Running Partner

I've been running on the beach by my house alone for a few months now. Goodluck has come with me maybe 2 times but most of the time I run alone and with my head phones in. Accordingly I expected running to be another way I'd feel isolated here. However, one of the main parts I've grown to love about the running is that even if you're running alone, it's social (especially on the beach in Kilwa).

There are not many other African's that run the beach other than a few boys on a local soccer team. But from about 5pm to 6:30pm each night people from the community come out to sit on the beach with friends and enjoy the sunset/twilight.

Being the Mzungu (word for white person in East Africa) I get plenty of stares but I say hi to everyone I pass and they smile and give me a thumbs up and a wave back. Sometimes I throw out a mambo vipi (what's up) and get a warm response. Sounds like nothing much but despite not being able to communicate, I've felt closest to the community when I run on the beach.

Today, a local man came out of no where and just started running next to me. I looked over at him and smiled and he nodded in acknowledgment and then we just ran in silence next to each other for the next 25 minutes. We passed a bunch of people on the beach but no one seemed to think it was odd that we were running together. I'm sure he just wanted to go for a run but because he chose to do it along side me I felt accepted.

It's hard to explain to some folks from home but living in a world as the "other" for the first time in my life has been harder than I thought it would be. But a simple experience like I had today becomes that much more meaningful.

Another Random Article about GHC

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-peppard04_0104gd.ART.State.Edition1.4bbbb44.html

We'll have some more interesting press stories coming out in the near future in some publications you probably won't expect :)

Great GHC Interview with CGIU

GHC staffer Dave Ryan caught up with the Clinton Global Initiative University team about what the GHC organization is doing to address health issues in both the developed and developing world.

See the article here.

Here's a sample from the article:

"There is a need for skilled professionals who can provide the services necessary to build and implement effective health systems. The young leaders who participate in Global Health Corps have experience in a range of fields, including technology, supply chain management, monitoring and evaluation, and program consulting. We place them in organizations where they can implement innovative strategies to build effective health systems. We also nurture them so they can explore careers in the health care field that fit their skills."

Update from Rwanda

Here's a quick video I made from the conference we had in Rwanda. As I say in the video, if you are interested or know anyone who is interested in applying for a Global Health Corps fellowship please leave a comment, contact me directly, or just check out the website for more information: http://apply.ghcorps.org/

Keeping Vaccines Cool

It's been far too long since I wrote up an update but the last month has been pretty busy. I just got back from a great mid year conference with the Africa based Global Health Corps fellow team that I'll write more about soon. But here's a quick video I made last month (before I cut my hair) about one of the basic, but vital challenges facing health facilities in Kilwa. 

Merry Christmas!

Before getting into the good things, I have some sad news from the past week. I could no longer stand the heat produced from the mop on my head. I succumbed to the pressure and shaved my head. Please do not morn my loss, however, for I will suffer less in the heat now that I have lost a significant layer of insulation. It's been 5 years since I last had short hair so I, at least, had a moment of reflection. You'll notice pictures below (some pre-cut, some post-cut).

I hope everyone back in the states is having a great holiday and Christmas time. I've been enjoying some cooler weather, some American food, and some kids play time with the Andersons in Uganda.

I was worried I had been looking forward to a break from the heat in Tanzania so much that it would be a let down but I haven't been disappointed. I've had more restful sleep and have felt more clean this past week than I have since arriving in Africa. The Andersons have a wonderful home with many of the ammenities you'd find back in The States (basically all the food products you could get back home, a projector movie set up with speakers, Christmas tree and Christmas tree lights, virtually no mosquitoes, hot showers, etc). It's been a restful haven and I'm very thankful for time off to relax and regenerate.

Our Christmas has been mostly what I'm used to from home (insert new family with 4 children though :) ). We did have a traditional Ugandan meal today with all the kids from the Rafiki village that Tyler and Kim work for (the Rafiki village is an orphanage and school that houses 100 family-less Ugandan children). But, otherwise it's been a lot of family hang out time, food, and relaxation.

I'm sad to leave tomorrow morning but excited to meet up with a number of other Global Health Corps fellows who've traveled to Zanzibar to celebrate New Years together. Zanzibar hasn't had power for over two weeks now so I'm sure I'll have more stories to tell from next week. But for now, happy holidays!

Here's me with the Andrson family after opening Christmas gifts (Tyler, Josiah, Keidi, me, Maggie, Clara, Kim).

Here I am with the kids after a great game of whiffle ball.

On Christmas day we went to visit a number of orphans in their cottages.