Small Challenges to Overcome

There are some things I am learning about myself that are not very conducive to this culture. I am not as flexible as I thought I was, nor as patient. From what I can tell, there is not much planning or organization that occurs. If you want to hold a meeting, you just call or fax the week of to different organizations and if it is a larger event you tell everyone the week before. People may or may not show. There is internet at the hospital, but it is slower than dial-up even though it is wireless. It can take up to 30minutes to an hour to send a couple of faxes. I also usually  have to approach small tasks in three different ways before it is accomplished. So even though I was prepared to live in a village with no technology, having technology at my fingertips at such a slow speed can get frustrating. I have started reading educational material while I wait for more updated online materials to load – so slowly tackling some problems. I enjoy having the structured American workplace.
I have blindly been planning a trip to a national park for some students participating in of the programs.  A similar trip was organized last year, but my supervisor nor myself knew of the proper route to take. So the trip is to happen at the end of the school term which is in just 2 weeks. Not one part of the trip is finalized: lodging, travels, nor food. Some is at the fault of my supervisor or me and the rest is just planning in Africa itself. I am coming to the true realization of this. There was a national meeting planned for a certain week and location and just 1.5 weeks prior to the event, the date and location changed. So, it comforted me that it is not just me and something I will have to get used to. I personally don't understand how anything gets done with this type of planning though. I will start to be more flexible and not care (hopefully to a healthy level) if something does not work out. There are 30 eager students wanting to go on this trip and I don't want to disappoint them. They also deserve it and I hope it motivates them to try harder in school and choose a healthier path in life with this small reward of a trip.

Another Chance Social Club

I guess I will fill you in on the actual work I have been doing here. I am part of the Khorixas Coalition on the Reduction of Harmful Drinking (CORHD) and presented on responsible drinking at various workplaces in Khorixas during the Seven Days of Activism Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse. At one high school I lead a girls club to promote women empowerment, teenage pregnancy prevention, and general well-being of the girls. Attendance can range from 5-30. I have never had any youth projects and was not quite prepared for any projects during my first three months. My first months in Knorixas was supposed to be spent on a community needs assessment, building relationships and from there determine the best projects to implement. Well, let's just say my supervisor had different things in mind. I did still learn a lot, and have many great improvements for the coming months! At the same school I co-facilitated (ending up leading) a co-ed health club. Each of the clubs meets once a week. The previous PC volunteer received grant money for a gym. So, in my office building at the hospital, there is a gym with free weights and some exercise balls. Two schools have been coming to exercise. We always warm up, stretch, have a health discussion, gym, then stretch. This has proven to be successful in my opinion as the learners enjoy themselves even the health topics to my surprise! So my big focus for the next semester is maintaining attendance, encouraging leadership among youth, and program sustainability for all the clubs. With the gym is also darts (which we all the darts are currently broken) and chess. I have not incorporated these activities as successfully, but I have plenty time to do so! This upcoming month I am getting hospital staff involved with the gym, starting a girls club at a different school and helping with a teen support club for those infected with HIV. Wish me luck and prayers!