Malaria pills taste like mouldy dust

September 10, 2008
8:28 PM

I never had a problem with brussel sprouts, broccoli or green beans growing up. Quite the opposite, I love vegetables. It is possible that my dad or sisters may remember differently, but from my own memory no one ever said "its good for you, eat it" because they didn't have to. Well, now I am paying the price. Today is Wednesday, which I have aptly renamed "Lariumday". Every Wednesday around dinner time I must take my malaria pill because unfortunately, the little buggers really like the taste of my ankles and I need some preventative support where my bug spray has gone on vacation.

So with a chalky, mouldy dust film on my tongue I sit in my room for possibly one of the last times recounting the days events. After sharing my Godfather meets cheap horror movie experiences with William at work today he was dead set at busting me out of the Midlands Penitentiary. Honestly, its not that bad, I'm actually starting to like it here. But my fear of showering and of the mafia-like landlady has inspired me to become de-institutionalized.

My meeting with William was at noon, and by 2pm I had some leads on places to live through the Mkombozi grapevine (which transpired over spaghetti, avocados and cooked cabbage). Then, following a meeting with Stephen regarding the fostering program (yeah! They are excited to have me on board) William said I had to drop what I was doing and we were off down the road. It turns out that one of his friends from church randomly stopped in to say hello at the office and he has a house for rent. A house! We jumped into his car and drove down the road, not even a kilometre I would guess. The house is set back from the road down a short laneway which branches to two properties, both with locked gates and high fenced in yards. On the right is the possible new home for me.

Within the compound there are a few buildings, each within their own gate. The house that is available has 2 bedrooms, a sitting area with a TV, a office type room with a desk, an eating area, kitchen, toilet, shower and room with a fridge. It’s definitely larger than my apartment in Kitchener, which I can't say for my room right now. The cost for this house is to be negotiated but the last volunteer at Mkombozi lived there and paid $125/month. They expect a small increase which might take it up to $135. Wow.

So down the road I go. The hitch is that I have committed to staying here until December, but have not yet paid. The horrible liar that I am, I must now put off paying until the deal with the house is finalized, hopefully tomorrow.

Because William is helping me (and being such a huge huge help! If anyone can think of something to mail him as a thank you please do!) and he is off to Nairobi next week. The reason he is going to Nairobi is because Mkombozi has received an award from the Stars foundation, which in my understanding, has awarded Mkombozi as the best child protection agency in Africa! Very very cool. It is a UK organization so eventually the full award will be given in London, but for now there is a ceremony in Nairobi.

In other news:
I have my "activities/projects" laid out. I am very excited and nervous to start working.
I will be planning, implementing and co-facilitating 3 psychosocial support groups (one at the centre and 2 in the community) for street children who have experienced trauma. Amazing opportunity, in my eyes anyway.
I will also be assisting in 3 other projects: fostering, mentoring and the resilience research. The research fits nicely with the groups because most likely the same children will be involved.
For the fostering, there is some training for foster parents next week I can jump right in and help with, but also contains some very important and interesting information on child protection, trauma and working with children who have behavioural problems

Also, I have permission to receive mail at Mkombozi now! Yeah! So anyone who likes me is more than welcome to mail me things: letters, poems, real fruit snacks, dvds, books or even long pants. If you are reading this and you don't like me, I'm assuming you are too cheap to send hate mail (and can I ask why you are reading this?). So here is the address:

c/o Mkombozi Centre for Street Children
P.O. Box 9601
Kilimanjaro Road Post Office
Moshi, Tanzania
East Africa

My unofficial contract runs until December 6th, 2008 which leaves me with 18 days to make it to Nairobi in one piece. So if you are considering visiting, or joining me on a safari those are your dates! Come a little early and I'll let you crash in my spare room :)