Inspiration
As I was walking to work today to post my final blog entry I paid particular attention to what has become normal around me. The cows were coming home from the fields – they walk down the road and behind my house to my neighbor’s yard every evening. I passed the little kids who always run out of their houses, waving their hands frantically and yelling, “Allo!” and “Goodbye!” Their moms sit next to the houses made of mud and sticks while braiding each other’s hair, telling stories, and offering me a friendly smile and a wave. I then continued down the dirt road and came upon an elderly man walking with a youth. I greeted him with respect by saying “Shikamoo”, bringing a huge smile to his face. The three of us first exchanged extended greetings in Swahili and then English – each participant practicing their non-native language. After saying goodbye I walked the final leg to work – with the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater in the background. I am so fortunate to be able to watch the sun set over one of the seven natural wonders of the world every evening!
I’ve been trying to think about what to say in my final entry. I could answer the typical questions… How have I changed? How have my surroundings changed since I arrived in Tanzania three months ago? What are my thoughts about the future of Tanzania and Africa in general? How do I see my role as a public health professional? Do you want answers? Well, I don’t have all the answers. But, here’s what I do know…
1. If home is where the heart is, then I have two homes. I find this ironic because – honestly - life can get very challenging and frustrating here sometimes. On the other hand, I have missed Tanzania ever since I left the first time in 2003. Last week during our farewell party the project administrator asked me to consider Karatu my second home. “You always have a place here and we wait for the time when we can welcome you home again,” he said. Needless to say, tears came to my eyes! I still believe that anyone who comes to Africa leaves part of their heart here… including me.
2. Public health is what I want to do. After 3 semesters of academics, lectures and writing numerous papers for class (all about Tanzania, of course), I finally saw how my training works in the field. And good news mom and dad – I found what I want to do! I don’t know where or in what capacity – the field has endless possibilities – but I know I’m on the right track. This is comforting as I look at the pile of loans I will soon be paying back :)
3. Be inspired! I know we can eliminate poverty. I know we can eradicate malaria from Karatu District here in Tanzania. I know we can address malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis, chronic diseases, racism, sexism, inequality, human rights, and more throughout the world. Too idealistic? All we simply need is the collective will and inspiration. Simple, right? Albert Schweitzer, an icon of international public health and a doctor who – among many things – built a hospital in Gabon in the early 1900s, made his life his argument. He once said, “Judging by what I have learned about men and women, I am convinced that far more idealistic aspiration exists than is ever evident. Just as the rivers we see are much less numerous than the underground streams, so the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what men and women carry in their hearts, unreleased or scarcely released. Mankind is waiting and longing for those who can accomplish the task of untying what is knotted and bringing the underground waters to the surface.” I challenge all of us, including myself, to pursue the idealism and inspiration hidden within ourselves to make the world a safe, healthy, equitable place for all human beings.
And on that note I will leave you for now. I want to thank you for reading our SPH summer blog entries and joining me on my travels to Tanzania! In case you are looking to support a worthy cause, Minnesota International Health Volunteers (MIHV), the organization I worked for this summer, will be selling bricks to help support the new Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby Center (HMHBC) here in Karatu Town. You can purchase a brick for $50 and your name, or the name of your choosing, will be written on the brick. The bricks will form a patio and walkway outside the center. This is extremely beneficial during the rainy season when the mud is unbearable and will provide a cleaner place for children to play on. All donations will go towards the daily operation of the center. The HMHBC will provide one-on-one counseling to pregnant, high-risk women in a confidential manner. Women will also have access to a resource library, receive education on pregnancy and reproductive health, and a garden behind the center will be cultivated to teach women about nutrition. Stay tuned to MIHV’s website (www.mihv.org) for photos and a link to purchase a brick. I also have pictures of sample bricks and the future HMHBC building if you’d like to see them! Asante sana (Thank you very much)!