Today is world malaria day.. Did you all know that?
Now I know in america-land malaria is not a huge issue, people don't sleep under mosquito nets, have to take an anti-malarial prophylaxis, or know many people in their community who have had malaria. . . But here in Mozambique all of those things are a reality for me. I sleep under a mosquito net every night, am taking a daily medication, and every night either put on bug spray, or use long pants and sleeves.
This week, with my community organizations and REDES group, I am hopefully going to teach and learn more about malaria in this country. With Stomp Out Malaria (an Africa-wide Peace Corps initiative aimed at significantly supporting the international effort to eliminate malaria from Africa) PCV's are trying to, reduce malaria where we work, contribute to the reduction of malaria in country and help build an online community of malaria prevention professionals.
We have a basic prevention scheme here in moz; 1, encourage people to use LLINs (long lige insecticide-treated bed nets) 2, early diagnosis and treatment (especially in those under 5yrs of age, pregnant women, and PLWHA) 3, intermittent preventative/presumptive treatment for pregnancy 4, indoor residual spraying 5, house/yard maintence 6, properly taking all medication.
With my community organizations this week, I am giving malaria palestras (workshops) where I give an oral pre-test to see what people already know about malaria, I will talk about vulnerable populations, when it is most likely to catch malaria, symptoms of both uncomplicated and severe malaria, and where people can get a net. After this, we are going to open the floor for volunteers to speak about their own experiences with malaria, what they did/do once they realized they had it, and what they could have done to prevent it. I will then do a post-test (again, orally and by show of hands) to see what the retention of information is. Hopefully the volunteers will then take this information into the field when they do home visits, thusly affecting a greater population.
With my REDES group, we are putting together a small theatre piece about malaria, to then present to my community organizations.
Check out the website 'stomp out malaria' and see what other cool things pcv's are doing worldwide.
Till next time, your friend in africa
Hello and Welcome!
- TaylorDaphne
- Quelimane, Zambezia Province, Mozambique
- A small look into what my personal experiences in Mozambique are like. Written as a stream of consciousness, these are my thoughts, my successes and my failures. Life is all about the moments that we live in. I hope that the moment you take out of your life to read this blog is a positive one. The views and opinions in this blog are my own and do not reflect those of the U.S. Government or U.S. Peace Corps.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
thoughts from the road
Writing this from the inside of a boleia-
Its saturday April 13, and I am heading home by way of Chidenguele (gaza province) after our PDM conference wth Peace Corps. The conference went really well, and wsa actually very informative and helpful. Unfortunately only one of my counterparts from one community organization was able to attend... Long story about why the other one didn't show up, but with the one that I did have there it went amazingly. We now have an entire project framework laid out for an income generation/community educational project. And I gained a new skill set. This is my first actual project that I am starting from the very beginning. -yes I have been doing educational workshops and small projects with my orgs, but as far as a 'big' project from start to continuation (I won't say finish because its hopefully going to continue after I'm gone). It was a really neat and interesting conference allowing me to spend time with my fellow 18ers and some really great host country nationals. The food was decent, beds comfortable, and although the showers were outdoors and not warm, I was able to wash and rinse my hair with both hands. A realllly nice thing.
So its starting to get chilly here in Moz! I have blankets on my bed, use a fleece jacket in the mornings and evenings, and don't mind drinking tea during the day! Now when I say 'chilly', keep in mind that I still do live in Africa, it maybe gets down to 28-30 degrees C here, but when you live in a reed house that floods a bit when it rains, that can get cold man!!
Sitting in this boleia (I'm in the cab of a truck) we have literally listened to the same songs 6 times over. Ugh. Welcome to hitchhiking in Africa. I had a lovely day thus far though, caught great rides from where our conference was to Xai Xai, did some shopping in the big market there, and am heading to spend the night with a friend who has been taking care of Lua while I was gone!
Lua continues to be a dog about Mozambique, having traveled all over Gaza and Inhambane provinces, and she is growing quickly as well. I'm so excited to see her later today, and very grateful to my fellow PVC who has looked after her these past few days. She knows some basic commands, and generally is a very laid back dog. I'm still very happy to have her.
