Another week in Mafeteng

11-17-08
This past week has been pretty quiet. I feel like I'm doing a great deal of preparation and waiting for January, when things will really get into swing.

I received confirmation that my application to African Library Project (ALP) for the Mafeteng Government Hospital Library was received. In the next few weeks I will post information here about how you can donate books for the library. A big thanks to Mr. Diersen, his classes and my mom for heading up the book drive in the States! The real work will be falling on them over the next couple of months to collect all the donations and get them sent off to ALP for shipment to Lesotho. Beginning in January I'll be working with 'M'e Vikhile at the hospital to create a library action plan, detailing how the books will be organized, the responsibilities of the hospital librarian (which is currently her) and how we will promote the library and encourage its proper use. I'm still waiting to hear from Biblionef, the organization I've contacted for Sesotho-language books, so keep your fingers crossed!

As for the PSI/New Start support group project, Andréa held a workshop for Trish and I, the two PCVs working with PSI/New Start offices in Lesotho, and the Outreach Coordinators from Mafeteng, Maseru, Leribe (Trish's office) and Butha Buthe. Since psychosocial support is not a concept widely known or used in Lesotho, the workshop focused mainly on its basics and importance. We did an exercise where Andréa read off a situation (for example, “A client tells you they have multiple sexual partners.”) and we were to stand in a certain part of the room based on our comfort with the subject. It was really interesting to see how Trish and I as Americans answered versus our Basotho counterparts. Since beginning work with PSI/New Start, I've noticed counselors here tend not to separate out their personal beliefs while in counseling and testing sessions. There are many consequences, the main being that people will not share all pertinent information in a counseling and testing session, or are afraid to test at all, because they don't want to be judged, lectured or berated. If we don't have time in future workshops to focus more on this issue, I plan to hold a training at my site about it; I think it's something all our site employees could benefit learning more about.

The workshop was good, and I feel like we covered important topics and information, I'm just still concerned how this will translate to the Basotho culture. If we are unable to alter the habits/attitudes/practices of PSI-trained and employed counselors, how will they impart knowledge and best practices to our support groups? But I guess if we don't try, we won't know. If nothing else, I'm getting a good look at how western policy and practices are mandated and translated into a very non-western culture.

On Saturday Nichol had her going away party. Several PCVs met up at Mafeteng Hotel to hang out by the pool for the afternoon and then headed out to her house for a braii (BBQ) and party. Nichol's 'M'e and her counterpart, Blossom, cooked papa and moroho for the occasion and her host father gave a very nice speech. I'm pretty sad to see her go, but am happy and excited for all she has to look forward to in Denver, including her fiánce, Francis, coming in late December.

This week I am working with my counterpart, Keletso, on a work plan for the support group project as well as creating a communication and teamwork plan for our site. I'm also hoping to get out to visit Anna, trying to gather last-minute information and contacts from Nichol before she leaves and tying up loose ends before leaving for 10 days of Phase III PC training in Maseru November 30 – December 10. And after that...VACATION! Yeah, I'm counting down.

And I know I say this every so often, but I really want to send a HUGE thank you to everyone who has written, emailed, sent packages, called or texted. There are some days where I really wonder what I'm doing here, and honestly, knowing that there are so many of you who care about me and believe in what I'm doing here keeps me going. I love you all, and not just in the Basotho men “Ke rata...marry me and take me to America!” kind of way! :)