Senior Project: Medicine for Malawi

As I have recently moved back to the United States from Malawi, I naturally have to continue with my high school education. This year I am a senior at South Paulding High School and as a curriculum requirement I must complete a senior project. This project must be based upon a specific career and must include a research paper, a product, and a presentation; the main portion I will be focusing on in this post is the product.

Since it is my aspiration to become a physician, I decided for the medical field to be my subject. Furthermore, my time in Malawi has brought me to realize the need for medical technology and treatment in third world countries. In attempt to intertwine these two passions of mine, I plan to raise money for Partners in Hope (PIH), a non-profit organization that specializes in HIV/AIDS treatment in Malawi.

Partners in Hope was founded in 2001 and has grown to be a vital facility for healthcare in Malawi. PIH currently treats 7,000 HIV patients as well as provides general medical treatment for people all over Malawi. The work PIH has been doing in Malawi has been invaluable to the nation.

As PIH is rapidly moving forward in their abilities to serve the community, I hope to help in this progression. PIH is in need of several pieces of medical equipment; for my product I want to raise money to purchase one of them: a diagnostic set. This tool allows doctors to inspect eyes, ears, nose, and throat in general physical exams, and is an essential piece of equipment for any medical team. The cost of this instrument would be $800 USD.

The second subject I wish to fund is supporting malnourished patients. Many patients that PIH takes care of face poverty and malnourishment. To ensure their rehabilitation, PIH provides meals for patients along with their treatment. To support one patient for a month would be $50 USD. After the funds are collected for the diagnostic set, I would like to raise as much money for patients as possible.

Unlike other projects students are creating, mine is more than a grade. If this project is successful and enough money is gathered, lives are potentially being saved. Of course nothing can be done without your help. In the next couple weeks I will be posting more information about how you can help. I plan to have a way to accept direct donations to the fund so anyone can help. Additionally I am planning to have t-shirts made and sold where all contributions go to the fund. I will be posting updates as I learn more. I ask that you consider and pray about this and how you could get involved. Thank you for your support. 

Three Years Later

Now that I have officially left the foreign mission field, it's time for a debriefing. What was I doing in Malawi? What was the point of being overseas? What did I accomplish? How will this affect my future, and the future of the people I met? Will I go back? How have I changed over this time? There are a thousand things to consider now that I have returned to the United States, and it can all be a little overwhelming. So I'm going to try and answer these questions to the best of my ability. Here we go.

What was I (and my family) doing in Malawi?
            While we were there, I didn't just drop out of school to go live in a village in the middle of nowhere. I went to ABC Christian Academy, an American-styled school, from freshman to junior year. There I took classes, had exams, studied, and did things like most high schoolers. I was the main photographer and took photos of basically any event that happened—mostly the high school boys football (soccer) games. However, there were a couple major differences. 1) Class size. In my grade, it fluctuated between 5-7 people during my three years. In my junior year, there were five of us, and only one sophomore, so he joined most of our classes. 2) Structure. There were about five classrooms in total that teachers would switch between. We had no lockers; instead we used wooden cubbies (like what elementary schools use). We had no actual cafeteria, but ate in a huge pavilion that had a kitchen you could buy food from. Most things were open— kind of like a Californian style. 3) Teachers. A lot of our teachers are very young, but it works well. It's nice having teachers be in your generation to understand the same kinds of things that you. There's a special bond between students and staff while maintaining a good level of professionalism.

Sophomore and Junior class with our homeroom teacher Miss V

            In addition to being a high school student, I helped run the Malawi side of an organization called Project Juembo (Juembo means bag in the language Chichewa). This ministry is similar to Operation Christmas Child, but is not limited to the Christmas season, and uses backpacks instead of shoeboxes. People in the States, and other first world countries, fill a backpack with clothes, shoes, school supplies, hygiene items, toys, and other things for a child of specified age and gender. The backpacks are then sent to Malawi, and that is where my work began. I would inventory all the bags, and analyze the different ages and genders. I would then find a school, orphanage, or small village that was in great need. I would match up the backpacks that were donated with a child of the specified age and gender. On the day of distribution a photo would be taken of the child and that bag they received. This photo is then emailed back to the donor with a thank you message. The two years I helped run this organization, we were able to donate roughly 400 backpacks to kids in need. If you want to get involved with the project, go to www.projectjuembo.com.