Ok- in a new boleia now. This will make my boleia count for this trip from Maurracuene to Chidenguele (a trip that should maybe take 4 hours tops) to a total of 5, and I'm still not there yet. Ill have to catch a 6th ride before I reach my final destination. Have you all enjoyed the ride with me? The first one we sat in the back of a truck, second one we piled ontop of a flatbed truck, third I was in a nice car with seatbelts, fourth the cab of a bigger truck (but not a semi) and I'm now in a similar situation.
The past few weeks have been sliding by- its already the middle of April? When did that happen?
There has been some civil unrest in the central part of Mozambique with some violence associated with transportation. So we have been on a travel ban from that area of the country. Could prove to hinder our annual Beer Olympics, held in Vilankulo (northern Inhambane province) where all PCV's from the entire country meet up to play. We shall see what happens.
Other than that, all goes well here in Moz... Staying busy with work, getting my REDES girls together and organized for our malaria theatre piece, and working on some informational workshops with my two community organizations about malaria. We will Stomp Out Malaria!
Alright kids, I leave you now. I'm out on the side of the road, tossing my hair to the side and stickin' my hip out, hoping for a lift for the last leg of my journey!
Boa Viagem!
Its saturday April 13, and I am heading home by way of Chidenguele (gaza province) after our PDM conference wth Peace Corps. The conference went really well, and wsa actually very informative and helpful. Unfortunately only one of my counterparts from one community organization was able to attend... Long story about why the other one didn't show up, but with the one that I did have there it went amazingly. We now have an entire project framework laid out for an income generation/community educational project. And I gained a new skill set. This is my first actual project that I am starting from the very beginning. -yes I have been doing educational workshops and small projects with my orgs, but as far as a 'big' project from start to continuation (I won't say finish because its hopefully going to continue after I'm gone). It was a really neat and interesting conference allowing me to spend time with my fellow 18ers and some really great host country nationals. The food was decent, beds comfortable, and although the showers were outdoors and not warm, I was able to wash and rinse my hair with both hands. A realllly nice thing.
So its starting to get chilly here in Moz! I have blankets on my bed, use a fleece jacket in the mornings and evenings, and don't mind drinking tea during the day! Now when I say 'chilly', keep in mind that I still do live in Africa, it maybe gets down to 28-30 degrees C here, but when you live in a reed house that floods a bit when it rains, that can get cold man!!
Sitting in this boleia (I'm in the cab of a truck) we have literally listened to the same songs 6 times over. Ugh. Welcome to hitchhiking in Africa. I had a lovely day thus far though, caught great rides from where our conference was to Xai Xai, did some shopping in the big market there, and am heading to spend the night with a friend who has been taking care of Lua while I was gone!
Lua continues to be a dog about Mozambique, having traveled all over Gaza and Inhambane provinces, and she is growing quickly as well. I'm so excited to see her later today, and very grateful to my fellow PVC who has looked after her these past few days. She knows some basic commands, and generally is a very laid back dog. I'm still very happy to have her.
Ok- in a new boleia now. This will make my boleia count for this trip from Maurracuene to Chidenguele (a trip that should maybe take 4 hours tops) to a total of 5, and I'm still not there yet. Ill have to catch a 6th ride before I reach my final destination. Have you all enjoyed the ride with me? The first one we sat in the back of a truck, second one we piled ontop of a flatbed truck, third I was in a nice car with seatbelts, fourth the cab of a bigger truck (but not a semi) and I'm now in a similar situation.
The past few weeks have been sliding by- its already the middle of April? When did that happen?
There has been some civil unrest in the central part of Mozambique with some violence associated with transportation. So we have been on a travel ban from that area of the country. Could prove to hinder our annual Beer Olympics, held in Vilankulo (northern Inhambane province) where all PCV's from the entire country meet up to play. We shall see what happens.
Other than that, all goes well here in Moz... Staying busy with work, getting my REDES girls together and organized for our malaria theatre piece, and working on some informational workshops with my two community organizations about malaria. We will Stomp Out Malaria!
Alright kids, I leave you now. I'm out on the side of the road, tossing my hair to the side and stickin' my hip out, hoping for a lift for the last leg of my journey!
Boa Viagem!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Stomp Out Malaria!
Morning kids! Writing this from my blackberry during a meeting at my one community organization. Its being held all in local language, so I am not really catching onto much. I have a translator sitting next to me, but she has dozed off hahah welcome to a meeting in Mozambique.
Its getting to be 'wintertime' here, which means I can wear jeans, and not be sweating through every piece of clothing! Hooray! I used a blanket last night to sleep, what a novel concept.
