Final preparations

So much has happened since my last update I don’t even know where to start. So far, the project is going remarkably well. Each time I meet with the team from KASO I am astounded at the enthusiasm, dedication and resourcefulness of the volunteers. This is simply the most incredible group of people I have ever worked with.

Friday we met for the third time with two main objectives 1) for the KASO researchers to give feedback on the questionnaire after spending some time analyzing it question by question the previous afternoon and 2) for training on anthropometric measurements (how to weigh and measure the heights of the preschoolers).

To my surprise, they were also ready to present to us a detailed work plan. Alton, the director of Early Childhood Development (ECD) had already booked a community meeting at each of KASO’s five centers to be held one per day during the coming week. During the past few months, Richard (the director of KASO) has been working closely with the board of trustees and the parent’s committee in developing the project. So, the members of KASO as well as the local leaders are all supportive and welcoming of our research. The community meetings will serve several purposes: 1) to explain the purpose of the research 2) to familiarize the community with the azungu (white people) who will be visiting the villages 3) to emphasize the confidentiality of the interviews so that people do not follow the researchers or crowd around the homes where interviews are taking place (this is directly related to number 2 because last time I was here people flocked around the home based care (HBC) visits that were taking place just because they wanted to look at me). I am not exactly sure how these meetings will work, but will find out tomorrow!

At our meeting Friday I also wanted to show the volunteers the WHO growth charts for the standards for ages 2-5 so that they could see how we would use the data to interpret nutritional status. Charles, a primary school teacher in Mangochi, popped up and gathered a chalkboard and some chalk to make sure that the other researchers fully understood how to read the graphs. He was fantastic… I just sat back and smiled :).

Interesting cultural side note: when referring to anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, people say they are “topping off.” Like when “topping off” or adding minutes to their cell phones, people have adopted the terminology to refer to adding minutes to their lives when they take their pills.
Saturday was children’s corner, an activity that I also helped with when I was here three years ago. I was once again completely amazed at the progress KASO has made. In 2007, Unicef provided some training about organizing activities at the center. Now the program is very well organized. A youth committee is in charge of organizing the activities and the kids each choose which they would like to do. This week the choices were: drama, traditional dance, art and HIV/AIDS discussions, to name a few. The younger kids can choose from a different set of activities: reading, imaginary play, nature, math and manipulatives and music. Other areas of focus are spiritual growth and nutrition. The last activity of the day was lunch.

Although resources are very limited, KASO is doing an incredible job of reaching the children in the community. The volunteers are proud of what they are doing and truly put their heart and souls into the programs. Can’t wait for tomorrow!