I can't even believe that I'll be home exactly 4 weeks from today. A part of me feels like I just got here, and another part of me feels like I've been here for months...how does that happen? I haven't posted in a long time becasue I've been ridiculously busy. Just as I had imagined, my scope of work increases daily as the demands in Neno continue to increase. I love staying busy though, so it's a good thing! My Chichewa knowledge is expanding, and I'm still getting compliments from locals about my pronunciation, haha--yeah! I had the tailor in Neno make me a couple of African skirts. I've actually started to enjoy...not just tolerate...nsima. I have gotten used to the hour and a half walks to visit my friends. I have witnessed my first slaughtering of a guinea fowl (and I'm a temporary vegetarian as a result...but don't worry, I don't think it will last long). I have made a trip to the maize mill with Rose to make nsima flour. All in all...I'm pretty mch a Malawian now, hahaha...
On a more serious note, I'm really enjoying my work these days. I've really settled into all of my roles and I'm really beginning to realize the impact of my work. I've already been asked to start training the Malawian people that will take over all of my tasks when I leave...this transition is going to take a while and be difficult. I've really taken on a lot more than I thought I would in the beginning. I am continuing to manage the construction of the new district hospital, along with 23 staff houses. I'm continuing to manage the CHDI guesthouse and supervise all guesthouse staff members. I've worked in the HIV clinic. I've helped with HIV-VCT training sessions. I've worked with the ag team on a feasibility study for organic cotton. I've started the heavy load of preparatory work for the big secret visit! I've done pretty much everything under the sun, and nothing seems to be slowing down anytime soon.
I'm LOVING my Malawian friends!!! For the rest of my life, few things will be as sweet as my memories of Malawian smiles...
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You're making a difference, Mol. Good work. It sounds like you're running the show. I have received no compliments on my Nepali pronunciation. I swear, I say something, and everyone looks at me like I'm crazy and then they realize what I mean, and they say it back to me exactly how I said it to begin with. I give up.
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