Overview of the Village Experience

Hello from the other side! Today, we have returned from the village back to the bustling city. What a transition from the gently blowing wind, chirping birds, and grazing cows to incessent car horns and a stifling combination of air, dust, and smoke!

The experience was unbelievable and one that will take me a few days to process. Slowly, I will begin to inform you all of my adventures. For now, here is a brief overview of what I did.

For the first week of the trip, my brother and I conducted surveys regarding mother and child health. We went out around 6:30 in the morning (after waking up outside with the sun rising!) and returned around 8:30 - 9. Two local friends accompanied us to aid with the transition into the community as well as assist in translation. We returned early because around 9 or so the sun began to shine and the heat became unbearable. The days scorched at temperatures about 110 Farenheit. As such, we stayed inside and slept. The latter generated the least heat and even then we profusely perspired.

Around 4 or 5 pm, the heat died down and we set out again to the village. We took bikes out to areas 4-5 km away and conducted surveys for an hour or 2. Around 7 - 7:30 we returned home. One of the staff members brought us dinner after which we went to bed around 10 or 11 pm. The next day we repeated the cycle.

I've got to run now, but more details in the days to come! Hope all is well!