The 4 letter word (most) North American's shy away from

P.O.O.P. That's right, I said it! Poop.

Recently, I received an email from someone in the U.S (based out of Seattle) who is trying to set up a small team to start an organization which aims at bringing new light to past issues through visual design. The person who contact me found me through my blog while searching the internet for blogs and people who have been talking about sanitation issues. He sent me the link to his visual design and as soon as I started reading it, I knew I had to share it.

It's so true that most North American's shy away from talking about poop, why is that? While I still haven't discovered the answer, what I have found out is that when you live and work overseas the poop "shyness" disappears! Over the past year a half of working in Africa, I've had many a conversations with expats and volunteers whom I've literally just met and suddenly I find the conversation shifting to poop. My favourite poop conversation begins with "I had a solid one today." This is because, if you've lived overseas before, you know this rarely happens due to change in diet and lifestyle.

I've come to realize that it's "healthy" to talk about poop and rather encouraged, thus ensuring that everyone is and stays "healthy." However, after you read the graphic below you will find that 40% of the world's population is unhealthy due to poop because of the lack of toilets and proper hygiene thus, leaving people to defecate (ie "poop") in the open.

Anyway, enough of the talk, here is the graphic on poop that I was given. Enjoy and most importantly...DISCUSS :)

Here is the link to share with others: http://www.onlinenursingprograms.com/lack-of-sanitation/

 
Created by: OnlineNursingPrograms.com

East vs. West

My first journey across the Atlantic Ocean brought me to East Africa in 2007 when I studied at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, went on a 2 week safari in Tanzania and Kenya and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. This alone seemed like an experience of lifetime but since 2007, I have been crossing the Atlantic Ocean to gain more amazing life experiences in various parts of the African continent. In 2010, I travel to West Africa for the first time to work with YCI in Ghana. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be chosen by YCI to work for 7 months in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Having spent time on both sides of the continent, and vacationing in South Africa and Namibia, I feel as though it is now time for a new comparison list; East vs. West.

1.     YCI East vs. West:

In Ghana YCI works with the YMCA in Takoradi and Koforidua where YCI Volunteers facilitate capacity building workshops to the students of the YMCA Vocational school in Takoradi and YCI/YMCA Mentors in Koforidua. YCI programming looks different in Tanzania as we work with different partners in all three cities (Zanzibar, Morogoro and Arusha). While the partners are different, the main goal of YCI programming remains the same; to improve youth livelihoods.

2.     Food East vs. West:

Food in Ghana is very different than in Kenya and Tanzania; East Africans tend to not like spicy food whereas in Ghana shito (hot sauce) is everywhere, in everything and is very delicious! I also found food in East Africa to be very dull, for instance, rice and beans in Tanzania is simply plane rice with a small side of beans whereas in Ghana rice and beans is called “waakye” and is a deliciously spicy mix of rice, beans, sauce and hot sauce.

3.     Migration East vs. West:

I’ve found that in West Africa people tend to move around a lot from country to country. I think this is due to the fact that the countries are smaller and closer together and due to ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) which allows West Africans to work in a surrounding country for up to 3 months at a time. Also, I feel Kenyan’s and Tanzanian’s have a very rich sense of pride for their counties because even the wealthy East African’s I have met do not enjoy traveling.

4.     Swahili vs. Twi:

In Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania the official government language is English. However, in East Africa, especially in Tanzania, most people speak Swahili over English. I found that in Tanzania, children are schooled in Swahili until they reach secondary school and taught English as a second language, comparable to how Canadian are taught French as a second language. Whereas in Ghana and Kenya, all levels of schooling are taught in English. I did learn a fair amount of Swahili while in Tanzania and now I am relearning Twi, one of the local dialects in Ghana.

5.     Muzungu vs. Obruni:

Everywhere you go on the African continent there is a local word for the term “foreigner” or quite literally, “white person.” In Tanzania this word was “Muzungu” and in Ghana this word is “Obruni.” I think I heard muzugnu more frequently in Zanzibar due to the fact that it was a very touristy place and there was a constant stream of foreigners coming and going. In Zanzibar people would call out “Muzungu” in order to get your attention to buy something from their shop, in Ghana people will yell out “Obruni” simply because they want to say hi or the children want to wave at you and say “good morning.”

6.     Handshakes vs. Greetings:

In both West and East African culture, greetings are a huge part of cultural norms; you would never walk into your office in Africa without personally greeting everyone who is there, while this process can sometimes take a long time, it is always worth it! With Swahili greetings in Tanzania, there are so many different phrases you can say to greet someone and in Ghana you never greet someone without an accompanying handshake with a snap at the end!

