The past few weeks of the World Cup have been sheer madness-- complete with many many late nights, constant energy and plenty of vuvuzelas (at all times). Besides going to see Ghana v. Australia, I have watched at fan parks set up around the city which provide a second-best option to going to the actual games.
Work, which has taken a backseat these days, continues to offer challenges and rewards a-plenty. The Postnatal Clinic has grown to about 36 patients a day, and we are now having to cap which is a little sad but will offer a chance to catch our breath. I am working with 2 psychologists and a counselor on a sexual violence prevention/sex ed program for a local elementary school, which I am sure will provide much awkwardness over the next 2 months (and much heartbreak). And project #3-at the moment- entails recruiting HIV-positive moms for a support group, which will be run by one of the social workers and supervised by yours truly. So positive things are starting, and continuing, and yet the constant encounter with poverty and sorrow feels oppressive.
Oh, and did I mention it is winter in the southern hemisphere? And teetering below 30 degrees at night? I spent the 4th of July with a few friends hovering over a tiny little bar-b-que (braii, in SA), covering our red white and blue clothing with layers of warmth. No fireworks or extravagant celebration but memorable, to be certain.
