Let your heart & spirit guide you

It's been about 2 weeks since the last blog.
Lots has been going on- new music, new patients, new projects, new adventures, new people...the list goes on.

Updates:
-The MARATHON in Kigali, Rwanda is May 23rd! Yesterday I ran (maybe it could be classified as a jog but whatever) for 1 hour...the longest I've ever run in my life! Buke Buke (little by little) is the name of the game.

-Jay & I are planning to take June-August to explore Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, & Kenya: hiking, playing outside, camping, eating, exploring, having grand adventures, being cheap!
I'm excited!!

-New pediatrician Peter is volunteering for 5 weeks. From L.A., he has a big heart and brings a lot of knowledge and new perspective to the clinic...He's also obsessed with the kids, which is a mandatory requirement in order to be a volunteer.

So Here's What's Been Happening in Burundi:

Surprise Babies...poppin' out all over the place!

Last week my roommate Alli and I planned to have a skype date. I woke up @ 6:00am (midnight her time) so we could chat. As we said Hello I notice a patient in the hallway...in active labor!
I ended up delivering a baby and having to rescheduling our skype chat...
Baby Girl! She's healthy & doing well.
Sorry Alli, we'll talk soon.
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This weekend I was doing laundry by hand in a bucket. A very relaxing experience with the mom's from the malnutrition ward. I looked over and saw this stretcher being carried by community members:

A woman was on her way to the clinic to deliver her baby but didn't make it to the clinic in time...she delivered in the road! Achel (another nurse) & I sprung into action and took care of this new mom and her baby. When they arrived into the clinic via thatched, grass stretcher the baby had dirt and leaves on it (pictured)- that was a first for me!

The baby girl is healthy & doing well. It was quite the experience. After the chaos and commotion we got to relax with mom & baby and do some breastfeeding-bonding time.
Talk about spicing up an afternoon!

FAMILY PLANNING- choice. strength. empowerment
Family planning is not talked about in Burundi. It is viewed as sacrilege by most religious institutions that are immersed in this culture. It is taboo. It is stigmatized. It apparently has no place among these people...until now! 47 women attended a family planning talk that Hilarie (an incredible nurse & human being) & I introduced. These women have never had a safe, open space to learn about or discuss family planning- something that is crucial to the development of a healthy society. 12 women, about 1/2 of the eligible (non menopausal) women got some form of birth control on this day. It was a truly remarkable!

-In a place where women are compliant and do only what is expected of them we gave them choice.
-In a country where women are viewed as weak and are under appreciated we gave them strength.
-In a culture where women are viewed as inferior and most of the time appear subdued, we gave them empowerment.
(to read my journal entry from this day visit (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/note.php?note_id=10150161243930431)

This is the first woman to try out our version of Cycle Beads, Naturally Family Planning!
We'll see how it goes...

Bujumbura- City Livin'
A view from our office/residence in the capital city Bujumbura.


The Little Drummer Boys
Every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday Peter IT & Mandela (2 employees of VHW) teach the boys in the community the traditional drumming past down by their fathers and grandfathers. It's a powerful experience and the whole community gathers to watch, cheer, sing, and dance!
I am learning how to Ngmoma (drum)...stay tuned.


Music is the Culture
Claudine (an employee at VHW) writes songs about HIV, hygiene, and health and teaches them to the girls in the community. They gather in the new community center and fill the clinic with joyful music and dance!


Our Wise Buddha

Emmanuel (in red) came to us last month with severe malnutrition. His progression was astounding from not talking and barely able to walk to a 10y/o with the wisdom and spirit far beyond his years. His inner peace and gentle smile radiate to us all and the love he gives warms the soul. I'm serious- this kid inspires us all to be a better people.
I'm convinced that he cannot hate. (disregard the michelle obama eye in the picture)


True Friendship
Before this event only 3 people in the world (Nora, Lauren, & Jay) have bonded with me in this way. ...and now Hilarie. Yes Ladies & Gentlemen Hilarie trimmed my pit hair!

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Before

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After

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This is how you know she's a nurse

Getting to the Root
Sometimes life teaches us lessons in tricky ways like with this 'demon child'
Every time I would walk past this girl she would death grip whatever part of my body she could grab! I literally could not 'peel' her off of me and it got to the point where I had to dodge her.

After going to Hilarie for help, she talked to the girl and it turned out that she was just hungry and wanted Plumpy Nut (the supplement we give to malnourished kids).
After I gave her plumpy nut she became and angel.

LESSON: Don't take things as they are on the surface, a 'demon' could just be a hungry kid.

World Food Program
We received food from the World Food Program to distribute to people living with HIV/AIDS, pregnant women, and malnourished kids. So now they get immediate care at the clinic, food to go home with, and the education/seeds from the food security program.
This project has great potential!



Photos...
Yesterday We got a 50 baby chicks! Part of the food security program for the community. These little cuties will live here with us until...well (food security) so you know.
But I will enjoy loving on them in the mean time.

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HERNIA... (this is why you turn your head and cough, so this doesn't happen)

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Kids in the Kigutu Kommunity


To finding that inner, playful spirit that infuses us with essence of the divine!
Try to keep life light, fun, and free...

Much Love & Liberation!