Yeah, it been a while!! I have lots to
say on many different topics. FIRST: World AIDS Day was December 1st
and I held an event in my village with the help of a local NGO. The
NGO provides education about HIV by using local tribal music
(Warangi) and dancing, it was so cool. They also did skits, has a
choir sing some songs, drum circle and had a PLWA meeting. About 100
people came to get tested, with the stigma being so high this was
impressive. Overall it was a successful day with just a few expected
minor annoyances. I also gave a speech in Swahili, it was terrifying.
SECOND: Development work is the most
frustrating but rewarding work I have ever done. Sustainability is
key with development work. For example, if I want to build a water
tank in my village first I get a group of 6-10 motivated people in my
village to be trained how the tank works, how to fix it if it breaks
and to help build it. I apply for a grant help with the cost and the
village government is also responsible for providing 25% of the cost
which can be dirt, bricks, people for labor etc. With the above the
village takes pride in the project that they helped work for, people
gain skills and are empowered. However when you have large
organizations/NGOS going into villages building water tanks (or
anything) with no help from the village and minimal to no training
provided villagers start to expect things to just come to them free
of charge and labor. Also what happens when there is a problem with
the water tank when minimal to no training is provided? The villagers
sit around and wait for someone to come in and fix it, or just build
another one, free of cost and labor. It is so extremely frustrating
to try to do SUSTAINABLE work when people expect easy and free, with
no sustainability. My view of foreign aid has completely changed.
However when I see sustainable change done at the grassroots level
that I had a part in the feeling of accomplishment is so rewarding it
beats all the frustrations of development works and makes it worth
the struggle.
THIRD:I bought this lemon lotion that
smells so wonderful. I have never been a huge fan of lemon smelling
anything and one day I realized the lotion smells like a typical
American household cleaner. It dawned on me that I miss being and and
just clean in general so much that I walk around all day smelling
like a bottle of Mr Clean. I am okay with this and still use the
lotion. In fact another volunteer smelled it, bought some and now
uses it everyday as well. I MISS CLEAN.
FOURTH: I started a womens empowerment
group in my village and they want to start a chicken project, buying
selling chickens and eggs etc. to make money and improve their health
as well as their families. The only problem with a chicken project is
that more times then not when a volunteer tries to do one all the
chickens die from newcastle disease or many other diseases. Once the
first chicken dies they fall like dominoes. It involves a lot of
training Its the kind of project that volunteers make fun of each
other for doing and that we sort of all try to avoid. Well the women
in the group are so motivated that I decided to man up and go for it.
Wish me luck.
FIFTH: All eyes on me. I saw a mud
flap on a bus that said this and it pretty much sums up my daily life
here, in the village at least. No matter what I am doing I can feel
the eyes following me. It's like living in a fish bowl. Soooooo I
have started having a little fun with it. Like cartwheeling my way
across the road, or tripping constantly, or having a
conversation/argument with an invisible person beside me. The
reactions from people are amazing. Peace Corps, the toughest job you
will ever love? The answer to this is yes, 100%.
Merry Christmas.
I am on my way to Zanzibar to relax in
paradise for a week then off the Mafia Island to SWIM WITH WHALE
SHARKS.
OH, I also saw rain for the first time in 7 months!!!
OH, I also saw rain for the first time in 7 months!!!
