Here We Are

The summer is over, whether we got the internship we wanted or that highly paid research position it’s all behind our minds as we take more time to focus on the upcoming school year. As I try to unwind my summer and grasp the realities I was faced with I am constantly amazed at what I learnt and yearn for the next time I will visit Tanzania. To say the least it was probably my life defining summer in all aspects of my life (some I will not explore in public).

One astounding lesson that keeps recurring in my journal reflections is the change in perspective. Throughout my stay I had to learn from my mistakes whether it was the language, the daladala stop to my professors’ house, ordering food and many other things. As much as I would have loved to be completely competent the first time it just didn’t seem to work that way. In our ideal worlds, things always work out. We get that perfect grade on an exam, that job or that relationship everyone admires. But can we still pretend this is the reality? We surely don’t always get things right the first time and neither do we see a lesson in an experience immediately. A second glance might be necessary in changing our perspective. A change in perspective helps in recognizing things for what they are and not what you want them to be. This decision to focus brings not only a change in view but also a change in you.

An altered perspective may be all you need to rise above your current circumstances. A changed perspective and an altered attitude are a delightful combination for the life journey. Loving and accepting others begins with you loving and accepting who you are and transforming how you see the same old things. So stop wishing for the life of that other person because all you really need lies within you. Make a choice this moment to make a new beginning!!

Everyone is connected by the same strands of DNA

It has been about a week since I landed and can proudly say am enjoying my stay. The unfolding events of each day are a constant reminder of the similarity of the human race that stems from the encoding material in our genes. Although people have different cultures, values and language, I have been truly convinced throughout my trip that even with language barriers there is some form of inner connection amongst human beings. My theory to this hypothesis is DNA.

During my long layover in Amsterdam, I encountered (never thought I would somehow meet or talk to them again) several people with interesting ideas on the global health crisis in the world and in Africa. Surprisingly our conversations continued throughout the 9hr full flight to Kili although we sat in different sections. How, will probably be the subject of my next entry or else I will reserve that for my personal journal.

Although I have had long days swamped in policy making issues and designing a case study, I have been equally engaged in the community building my Swahili skills and absorbing as much as I can of the culture. I have been amazed at the various forms of giving an applause which I hope to carry over to the classes in Cornell (especially Psych 101 or Chem 251 lectures). Pasha Pasha still remains my favourite. The food though spicy has been great. I have had a chance of eating ugali, ndizi, chapatti and Fresh Coach. Moshi offers me some consolation after being away from home for about 9 months. I have been happily drinking fanta-pineapple, passion, orange (even though my group developed a policy against added sugar) everyday. My Zain line reminds me of how close I am to home. And meeting my fellow Malawians studying at KCMC just makes my stay worthwhile and truly enjoyable.

With so many possible learning opportunities, as I enter my second week, I hope to maintain focus on absorbing as much as I can and make all the possible connections. Through these experiences I hope to always remember that if I am going to engage then there’s only so much I can understand and its best not to stop in one place too long as I might just miss the next possible connections.

From the bottom of Mount Kilimanjaro

Yet another summer and just one more (really busy one)before graduation,YAY am already planning what to do during Senior Week!! Well,with 2 years of college education under me, I find myself in a similar situation I was in last year. I am still undecided on how to make the best use of my remaining 2 years of the liberal arts education,and surely the summer seems to be the best time for such decisions with no deadlines (arguably).However all I see for this summer is learning. Learning about life skills,the language, the culture, the traditions, the food and all life has to offer in Moshi.

As I write this, I have about 48 hours before my summer adventure begins.I am filled with excitement coupled with the fear of the unknown. Its been a long journey of vaccines,flights, soul searching and the like but as I set foot on the grounds of Moshi,in Mama Africa I shall boldly step out to the promise-land just as a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you as I learn and reflect at the bottom of one of Africa's greatest treasures;Mount Kilimanjaro. Thus I say KARIBU MOSHI

My Unsung Heroes

It is good to have historical figures we can admire and emulate. But why always hold up as models the men who drafted the Constitution as a way of establishing a government that would protect their interests or those who have attained world recognition through Nobel Prizes, scientific discoveries or economic initiatives.

Lost in all of that talk sometimes, however, are the real role-players – people who almost always become increasingly important in life. While blogs and more specialist sites can and do devote time to the superstars, the efforts of the main players can often go unheralded. And yet when everyone else's superstars are finding that next level to the game, often it's these lesser-known players who become the difference-makers over the course of a series. This life series has been no exception, with a couple of women standing out as the all important unsung heroes.

One of them has definitely been Mrs Jafu, who may not stand out as a public figure thus far but who has contributed in other ways - most notably as my first teacher in nursery school. Talented and gracious yet humble and loving. She wasn’t flashy and yes, her actions didn’t always result in achievements, but for a school that based its system on education ownership, the most important part was often…well, possessing the education, starting with the core human values of respect, dignity and tolerance. It helps to know that she went an extra mile in expanding the school capacity. She has excelled above and beyond expected.

Although we parted in the most painful circumstances, I vividly remember her making a plea to my parents to remain in that city. But as the youngest child in my house, my parents could not let their 4year old stay away from home for five days of the week. I still owe her a visit for her kindness which can never be repaid, a thank you note as a sign of gratitude and most of all to update her on my accomplishments- an honour to her. She surely planted the best and finest seeds!

