Maryangela's Venture to Mozambique: I'm here, but now what?

The Peace Corp approach to development:

Improve and develop the capacity of human development through their resources and skills. The approach is people centered from the bottom up, participation and inclusion of those involved for the long term gain.

Just two weeks ago we sat at the ceremony to be certified Peace Corps Volunteers the appeal of that statement brightens the horizon of the next two years. That view right now is emotionally daunted by the day to day steps to reach that horizon. The two weeks have been relatively long now that I am residing at my permanent site.

I must admit that the adventure in me is tainted by the reality of seeing what happens here – especially today at the hospital when a four year old past away in front of my because of diarrhea. Diarrhea for more than a week, her eyes were bulging and she couldn’t hold her head up she was so weak. To further dishearten me I learned that little girl was not out of the ordinary. The statistics sting your heart when you actually see another number added. This heartrending episode was not that clear to me in the Peace Corps training or maybe PC believes we counteract this episode. I just didn’t have a chance yet to help this little girl, I will think of her as I plan parent educational workshops. “Diarrhea, Dehydration, and Death” – a bit bold but my marketing skills tonight are brazen.

On the brighter side of being here:

Other traits that are embedded in me also need to go on the back burner fast; productive (one, two, three here is snail speed), resourceful (items are very limited- I stroked super glue from the street vendor because I was so surprised to see it!); and not having a full schedule (my daily planner is still empty and collects dust). You can see how I need to tweak these characteristics so I can be content serving here.

I am thinking that creativity needs to be in my formula, right now being creative is crucial to setting up my apartment. My apartment sits in a gated back yard of a major road 10 minute walk to the hospital. It is new, safe, and has two large rooms and a bathroom. The toilet sings to me when I flush it which I do before getting in the shower and brushing my teeth in the sink. It’s heavenly. The cement walls were just painted so I’m settling in.

Now back on the creative topic: With a very tight moving in allowance I need to be penny wise in the kitchen – I don’t have one. So far I bought a small coal burning grill, an electric water heater, two pots, and plastic basins as a sink. My landlord invites me to eat and has offered plates and glasses to use. My first request for a care package of prepped food packages went to Jeanine, my friend who can make a mean dish out of anything. My second went to my daughter for miscellaneous items like a peeler and gummy bears. I found a carpenter who made shelves which go on cinder blocks – that is my wardrobe closet, pantry, and bookshelves.

I was very surprised when a bed set – including mattress – was dropped off from the Ariel Glazer Foundation (they co-sponsor with PC and are funded by USAID/PEPFAR).