Having fun with the Language of the Tonga Tribe

Here are some useful words that you may want to use in your letters to your sponsor child:

How are you?: Mwapona

Fine (as in the answer to how are you): Kabotu

What is your name?: Nduwe ni?

My name is: Ndime

Thank you: Twalumba

Good Morning: Mwabuka Buti

Good Afternoon: Mwayusa

Good Evening: Kwasiya

Food: Chakulya

Water: Meenda

Nothing: Takwepe

I: Ime

You: Iwe

We: Iswe

Yes: Iyii

No: Pepe

Today: Sunu

Tomorrow: Junza

Talk: Ambula

Bye: Mucaale kabotu

Mother: Bama

Father: Ndende

Child: Mwana

Once I become fluent in the language, I will publish some letters you can use to write to your sponsor children that only speak their Tonga language. However, the field staff will help the children write their letters, and English is the official universal language of Zambia.