At the other end of my secondary school education, the standout has been Sr Rosetti Lau, MIC Sisters. Another brave soul from China drawn to Malawi as her new mission assignment. She was smart and articulate but we had no idea on the first day of the new term. Having attained the Junior Certificate of Education, we expected no less than a well trained and experienced teacher for the Senior Secondary Biology class. I was not surprised when she faced resentment on her first day of school from the very students she was going to teach. I still wonder what went through her mind at that moment. Over the course of study we grew to love her. She was exceptional in her work. My research project was on cancer and little did I know she was shining a light in a path I was to follow. With cancer and other non communicable disease becoming the current threat in dealing with global health, she set me on the road to an interest in Health. I am a product of her zeal and commitment.

These people are ever shining stars in my life, the gold that never fades and the hope for a better future. These unsung heroes of the world are my HEROES!!!

~Dynamics of Life

Life is a journey, take it.
Life is a ladder, climb it.
Life is a challenge, experience it.
Life is an exam, pass it.
Life is a trap, disentangle it.
Life is a mystery, solve it.

A Feminist Perspective

Woman. The word alone has connotations that have been carried through the ages. It is easily equated to wife, mother or caregiver. Worse still is the term African woman. Weak, poor, powerless, arranged marriage, genital mutilation, market women and not least child bearer. To some extent each of these descriptions fit some African woman on the continent. One forgotten aspect is the power a woman has over life and death of the unborn child. Women may decide to keep their children or worse still terminate all their pregnancies without the consent of their partners. However it comes as a surprise to discover how women have become the victims of their biological makeup. Their very source of power has been exploited and all we hear are women crying for their reproductive health rights.

But all hope is not lost. There are a number or numerous ways women can reclaim their lost glory. One important aspect worth noting is women empowerment through education. Mahatma Gandhi once said educate a man and you educate one person educate a woman you educate a whole nation. And yes it was said by a man and a humanist or maybe he was a militant feminist Of course many think it’s one of those just feel-good quotes with no real backing yet I choose to differ. Empowerment as a process involves a specific approach, strategies and interventions. Through empowerment, there is an expansion of freedom of choice and action. It means increasing ones authority and control over the resources and decisions that affect one’s life. As women exercise real choice they gain increased access. Education is a means of ensuring women attain the power.

Children suffer if mothers are not educated. There needs to be a paradigm shift in our education system where young children currently rely on private tutors to help them with homework and exam preparation resort to their mothers with whom they spend the most time. As education starts from the home, then it is imperative that mothers are educated to a level where they can be directly involved in their children's education without the need for private tutors at an early age. Fail to educate a woman, and you fail to educate an entire nation, and the nation suffers.

Once a woman has been forced to give up her education, the next level of violation of women's rights is in marriage. There are countless stories of women being forced into marriages against their will. Because of their limited experiences and lack of education these women have little or no power to stand against the norms of society. Massive violations of women’s rights are bound to occur among uneducated women. From birth a woman’s right is violated. 'Why is it a girl? Why couldn't you produce a boy'? Some husbands would ask their wives as if the wives are to blame for the birth of baby girls. Many people fail to realise that the chromosomes that decide the gender of the child comes from the father, not the mother. What is more sinister is the case of a doctor who threatened to divorce his wife because she could not produce a baby boy.

In a society where there are large discrepancies in gender equity, the development of the world depends on the empowerment of women. Since women are the caregivers it automatically makes them spend considerable time with their children, it is important to invest in their education. Of course this is no assumption that men teach nothing to their children or downplaying them but rather recognizing the important and active role can play if empowered and given the opportunity.

Some of our Hips are too Big

African women. African woman. Underdog, sufferer, opportunity-less woman.
African women. African woman. Ignorant, indifferent, agent-less woman.
African women. African woman. Weak, poor, emotion-less woman.

Are you her? Is she me? Are we them?

Stop trying to talk about us and understand us. We know who we are – each ONE of us.
Even if still searching, we know who we want to be.
No, not your American models, movie stars and diva….
We like the things you do and the way you do …. But we have our way too… give us the chance to show you.
We know what we are capable of achieving. We do what we can with what we have.
We don’t want to be under your obsessive gaze. Please just let us be.

Thank you for opening doors for us. But please, don’t force us to walk through.
Thank you for being a voice for us. But please, don’t make us conform to your views.
And thank you for trying to understand us. But please remember, we won’t all fit in that box – some of our hips are too big.

Adapted from Neema Ndunguru

Some Basic Strands of My Life Story

Until recently, I have lived most of my life (19 years) in Malawi. As much as it offered the comfort of being within familiar settings and culture, it offered me a single story about life. A story that had similar beliefs, religion, values and culture. It lacked the possibility of challenging my acquired beliefs. It was a single story of women who had accepted less than they deserved, those who refused to take the challenge to become leaders. A story that sidelined women to conventional careers.

My acceptance into the United States Achievers Program (USAP Malawi) in 2008 was the beginning of a journey that would redefine the single story I had been made to believe. I realized that I had the power to either be the victim of my circumstances or be the master of them. I was empowered to believe that a better tomorrow begins with me today.

Well,now that am part of the global community in a small town in Ithaca,NY,my life story has taken a leap into new definitions. I have quite a different view on everything,whether for or against. I wish I studied everything from Law to International Relations to Gender Studies to Economics. My undergraduate career at Cornell University and thereafter will be spent understanding the Interdisciplinary nature of Health; The One Health Approach.