So I've had a productive few days, getting things organized with my community organizations, trying to get my project at the hospital started, and working with my REDES girls.
Monday, two of my girls from my REDES group came to me in confidence to talk about some gynecological problems they had been having. So tuesday I went with them to the hospital to get tested for various diseases, including doing an HIV test. Neither of them had ever done test such a this before, so I was there to explain to them various procedures, possible diseases, treatment etc. It also gave me a chance to talk openly about safe sexual practices, and that they shouldn't feel cultural pressure to have sex if they don't want to (they are both 13/14yrs old). We went through the entire process at the hospital, tests, diagnosis, getting a prescription, going to the pharmacy, and then getting the appropriate shots/vaccines they were prescribed. It was cool to play the 'older sister' role in this, and I was able to share some of my personal experiences in this area. I felt like an actual health volunteer, because I was actually seeing people using the available heath care/treatments offered.
Afterwards, I went down to my other community organization- we put together a program for next weeks meeting, I won't be there because of my Peace Corps conference, talked about what my counterpart needs to pack for next week and what to expect at this conference. Just a small planning session, yet it was very productive.
Went home to take an afternoon nap, then had my REDES meeting- we are working on a small theatre piece for World Malaria Day - its April 25th for those of you who don't know. Check out 'Stomp Out Malaria' and get involved. It is totally possible to eradicate this disease, with continued education about treatment and various prevention methods.
The skit we are putting together is just a 10 minute example of someone sleeping without a net, getting bit by a mosquito to wake up with symptoms. For two days the person doesn't go to the hospital, thinking its just a head cold, only to get worse. Finally getting to the hospital, the doctor there lectures the patient a bit about needing to come to the health center sooner, and to sleep under a net. Its a very basic skit, but it gets the general idea across.
I am hoping to do a net distribution through the hospital on the 25th, and both of my CBO's are doing small palestras (instructional workshops) in the field about malaria, when they do their home visits. Too many people here use their mosquito nets for their gardens or to catch fish, rather than sleeping under them. So comeon kids! Get involved! Check it out!
Life continues on here. With all the strange daily things that make life interesting here. For example- this morning walking into my CBO with my one counterpart Samuel, we saw one of our other colleagues waiting for us. Now, the woman waiting has HUGE breasts, there is no getting around that fact, Samuel goes up to her, grabs and holds her breasts, saying that he wants some of the delicious milk that must be in them, for them to look that big! It was all said in jest, and they are good friends, so my friend just joked back with him that he was the biggest baby she's ever seen, but not bothering to remove his hands. Hahaha I thought after almost 11 months here I had seen it all. . . Apparently not.
With that, I wish you all a breastfully- I mean blissfully happy week ahead.
Stomp Out Malaria!
-t
Its getting to be 'wintertime' here, which means I can wear jeans, and not be sweating through every piece of clothing! Hooray! I used a blanket last night to sleep, what a novel concept.
So I've had a productive few days, getting things organized with my community organizations, trying to get my project at the hospital started, and working with my REDES girls.
Monday, two of my girls from my REDES group came to me in confidence to talk about some gynecological problems they had been having. So tuesday I went with them to the hospital to get tested for various diseases, including doing an HIV test. Neither of them had ever done test such a this before, so I was there to explain to them various procedures, possible diseases, treatment etc. It also gave me a chance to talk openly about safe sexual practices, and that they shouldn't feel cultural pressure to have sex if they don't want to (they are both 13/14yrs old). We went through the entire process at the hospital, tests, diagnosis, getting a prescription, going to the pharmacy, and then getting the appropriate shots/vaccines they were prescribed. It was cool to play the 'older sister' role in this, and I was able to share some of my personal experiences in this area. I felt like an actual health volunteer, because I was actually seeing people using the available heath care/treatments offered.
Afterwards, I went down to my other community organization- we put together a program for next weeks meeting, I won't be there because of my Peace Corps conference, talked about what my counterpart needs to pack for next week and what to expect at this conference. Just a small planning session, yet it was very productive.
Went home to take an afternoon nap, then had my REDES meeting- we are working on a small theatre piece for World Malaria Day - its April 25th for those of you who don't know. Check out 'Stomp Out Malaria' and get involved. It is totally possible to eradicate this disease, with continued education about treatment and various prevention methods.
