That of course is not what's happened (though it does sound like a pretty compelling movie plot which likely already exists). I certainly haven't had any breakdowns or freakouts of which I was warned before returning, but in their place I've had a quiet unease in the back of my mind as I realize I don't quite fit into this world as seamlessly as I did before. There was a time where New York City, New Jersey, my family, my friends, and my work in those places were pretty much all I knew. However, thanks to the opportunity given to me by Grassroot Soccer, the inspiring staff of GRS in Malawi, the support of my ever-present roommate Mel, and the many anzanga (friends) I made in my time there I realize I am a decidedly different person than the one who boarded a South Africa Airways plane bound to Lilongwe just over a year ago.
The end of my time in Malawi finished in a hectic blur as test kits finally arrived in the country and we worked to fit months of programming into my final two weeks there. We finished an intervention cycle at schools, launched the first ever Skillz Holiday Camp in Malawi, and held only the second HIV Testing and Counseling Event outside of Lilongwe that the program had ever had. All of this was combined with development sessions for coaches and final matches and farewells with soccer teams and friends. It's not an exaggeration to say that my last 3 weeks in Malawi were 3 of the busiest of my life. Add to that all of the emotions swirling around my mixed up head (I just have a lot of feelings) as I faced a departure from a place and community I'd grown to love, and lets just say I didn't have the calm, thoughtful good bye I might've preferred. Upon further reflection though it was the perfect farewell; if there's one thing I learned in my time there it's that things never go the way you plan them (or want them to), but they still always manage to come together.
In that time I've changed in ways I'll probably only continue to realize as I assimilate (albeit clumsily) back into life here; all I know is that I'm eternally grateful for the support I've had along the way from both everyone in Malawi and here in America that helped me get through and grow in the many obstacles I faced abroad. A couple days before leaving I found out something that I knew was a looming possibility for some months, the Grassroot Soccer program in Malawi would be shutting down by the end of 2012. Unfortunately, as with many growing organizations choices have to be made, and in the case of Malawi, Grassroot Soccer decided this site was not worth the investment to try and secure new funding. It's a shame too because the caliber of coaches is not something you can just put a number to and the knowledge, attitude, and examples they set in their community are something that cannot just be replicated in other places. GRS Malawi was the only GRS site in which each coach was also a certified HIV tester and counselor and so they were able to deliver comprehensive education to youth which included completing the GRS Skillz Curriculum as well as delivering home visits where our coaches provided free pre-test Counseling and testing to any participants and family members willing to receive their services.
Although the Malawi Grassroot Soccer site may be closing, the work is never done and there are other organizations with tons of support and focus in Malawi that I hope will continue to carry forward the hope and belief that this country CAN stop the spread of HIV while supporting those that are suffering from it. The continued improvement in the fight against this disease will only serve to free up resources to improve other areas of need while providing inspiration and strength to a people that are always eager to smile and to help. My time with Grassroot Soccer in Malawi has ended, but its effect on me and the direction to which this experience will steer my life is only just beginning.
Thanks for reading and for all of your support.
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| Baylor Lilongwe Staff |
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| Grassroot Soccer Malawi Staff |
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