The power of words

can be under estimated...


A few weeks ago the mother to Chisomo(one of my boarding students) came by my house to pay me a visit. Unfortunately, I was in nearby Tukombo meeting with Mel about Women2Women project things and enjoying a nice, relaxing afternoon at the lake. Chisomo's mother left me a note that I received upon my return home that evening. When I read the letter, I almost cried, I held it together because I didn't want to have to go into a long explanation with Martha and Chisomo about how much that letter touched me and came just at the right time. The gist of the letter was thanking me for providing the girls with a good, safe home and how much she appreciates it. From there things began to make sense to me and the questions of "what exactly am I doing here?" began to hang over my head. Finally, I decided to make some changes...

Mr.Katanga and Mr.Chisikwa,(Headteacher and deputy)I have asked for this meeting to inform you of some upcoming changes. It is my job as a volunteer to come into a community, assess areas in need of development and act accordingly. It is also my job to function at my highest capacity within the time frame given by my contract. After speaking with Dora(my supervisor) extensively, I have realized that there is a greater need for my services outside of the classroom. After this term, I will not be teaching at Kasitu CDSS. Instead, I will be switching posts and will operate in the capacity of Gender Development Facilitator. I will be working with an NGO within the communities between Dwangwa and Dwambazi, primarily focusing on girls and women's education. Although I will not be based in Kasitu, I will continue with the projects I have already began with the hopes of implementing more projects that focuso n gender equity. I also would like to continue working with Mr.Chisikwa in terms of teacher development so that he is functioning at his highest capacity. If I felt that the school was in dire need of an english teacher my decision to stay would be evident but I have complete confidence that Mr.Chisikwa has the skills and knowledge to provide english education to the students in a manner that is equal if not better than myself. Please understand how difficult this decision was for me to make. I have enjoyed my time working with you and enjoy my life with the community of Kasitu. In no ways my decision to switch posts influenced by a dislike for you or the community, instead I have identified a huge, prevalent problem in this area and feel it is more important that I address the problem then ignore it. I know it may be difficult for you to understand my decision, but I ask that you support me during this time of transition. If you feel the need to share this information with others, I ask that you do so in a tactful manner so that they understand it's not a personal issue against them or the community but one that is meant to uplift the community. I have also spoken with Dora about another volunteer coming to Kasitu. I'm the 3rd and given Peace Corps guidelines suppose to be the last. Given the situation, she said that she can send another volunteer but not this upcoming year. She is aware that Kasitu is an ideal community for a volunteer to work in. I believe that over this next year the school can make the much needed improvements on the house i'm currently living in and to work on improving working conditions within the school and with the community to make it a more welcoming environment for the next volunteer. Please remember that if a volunteer is to come, there must be housing available.As I have said, this has been a very difficult decision for me, but my integrity does not allow me to sit back and be a part of the problem when I know I can be a part of the solution. I think very highly of both of you and how that we can continue our relationship as we move forward.


After I finish teaching in November I will change my focus, move from my lakeside property, and solely focus on gender development initiatives in my area. As of now i'm in limbo as i'm not sure where exactly i'm moving to. The original plan was for me to be based out of my trading center-Dwangwa-which is 30k south of where I am now and just operate from there. But after I submitted my program overview and intentions to the director of the NGO, he met with the Board of Directors and came back with a slightly different idea of my role within their organization. They like my idea and the layout of how I plan to make it happen and think that I may have a greater impact if I worked on a district level instead of a small portion of a district. As of now I know I will be working under the youth and gender development division of Nkhotakota AIDS Support Organization(a district branch of the National AIDS Commission) and working with the coordinator to come up with programming that targets at-risk youths and adults and will hopefully reduce the transmission rate of HIV/AIDS in the district. My main focus is to come up with programming that targets three populations-school attending girls, out of school girls and women, and sex workers. I'll have a better idea of what to expect in the next month. I'm quite excited to be moving into a capacity that allows me a bit more freedom in terms of project implementation and is more challenging. Will have to step up my language skills now...haha. It was hard for me to deliver the news to my headmaster, I was getting choked up while reading the above speech to him, but he interrupted and came at me with some news of his own... The disintegration of Kasitu CDSS...I am not the only one leaving at the end of this term. The headmaster has been re-posted to another new secondary school, the deputy has been posted to a primary school, my fellow teacher Mr.Chimkoka left Friday for a new posting closer to his sick wife and Mr.Banda, my fellow librarian, is requesting to be reposted and waiting on a response from the District Education Manager leaving only 3 seasoned staff and whoever the district sends to replace those leaving(not including myself).It's hard for me to leave my students under these circumstances but I have to function at a level that is best for my community and I. I'm sure you are wondering about what i'm going to do with Martha and Chisomo...Well, duh! that's a no brainer they will come with me wherever I go. We're a team, a unit, and I can not leave them behind. I have secured them a space at a school near Dwangwa and if i'm placed in the boma then I will find a school for them there. Everything always works out and works out for a reason. So, this is my latest news, hope you enjoyed. I will be in and around town for the next 3 weeks(wow!! a long time I know, but this week I have to submit and defend a VAST grant for my girl's program, next week prepare for GRE, and the following week will be at training as a resource volunteer). Life is moving and moving to quickly for me to keep up with sometimes... Enjoying every minute though..
Hugs and love!