I have been relatively
busy at site attending outreaches that go deep into the outlying villages. There are anywhere from two to four
outreaches a week and include immunization and antenatal to diagnosis and treatment. Essentially this means lots of babies being
weighed under trees, shots, and HIV tests galore! I have been learning how to conduct
counseling to the patients and how to work alongside my Ugandan staff
members. My organization wants me to
start conducting health education sessions at the beginning of the outreach,
which is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I have asked our lab technician to assist me
with this, as he will serve as my translator and will be able to continue this
after I leave in two years. Peace Corps
is all about sustainability!
I have been networking
more with the schools in my town so I have the ability to initiate secondary
projects that I have in mind. I do not
anticipate beginning anything until the next school term to give myself time to
do a need assessment and see if any other PCV’s would be interested in working
with me. We shall see…
Recently there have been
many opportunities within Peace Corps for me to get involved in projects and
areas that will help me expand my service.
I have applied to be a counselor for National Camp GLOW, Girls Leading
Our World, which takes place in the beginning of December. Camp
GLOW gives the attendees an opportunity to learn about healthy living, money saving, goal setting, leadership, HIV/AIDS and life skills. Most importantly they get to have fun and possibly for the first time realize that they are special, important, and unique. Sounds awesome right? If you want to donate, please do so here: www.peacecorps.gov/donate and search by the project number 617-057. Bonus: It is tax deductible! I have also applied to be
on the Malaria Think Tank, which essentially is a group of PCV’s who have
decided to dedicate some of their service to the fight against this deadly, and
very much preventable, disease. It is my
understanding we will collaborate project ideas, work with other PCV’s, conduct
trainings, and make malaria one of the forefronts here in Peace Corps Uganda. Finally, I am sitting on the Volunteer Action
Committee (VAC), which means I, along with seven other PCV’s, meet with the
Peace Corps staff to bring up areas of concern, praise, and what we can all do
to continue to enhance the program.
What else have I been
learning? How to cook! Let me tell you, cooking for one is one of
the most difficult things I have ever done, especially without a refrigerator. This means that my weekday meals are limited
to popcorn, eggs, cabbage, beef jerky (from America, thanks Mama and Dad!), apples,
and protein shakes. But come the
weekends and you have entered Restaurante A La Tara! Since there are many volunteers living around
the area, we are able to come and cook together. We make Mexican. A lot of Mexican. Homemade tortillas, my incredible salsa,
guacamole, and cheesy taco meat with American seasonings. Macaroni-n-Cheese. With bacon.
Shepard’s pie. Potato soup. Chicken flavored noodle soup with mozzarella grilled
cheese on multi-grain bread. It’s
delicious.
My
best friend Emily and I were talking on Facebook some time back and she asked me what I have learned. I thought I would share…
“I have learned to appreciate every single
thing that crosses my path… People, places, and opportunities. I have been able to simplify my life to the
important things that help me get from each day to the next. I have learned how to recognize how important
the small accomplishments are and not necessarily the large ones.
After
everything from the past, I have realized how important every relationship is
that we make with others. You never know
when people will no longer be in your life and so it is so important to
cherish, learn, and connect while we can.
This goes with my family, my friends, God, Ugandans, and myself.
The
best part? I only anticipate learning
more and more over my time here…”
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