            An everyday thing that I also was involved with was tutoring two boys (9 and 11) every day after school. If your friends with me on Facebook you've probably seen many of my humorous conversations with them. These boys became like little brothers to me, and I was able to see them grow in so many ways over the years. It was a really humbling to work with these kids because often times I was the only one who showed them any attention. Their parents worked and didn't spend much time with them, so I had to be there for them. Many times, especially when doing Bible homework or memorizing verses, they would ask me about Jesus or things they didn't understand about Christianity. It was exciting to be able to share Christ with these kids and help them understand him better. I will miss them tremendously.

As for my parents, they did a lot too.

Typical day with one of my kids

            My mom taught fourth grade at ABC Christian Academy all three years we were in Malawi. The last two years she was the head teacher of the upper elementary (3rd-5th grade). This entailed teaching and managing her own classroom of about 20 students, overlooking and helping the other teachers in her domain, and being part of the administrative team. She also acted as a mother figure to many people on the ABC campus. Weather they were young single teachers who missed their families, or college students that didn't have families, there were always people at our house. 

My mom and dad with two college students

            There were very few things my dad was not involved in. His main job was heading up the Mass Communications department of African Bible College (ABC). This meant teaching 9 classes, running the new TV station (ABC TV channel 21), and assisting in the ABC radio. If you know my father at all, you know that he always runs the sound system at an event—that didn't change in Malawi. So basically any time there was a need for microphones or speakers to be used, my dad was the one in charge. He also coached the girls' basketball team, the Lady Lions and lead them to their first championship victory in the history of ABC.

            Needless to say, we kept very busy while in Malawi.

What was the point of being in Malawi?
            Though we were not living out in a village, or church planting in remote areas, or other stereotypical missionary thing, we were missionaries. Our main purpose was unquestionably to share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. This was accomplished in many ways. The main one was in everyday life and interaction with other people—Malawian or ex-pats. The way we interacted with people and what we taught them was a means of showing Christ. There were other more direct methods such as going out to villages and sharing Christ. We were in Malawi to further God's kingdom and help people that were in need.

How does this Change the future?
            Perspective is what has really changed, and that will dictate my future. After living in one of, if not the, poorest country in the world, my outlook on things has changed so much. Priorities have been shifted tremendously for me. The people I have met and the things I have seen have given me a more rounded view of the world. It is because of living in Malawi that I know what I want to do with my future.

Will I go back?
            I have been asked this question countless times. The answer is yes. I will go back to Malawi at some point—I don't know when, but I will. I am hoping that over the course of my senior year in the States, I will be able to raise enough money to go back and visit Malawi. Aside from visiting, I would love to live in Malawi again. My plan is to become a doctor, and after the excruciatingly long process of under grad, med school, and residency, I will try and move to Malawi and serve there. So don't worry, Malawi, we will meet again.

            As for my parents, their decision is up in the air. The events that transpire this upcoming year will determine what they do. If one or both of them get long term jobs, then the will stay in the States. However, if neither get jobs, then they will start raising support to go back to Malawi.

How have I changed?
            Like I said, my biggest change is my perspective on things. Coming home and going to Walmart last night was one of the most overwhelming experiences I've had. I stood staring at Oreos for five minutes confused as to why someone could possibly need 15 different kinds of Oreos. Malawi taught me simplicity and necessity. Being in America where things are complex and desire-based, I get annoyed and confused. I think about the importance of my complaints and how they compare to others: e.g. "Mom wouldn't stop for Chick-fil-A on the way home" versus "Mom didn't get paid, so we aren't eating today."

My priorities have also shifted. Recently we had a prom that was organized outside of school. I bought a new dress for it and spent roughly $60. I was shopping with a college student that I became close with, and after I bought it she said, "You just spent the same amount on a dress as a wealthy Malawian makes in one month." Of course she didn't say this to make me feel bad, but I instantly felt guilty. There is a constant thought of, "is this necessity, or is there a better alternative?" because of living in Malawi.

Now What?
            So I'm no longer in Malawi. I don't know where I'll be spending my senior year. There is a lot of uncertainty concerning my future. I know that whatever may lie in the oblivion it will be affected by my time in Malawi. We'll see what the future holds.

Misconceptions Part I

People always have conceptions on various people groups—generally these conceptions are misconceptions.

I have been living in Malawi for nearly three years, and I have been able to observe the views some people have of others. I always find it interesting to listen to these perceptions, because, honestly, they usually humor me—if you don't laugh, you'll cry. This is my first misconception that I would like to address.

