just another update

First of all I need to apologize for my infrequency in posting and lack of creativity with this blog. I read other PCVs’ posts from time to time and it definitely puts me to shame. My only excuse is that I’ve been really busy lately but I promise to try harder. I know that my family and a few friends read this on a regular basis so I’ll try harder for you guys, but for now I’ll just let you know what’s been going on these past couple of months…

RUARWE

Over 4th of July I went on a vacation with my friends and fellow PCVs Twila, Bri, Sara, Amy, and Twila's friend Donny who is visiting for a few months. They are all in my enviro '10 group and even though we live spread out through the country, I always enjoy the few times when we can all get together.

So we went up to the northern part of Lake Malawi and stayed one night at a PCVs house who lives right on the lake. We then hiked three days/60km south along the lakeshore. It was fun but tiring and I know we were super happy to reach the lodge on the third day. We stayed at Zulunkhuni River Lodge for three days and it was absolutely beautiful. The whole trip was amazing and it was great to spend a carefree week away from cell phone reception, electricity, internet, and running water.

If you want to see some pictures of the trip you can see them on my facebook album http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.528409657352.2027305.170100061.

A NEW BABY

If you’ve read some of my previous posts you might have heard about my friend Margaderina. She’s the one who is a member of the women’s group that I work with and her husband passed away from meningitis last December. She’s younger than me and already a mother of a 2 year old and so last year when I went home for Christmas I asked everyone that I know to help her out in any way possible. Because of people’s generosity she’s been able to provide for her family through buying maize, fertilizer, soap, medicine, etc.

So, when she told me earlier this year that she was pregnant (her late husband is the father), I knew I had to try to help her again. Because of a certain person who gave $100 to me earlier (I hope you know who you are – THANK YOU), Margaderina was able to buy blankets, buckets, clothes for her and the baby, a suitcase for her hospital stay, and other essentials. And when the call came that she was at the hospital in labor, I knew she was ready and prepared to have the baby. On July 1 a beautiful baby girl was born and Margederina asked me to name her. I felt so honored to name the baby and after over a week of thinking about the right name I decided to name her….JESSICA. I named her after my sister and very best friend and it was supposed to be a secret that I was going to reveal on here but a certain someone spoiled the surprise, thanks a lot Dad. Just kidding.

**Just tried posting a picture of Jessica but after over an hour of waiting I got too frustrated...Sorry, will post pictures of her and the clinic ASAP**

THE CLINIC
As I last wrote, all the money has been raised for the clinic. And as soon as the money came in, I was able to break the news to the community and their reaction was so touching. The women and kids were singing and dancing and all the chiefs kept coming up to tell me how happy they were. This was about 4 years in the making for them and to know that it was finally happening was a big deal.

The next week the Health Surveillance Assistant and myself went to get all of the building materials and we loaded up a huge flatbed truck with 95 bags of cement, doors, lime, wheelbarrows, and other materials. We didn’t arrive at Kamera until well after midnight but even so we were greeted by everyone coming out of their houses to dance and celebrate and once again I was blown away with the excitement and motivation of the people.

For the past three weeks the community has been busy chipping in with the building. We hired a guy to be in charge of the building and so the villagers are doing everything from helping pour concrete, collect sand and stones, drawing water, and doing most of the labor. Every day they come out and the progress has been amazing to see. Already the foundation has been laid and the sides are almost completely built. Definitely by the end of August or early September it will all be finished.

Also right now I am trying to do my best to have the shelter be a place where people can get HIV testing. Since they are so far away from a hospital many people don’t even bother to get the free testing. Also, we would like to have the clinic be stocked with ARVs (Anti Retroviral Therapy) so those who have HIV/AIDS don’t have to trek the 22km just to get their meds. Additionally I am working with a certain NGO in trying to get bednets, condoms, and safe water treatment.

 

OTHER PROJECTS

The women’s group just finished paying off their first loan and went back to Opportunity International to get their second loan. It’s a great accomplishment for them that they were able to successfully pay the loan back and that they want to get another. This time most of the women will use the money to buy and sell groundnuts and a few will continue with their other businesses.

The volleyball team is on a break and will be resuming in September. Things are still moving along with the other projects and now I am gearing up for a big tree nursery project that will take place in the next few months. Also I’ll be heading back to the lake in August to help out with our first “Kamp Kwacha”, a week-long business camp for high school age kids.

THE PROTESTS

If you've seen my facebook posts last week or maybe saw it on the news, you might have heard about the protests that happened on July 22 and  23 in the capital of Malawi and a few major other cities in the country. The demonstrations happened because people here are tired of the abuse of civil rights, a lack of foreign exchange, the fuel shortages, and some other things. People aren't happy with the President and decided to demonstrate but unfortunately it got a bit violent. 19 people ended up dying and lots of shops and other things were damaged. 

Thankfully where I am things were very safe but it was still unsettling to hear about everything going on. If Malawians are proud of anything, it's that they are "the Warm Heart of Africa" in that they are extremely friendly and also that they are a peaceful people. So it's strange to see how things have been changing in the place I have called home for the past year and a half.

There are supposed to be more demonstrations on August 17 and I'm not sure if they will happen. But for now I am trying to stay quiet on all the political issues since one of our jobs as PC volunteers is to not take any sides politically.

EVERYTHING ELSE

On the home front everything is as usual. My cat Chips is extremely pregnant and any day I’m sure she’ll be popping out some kittens. Normally I’d be overjoyed but to be honest am getting tired of kittens, especially since about half of them end up dying tragic deaths before I can even give them away. Also have been making some home renovations like painting and reorganizing, I think I’ve finally been here long enough to get bored with my stuff. Lastly is that I’ve been spending a lot of time studying for the GRE which I’ll be taking in November as well as researching grad schools, however the latter has been really difficult to do here so I’m considering postponing school until ’13. We’ll see…

Thanks for checking in!