Working for Millennium Villages I have learned a lot of new things about family planning, which is a huge issue here in the villages. A method of FP that I'd heard of but never really considered in the past is called the implant (in America, it's called Norplant). A lot of women out here have gotten it because it's free at MVP clinics, it has minimal side effects, the husband never has to know about it, and it lasts for 5 years! It's an amazing option to have! When I first learned how cheaply I could get one and how often they're done here, I decided I had to have one.
I've been on the pill for years now (none of your business why! lol). And I tell you, remembering to take a tiny little pill at the same time every day for 5 years has been a hassle. And missing one or taking it at the wrong time reduces it's effectiveness (YIKES!!!!). So this implant is hopefully going to just get rid of all those variables. The brand I got (a UK brand called Jadelle) is two matchstick-sized plastic tubes containing a BC medication that is commonly used in other forms.
I went to a KMET clinic with my friend Jen, who used to work there and suggested the place to me. Unfortunately, because of stupid bureaucratic stuff, MVP clinics don't have any supplies of the implant right now, so I couldn't go there. It was a small, slightly run-down place on the outskirts of Kisumu proper. One look around would probably have made most westerners pretty nervous, but I was determined to set an example! Most of my friends have said they want one, they're just scared of getting one put in here in Africa. So on another note, I wanted to prove that it was perfectly safe and easy. The process of checking in was simple. I just said what I wanted and they immediately took down some info about me and then lead me and Jen to a procedure room. I was letting Jen watch and take pictures so she could use the info later in village presentations. She's got a MA in Public Health from BU (jealous!) specializing in reproductive health.
I laid down on the procedure table with my left arm bent behind my head, and quick as a flash they sterilized the area with iodine, injected the local anesthetic, made a small incision with a razor in my arm, inserted a hollow metal tube under my skin, and placed the 2 plastic tubes inside. I looked over at one point and was shocked to find them digging around in my arm with all these tools, which looked as if it should be INCREDIBLY painful, but I felt nothing at all! You gotta love that local anesthetic!! Before I knew it, the whole thing was over and they were dabbing away the blood and putting on a band-aid.
And the whole thing took less than 10 minutes and less than $10. Amazing.
So now I just have to take some painkillers and antibiotics for a few days, go back to get the site of insertion checked in a week, and then I am SET for 5 whole years! Yay!
To any ladies reading this, if interested I would absolutely recommend this type of BC. And now that I've experienced the process, I can be of better use to people here in the village in promoting the procedure! I am so excited about the possibilities this presents. Women in the villages tend to have a lot of children, which is beneficial in some ways, but mostly not because of the financial burden and the increasing likelihood of starvation when there are too many mouths to feed. Also, overpopulation is a big concern because there is not enough land anymore.
Anyway, I hope people found this entry interesting. I thought it was a pretty significant experience. Hope everyone is happy and healthy at home! I miss you all and send my love!
XOXO
Alana
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Attack of the Flying Ants
The long rainy season has finally started--a much needed and welcomed break from the hot hot hot, dry dry dry summer months we've been experiencing. It rains for 30 mins everyday starting around 4, then off and on all through the night. Everything has cooled down so nicely, it's wonderful! The rain bouncing off our tin roof actually woke me from a Nyquil induced stupor the other night...it was THAT loud! It is now time to start planting the fields in preparation for a new crop. I'm going to be helping my family with the planting over the next few weeks, so that should be pretty interesting! Who loves cow manure fertilizer? WE DO!
There are only 2 downsides to the heavy rains. Number one is the mud. All the roads around my house leading to the main highway are just packed dirt. So they become nearly impassable when it rains at night! My feet are constantly covered in thick, almost black mud on a daily basis now. The other downside is the BUGS.
All the insects that have been hiding from the heat underground for the past few months have come outside, and they are CELEBRATING with a huuuuuge party in my house!! At night, they flock in by the hundreds following the lights. These huge flying ants, some kind of big, roly poly beetle, little flies. They are EVERYWHERE. And they take serious pleasure in dive-bombing me during dinner and when I'm getting ready for bed. I do everything in the dark now so they won't disturb me. And getting prepared for sleep now involves walking everywhere with a big can of Doom. In the mornings when I get up, I have to step around all the bug corpses lying on my floor. It's disgusting but I'm starting to get used to it. I've taken to retreating into my mosquito net as early as 8pm now and just staying there til I sleep at 11. My family thinks I'm a bit nuts, but find my antics very entertaining. Of course, they aren't bugged by the bugs (haha) at all.
