Random updates

So a few things, quickly, because the professors have come into town and it's cra-azy here
1) CHWs: One of the things we’re looking at studying here is the role of community health workers in providing health care to remote areas, particularly, how these community workers can be incentivized. In most countries, they serve as volunteers, but work long hours. Understandably, turnover is high. To explore these questions, me and some of the other Harvard team travelled to Chongwe district to meet some CHWs. It was a really incredible experience. The CHWs we met were educated, thoughtful, kind people who really wanted to help their communities, but were understandably frustrated by the lack of support from the community and the health center. One of them told us he had asked members of his community to come help him plow his field, he hadn’t had time because he had been spending so much time seeing patients, and only one person came to help. We were impressed by their dedication, and left with a new resolve to find ways to support these valuable cartetakers. Although most said money would be a big help, they also said they lacked basic things like soap and candles that would enable them to do their job better. There may be more cost effective ways to make CHWs feel valued than paying a salary. More on that later.
2) Nianja: So I’m starting to learn a little Nianja, which is the most common language here in Zambia. I don’t think I’m spelling it right, but like all the notes I’m taking down on how to say things, I spell it the way it sounds to me so I remember how to say it. I’ve learned how to say “How have you woken up?” (Muakwa bwanji?), “Stay well” (Mucelay bueno) and “go well” (Muende bueno)--common African goodbyes, “Thank you very much” (Zicoma Quambili), and some other basic words and phrases. Everyone here is at least impressed with my effort, if not my pronunciation.
3) I was robbed :( Ok, it’s not as dramatic as it sounds. Someone took money out of my wallet, but left the wallet, so I’m guessing it’s one of the girls at my house. I always lock my door when I leave, but sometimes I leave it open while I take a bath, or leave my bag on the dining room table while I cook in the kitchen. Not anymore, I guess. It was a fair amount of money, over $150, but more it just sucks because it’s where I live. At first I just thought I had spent all the Kwatcha I had gotten already (whoever it was left some Kwatcha so I wouldn’t notice), but then I counted my American money, which I knew I hadn’t spent, and that confirmed it. I’m bummed, but it could have been a lot worse. At least my mac is safe.