So much has happened these last few weeks – cultural training at Mua Mission, Safari’s in South Luangwa, and proposal submission to the Global Fund! By in large, quite a productive period.
Work continues to be hectic, granted this week marks a major turning point in my job. We turned in our Annual Progress Report (APR) to headquarters and we successfully completed the COP (Country Operating Plan) review process. With these two massive reports behind us, I can finally focus my attention on on-going monitoring and evaluation needs.
Speaking of M&E needs, we are in the process of rolling-out and evaluating the pilot for Electronic Data System (EDS) for ART. One area of major concern is the ability to scale-up this project with such limited resources. After attending a Global Fund meeting on Friday of last week, I was told that there was a possibility of including EDS into the Global Fund’s Rolling Continuation Channel proposal as long as I was able to incorporate the necessary information into the document by the following Tuesday. I immediately contacted our two developers and have been working with them to draft a realistic budget over the next six years. As a result, I may have secured funding from 2009 to 2014! I will follow up again on Monday to make sure the final proposal reflects these changes.
And I’m in the process of putting together a Data Quality Assessment workshop for USG partners (really, USAID is taking the lead on this, but they’ve brought in the CDC). Ultimately, I’m at a stage where I’m finally making contacts and beginning to assert myself in order to work on M&E at the national level.
On another note, Andy and I attended a three-day cultural training course at Mua Mission, taught by Father Claude Boucher – a man who has dedicated his life to researching, recording and preserving Malawian culture. For the last forty years, Father Boucher has been observing, and at times participating in, various rites of passage (i.e., birth rites, boy’s and girl’s initiation rites, marriage, chieftainship, funerals and burials) of the Chewa, Yao and Ngoni cultures. Without going into detail about the course as a whole, the experience provided a deeper understanding of Malawian cultures, history, art, and language. The grand finale culminated in a selection of traditional songs and dances, performed in authentic regalia.
Finally, I went back to South Luangwa with the ladies (Kate and Emily) in order to take advantage of the long weekend. Supposedly, the best time to go on safari is right before the rainy season. Last weekend seemed to be ideal! The rains had started a few weeks back but then stopped. Granted, what we hadn’t considered was the weather in Zambia! Unfortunately, the rains had started about a month ago – so the wildlife viewing was rather grim – and our night drive ended up with us driving around in the rain with huge panchos covering our bodies. But the weekend wasn’t a total disaster. I loved spending time with Kate and Emily; Flatdogs – our accommodations – was simply delightful; the food was delicious; we saw some amazing wildlife; and we were able to stop at Tribal Textiles – where they make beautiful hand-made crafts.
Andy and I are off to Dedza tomorrow to attend a wedding in one of the villages where a Peace Corps volunteer is stationed! I’m looking forward to seeing some of the ceremonies we discussed at Mua come to fruition.
Much love to all,
Amy