There are only 2 downsides to the heavy rains. Number one is the mud. All the roads around my house leading to the main highway are just packed dirt. So they become nearly impassable when it rains at night! My feet are constantly covered in thick, almost black mud on a daily basis now. The other downside is the BUGS.
All the insects that have been hiding from the heat underground for the past few months have come outside, and they are CELEBRATING with a huuuuuge party in my house!! At night, they flock in by the hundreds following the lights. These huge flying ants, some kind of big, roly poly beetle, little flies. They are EVERYWHERE. And they take serious pleasure in dive-bombing me during dinner and when I'm getting ready for bed. I do everything in the dark now so they won't disturb me. And getting prepared for sleep now involves walking everywhere with a big can of Doom. In the mornings when I get up, I have to step around all the bug corpses lying on my floor. It's disgusting but I'm starting to get used to it. I've taken to retreating into my mosquito net as early as 8pm now and just staying there til I sleep at 11. My family thinks I'm a bit nuts, but find my antics very entertaining. Of course, they aren't bugged by the bugs (haha) at all.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Arabian Nights
So my experiences in Egypt were mostly fantastic. As you know from my last post, I saw Khan al-Khalili market, climbed to the top of a mosque in a burqa, saw the pyramids on camel-back and we also watched a show of traditional Sufi whirling dervishes (there's a video and pictures of the show on my facebook, for those who are interested in seeing). On my last day I decided I had to make the effort to go see the Egyptian Museum. The guidebooks are DEAD ON in their description of this place. There is SOOOOO much stuff there that they literally don't know what to do with all of it! It's the kind of collection any well-organized museum in the rest of the world would kill for...and most of it is just sitting around for anyone to touch (as long as the guards dont catch them), most of it isn't labled or is mis-labled, and it's not in any particular order. I actually had to ask 3 different people how to get to the royal mummies!
The one experience I did NOT enjoy happened at the museum. As a white, un-veiled girl in a Muslim country, I always attract a lot of attention from men. But most are at least respectful in their flirting...if not respectful of physical boundaries (hand kissing, etc). Unfortunately, the ticket guy for the royal mummies exhibit was the opposite of respectful. I had underestimated how much everything would cost, and as a result, I was 2 pounds (about 50 cents) short of the price for an adult admission ticket. I tried to convince him to just let me in cause it was such a small amount...and he took this as an invitation for sexual harassment. He indicated that he would waive the 2 pounds, if I would give him a kiss on the lips. And he was serious. I laughed nervously and said no way, so he then decided to mimic the action of unzippering my sweater. I was wearing a lacy tank top underneath this big sweatshirt. He was SO disgusting. When I refused he gave me a REALLY hard time until some nice Egyptian lady gave me some money and I was able to pay full price.
What an asshole.
So I got to see the mummies and the massive amounts of stuff in the halls around the exhibit. It was pretty cool, though I'm sure they're not the actual mummies. I bet they're stored in some climate controlled, highly restricted area. I met an Egyptian kid who looked about 16 years old and claimed he wanted to practice his English with me. He seemed legit and I was going to go for coffee with him and chat, but cause I was by myself I called a friend for advice, and she said no way jose, don't go anywhere with him. There's apparently a scam where people will take you to a coffee or tea place they suggest that's supposed to be "authentic local" and then they'll either drug you and take your stuff, or they'll just charge you like 300x what it's actually worth. I thought the kid was nice though, so I let him share my taxi and spoke English with him, and then he got out at one place and I went to meet some friends for dinner. He probably was trying to scam me, but no harm no foul, right? I want to be more open to meeting locals when I travel, but especially as a woman by myself, I get way over-suspicious. It's good to be on the safe side, but I wish this world wasn't so full of scams and danger for a solo woman traveler. You miss out on so much because of it.
So I'm back in Kisumu now for my final month of work. I can't believe that's all we have left. In 6 weeks, my program will be over. I'm kind of in shock about it.
The one experience I did NOT enjoy happened at the museum. As a white, un-veiled girl in a Muslim country, I always attract a lot of attention from men. But most are at least respectful in their flirting...if not respectful of physical boundaries (hand kissing, etc). Unfortunately, the ticket guy for the royal mummies exhibit was the opposite of respectful. I had underestimated how much everything would cost, and as a result, I was 2 pounds (about 50 cents) short of the price for an adult admission ticket. I tried to convince him to just let me in cause it was such a small amount...and he took this as an invitation for sexual harassment. He indicated that he would waive the 2 pounds, if I would give him a kiss on the lips. And he was serious. I laughed nervously and said no way, so he then decided to mimic the action of unzippering my sweater. I was wearing a lacy tank top underneath this big sweatshirt. He was SO disgusting. When I refused he gave me a REALLY hard time until some nice Egyptian lady gave me some money and I was able to pay full price.
