Assessing My Needs

Friday, August 15^th, 2008

Activity 1 of my work-plan complete! I handed in my needs assessment report to my supervisors today. I have been reliving IPMP 103 for the past month: PLA, literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, SWOC analysis, Stakeholder analysis, recommendations for course of action. Rupen has prepared me so well J all that frustration and long hours in the fall semester were so worth it. I have to say that doing this work in the field, meeting real beneficiaries in their villages next to their fishponds, was much more enjoyable and motivating than doing it in the classroom.

Now I dive head-on into Activities 2 and 3 – the proposal and workshop. I have unofficially been approved funding for the workshop, but the head office in Lilongwe is still fussing over minor costs for food and accommodation for participants. The workshop is my top priority as of now. I will write the proposal during any downtime from the workshop planning. I’ve decided this because my time here is short. I know that the workshop will actually provide a tangible output that will be utilized immediately. The proposal (like most) is hit or miss. I am already wishing for an extension on this work placement (sigh).

So what else is new? Let’s see… my office has indefinitely relocated to another part of town that has electricity. So I can actually write on my laptop for more than 2 hrs, yay! However, the bathrooms were not operational, as someone had cut and stolen the pipes on the outside of the building leading to the septic tank, eeww that’s really gross. The maintenance staff had replaced them last night and they were working for the first half of today. Unfortunately, just before lunch one of the pipes going from the water tank to the toilet burst and flooded the ladies room. Always so exciting here in Dedza! There is always a surprise waiting for me at work each and every day.

As much as I crave working under adverse conditions and travelling off the beaten path, it does begin to wear you down. There are times when I think my feet will never come clean again. Do you remember reading those bible stories about how the people made a big fuss about washing the feet of the guests? Growing up in Canada I never really understood why. But after travelling around the world, most of it in sandals, I now understand. After a few weeks I usually breakdown and long for a trip to the spa. I know, I know…western luxury. Thankfully I have found a beauty parlour in Lilongwe that does everything – waxing, threading, facials, mani-pedi, massage, haircuts – and all less than 1/3 the cost back home. I mean where in Toronto can you get a full leg waxing for $9?? (Yes, both legs). Needless to say I will be a regular client. Of course there is a twinge of guilt that comes along with each visit as I pass by the street children, but then I tell myself if it’s only a simple indulgence like this that keeps me happy, enough so that I can continue doing this humanitarian work then it’s worth it. If we gave all our money to charity then we’d be below the poverty line ourselves, and as generous as I am, I’m no Mother Teresa.