American's view of Africa:

Africa's Not a Country?

I went home over this past summer (2014) and on numerous occasions faced with the vague question, "what's Africa like?" This is such a difficult question to answer because I live in one African country, Malawi. (And for those still ignorant to this, Africa is in fact a continent composed of 53 independent countries.) So, since I only live in one of the countries located on the colossal continent, I can't give a general consensus on what the whole of Africa is like.

(geology.com)

Yes, I did give answers like, "it's hot," "there's a lot of poverty," "it's a great experience," none of those truly captured the daily life in Malawi. If people truly want to know the reality of my time in Malawi, "how's Africa?" isn't the best questions to go with.  

Additionally, African is not a language, Swahili is not the only language, and people do not greet each other with Hakuna Matata. Even in Malawi, we do not speak Malawian. There are several languages in the wee country; the most frequently spoken is Chichewa.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears… Without the Tigers and Bears and Only a Couple Lions

Many people posed questions of wildlife. Obviously there are animals here but not to the same degree that National Geographic displays. Because I am a terrible person, and find amusement in ignorance, I would often tell people that I had guard lions on the campus that I live on. This is a ridiculous claim if you take more than three seconds to consider it, but since the only thing many Americans know of Africa is The Lion King, they believed me. I then had to go through the frustrating truth that no, we don't have pet lions, no I don't ride elephants to school, and no I've never even been on a safari. The disappointment flashed across faces as I tore down their misconception.

Monkeys are about the only wildlife I see on a regular basis.

Really the only place to see wildlife now is on a safari in a reserve park. About twenty years ago elephants lived where part of Lilongwe is now. Most wildlife that was actually wild has been pushed into specific patches of land awaiting the awestricken eyes of tourists.

"Finish your dinner, there are starving kids in Africa."

This phrase always boggled my mind, even before I moved to Malawi. How my uneaten plate of food is remotely related to some other kid in Africa? I suppose the first person who came up with the phrase intended it to guilt kids into eating, or to be grateful for what they had been given, but I don't think it works. The fact of the matter is, the kid in America will go to bed with or without their dinner based on a choice. The child in Africa, however, usually does not have a choice of going to bed hungry.

A girl eating her breakfast (bread) before school.

Starvation is a problem in Africa, there is no doubt about that. But, that is all that is ever talked about in the States. It seems that when we hear about Africa, it’s always out of pity. We feel sorry for the entirety of Africa and only focus on the negative. I went home hearing "You live in Africa? It must be so hard there." "Those poor people" Now I'm not saying that the sympathy should be rid of. I just think you should act on that sympathy—if these people are in such distress, try and help them. If you want to learn more about culture and the reality of life, then research.

Yes, I Still Love America

Honestly, I am very proud to be an American, and I love my home country. But, sometimes it's frustrating to see how sheltered we are. We have such ability to research and gain more knowledge, yet we choose to sit by idly and mindlessly wishing we knew more. My views of international affairs are unrelated in this, and I'm speaking purely in the sense of individuals. I think Americans can truly do more to be better educated about the world around us.

At this point, some people would put some advertisement to donate to a project, but I'm not going to. I don't think knowledge of the world is solely to help the people you're learning about—in fact I think it’s more for a personal gain. When you realize the differences in cultures, in people, in privileges, it makes for a better life. This insight is something that can help you grow as an individual. So I suggest you do more research on things that you've been curious about. Want to know more about Malawi? Just ask. 

Adventure in Phalombe: Malawi Flood Relief

So as some of you know, this past weekend I went on a trip to Phalombe to help out victims of the flood. I thought that you may want to know what happened while we were there.

   

We left early Saturday morning and made the 7 hour trek to Mulanje. If we were in America, the trip would probably only be about 4 hours, but because of the poorly paved roads, pedestrians, goats, cows, chickens, and eventually dirt roads, it takes significantly longer. We arrived at Mulanje, where we were staying, about mid afternoon. (Mulanje is a mountain – the third tallest in Africa. Fun fact: it’s been said to be the place where J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired about Mordor.) Anyway, after the night of organizing for the next day, and fellowshipping with the 15 of us that went, we went to bed.

