Up, Up and Away

As the summer began, it felt as though this final week would never come, but here it is! I now have five days before I begin this exhilarating new chapter of my life. For those of you who don't know, I will be spending one month in Kimana, Kenya with the School for Field Studies doing a research practicum in public health and environment. This practicum will focus on the drastic changes that the Maasai are experiencing due to land restrictions, which is resulting in vast social, economic and political problems, all of which influence and are influenced by public health! We will explore traditional healing techniques used by the Maasai and compare them to efforts to combine traditional healing with modern medical practices. Many modern medical practices are trying to coordinate modern medicine with traditional healing practices to obtain the best result.

In one of the books I read this summer, To Repair the World by Dr. Paul Farmer, a link between traditional and modern medical practices with the Massai was provided. Apparently, the Massai remove the canine tooth on all members in case of lock-jaw from [entirely preventable] diseases like tetanus. By doing this, it is possible to insert food and water through this hole. This is only one example of a traditional technique that is [almost] just as effective as intensive IV treatments of fluids and nutrients, hospitalization and other 'modern' practices. I will be interested to see if this practice is still used and to explore other fascinating traditional healing techniques. (check out this link: Massai Canine Tooth Removal)

In Kenya, we will live in 'bandas', which are basically little huts that are strategically positioned for the most ideal views of Kilimanjaro. I'm sure this is a practical adjustment and will prompt efficient study practices :). I will post more about the living arrangements after I get there and have some pictures to accompany the descriptions. For now, here is a link to the website: http://www.fieldstudies.org/publichealth

After Kenya, I will be returning to the U.S. for 2.5 weeks before turning around and heading back to South Africa for the semester. There, I will be staying in Durban for the majority of the program and will be studying Community Health and Social Policy. I will have a five week home-stay in Cato Manor, two rural home-stays and a home-stay with a community health worker. I will be taking classes and will complete an Independent Study Project (ISP) that will culminate my study/research time there. I have not decided what I will focus my thesis on, however I presume it will have something to do the social aspects of access (or the lack thereof) to healthcare. Or the differences in healthcare depending on  socio-economic and racial status in post apartheid SA. Or perhaps the differences between public and private sector healthcare initiatives in scope, equity and effectiveness (ie NGOs vs government health systems). Clearly, I have many options and some time to decide; we'll see!

During these two programs and collective 5.5 months in Africa I have several goals that I hope to accomplish. I'm sure that these goals will change and evolve, but I find it better to set some standards or expectations before entering something like this. Here goes:

• To broaden my horizons and truly appreciate the opportunities that I have been fortunate enough to received. Two of my favorite quotes (I think they're from the book or movie, Half the Sky which is written by Nicholas Kristof) are "Talent is universal; opportunity is not" and "Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live". The areas in Africa where I will be visiting have no fewer talented people, just fewer opportunities. Only because of where they were born. I was fortunate enough to have been born in the USA with healthcare, education, family, friends, money, etc and with this fortune comes a responsibility to help those who do not have access to the same opportunities I had. 
• I hope to solidify or at least form some essence of structure and direction for my post-[under] grad life. At this point, I don't know whether to attend grad school or work, and I hope these experiences will push me in one direction or another. At least to a more specific field, study or area of interest. 
• To leave these programs with some tangible research that is sound, relevant and helpful. I want to get something out of these programs for myself, but I also want to leave something behind. 
• Lastly, my goal is to begin to understand the injustices in the world and to begin to do my part in countering and correcting these injustices. I hope to be inspired enough to change not only my lifestyle and habits that directly harm people in the developing world (especially environmentally) but to inspire others to change, understand and simply care about those who have fewer opportunities simply because of where they were born in the world, the color of their skin or some other ambiguous factor. 

I'm sure these goals will change and evolve, but I think they're a good starting point. Now off I go to begin packing, finish my summer research, go to a Red Sox game and watch some Fourth of July Fireworks!

I also want to mention that I might not be able to update my blog as much as I would like, depending on access to internet. I will post as much as possible! Also, depending on internet speed, picture uploads may have to wait until August. 

Wish me luck! 

E