HIV vs. Obesity

My job here is to work with people who have HIV/AIDS, and hopefully help to prevent it. As an American, I know how many other Americans feel about HIV. Does it give you the shivers? Many people don't really understand HIV in Africa. If the solution were that simple, it would have been solved/cured a long time ago.

HIV is an epidemic in Mozambique. Obesity is an epidemic in the USA. There's alot of people with HIV in Mozambique. There's a lot of overweight people in America. Prevention- signs, campaigns, organizations, and advertisements for these are everywhere in Mozambique.  Prevention for obesity in the same way is everywhere in the U.S. Americans know how to lose weight: eat less and exercise more. People here know how to prevent/treat HIV. But knowing information isn't enough to change one's behavior. Our cultures don't help our problems. In the USA, restaurants serve way too much food and add stuff that isn't healthy. Here, with HIV, there's certain cultural aspects that don't help the problem, either.

I know what you're thinking. "Yeah, as Americans, we know how to lose weight and we're still fat and people die because they're morbidly obese...but at least it's caused by food and not sex." Is there really a difference? Maybe you as an individual lead a healthy lifestyle when it comes to food, but as far as changing the problem for a whole country...It's complicated, don't you think?

Work

So, what exactly am I doing here? Good question because I'm still figuring out the answer.

Here's what my job is:

I work at a health center (like a mini hospital) in my neighborhood. There are a group of women there, known as activistas, who are almost all HIV positive. They give polestras (which means like lecture). They give 2 polestras during the morning at 7 and 9 about anything from HIV transmission, malaria, or diarreia. There's lots of different topics. I'm supposed to "strengthen" these polestras by maybe creating new ones and/or making the ones they already have better.

There is a mom/child HIV support group that talks about nutrition. I'm supposed to dabble in that somehow.

The activistas make home visits to people in the community and I'm supposed to go with them on those.

During my 1st month I've been just sitting in with the aconselheira, a woman who gives "psychosocial support" to patients. So basically I've just been listening to patients talk about their treatment and how they are preventing from spreading HIV. BUT, this week I finally got to go with an activista into the community on home visits, which, by the way, I can't wait to share that experience with my social work professors/former internship supervisor during college. And, I've been spending more time with the activistas, and on Monday, they want me to give one. We'll see how that goes. So this seems really broad but that can be a good thing because that means there's alot of room for me to do my own thing. And, all the polestras are given in Chengana. So I'm learning that, too. There's also an orphanage in my neighborhood that I'm getting involved in but I'm waiting to get approval to go work there. We'll see where that goes.

I think I'm gonna like it here.

Diarreia

Has a whole new meaning outside of America. For my first couple weeks in Xai Xai, I had diarreia. I should have called PCMO but didn't because I figured it would pass, and because it was only once a day. Anyway, New Year's Eve, Emily and I chowed down on some buttered mashed potatoes with buttered chicken and more buttered stuff. Oh did I pay for it in the latrine. In the morning, I rolled onto my side and that's when I felt it. I can't explain the feeling that was going on inside my body. I just knew I had to go to the bathroom and I had to go right at that moment.

I yelled for Emily, asked her where her keys were for the latrine outside. "HURRY! I'm not playing around!" Whatever, she finally gets the keys and I didn't run to the latrine because I couldn't if you know what I mean but I walked as fast as I could. As soon as I got in there and as soon as I hovered over her wooden "toilet", and was halfway to sitting down, I lost control. Yup. I. Lost. Control. I got business all over that wooden seat. Em knew something bad happened when I went back into her house asking for a bucket of water. She asked me if I wanted to bathe. "No, I need a bucket of water in the latrine..." "Why? What could you have possibly DONE?!" she said. "Just give it to me. I couldn't help it." I told her.

I had to buy her a few new rolls of tp after that. I finally called PCMO a few days later and finally finished my antibiotics.  It's all good now and I'm ready to chow down for my b-day.