At 6:30 Sunday morning we set out for Phalombe; a town not far from the base of Mulanje. However, it took roughly 3 hours to get there. The first delay was simply because it's Malawi, and nothing occurs on time; we sat at a district office for about 15 minutes waiting to get our truck (tractor –trailer) filled with maize. Once that was taken care of, it was off to the mud roads.

The first encounter with road trouble was when there was a stream running through the road. I know that may be hard to imagine, but yes; the flooding has caused a 1 ½ ft deep by 3 ½ ft wide stream to go directly through the road. After about 30 minutes of talking to people, and men trying to level out the dirt, our two cars, minibus, and tractor-trailer made it through.

The next event mostly concerned the giant truck. It was leading our caravan through the mud-stricken road, but was too heavy for one of the wee bridges. As it was going over the soft patch of land it sunk into the mud, and the front left wheel was half buried. This ordeal took an hour of pondering and confusion as to how our day would continue. Eventually the group leaders decided to leave the truck where it was and continue on our way to the school.

We arrived at the school where we were to distribute the supplies we brought. There were countless people there. It was a sea of chitenje, and faces, and umbrellas, and mud. People of all ages meandered around the school buildings looking hopeless and confused. As others began unloading the minibus with the supplies, I took the chance to take photos.

One of my favorite things to do when working in a village is to take photos of children, then show them the photos on the tiny screen of my Nikon D50. However, I started to take photos of the older women – their reactions have trumped any other that I've seen. They were scared at first to see it, only taking a quick glance, but then warmed up to the idea, and staring at their photo for longer intervals. Their cries of laughter, and looks of surprise were the most adorable I have ever seen. Repeated Zikomo's fluttered to my ears the entire time I was with them.

I walked through the school yard photographing all different people until I was summoned for another mission. I was with some other members of the team interviewing people who had lost their homes. They all had to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night because the floods came so suddenly. They all were farmers, and their crops are practically hopeless this year. Their biggest struggle right now is finding food and shelter. They have literally lost everything, and they can't see anything getting better in the near future. There was so much despair in their voices. And even though I couldn't understand their Chichewa words, I could feel their pain and helplessness.  

After we had conducted our interviews, there was a short sermon preached by a teacher from ABC Christian Academy; a majority of the recipients were present. When he had finished we sang a few songs, and I entertained many people with my attempt to sing in Chichewa. And finally it was time for distribution.

Each person receiving a gift got: a plastic bucket, a pot, a couple plates and cups, soap, a mosquito net, a Chichewa Bible, and a blanket. There were hundreds of people who received, and the other high-schoolers that were there actually handed them out.

One of the most touching moments in the distribution was giving the supplies to a particular old woman. Probably in her 70s, this woman was weak and frail, but also very respected. Generally anyone who makes it past 50 is of immediate respect. When it was her turn to gather her things, she knelt down on the ground to take them. Such an act is the highest form of gratitude in Malawi—for such a woman to be doing this was a huge deal. More so than that, as she was kneeling she mumbled, "Amayi anga." That literally translated is "my mother" but its meaning is an exasperation of pain. Despite her pain and her nobility, she knelt down before three high school girls, and though that is culturally accepted, it still broke my heart.

Eventually we finished giving out the things we had brought. As expected there was a dramatic scene of threats by those who didn't get a bucket of stuff. However, we just waited it out, and the tensions calmed down. The scene wasn't dangerous at all, people were simply upset because they didn't receive what they thought they were. 

On our way back, we decided to unload the truck of maize that had gotten stuck. I was not part of this team, however, I was sent back to the district office. The ones who remained handed out sacks of maize; each bag weighed 110lbs and can feed someone for roughly 3 months. That distribution went very smoothly.

Once the team rejoined us, we made our way back to Mulanje and enjoyed the rest of the night. We had a good dinner with rice and nsima and other Malawian style cooking, and were well rested for the journey back to Lilongwe the next day.

Monday, some of the group went on a small hike to a waterfall on Mulanje. I opted not to go, but those who did had a lovely time. Upon their arrival back at camp, we began packing to go. We loaded up and set out for Lilongwe. After a lunch break in Blantyre, we continued our journey northward, and eventually made it back to ABC.

 

All in all, it was an unforgettable and humbling trip. Though we weren't able to give to everyone, and the things we gave were temporal, I believe it did make a difference in their lives. Please still be praying for the victims, their lives have completely fallen apart in a matter of days. Their needs are things that we take for granted and it is mind boggling to see such struggle and pain. Please continue to pray and I'll try to update as I get more information.