September 20, 2007
Work is crazy….and the weeks ahead look even busier! But I wanted, at the very least, to upload a few pictures from round one of my photo shoot. Last weekend was phenomenal! Janie picked me up early in the morning on Saturday where we set out for Dedza – which is where Concern Universal is located (or one of its offices anyway). In Malawi, Concern Universal’s work focuses on five key areas: supporting communities in emergency situations (particularly drought-related food shortages), improving people’s ability to grow and buy the food they need to eat, providing credit and other financial services to poor people living in rural areas, supporting people infected and affected by HIV&AIDS and improving living conditions and health through clean water and sanitation provision.
As such, the primary goals of the photo shoot was to highlight personal stories of people living with HIV and AIDS, and to interview them regarding how Concern Universal has helped them, their families, or their communities by providing services, trainings, and/or other empowering activities.
We had many stops that day, including an HIV support group in Dedza; interviewing HIV negative persons who had formed an HIV Post-test club (where they encourage peers to get tested and to know their HIV status); traveling to another HIV support group in Ntcheu (they primarily focus on influencing opinions and lobbying for accepting attitudes towards People Living With HIV and AIDS); and finally, to a small village in Masasa where we interviewed a woman who had been sick for years, but after testing positive for HIV, she started ARV treatment. She’s now feeling healthy, has custody of her children, and is trying hard to lead a normal life.
I look forward to reading Janie’s final narratives. The interviews were conducted in Chichewa – and were translated into English. The stories and the photographs will appear in Concern Universal’s brochure – which is what they predominantly use for fund raising efforts.
By in large, the experience was incredible. And the process will start again this weekend! Am off to Blantyre, Mulanje, Phalombe, and Thyolo…
On another note, Andy will be here in two weeks! Unfortunately, we ran into some serious snags with the dogs, so they will have to join us at a later time. Regardless, my life will get back to ‘normal’, whatever that may be, after October 5th.
Much love to all,
Amy
wow, Amy. These are lovely.
Hey lady,
I’ve been reading all your posts but have never written– thanks for keeping me on the list. Your photographs are so lovely and vibrant and it sounds like you are doing amazing work. We miss you at the goddess collective– 10 year anniversary is this October!
Hi Amy
Fantastic pics and what an incredible trip with Janey. I really miss such excitment. Not much excitment here. I am applying for a research post with Water Aid for 6 months of which some of the time might be in the field so you never know I might be back to malawi sooner than I think- if only for afew weeks?
I am absolutely shattered since handing in my thesis and going straight back in to audit work so Mark and I are going to spend 8 days in Egypt next month after I have had afew job interviews.
Anyway, great pics and love to all, let me know when my CD of my project arrives with you – I sent it 2 weeks ago to your work address.
LOL and very excited Andy is arriving soon, perhaps I will meet him one of these days 😉
Kate xx
I can’t say this enough. I am so proud of you and the work that you are doing, Amy! I am honored to be on your mailing list.
Lay
Amy,
Your adventure is inspiring indeed. I am enjoying vicariously. Not bad for a Kansas girl 🙂 GREAT WORK!
Beautiful Amy,
It seems that everyone who posts a comment shares the same joy that I feel in being included in your updates. It is one thing to see African village life reflected on an impersonal television screen, shown through the biased filter of whatever American agenda the news broadcaster is promoting that day but it is quite another thing to see very personal photos with your own friend’s smiling face in the midst of the villagers. I am so inspired by the work you do – it reminds me that there actually is good in the world and gives me hope for my own son. (Oh yeah, how long has it been since last we saw each other? I had a little boy: Zahid Malik Johnson – he’ll be 2 in December :-))
Love you girl! Keep me in your mailing list!
XOXOXOXOJJ
Hi cousin, i love reading about your work adventures and your photos are gorgeous and are works of art as well as heart! I hope your life starts to balance better once andy arrives. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself online for all of us stateside to stay in touch with you and also learn from your stories.
love, Marcy from OK
Amy~What a gift you have for capturing the essence of those you photograph. I, too, am inspired by what you are doing and feel blessed to be in your circle of friends. Keep up your amazing work. I rejoice that soon Andy will be with you. Pat