Focusing on the Positives

Focus on the positives. My lovely mama always tells me to do this when I go on a complaining tirade. Positive number one: I now have a project with my organization. Scratch that, possibly two. So now I won't feel like I am not doing much. My first project is providing reusable menstrual pads for girls in the village along with information on feminine hygiene. However, the counseling department also really liked my idea about creating sites in the villages for children to anonymously submit questions or secrets that could be answered and posted for communal reading by a reliable community leader. In this way, the communities could become self-sufficient at addressing trauma and tough issues. It would encourage conversation and disclosure.

Positive number two: I am getting used to my organization and the people so I am becoming more outspoken and forceful. I was having problems with people thinking me young and cute. It didn't seem anyone was going to take me seriously.

Positive number three: I finally found where they keep the boiled water in my house. Now, I can get to drinkable water at any time of day.

Okay, so we focused on the good things. They are at the forefront of our minds. But here is the deal: I still have malaria! Today, I went back to the clinic for another finger pricking. It is still there. I still have some malaria. Let me tell you what this means. It means I am on four more sets of medication. Stronger medication. The last set made me throw up and I haven't eaten a full meal in nearly a week. Let's guess how this round of anti-malarial meds is going to go. This also meant I needed another injection. I go up to the desk where they give out medication and get the needle and injection vials and then walk back to room five. The nurse takes the needle and vials and prepares it. Then, she ushers me into the room and motions to the bed. I lay down and ask, "is this one painful?" She laughs and then jabs it in. Let's recount. I am in a foreign country, in a medical clinic, I have malaria, and there is a needle in my ass. This injection was not painful at the onset. But as I walked down the road a little bit, I started to feel a little sore. And now, over an hour later, I can safely say, it still hurts to sit.

But we are focusing on the positives, yes?