The skit we are putting together is just a 10 minute example of someone sleeping without a net, getting bit by a mosquito to wake up with symptoms. For two days the person doesn't go to the hospital, thinking its just a head cold, only to get worse. Finally getting to the hospital, the doctor there lectures the patient a bit about needing to come to the health center sooner, and to sleep under a net. Its a very basic skit, but it gets the general idea across.
I am hoping to do a net distribution through the hospital on the 25th, and both of my CBO's are doing small palestras (instructional workshops) in the field about malaria, when they do their home visits. Too many people here use their mosquito nets for their gardens or to catch fish, rather than sleeping under them. So comeon kids! Get involved! Check it out!
Life continues on here. With all the strange daily things that make life interesting here. For example- this morning walking into my CBO with my one counterpart Samuel, we saw one of our other colleagues waiting for us. Now, the woman waiting has HUGE breasts, there is no getting around that fact, Samuel goes up to her, grabs and holds her breasts, saying that he wants some of the delicious milk that must be in them, for them to look that big! It was all said in jest, and they are good friends, so my friend just joked back with him that he was the biggest baby she's ever seen, but not bothering to remove his hands. Hahaha I thought after almost 11 months here I had seen it all. . . Apparently not.
With that, I wish you all a breastfully- I mean blissfully happy week ahead.
Stomp Out Malaria!
-t
Monday, April 1, 2013
no computer. . .blogs on hold for a bit
As some of you may know, my computer has unfortunately died. . . Yes a sad day for anyone, home or abroad. But the toughest part for me is the fact that I can't just go around the corner to my nearest technology center and have it fixed. Luckily for me, a couple of volunteers are heading back to the states in May, so I will be able to send it home with them, and hopefully my dad can bring it back with him, when he visits in June.
So until then, blogs will be a bit sparse. For that I apologize. I will be writing them in emails to myself on my blackberry, and posting them whenever I get a chance to borrow a friends computer.
With the dying of my MacBook, comes a big change of lifestyle for me. No more music, media (tv shows/movies), planning for grad school, studying for the GRE's etc. It was a rather harsh and abrupt change, that I have been trying to come to terms with. The thing that affects me on a daily basis is the music. I have found that without it, I do not enjoy cooking as much, nor do I have much motivation around the house. (My iPod was stolen a few months ago as well). Fortunately some fellow pcv's have helped me out, and I have some music on my phone now, which I can connect to speakers and listen to in that way.
I have been reading a lot in the mornings/afternoons/evenings now - not that I wasn't before, but even more so now. And have recently started the 'game of throne' book series. Thus far, I am truly enjoying them. I took a count the other day- I am already at 43 books read. . I can only imagine what the count will be at the end of my 2years here in Moz.
Work continues on in its usual fashion here in Quissico. I'm still finding my role in the hospital/with ICAP(CCS) to be difficult to pinpoint, so I have been spending a lot of my time with my community organizations. With the one- Acomuza, I have been doing nutrition workshops, we have been planting lots of Moringa trees, and I have been working with them and a doctor from the hospital to possibly set up a GAAC program. -quickly, it is a program that creates groups of PLWHA to once every 6 months send a different person to the hospital to receive medication for all the people in their group. On a rotating schedule it helps to ensure that all patients are getting their medication, cuts down the cost and hassle of transportation to the hospital, and helps keep them accountable for taking their meds. Its a cool idea.
With my other community organization, I am still focused on fixing up our garden, and getting an income generation project started. Its slow going, and at times frustrating beyond belief. . . But hopefully some progress will be made soon.
With my secondary projects- I have collaborated with a professor at the local secondary school, and we are creating a more credible english group that will meet twice a week at the school.
I also have a new counterpart for my REDES program, and we have started two new groups, one for older girls and one for the younger girls. The older girl group is up and running, and we are working on a theatre piece about Malaria to be presented next month (april is world malaria month!) at the hospital, in town, and in some of our organizations as well. The younger group is proving to be a bit difficult, with girls forgetting about meetings/general lack of interest. I am trying not to lose hope.
Went to the lagoon last Saturday, to find that it is still incredibly flooded. The amount of rain we received, and continue to have has not allowed it to drain out. Many people in the community have lost their gardens because of it, and I have lost my private place at the beach. Hopefully it will drain out sooner than later, and ill have my beautiful lagoon back.
