In
some ways the fact that I have not been able to post in my blog recently is a
good thing. It means that I have been busy, which I most definitely have. Work
has really been wiping me out – between the frequent 1 ½ hour minibus rides to
and from AISE, getting the run around for meetings, preparing a workshop,
meetings in Lilongwe, World AIDS Day coming up this week and trying to inch
towards ticking outputs off my work plan, I am trying to apply to jobs, grad
school and keep myself sane. And then it dawned on me last week. I have already
hit my halfway point in Malawi. Less than two months and the work left to do
feels overwhelming. Alas, such is the nature of short-term posts.
At the height of the dry season - all the animals are hiding! |
Enough
lamenting, life in Blantyre is moving along nicely. I have found a good group
of girls who support and look out for each other, which came in handy last
Friday when we had an issue with security here and my housemates and I will be
looking for alternative housing. It is sometimes hard to digest the
difficulties that expats run into working in developing countries, especially
when we are trying to contribute to national development and are treated as
though we are not part of humanity. I will just use this opportunity to let you
know I had my first medical procedures overseas – a successful if not painful
removal of a growth on the bottom of my foot, which I think began as blood
blisters from the Oxfam 100km Trailwalker last July. Trying to take it easy as
best I can. Other news: The housemates and I went to Majete National Reserve
earlier in the month and saw some nice animals – Nyala, Impala, Hippos, Warthog
– but no elephants! I ran a half-marathon in Lilongwe on just about the hottest
day ever – so I was pretty proud of myself. And WUSC, my sending organization, celebrated 30 years of work in Malawi, where we volunteers did a tasteful display of Aboriginal culture for the event. Sorry I don't have any pictures!
Jacob, the Country Director, opening the celebration |
It’s
World AIDS Day on Thursday, so I will use that time to post about the HIV/AIDS
epidemic in Malawi, giving a little more context for the work I am doing here.
Rainy
season is definitely upon us here in Malawi – I’m off to scramble home before
the downpour!
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