Written September 7, 2012

Posted later today I think . . .

Hey everyone! Another week here in Moz has passed by – the days seemed a bit long, but now looking back, it all seemed to go so quickly. I have less than 30 days until I move into my permanent home – unfortunately this means that Angela is also leaving in less than 30 days. Although we have been doing our own separate projects, it has been nice to have someone here to talk to, eat some meals with, and turn to for advice.

Yesterday was pretty cool, I went down to Despertai – my organization on the other side of town. Its about a 35 min walk or so just down the EN1 – and I have started to allow a bit more time to wherever I need to be, because I am constantly stopped to talk. Not complaining about that! I’m really happy that people are getting to know me, and want to stop and chat. Its tough to remember everyone’s names, but I think I’m doing ok with it. These aren’t long drawn out convo’s, just pleasantries exchanged, asking where one another is headed, and wishing them good luck with their work. Its actually quite sweet. When was the last time a semi-stranger at home said hi as you were walking along the street? Yes these people know me, and we talk – but essentially we are strangers’ haha. So that’s the type of situation I’m trying to picture happening in the states. I don’t think it translates.

So anyway, after getting through town, I made it to Despertai, were I had a lovely conversation with some of the volunteers who were there, I ended up going on a few home visits out in the campu. The woman I was with didn’t speak the best Portuguese, but she understood me when I talked, and acted as a translator for me when we went to the houses. Rather than doing the entire visit in Chopi (local language) she let me take the lead, and I took that opportunity to talk about nutrition, using a mosquito net, and making sure you get to the hospital to get your medications. People had questions for me, I showed the one family how to put up their mosquito net (the hospital did a distribution day last year) and the last family we went to – I arranged a day next week to take the one girl to the hospital.

Despertai works with OVC’s – orphans and vulnerable children. Its really difficult to put into words some of these children’s lives. Sometimes their parents die of illness/disease, sometimes the children are abandoned, either way – it’s a hard life here for children in Moz. And it becomes even harder for the caretakers as well. The last house we went to – the mother wasn’t home. We talked with the neighbor, who has been looking after her 5 children and the 3 from next door. She told us that the mother hasn’t been home for 3 days, and that even when she was coming home, it was at late hours of the night. These children were going without food, bathing, etc. the neighbor took them in, but she is a single woman as well, unemployed, and her machamba isn’t producing a lot of crops at the moment. Like I said. . .its tough here in Moz.

I offered the woman some suggestions about easy/cheap plates here that are also nutritious for children, and arranged a day next week to take one of the girls to the hospital. She has been having (what I’m assuming) some sort of ear infection, that is slowly robbing her of her hearing. I want to get her to the hospital quickly to find out what’s going on, and maybe get some medication. We cant go today, because it’s a Moz holiday, the weekend they didn’t want to go, and so we decided to go next Friday. Ugh! Its so far in the future. I’m still used to the American –get to the doctor when something is wrong asap – mentality. But I’m happy she even wants to go. Sometimes that’s the hardest battle.  . . .so until then, baby steps.

When I returned back to the organization, I met with the president, and we talked about the experiences, how the children were, and what the plan is for next week. She also told me about one of her experiences from this past week – a mother abandoned her 2 month old baby, the father doesn’t have a job and really wants nothing to do with the child, and the grandma who has been looking after the baby is afraid it may die from malnutrition. You can’t feed a 2 month old anything besides milk or formula. . . the family doesn’t have money to buy formula, and has no one to feed the baby milk. . I was at a loss for ideas. Every time we came up with one, there was a flaw. (if anyone at home has ideas, let me know). 

Its still a bit rainy/chilly here- not a fan of this weather at all for walking around town. But its peaceful to stay at home and read/watch. Yesterday I watched the rain from my front door with some hot tea for 20 minutes. . . yes, this is my life.

I suppose that’s all for now. . . don’t know what else to tell ya!

Hope everything is wonderful at home – miss you all!

xoxo

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