Mallorina

Americans are able to pronounce rrrrr, but not people here. So, my new name here now is Mallorina. Finally, it's 2010 and I'm almost 22. I'm the youngest PCV in Moz. I brought in the New Year with my dear friend Emily, whose site is not too far from mine. We had made some new years resolutions together and one of mine was to be more positive. As soon as the clock struck midnight and we said "happy new year", I broke it and said "Aw, too bad we can't be with our family and friends right now." Homesickness has reached an all time high. I know I've mentioned that before but unless you have been alone in a foreign country you wouldn't really understand. I talked to a fellow Moz 13er who was visiting Xai Xai and was telling him how my life here is an emotional rollercoaster everyday. All in one day, I can be thinking how much I love it here and then a few hours later something annoying or difficult can happen that will make me want to go home. I told him that day at work my neighbor texted me saying thank you because he thought he did better on an English exam because I helped him a little bit. And that my day was also good because one of my coworkers finally gave me my secret santa present which was a fruit bowl. But then something happened in the same day like I had a small misunderstanding with one person and thats enough to bring my mood down when I should be really proud that my neighbor sent me such a great message. I'm not sure if this is human nature, or American culture, or just a personal flaw for it to be so hard to stay positive. I can't speak for everyone, so I'll say its just a personal flaw that I'm willing to share with everyone. I talked to my dad a few weeks ago and he told me, "Mal, you don't have to be there. You have a choice.  So if you want to come home, you have the ability to do that." And as soon as he said it, I knew I didn't want to come home. Thanks, dad.

But, I'm getting better, I really am. You can ask Emily...So, being positive everyday is a goal. In order to become that, I have to focus on what I think sucks and how I can make it better. Here's what sucks:

1. My house is empty. I only have 2 beds, one table and two chairs. I don't have a voltage regulator so I can't use my computer.

2. I have been having stomach issues- diarreia.

3. It's really hard to define my job at my job.

Here's how I'm looking at it now-

1. I don't have alot in my house but if I didn't have a bed, I couldn't sleep. If I didn't have a table, I couldn't eat on it or put my stove on it. I have a stove and a fridge. Essentials for survival. I have the means to get furniture. Actually, I went to a carpenter and designed my own china cabinet/bookcase thing. I can't get it delivered like Gallery Furniture, but it'll get in my house somehow. And if it doesn't fit thru the door, we could probably just peel back my tin roof and set it in..just kidding.

2. I finally called PCMO and got some antibiotics. My stomach is still sensitive and I still get diarreia but atleast its more controllable now. This will have to be a whole nother blog entry.

3. Defining my job as a Peace Corps Volunteer is the most difficult. But, I have an awesome ICAP supervisor and the activistas I work with are really great and excited to work with me. This also will have to be another entry on its own.

Then, I was thinking, I have a good Peace Corps site. I have a market right behind my house, I'm 10 mins from the beach, 5 minutes from the city, I have a best friend, Emily, who is easy to get to, and my job has potential. I can't really complain. If I'm unhappy here, I would have to go back to the U.S. and be unhappy there. So, I'm working on it.  I'm finding small things that make me happy. Whenever something gets to me, I have a permanent list of things in my head that I can think of that automatically lifts my spirits.

End of training

I ended up killing that chicken on Thanksgiving. I was not expecting it...I came home and my host mom had three chickens chillin on the porch. She said today was the day. I said, but my brother isnt here to kill it too. She said I would have to do it alone, or let her do it because either way it was going to die. So I sucked it up and killed a chicken. Theres no better day than Thanksgiving to kill a bird!

Next Tuesday I swear in to become a Peace Corps Volunteer! Finally! I decided when I was in high school that I wanted to join the Peace Corps someday, so after years of volunteer work, 3 years in college, a year of the application process for the Peace Corps, I am finally here! I made it! I am so relieved and feel so accomplished.

I dont have anything specific to write about. But I am trying to think fast since I am paying by the minute. Send me some suggestions, anyone?

Hmm...I just want to say how proud I am of my host brother. So here, the education system is ´´a little´´ corrupt. Children get by with cheating and teachers have inappropriate relationships with their students. Not many people make it past grade 10. And, people may have to repeat grades several times, so it would not be weird to find young adults in the 7th grade. Anyway, with that being said, my host brother is 17. SEVENTEEN! And he is graduating high school this month. Not only that, but he just completed grade ten and took a test that he passed with flying colors that is enabling him to skip the next 2 grades and move on to college. Yup, he is going to college! When I first got here, he told me he wanted to be a teacher and teach portuguese in the U.S. someday. Two weeks later, he wanted to be a doctor. A week later, he said he wants to be President of Moçambique. Then, he went to the university in Maputo to apply and has to take a test next month. But he came back saying he is going to study math and physics to be a teacher because all the spaces to become a doctor were full. A little might have gotton lost in translation...but I think he may still be trying to become a doctor..Point of the story: my host brother, who I am going to just call my brother for now on, has ambition and I am proud to say that I believe he will really do great things for this country in the future!

