We just got back from a good old-fashioned barbecue potluck at one of the Embassy residences. Beyond enjoying the grilled burgers, chicken, yummy sides, and homemade ice cream (yum!), it was really nice to celebrate our nation's birthday with American community. For me (Darlene), who spends most of my days with Americans, I was thankful that it wasn't just the typical Embassy types that I had met before (although they are nice, don't get me wrong)--but also included some folks in town from Tanzania and a current Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) serving in a village near the Chyulu hills where we were a few weekends ago.
David got to talk with the Regional Medical Officer, a psychiatrist who provides mental health services for embassies throughout Africa, and learned that the psychiatrists are constantly looking for licensed social workers in a country who are American/Western-trained to be able to refer cases to for longer-term therapy and crisis management. He was very interested to hear of David's social work training and urged him to complete his licensure and come receive referrals from someone like himself.
For me, I found hearing from the current PCV very interesting. It was my first time meeting a PCV in the middle of their tour--I've only ever met them after they've had the benefit of some time away to look back nostalgically. But even without the time-induced nostalgia, this guy seemed to be enjoying his time. His lifestyle is completely different than the American lifestyle in Nairobi--no electricity, living in a compound with two Kenyan families, goats, cows, and chickens. As someone who has only traveled as a part of an Embassy community (and thus with replete security, generally lavish accommodations, etc.), I've always wondered what it would be like to serve as a PCV at some point (I even went to the Peace Corps website today). I sometimes wonder whether I romanticize the idea of living closer to "actual people" in a culture after being barricaded behind gates and security guards during most of my visits. Sometimes I think I'll be "doing more good" if I could only get outside of the bureaucratic halls/cubes of the Embassy. But it's not necessarily true (and the PCV himself said this directly) that I would be accomplishing something of lasting value in the development of the country, but rather in my own development and personal growth.
Speaking of guards, I was speaking with the taxi driver I have been regularly using a few days ago, and he was asking me if all of the guards in the U.S. are African. When I told him that most houses didn't have guards--that our house in Washington does not have a guard--he was shocked. He then asked who opened the gates. He was even more shocked when I told him that, generally, there are no gates. "So you all have guns?" he asked. I replied that, while some people have guns, not everyone does--we call the police when there's a problem. He smiled and said "That is the difference. We do not trust our police to come help." So, I'm thankful. Both for the measures of protection that we have while traveling here and for the general, systemic responsiveness of our police and fire responders at home.
After that patriotic statement, I think some virtual fireworks are in order.
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Happy Fourth everyone.
David got to talk with the Regional Medical Officer, a psychiatrist who provides mental health services for embassies throughout Africa, and learned that the psychiatrists are constantly looking for licensed social workers in a country who are American/Western-trained to be able to refer cases to for longer-term therapy and crisis management. He was very interested to hear of David's social work training and urged him to complete his licensure and come receive referrals from someone like himself.
For me, I found hearing from the current PCV very interesting. It was my first time meeting a PCV in the middle of their tour--I've only ever met them after they've had the benefit of some time away to look back nostalgically. But even without the time-induced nostalgia, this guy seemed to be enjoying his time. His lifestyle is completely different than the American lifestyle in Nairobi--no electricity, living in a compound with two Kenyan families, goats, cows, and chickens. As someone who has only traveled as a part of an Embassy community (and thus with replete security, generally lavish accommodations, etc.), I've always wondered what it would be like to serve as a PCV at some point (I even went to the Peace Corps website today). I sometimes wonder whether I romanticize the idea of living closer to "actual people" in a culture after being barricaded behind gates and security guards during most of my visits. Sometimes I think I'll be "doing more good" if I could only get outside of the bureaucratic halls/cubes of the Embassy. But it's not necessarily true (and the PCV himself said this directly) that I would be accomplishing something of lasting value in the development of the country, but rather in my own development and personal growth.
Speaking of guards, I was speaking with the taxi driver I have been regularly using a few days ago, and he was asking me if all of the guards in the U.S. are African. When I told him that most houses didn't have guards--that our house in Washington does not have a guard--he was shocked. He then asked who opened the gates. He was even more shocked when I told him that, generally, there are no gates. "So you all have guns?" he asked. I replied that, while some people have guns, not everyone does--we call the police when there's a problem. He smiled and said "That is the difference. We do not trust our police to come help." So, I'm thankful. Both for the measures of protection that we have while traveling here and for the general, systemic responsiveness of our police and fire responders at home.
After that patriotic statement, I think some virtual fireworks are in order.
.jpg)
Happy Fourth everyone.
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