What an asshole.
So I got to see the mummies and the massive amounts of stuff in the halls around the exhibit. It was pretty cool, though I'm sure they're not the actual mummies. I bet they're stored in some climate controlled, highly restricted area. I met an Egyptian kid who looked about 16 years old and claimed he wanted to practice his English with me. He seemed legit and I was going to go for coffee with him and chat, but cause I was by myself I called a friend for advice, and she said no way jose, don't go anywhere with him. There's apparently a scam where people will take you to a coffee or tea place they suggest that's supposed to be "authentic local" and then they'll either drug you and take your stuff, or they'll just charge you like 300x what it's actually worth. I thought the kid was nice though, so I let him share my taxi and spoke English with him, and then he got out at one place and I went to meet some friends for dinner. He probably was trying to scam me, but no harm no foul, right? I want to be more open to meeting locals when I travel, but especially as a woman by myself, I get way over-suspicious. It's good to be on the safe side, but I wish this world wasn't so full of scams and danger for a solo woman traveler. You miss out on so much because of it.
So I'm back in Kisumu now for my final month of work. I can't believe that's all we have left. In 6 weeks, my program will be over. I'm kind of in shock about it.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
hommos heaven
I got back from Kisumu nearly 2 weeks ago, attended one of our increasingly pointless and mildly insulting MSID seminars, spent a week with my mommy (!) traveling around Kenya, relaxed in Nairobi for a few days, then booked it to the Africa that isn't really Africa to spend a week with my friends Jesse and Anna. Yes everyone, I'm in CAIRO, EGYPT!
I have wanted to come here ever since I was little and my parents would tell me stories about their honeymoon here. I've had visions of camel markets and pyramids for years...and now I'm finally here...and it lives up to all the wonderful things I've heard! This entire year has been full of "OH MY GOD" moments. On a daily basis, I sit back and think to myself "am I really here?? Is all this really happening to me??" And then I jump off the Victoria Falls bridge or dive into Lake Malawi or ride up to the Pyramids of Giza on a camel, and I realize it's all true and I'm so incredibly lucky to be here. (Legit, I just got shivers writing that sentence!)
Anyway, Cairo is a very cool and surprising city. Egypt being really part of the Middle East, not Africa, it's quite modern and westernized in a lot of parts. Of course, there is still the grinding poverty of old Cairo...but what I've seen is NOTHING compared to sub-Saharan Africa. And many parts of Cairo actually remind me of a cross between Chicago and New York, so that should give you an idea. I ate at a restaurant last night that had the most indulgent sushi and hommos I've ever tasted. Of course, I may just be deprived most of the time and impressed by everything, but it was a gorgeous location (right on the Nile in these huge, clear tents) and I left feeling like I would BURST. Amazing.
Cairo was designed by Napoleon to look like the Paris of the Middle East, which I personally still think it does, though admittedly a more delapidated and dirty version. But my viewpoint on "dirty" has been radically altered this year. Jesse told me that most of his friends who come to visit are coming from the US or Europe, and they are absolutely disgusted by what they see. Hey guys, toughen up! As long as there's a roof over your head, food to eat, and clean water to drink...what's a few cockroaches, some peeling paint, and a street full of trash? People really need to get some perspective. Come visit me in Kenya sometime.
So far, I've spent most of my time here relaxing in Jesse & Anna's HUGE apartment in Zamalek--a new, ritzy area of Old Cairo. It's beautiful here and I'm feeling so rested and pampered by their lifestyle. We've been going out and enjoying the crazy nightlife here...and I FINALLY get to revel in the fact that I'm 21! Egypt is the only country in the whole world, besides America, with an enforced 21 age-limit. I walked up to these huge bouncers the other night and handed over a copy of my passport with no fear. It felt incredible. It also helped that I'm a girl and was wearing tight jeans and bright red lipstick. Poor Jesse, who is also 21, wasn't allowed in!! So of course we moved to another location and I whipped out my (fake) bellydance moves. Thank you Chanel and Tamara...2 years of watching you both dance holds me in good stead here!
It hasn't been all clubbing and fabulous meals though. I am indulging in some amazing cultural experiences too. We went to Khan al-Khalili, an open-air tourist market where there was a bombing 2 weeks ago. We climbed to the top of a minaret at a mosque in Islamic Cairo, with Anna and I both in purple-flowered burqas (NOT flattering, btw). Yesterday we went to see the Pyramids of Giza, and I rode a camel and nearly had a heart attack looking at these huge monuments from the ancient world. I have been lucky enough to see many amazing sights in my life: the great wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Victoria Falls. But none of them have ever struck me the same way the Pyramids did. I don't know what it was about them, but just seeing them looming in the distance as we drove up made me want to cry.