Time continues to pass- this coming week will mark my the entry into my 11th month here in Moz. . . Wow. And yet I still have another 15 to go. A bit daunting and depressing to know that so much time has already passed, and yet so much is still yet to go.
I anxiously await my dad's visit- we have a grand adventure semi-planned out! Victoria falls, a quick trip across Malawi, then cutting across northern Moz, to come south and spend some time here at site. It should be a really great time.
Lua is doing well, she is all vaccinated, dewormed, and growing at an alarming rate. I am teaching her new tricks, and letting her have free roaming abilities of the neighborhood when I am home, but keeping her leashed when I am not. I feel its a good balance.
Not too much else to say, April is fast approaching, which means our PDM conference with Peace Corps, and then Beer Olympics. May, there is Bushfire- a giant music festival in Swaziland, and June is dad's arrival. Hopefully the time passes quickly.
Until next time!
Xoxo
Your friend in Moz
So until then, blogs will be a bit sparse. For that I apologize. I will be writing them in emails to myself on my blackberry, and posting them whenever I get a chance to borrow a friends computer.
With the dying of my MacBook, comes a big change of lifestyle for me. No more music, media (tv shows/movies), planning for grad school, studying for the GRE's etc. It was a rather harsh and abrupt change, that I have been trying to come to terms with. The thing that affects me on a daily basis is the music. I have found that without it, I do not enjoy cooking as much, nor do I have much motivation around the house. (My iPod was stolen a few months ago as well). Fortunately some fellow pcv's have helped me out, and I have some music on my phone now, which I can connect to speakers and listen to in that way.
I have been reading a lot in the mornings/afternoons/evenings now - not that I wasn't before, but even more so now. And have recently started the 'game of throne' book series. Thus far, I am truly enjoying them. I took a count the other day- I am already at 43 books read. . I can only imagine what the count will be at the end of my 2years here in Moz.
Work continues on in its usual fashion here in Quissico. I'm still finding my role in the hospital/with ICAP(CCS) to be difficult to pinpoint, so I have been spending a lot of my time with my community organizations. With the one- Acomuza, I have been doing nutrition workshops, we have been planting lots of Moringa trees, and I have been working with them and a doctor from the hospital to possibly set up a GAAC program. -quickly, it is a program that creates groups of PLWHA to once every 6 months send a different person to the hospital to receive medication for all the people in their group. On a rotating schedule it helps to ensure that all patients are getting their medication, cuts down the cost and hassle of transportation to the hospital, and helps keep them accountable for taking their meds. Its a cool idea.
With my other community organization, I am still focused on fixing up our garden, and getting an income generation project started. Its slow going, and at times frustrating beyond belief. . . But hopefully some progress will be made soon.
With my secondary projects- I have collaborated with a professor at the local secondary school, and we are creating a more credible english group that will meet twice a week at the school.
I also have a new counterpart for my REDES program, and we have started two new groups, one for older girls and one for the younger girls. The older girl group is up and running, and we are working on a theatre piece about Malaria to be presented next month (april is world malaria month!) at the hospital, in town, and in some of our organizations as well. The younger group is proving to be a bit difficult, with girls forgetting about meetings/general lack of interest. I am trying not to lose hope.
Went to the lagoon last Saturday, to find that it is still incredibly flooded. The amount of rain we received, and continue to have has not allowed it to drain out. Many people in the community have lost their gardens because of it, and I have lost my private place at the beach. Hopefully it will drain out sooner than later, and ill have my beautiful lagoon back.
Time continues to pass- this coming week will mark my the entry into my 11th month here in Moz. . . Wow. And yet I still have another 15 to go. A bit daunting and depressing to know that so much time has already passed, and yet so much is still yet to go.
I anxiously await my dad's visit- we have a grand adventure semi-planned out! Victoria falls, a quick trip across Malawi, then cutting across northern Moz, to come south and spend some time here at site. It should be a really great time.
Lua is doing well, she is all vaccinated, dewormed, and growing at an alarming rate. I am teaching her new tricks, and letting her have free roaming abilities of the neighborhood when I am home, but keeping her leashed when I am not. I feel its a good balance.
Not too much else to say, April is fast approaching, which means our PDM conference with Peace Corps, and then Beer Olympics. May, there is Bushfire- a giant music festival in Swaziland, and June is dad's arrival. Hopefully the time passes quickly.
Until next time!
Xoxo
Your friend in Moz
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