Tomorrow is our party with our host families. They all pitched in 900 MTS! PC told us they bought a COW! I am really excited to attend...more excited to eat good food and take lots of pics. Cant wait to tell yall all about it!

xoxo

Thanksgiving

Originally I was only going to send this to my family, but I thought I would share it with whoever reads this.

First, I want to say how hard it is being away this holiday season and that I appreciate all the support from back home. I miss all my family and friends very much, and love all of you dearly. I think about each one of you everyday.

Things I am thankful for-

1. During my site visit to Tete, I visited a PCV who started a day school for young children. This program started when she met a couple who had a similar interest and desire for such a program. They are not getting paid. All the money they have for this program goes strictly to food for the children during the day. The children are being taught English and Portuguese, along with English Christmas songs. The place was not like any day care center in the U.S. The buildings were made of tin and there was a small area with swings. I think the PCV told me they helped build it themselves. If it werent for this couple these children may not have this opportunity.

2. This week I visited an orphanage for girls about just over an hour outside Namaacha. As soon as we arrived, all the girls got in a group and sang to us. This particular orphanage was a place where the girls learned how to cook, work in a garden, clean, and sew and make crafts. They also have a new building for schooling. This orphanage was started and is funded by a Moz woman who is independently wealthy, and was an orphan herself.

Let us all be thankful for people like this in the world.

Yesterday Peace Corps and all its people celebrated Thanksgiving. It was a pretty sweet day. I finally got my site assigment information. Its crazy to think that I JUST found out where exactly Ill be going, and what exactly Ill be doing. But hey, you gotta have a little faith to do this, right?

I will be moving to Xai Xai, which is the provincial capital of Gaza province. It is located right by the beach. Its only 3 to 4 hours north of Maputo. My good friend Emily will be stationed only 10 minutes away from me! I will be working with an organization called ICAP. International Care and Treatment Program.  ICAP is based in the hospital and works on patient treatment adherence and home based care and implements community activities with families led by activistas. In the letter the former PCV sent me, she said theres an orphanage or childrens center, along with offices of World Vision, Save the Children, and FGH (I think) located in Xai Xai. So I am sure my next two years will be a great learning experience. My site description also suggested I learn a local language, which I was already planning. The day before yesterday, I told my host family that I just may end up learning their dialect, Chengana, if Im in the south. And sure enough, I am! They were really excited and tried to already teach me a few phrases, I think that was more for entertainment than anything. Ha. So in about two weeks, Ill be off to Xai Xai.

Stay tuned to se what the next two years has in store for me!

Food for thought

I am going to kill a chicken before I leave Namaacha.  Supposively its a rite of passage.

Next time you go into a grocery store and select products, seriously take a moment to think about how that product got into your cart. Being in the Peace Corps, even thought Im only in training right now, I have had some extra free time on my hands lately, which leads to deep thoughts that get to challenge my beliefs, or validate them. Whats even more fun is sharing these discussions with my colleagues.

The first time my host mom bought a chicken, I couldnt even be in the same vicinity when she killed them. They were so cute cuddling next to each other. They looked so peaceful, I almost felt guilty. The second time, I told her I would watch. I watched her take it to the yard, step on its wings, and put the knife to its neck. Then I turned around. I couldnt watch as the chicken was shrieking. The third time, we had two chickens I believe and it was nighttime, and pretty chilly. The two chickens were cuddling under the charcoal stove we had going. I was able to watch that time. It helped that it was dark, but I watched from the porch. With the second chicken, I was actually able to hand it to her and watch again. After these experiences, I have seriously thought about becoming a vegetarian. I still have yet to actually kill a chicken, but I told my host mom I want to before I leave, as long as my brother does it with me because he never has either. Anyway, so then this experience led into this whole thought process about whether I should be able to even eat anything that I am not able to kill. I was discussing this with a former trainee, and he said he felt the same way about this. That taking the life of something can make you feel sad or whatever, but after its done, its done. Just like that.

So then I was thinking, ok now lets be real. I am from Texas and I am surely not going to give up filet mignon in my future. Ive decided as long as the killing of animals is humane, Ill eat it.

During our permaculture training, the trainer told us that when putting manure in the crops, be sure you dont use human waste, because our waste is toxic. What am I putting into my body that would be toxic to the soil? And what does that do inside my body? Theres a whole science on this topic, and I would love to learn more about it.

I have yet to kill a chicken, but when I do, I will keep in mind that that chickens life has been worth this lesson.