. Thinking of ever doing it again? Joe Sullivan
Rosa Hi lara you have a great homepage. I'm going to zambia to give my support and love to the children. It was a pleasure to have a look in your homepage I have now more motivation to go and visit this beautiful country. Thanks take care love rosa
Pat McBride My son Justin has been accepted into the peace corps and is going to be sent to Africa in Jan. 2004. His mom and I are very excited for him. I hope you are enjoying you tour ther in Africa. It's a wonderful thing you volunteers are doing to help your fellow man. God bless you all.
Lackson Kaunda Lara I have just been visiting your website. Thanks so much for the work you did in Zambia. I am out of here Laxon Kaunda Language Trainer.
lara to beverly-- i tried to reply to your email but it kicked back. please email me directly at lweber(at)tribune.com -lara
Kevin I'm entering the Peace Corps on Jan. 26th, 2004 and I will be headed to Zambia. I had so much fun reading about Lara's experiences. It makes me that much more excited to be going, if that is possible.
francis hey lara, thanks for enlightening the world about zambia.i just saw your website and i thought it was real cool. i will try to write you a letter in length since you are somewhere near where i stay,am in iowa and you seem to be in misuori. id like to know if you plan another trip to zambia. later
Phiri P. I liked your pictures and stories concerning Eastern Zambia. That's my home. I hope you enjoyed yourself in our country. Thanks for the job well done. May God bless you.
Maris Teteris I saw Zambia for myself 4 years ago and your excellent site brought back many fond memories.
John Chundu We just wanted to welcome you to Zambia.
carina hello!
Harry Lewis (from jesey c.l) Geat site!
Treasa mcCallion Fare Play! A magnificint and enjoyable website to view!
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