Much of my time since I have been back in Mombasa after my Christmas break has been spent catching up with work in the office. So instead of boring you with details of my days sat at my computer I thought I would share with you some of the work I was doing just before Christmas.
Most of November and December was spent conducting household surveys as part of the final stages of the PMTCT project. These involve visiting around forty households in each of the eight villages we have been working in to conduct a questionnaire which helps us to measure changes that have taken place in the community as a result of the PMTCT project.
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| At the end of a long day of surveys |
Each day we would go to a different village and meet with the volunteers who helped us conduct the surveys. We split into pairs with each pair visiting eight to ten households. I know this doesn’t sound like very many but each village covers a vast area and the households are very spread out. We would sometimes walk long distances just to go between two neighbouring homes, with the midday sun beating down on us I soon copied the villagers technique of walking with a scarf wrapped round my head to provide some shelter form the hot rays of the sun. I found it very interesting to go into the villages, meet people in their homes and hear more about their lives and their thoughts on a range of topics including HIV. As with any community there were a few characters I met along the way, including a woman who offered me a marriage proposal on behalf of her son! One particular day that stands out is when we were conducting surveys while sitting under trees, the weather can change very quickly in Kinango and all of a sudden the sky opened and heavy droplets of rain poured down on us. Everyone in the village quickly gathered under the largest tree to shelter under its big protective leaves. Before long the women of the village were singing and dancing to pass the time and as a gesture to welcome us as visitors. I love to see and experience the spirit these woman have, even in the face of real challenges such as food shortages and walking miles to fetch water their spirit remains strong and their resolve firm. I was sad when the rain stopped meaning we could get back to work!
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| Dancing and singing under a tree |
The survey days were long as we often left the office at 7am and sometimes did not return home until 10am. But those days have proved to be some of my happiest in Kinango, having the opportunity to spend time with people and the privilege to have a tiny insight into their lives is a true blessing.
