My new project

Currently I am working on a proposal to start a HIV+ Teen Group. Meeting with the kids, writing the proposal, researching how to run an effective and productive teen group for positive kids. This has been a very eye-opening and emotionally draining experience to be honest with you. I sat down with 5 kids last week to talk to them about who they are, their lives, when they found out they were positive and what their dreams and aspirations are. One of the kids is a lot tinier than he should be. He is about the size of my 5 year old nephew but twice his age. As he sat in the oversized chair, swinging his legs around as they were not even close to touching the ground, smiling like he just won an award, I found it so hard to ask any question related to him being HIV positive. As I would ask, I would stop myself, look at the translator and say "wait…you are sure he knows he is positive"? I found it very hard to even mention the word HIV. I stumbled around these questions, thinking how "unfair" this all is, wondering how he could even understand what he is up against. One thing I do know is that none of these kids knew anyone else who was positive. That was a killer too. How are these kids going through this without having someone else to relate to or understand what they are going through?

As we were driving home, all I could think of was "there is no way I can leave here anytime soon". How could I leave here after meeting these kids, who now have names and the cutest faces, and realizing how much they need a group like this and how much I would like to be a part of starting it for them.

A Day of Christine

I had a day of Christine the other day. A day of relaxing, a massage, pizza, getting my hair done and an afternoon glass of wine. Oh how I love these days and have not had one in over 3 months. It was great, until I started thinking about the economics of it all.

A massage is shockingly cheap here, whereas books are extremely expensive. For one massage here, I could buy two books. Whereas in NYC, one massage could buy me twelve books. A massage in Manhattan can put ten kids in school for a year. Sometimes I can get so wrapped around these numbers I just want another glass of wine. "Waiter!…"

…..there goes another year of school fees for this kid.

So this is how things work here. Mike translates everything for me. I find it interesting that for every 100 words they say in Chichewa, I hear 25 in English. After a listening to Chichewa for 5 minutes, Mike will look at me and say "they are saying that they are happy you are here". hmmm.....i am pretty sure something else was said there, but oh well. The second picture is probably me doubting he is telling me everything.

Today is Not Common

I am currently reading a book by Jeffery Sachs titled "The End of Poverty". He talks about the need for developed countries to help those countries suffering from extreme poverty. He talks about economic development being a ladder in which these countries suffering from extreme poverty need help getting their foot on the first rung of the ladder, and that the only way they can do this is with the help of developed countries. They cannot do this on their own. The way I envision this is thinking about when I was a kid. When one of my friends wanted to climb a tree, we would give them "ten-fingers" to assist them in their first step to get into the tree. This is the same principle needed by these countries and it is needed at the ground level in these rural villages where the tree is out of reach. The thought is that if we can give them "ten-fingers", they can climb the tree themselves.

I feel so lucky and fortunate to have been able to witness and be a part of this process this week. Pendulum Project and Face to Face AIDS Project just gave a grant to a rural village, Chadika, to start a food security program for 40 people either impacted by HIV/AIDS in some capacity, or families taking care of orphans. They participated in a two day training on what it means to own a successful business. They have each been given a plot of land to grow maize for food as well as to sell some for a profit. I was so proud to witness this. How cool to be part of something that could potentially change the quality of these peoples lives who would otherwise not be able to do this?

As I was leaving, they were singing a song to me. Mike asked if I knew what they were saying. I think he sometimes grossley overestimates my understanding of Chichewa. They were singing that " Today is a special day, Today is a happy day, Today is not common". I could not have said it better myself. I felt the same way.

I have gotten a lot of questions about how long I am going to stay in Malawi. My original plan was to come here for two months, then travel through SE Asia. I have been here three and cannot think about leaving yet. How do you walk away from something where everyday is not common, everyday is a special day and everyday is a happy day?

Here is a picture of the training where they are learning about what a business is.

My new game

Just me playing more of my new game "repeat after me". I do not really see this one getting old, especially when I can get them to say "Christina you are great" over and over again.

A Malawian Car seat

This is how kids travel here. No joke.

One thing I have gotten used to is that whenever I hold a baby, I inevitably end up with pee all over me. The sacrifices I make for a picture. I wonder if politicians would still "hold babies" if I passed them one of these kids with chronically wet pants.

A Malawian Taxicab

I am pretty sure that I pay more in tip for a five minute NYC cab ride than this guy makes in a 30 km trip.

Let's hope the middle finger is not universal.