We were going to visit the camel market today and see how many camels I'm worth compared to my mother's worth 23 years ago (lol, mom). But we overslept and didn't make it, so that'll have to be on my next trip. Tonight we go to see the Whirling Dervishes dance and tomorrow I'm going to hit up the National Museum before I fly myself back to Kenya. It's been an amazing few days and I know I'll be back here in the future. Now I'm going to get back to figuring out how many more places I can visit before I leave in 3 months! Right now, I'm hoping for a week-long trip by myself to Rwanda. I am dying to visit Petra, Jordan after hearing all of Jesse's stories, but that may not be possible. We shall see.
Love you all, miss you! XOXO
I have wanted to come here ever since I was little and my parents would tell me stories about their honeymoon here. I've had visions of camel markets and pyramids for years...and now I'm finally here...and it lives up to all the wonderful things I've heard! This entire year has been full of "OH MY GOD" moments. On a daily basis, I sit back and think to myself "am I really here?? Is all this really happening to me??" And then I jump off the Victoria Falls bridge or dive into Lake Malawi or ride up to the Pyramids of Giza on a camel, and I realize it's all true and I'm so incredibly lucky to be here. (Legit, I just got shivers writing that sentence!)
Anyway, Cairo is a very cool and surprising city. Egypt being really part of the Middle East, not Africa, it's quite modern and westernized in a lot of parts. Of course, there is still the grinding poverty of old Cairo...but what I've seen is NOTHING compared to sub-Saharan Africa. And many parts of Cairo actually remind me of a cross between Chicago and New York, so that should give you an idea. I ate at a restaurant last night that had the most indulgent sushi and hommos I've ever tasted. Of course, I may just be deprived most of the time and impressed by everything, but it was a gorgeous location (right on the Nile in these huge, clear tents) and I left feeling like I would BURST. Amazing.
Cairo was designed by Napoleon to look like the Paris of the Middle East, which I personally still think it does, though admittedly a more delapidated and dirty version. But my viewpoint on "dirty" has been radically altered this year. Jesse told me that most of his friends who come to visit are coming from the US or Europe, and they are absolutely disgusted by what they see. Hey guys, toughen up! As long as there's a roof over your head, food to eat, and clean water to drink...what's a few cockroaches, some peeling paint, and a street full of trash? People really need to get some perspective. Come visit me in Kenya sometime.
So far, I've spent most of my time here relaxing in Jesse & Anna's HUGE apartment in Zamalek--a new, ritzy area of Old Cairo. It's beautiful here and I'm feeling so rested and pampered by their lifestyle. We've been going out and enjoying the crazy nightlife here...and I FINALLY get to revel in the fact that I'm 21! Egypt is the only country in the whole world, besides America, with an enforced 21 age-limit. I walked up to these huge bouncers the other night and handed over a copy of my passport with no fear. It felt incredible. It also helped that I'm a girl and was wearing tight jeans and bright red lipstick. Poor Jesse, who is also 21, wasn't allowed in!! So of course we moved to another location and I whipped out my (fake) bellydance moves. Thank you Chanel and Tamara...2 years of watching you both dance holds me in good stead here!
It hasn't been all clubbing and fabulous meals though. I am indulging in some amazing cultural experiences too. We went to Khan al-Khalili, an open-air tourist market where there was a bombing 2 weeks ago. We climbed to the top of a minaret at a mosque in Islamic Cairo, with Anna and I both in purple-flowered burqas (NOT flattering, btw). Yesterday we went to see the Pyramids of Giza, and I rode a camel and nearly had a heart attack looking at these huge monuments from the ancient world. I have been lucky enough to see many amazing sights in my life: the great wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Victoria Falls. But none of them have ever struck me the same way the Pyramids did. I don't know what it was about them, but just seeing them looming in the distance as we drove up made me want to cry.
We were going to visit the camel market today and see how many camels I'm worth compared to my mother's worth 23 years ago (lol, mom). But we overslept and didn't make it, so that'll have to be on my next trip. Tonight we go to see the Whirling Dervishes dance and tomorrow I'm going to hit up the National Museum before I fly myself back to Kenya. It's been an amazing few days and I know I'll be back here in the future. Now I'm going to get back to figuring out how many more places I can visit before I leave in 3 months! Right now, I'm hoping for a week-long trip by myself to Rwanda. I am dying to visit Petra, Jordan after hearing all of Jesse's stories, but that may not be possible. We shall see.
Love you all, miss you! XOXO
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