How to make a lasting impression…

Macanhelas, a rural site in Niassa, was a wonderful stop on my trip. I was immediately surprised at how many bikes were in the town. It’s like the Holland of Mozambique. Anyways, aside from dodging bikes and seeing infants on motorcycles (seriously, if your kid is in a diaper, just walk), I was able to meet and talk to people from all three of the organizations Vicente works with, talk to his JUNTOS counterpart, and spend an afternoon with a group of crianças from the Clube Infantil. The club meets every Friday and invites orphans and vulnerable children throughout the town. They sing songs about healthy living and respecting others, learn about things like nutrition and malaria, and get a free meal at the end of the meeting. Vicente gave a presentation about malaria transmission and prevention, and I was able to help out, dressing up in a mosquito net (things NOT to do with a net) and quizzing the kids on malaria.


My lasting impression, however, did not come from my dynamic presentation or my charismatic personality. It came from being a clutz. During my morning run, when I was about 10 paces past the market (where the ENTIRE town likes to gather in the morning), I tripped on a rock and went flying. Not just a little fall- I was picking rocks out of myself for days. From behind me I hear, ‘OOOOOOHHHH!!!!” and “EEEEEEEPPPPPPPAAAAAAAA!” I couldn’t stay down so I jumped up, through my hands above my head, yelling “I’m good!” and then took off running again. (Scooter likes to point out that had she been with me, she would’ve been in stitches laughing, rolling around on the ground. I believe that’s a true statement.) Anyways, embarrassment’s not over yet. Later that afternoon I walked into one of Vicente’s organizations and right away his coworker yells out, “Oh, I saw you this morning! You fell down!” Yep. It’s not over. The next day I took a 2+hour chapa ride to visit another PCV. We get to the town and a person there comes up to our chapa to talk to our driver, sees me and says, “Oh, it’s you!!! I saw you running yesterday, and then you fell. Wow!” Looks like I made an impression not only in the town but in surrounding towns as well. I preemptive sorry to any Makunhas that visit Macanhelas- the community will most likely think you are me, the clumsy Makunha who can’t run.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry, I'm really such a lady"

While eating lunch in Gurué, the town muluco (crazy dude) came up to us, a group of 4 PCVs and 2 REDES girls, and tried to… well really I don’t know what he was trying to do. Dance maybe. Get in our faces. Get some food.  Anyways, he was getting all too comfortable up in our personal space, so we ended up scarfing the rest of our food and getting out of there ASAP.  Meanwhile, watching the spectacle were about 15 Mozambican men, just hanging out and laughing at us.  As we walked away I gave them a piece of my mind.  I thought it was a good lecture about respect and helping represent your community, but I’m not so confident they took anything from it than a yelling Makunha (white person up here). But it made me feel better.

"Who Run The World? GIRLS!"

"Boy you know you love it

How we're smart enough to make these millions
Strong enough to bare the children
Then get back to business"

I have had the privilege of attending not only two but three REDES conferences in my time here. The first year everything was new and exciting- I hardly spoke Portuguese but I spent my whole time sitting and talking with the girls, watching them learn and share. Year two I was running the show, busy meeting invited guests, making sure sessions were running on time, but I was still able to see the smiles as the girls made new friends or saw the beach for the first time, learned public speaking skills, and recounted their favorite moments during the conference. This year was yet again different- I was an outsider with no girls of my own at the conference, but I sat in the back, watched the girls learning, answered questions when necessary (and clarifying any misinformed statements), and talked candidly about their REDES experience and how the program is truly changing their lives.

I will admit, the whole conference wasn’t easy (are they ever?!). Being in the position I was, I spoke to all of the counterparts about how the conference was running, things we could do betting in the future, and improvements they’ve seen and have appreciated. In the process I heard all about how the food wasn’t good enough, they’re not making enough money, or they didn’t travel far enough (they want a national conference so they can travel far from home.) All of it I understand, and like my entire experience here in Moz, I was reminding myself why I’m here. I’m not here to help extend peoples’ wallets or help them travel. I’m here to make at least a small difference in someone’s life. In the case of REDES, my goal is to change the girls, to open their minds to new things and new ways of thinking, and to try to give them the chance to succeed in this world.

Highlights from the conference would have to be the location- tucked about in the mountains = beautiful!, talking to the counterparts and hearing their enthusiasm about REDES, and listening to the testimony of four women living with HIV, guest speakers at the conference. One woman in particular talked about her struggle with an abusive husband and how she left him with her twin sons because she knew she was worth more. It was extremely inspiring to hear a young Mozambican woman speak like that. I really hope her words reached some of the girls.

(Pictures coming soon!)

A perfect start

My first plane ride in Mozambique! That’s what I get for living 3 years on the south. I landed and immediately jumped into the Moz 17ers PDM conference (Project Design and Management). I was able to talk to all the PCVs and their counterparts about project ideas, how to apply for grants, and catch up on what they’ve been doing since I’d seen them last (which for most was November 2011 when we were all living in Namaacha). After taking care of business at the conference, we all went out to the National Cultural Festival, which happened to be taking place that weekend. We saw art and crafts from each province, dancing and musical presentations, and, my favorite, tried food from each province. We literally ate our way through the country  My favs were this yogurt-like fruity dessert from Manica, and the Indian style curry from Nampula. Delicious timing on my trip!


I was only in Nampula two nights, then off on site visits. First was Carapira. It’s a tiny little town located on the main highway (like are most towns), but if you weren’t looking for it you would pass by without thinking twice. When I stopped at the one and only road, I was struck by the site of a church. From almost a mile away, you can see this enormous, beautiful church. The one road leads right to it, pulling focus towards it.

I was only in Carapira for one night, but I talked to three PCVs about their projects, bounced around some ideas, and got hugs from one of my favorite people.

Liz's Visit photos





North, here I come!!

The last two weeks has flown by!! Liz visited all the way from Alaska, and it was an amazing experience. She was able to see Namaacha, play with my neighbor kids, wander around Maputo, meet my friends and colleagues, visit the beach, see all sorts of animals in Kruger, and cuddle up with lion cubs. It was a whirlwind of a trip, and I loved it. I was so happy to be able to share my life here with her, and let her really feel how it is to be here. Plus she had a refreshing set of eyes to see the beauty in what I do, and give me the encouragement I so greatly needing to continue. THANK YOU LIZ!!!!




Now, I’m off to northern Mozambique!! Just like the trip I took in May through central, I’ll be traveling throughout the 4 most northern provinces, attending workshop and trainings, visiting with volunteers, talking to project participants and counterparts, documenting as much as I can along the way.

Farewell to Ambassador Rowe

PCV representatives

Monday was a despidida (going away party) for US Ambassador Leslie Rowe.  She has been here just over two years, and in that time has shown so much support for volunteers and our projects.  She herself was never a Peace Corps Volunteer, yet she has an amazing understanding of what we go through here and how valuable our service is.  She went out of her way to visit volunteers at site, to attend and speak at volunteer functions, like the 2011 REDES conference, and invited volunteers into her home to make us feel supported and comfortable.  I was fortunate enough to be asked to attend her despidida and say a few words on behalf of Mozambique PCVs and our various projects (JUNTOS, REDES, Science Fair, etc.)  She has done so much for us volunteers and our endeavors, her presence will be missed.