Sunday, October 28, 2012

I have a really good fellow Peace Corps volunteer named Charlie. He is in his 60’s and is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He is among the population PCVs who decided that after a life of working and public service that he should again contribute to public service in the developing world. Every now in then we send each other deep text about our experiences and he always gives me good advice just like a good father would. He always seems to know what I’m thinking just my real father would and gives me the best encouragement. So the other day he sent me an email about comfort zones. I know I have talked about how it’s important to be ‘comfortable being uncomfortable’. Now as a PCV I have it pretty easy compared to my peers. I have electricity most of time, running water and a great supervisor who is motivated and keeps me busy. But now and again I have these ‘hiccups’ as she calls them where things become uncomfortable. The other day I had a issue with my housing of what I won’t go into detail. But let’s just say I’m safe but was made to feel uncomfortable. And at that time I received Charlie’s email. He was talking about how as it seems as soon as he became comfortable, it was time for something new. Which is true. But as I began to feel sorry for myself I received an inspirational talk from my supervisor which was much needed. My supervisor is one of the coolest people ever by the way. She is a sister and a doctor, I know right?! But she is highly motivated and helps so many people. Whenever I feel as though I need inspiration I go and work with her for a day and know what it really means to serve your community and people. To live a life of service. I read a good quote one time that stated, 'a good teacher doesn’t just tell how, she lets you stand beside her to see the way’. I really feel that way with her. I feel like I have learned so much since being here, more than I can ever give back. I wake up everyday knowing that there may be challenges, but knowing that I’m serving my life’s purpose. And for that I’m grateful. So I’m gearing up for my project, so I’ll ask for your prayers. Its research in anemia in under 5 children. During the rainy season there are 2 factors that contribute to anemia. The rainy season is called the hunger season and malaria season. It is before corn can be harvested to make Nsima (the staple food) so they run out of food before harvest. Also with rain, comes mosquitoes, which in turn brings malaria which also  causes anemia. With these two factors children can come in to the hospital almost dead or sometimes they do die because of severe anemia. We hope to go into some of the communities this year to introduce plants that are found here than help with anemia. Some call it natural medicine, supplement or locally available plants. Either way we hope to help make a small impact so these children can have healthy lives, have good cognitive development, and healthy immune systems.
So funny story time as there is a new American here volunteering and apparently my other Malawian roommate is afraid I have become the scorpion killer and/or other pest. The other day I heard the American screaming, Aisha please come in here and get rid of this thing. I guess this time of you is when the lizards come out and I think they are cute. I remember during training when I lived in the village there was a frog always in my room. So here’s how it works if you think about it all the time they can sense it and follow you everwhere..hahaha. So every morning I would sweep out the frog but at night I would look over with my lamp and be looking deeply into the eyes of my friend who I named KermitJ So finally I gave up on kicking him out and told him one night, I won’t bother you and you eat all the bugs in my room. And that was it. So I tried to explain this to the American with not much success. So we just chased him out. But he always seems to find her no matter what. Then there are the big scorpions, which are kind of scary. So when one appears, I’m usually the one designated to kill it which I feel bad, because I think it’s bad karma. But the worse part is the horrible noise and mess it makes when I squash such a big bug. So I am a PCV/herbalist /pest controller. Also there other I spent about 10 minutes chasing a chicken out my house as it came into my roomJ Maybe it came for the scorpions. Nevertheless I’m just glad it didn’t poop in my house. Ah another day in Malawi…Love it!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

"American"

I remember growing up and not sure what it really felt like to be an American. Not really feeling as though I was the typical American. I grew up in with many different cultures and felt as though to have this experience made me different. It wasn't until I started traveling that I realized the true 'American' culture. Furthermore it wasn't until I had a new American volunteer placed at my site that I realized how American I was. I know that I have talked about the guilt that I felt of all the advantages I have as an American but I also must add something else. I am truly proud to be American. Though I am sometimes frustrated with all the injustices that I see in America, overall I am grateful for the progress with we have made over the last 200 something years. We have our problems but in general things run a little bit smoother than in developing countries. We are individualist, we speak out if we don't agree, and for the most part we aren't afraid of change. It is these qualities I believe that have allowed us to be where we are today. I must say I am not the most patriotic person and at times I was almost embarrassed to say I was American. But now I see that we may do some things I don't agree with I am very blessed to raised in America. I don't have to worry about my parents marrying me off at the age of 14. In America for the most part: I don't have to worry about if I have safe drinking water. I don't have to worry about speaking out against the government. There are so many things that I am grateful for in America. But most of all I'm proud of what my ancestors endured in both continents of Africa and Europe to come to America for a better life. The other day I had to explain the political and historical context that has lead Malawi to be the way it is. In general it has to do with the political history that has lead to slow development. That is not to say that I am not happy to be here. I love Malawi for so many reasons and love my work. I just ask that in the future we can help developing countries with development and not aid. I always say to myself baby steps or ' you may plants seeds and not see the harvest, but that doesn't mean it's not growing'. And then my favorite, my sort of mantra that I think of everyday for myself and others, “Be prepared at any moment to change who you are, to become the person you will be".