7.     Public Transportation East vs. West:

My last comparison is an easy one; in East and Southern Africa, people drive on the left side of the road (like the UK) and in Ghana people drive on the right side of the road (like North America). Everywhere I have been in Africa mini buses are used as public transportation and in every country there is a different word to describe these buses. In Kenya they are called “matatu’s” in Tanzania they are called “daladala’s” and in Ghana they are called “trotro’s”

I hope to continue expanding my comparison lists, maybe on a continental basis, but for now I enjoy expanding my African experiences!

Things I've learned

As I sit and write my midterm report for YCI, I can't help but think how my time here is just flying by. June has come and gone, yet it still seems like I just arrived in Zanzibar last week! Writing my midterm has made me reflect a lot over the past 3 months (as well as my time in Ghana) and I do feel as though I have accomplished a lot with work and in my personal life.

I have finally finished the first complete draft of the ZANGOC strategic plan which I feel is a weight lifted off my shoulders! Also, I have been expanding my circle of friends and dancing a lot which, as always, keeps me happy (and sane!) However, I must admit that I am finding myself missing Toronto these days, only because it's summer time and I miss playing baseball,cycling (without fear of dying!) and relaxing in the park with friends and cold beer!

At the half way point I want to reflect on some things I've learned since being on this continent for nearly 8 months now, minus the 6 weeks in February/March that I was freezing in Toronto!

1. It is impossible to keep your feet clean
2. Life is a strategic plan; you must have a vision, mission, values and goals!
3. I have a lot of trust in people
4. Sleeping under a bednet doesn't mean you won't be attacked by mosquitoes all night long
5. Mosquitoes exist for no other reason than to torment people
6. Thieves are cunning, sneaky and very quick
7. Germans are awesome and make great friends (and are everywhere...in large quantities!)
8. There are no road rules, except for honking 
9. Pedestrians DO NOT have the "right of way"
10. There is no limit on the number of people you can cram into a taxi (so far I've reached 8 people in a taxi in Koforidua and 5 people in a bajaji in Dar es Salaam)
11. Street food is always a good choice
12. Bargaining is great and really should be introduced into the Western world
13. The "muzungu" or "obruni" or whatever you want to call a foreigner is often left in the dark
14. Apparently the muzungu or obruni knows all...which is NOT true!
15. Smiles and laughter say a thousand words
16. It really is OK to strike a conversation with strangers on the daladala, trotro, mutatu, subway, bus or whatever mode of public transportation you use to get to work (ditch the ipod and give it a try!)
17. Hitch-hiking is not frowned upon and no one suspects the driver will attack you
18. Soccer really does run the world
19. Funerals are a huge party, and very fun
20. Celine Dion and Shania Twain are still popular here...and will forever be popular here 
21. Males START and FINISH the dance floor (much appreciated by me!)
22. You are always recognized and definitely stand out (get used to it!)
23. It's ok to talk to strangers, people just want to ask you questions
24. Stepping out of your comfort zone is a MUST
25. Hospitality really is an amazing quality
26. In order to get the right answers, you must ask the right question...sometimes this is a long process!
27. African "massages" ... don't let them fool you (aka: long bus rides on very bumpy roads)
28. When a policeman asks for a "Friendly" what he's really asking for is a bribe 
29. There is nothing more beautiful than the perfect sunset over the Indian Ocean
30.  TBD!

5 people + the driver in a Bajaji in Dar

Sunset in Nungwi, North Zanzibar

Forodhani Night Market, Stone Town

Steph and I dancing at a funeral in Koforidua, Ghana

Soccer stadium in Kumasi, Ghana

Dancing with some school kids in Koforidua, Ghana

I think this list will have to be ongoing as I am still here for another 3 and a half months! Please feel free to add anything you've learned while traveling/working overseas.

USAID – “From the American People”

On Friday May 20^th I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend a very high profile meeting in Stone Town at the ZAC (Zanzibar AIDS Commission) office with representatives from USAID, VSO, ZAC, ZANGOC and ZAPHA+. This meeting was in regards to a call for proposals that was recently sent out by USAID/Tanzania for a 5 year funded program for comprehensive and sustainable clinical and community based HIV services throughout Tanzania. Amongst those eligible to apply for this funding opportunity are Tanzanian, international or US NGOs who are able to form a consortium or partnership with other like minded NGOs to develop and submit applications to USAID for a wide ranging clinical and community based HIV services both at facility and community levels.

Outside the ZAC office in Shangani, Stone Town

 

Zanzibar is eligible to form a consortium and apply for this funding under “Core 2” which will cover community‐based HIV/AIDS care and support programs in Iringa, Dodoma, Morogoro, Singida, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Tabora and Zanzibar.

The purpose of the meeting on Friday was to get the ball rolling and to decide how many NGOs in Zanzibar this funding will be directed to and to identify which NGOs these will be. The decision came down to the following NGOs: ZAC, ZANGOC, ZAPHA+, WAMATA and UMATI. It is inevitable that other NGOs in Zanzibar will be involved in the roll out of this program as ZAC is a coordinating NGO and ZANGOC, as we know, is an umbrella organization and will hence distribute funds to its member organizations that have the capacity to take on such a large program.

The next steps for the Zanzibar Consortium:

The representative from VSO is to meet with USAID in Dar es Salaam on Monday May 23rd to see if the first round of concept papers due in February had been obliged. If not then the aforementioned NGOs will form a group and write a concept paper to USAID that will be due on June 24th (something I hope to be involved in, one way or another!)

It is possible that the second round of applications will be canceled if funding has been fully obligated. It is also possible that no Concept Papers for “Core 2” will be accepted in the Second Round if an award for “Core 2” has been made as a result of the First Round.

So, hopefully by Tuesday we will find out if we are able to move forward in writing a concept paper for this amazing opportunity.

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HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

Mainland Tanzania is grappling with a mature, generalized HIV and AIDS epidemic. According to the

2007‐08 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey (THMIS), adult HIV prevalence in the country is estimated at 5.8% and an estimated 1.4 million Tanzanians are living with HIV and AIDS, of which approximately 10% are children HIV positive. Prevalence has declined slightly from an estimated 7% in 2004. Despite this documented decline in prevalence, an estimated 217,704 people contracted HIV in Tanzania in 2008, according to national surveillance data (National Prevention Strategy Review, 2009). Over 80% of HIV transmission in Tanzania occurs through heterosexual contact, approximately 18% through mother‐to‐child transmission, and 1.8% through medical transmission or traditional practices. Women in Tanzania make up 56% of the HIV‐infected population. With more than 1.8 million births and 6.8% HIV prevalence at antenatal clinics (ANC), approximately 100,000 HIV‐positive women deliver HIV‐exposed infants annually.

In 2010, the USG and United Republic of Tanzania (URT) signed a Partnership Framework (PF) outlining the two nations' joint commitment (2009‐2013) to a durable and effective response to the HIV and AIDS crisis in Tanzania. The Partnership Framework in Tanzania is representative of the core principles of PEPFAR II and focuses on building capacity for a greater country‐led response, increasing Tanzanian ownership of the HIV/AIDS response, scaling up effective prevention interventions, and laying the foundation for more sustainable country programs. The Partnership Framework is consistent with Tanzania’s National Multi‐Sectoral Framework on HIV/AIDS (NMSF 2008‐2012), and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP 2009‐2015), and is intended to align the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with United Republic of Tanzania (URT) national priorities.

Under the National Multi‐Sectoral HIV/AIDS Framework 2008‐2012 and the Health Sector HIV/AIDS

Strategic Plan III 2009‐2015, the Government of Tanzania (GOT) has laid out an ambitious plan to implement several key HIV/AIDS interventions. This document outlines key clinical HIV/AIDS services program such as Prevention of Mother‐to‐ Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT), Counseling and

Testing (CT), TB/HIV, Facility and community based HIV/AIDS care and support programs for PLHIV such as Home‐based care and nutritional support services. Other supporting documents include the

National Care and Treatment Plan which aims to provide treatment services to over 440,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the Pediatric HIV/PMTCT Scale up Plan, the TB and TB/HIV

Collaborative Policy and Implementation Plan and the National Guidelines for Home‐ based Care Services.

The 2010 PEPFAR/Tanzania Annual Progress Report (APR), indicates the USG currently provides care and support services to over 900,000 PLHIV of which over 250,000 HIV positive clients are on treatment (ART) and 150,000 clients receive community based care and support services. Over

1,300,000 pregnant women received HIV testing and over 60,000 HIV‐positive pregnant women received antiretroviral prophylaxis.

Most of the USG‐supported HIV/AIDS services are implemented through grants to international partners who in turn support the URT/ Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) in both the mainland and Zanzibar, as well as local partners to roll‐out interventions at regional, district and community levels.

CHALLENGES

Despite successes in enrolling Tanzanians into care and treatment programs and saving lives, the national HIV/AIDS program faces formidable challenges. Long‐term financing and sustainability are especially problematic as the current program is almost completely donor‐funded. Under PEPFAR Phase One, national HIV/AIDS services and programs were launched as an emergency response, implemented primarily through NGOs and international technical assistance partners with foreign donor funds. Tanzania’s endemic health delivery system weaknesses ‐‐the absence of viable health systems and health information systems; a severe lack of human resources; absence of basic infrastructure, shortages of drugs, and commodities; and inadequate financing – have been temporarily patched through PEPFAR and Global Funds inputs but the health delivery system as a whole remains fragile and overly dependent on donor support. Despite enormous inflows of donor funding and international technical assistance, the national HIV/AIDS program continues to suffer from a lack of patient follow up outside the clinical setting, and inability to enroll target populations into care and treatment programs and a significant loss of retention of HIV positive patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART).