Getting Sentimental

I am at a really exciting point in my life, and not just because I'm moving to another country for a year.

I have just finished my formal education, having earned an M.P.H. (Master's Degree in Public Health), Certificate in Global Health, B.A. (Bachelor of Arts degree) in Journalism, completed a Minor in History (still not sure how to refer to this, as completing my Major in Journalism turned into having a B.A. in Journalism), completed an internship as a TV-news reporter with ABC News in Denver KMGH, and completed an AmeriCorps Mission as a Youth Volunteer Coordinator and Prevention Specialist.

I have learned a lot from each of these unique educational experiences, and plan to continue learning during this Global Health Fellowship in Kenya, and for many years to come. Yet, this point marks the end of my formal education in a classroom setting. While I am proud of my accomplishments, I must admit that I am apprehensive about joining the real world as an adult. In a classroom, I know exactly what is expected of me and how to succeed, which can be clearly reflected in the grade I receive. In the "real" adult world, evaluations are usually not so clear-cut. I believe that I have performed well in school not because I am "smarter" than my peers, but because I work harder and spend more time on assignments. School has never been easy for me, as I have a terrible short-term memory and am easily distracted; but what I lack in learning speed, I more than make up for in passion and commitment. Furthermore, I have not achieved these accomplishments without significant support and help from others, namely my parents. I would not be who or where I am today without their guidance, generous financial support, and never-ending emotional support.

Another reason this is a turning point in my life, is how my relationship with my family (particularly with my brother and sister) is changing and growing. I have always been very close with my family, and not just my immediate family, but with my relatives on both sides of my family tree. I am lucky to have such strong ties, but my relationship with two people, in particular, is taking on a new form. My brother and sister, Matt and Melissa (aka "M&M", aka "Bebee & Robonzo"), are finally at an age where we can relate to each other as adults and friends, and not merely the kids I fought with over the TV-remote or computer. The most startling part of their growing up, is the realization that my relationship with each of them will no longer just sustain itself. I suspect we will never live under the same roof again, and they won't just be around anytime I want to visit home. This is especially true now that my brother has moved to Argentina for the summer and my sister is living in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she just finished her freshmen year of college. Since there is a 4-year difference between me and my brother, and 6-year difference between me and my sister, we couldn't relate to one another on the same level. Moreover, I have always been much more outgoing and, admittedly, more demanding than either of them, leading them to team up against me at times. Now that we are older and more mature, I really want to be close friends with each of them. Getting together over family holidays and sending birthday cards once a year won't cut it. I have to make the effort now, or I fear we will grow apart.  The physical distance between us will definitely make this a challenge, but I am determined to be a good friend to both Matt and Melissa. In fact, what prompted me to compose this blog in the first place, was a sentimental note I just left on my brother's facebook page:

"Hey Matty! I miss you and am so proud of you for embarking on this adventure so far from home. You have really come into your own and I really like the person you have grown into. You have found your niche, my friend and kin, and with music and the Spanish language, you are taking the world be storm. I realize that this message is cheesy, but I'm getting really sentimental these days (as I prepare to embark on my own international adventure) and I think it is important that you know how much I love ya! Live it up in Argentina and I will see you when I come home from Kenya for 2 weeks over Christmas. I'll make sure to bring you something good... perhaps an instrument?"

I am happy to report, that Matt responded quickly:
"Love you too, sis."

I am truly happy with my life right now.
I am in awe of how many amazing people I know, and excited to be doing something meaningful with my life. So, despite a healthy dose of apprehension, I look forward to my departure with an overall sense of excitement.

Thanks for reading! I welcome comments.
~S

Village HopeCore International (VHI)

I, Stacy Gray, have been selected by Village HopeCore International to embark on a 6-month adventure as their Health Project Coordinator in Chogoria, Kenya. :)

Here's some background information on Village HopeCore International (VHI):
Village Hopecore International is a non profit organization registered in Kenya and the United States with a mission to eradicate poverty and improve the health and living conditions of the Wameru people of Chogoria, Kenya. At this time, the project affects approximately 6,000 villagers and6,000 students in our school-based mobile clinics.The project has been operating for the last 11 years and is situated on Mt. Kenya,four hours north of Nairobi by car at 5,000 feet elevation in a lovely area of tea and coffee farms. It is located approximately 20 miles south of the equator.

In 2000, HopeCore began a unique and innovative poverty eradication project that combines a Grameen style micro enterprise village bank, and an adult education program with a village level health care program. The health care program focuses on child and maternal health issues, and HIV and malaria prevention.

In 2009, HopeCore received funds to begin a comprehensive malaria education and prevention program which involves proving mosquito nets to people receiving microloans. The program involves educating individuals about the prevention and treatment of malaria. The distribution of the nets are followed by home visits to each of our families to be sure that the nets are being used correctly. At the time of the home visit, health dataarecollected on our families and further education on safe water, good nutrition, child-maternal health issues, family planning and HIV prevention and testing is provided. We now have a full time, Kenyan project nurseand four community health workers as part of our public health team, and a full-time peace corp volunteer is now working in Chogoria with our microenterprise program.

Since February 2011, HopeCore has been operating a school-based mobile clinic program by making a partnership with 16 primary schools and 8 secondary schools in the Chogoria area. Each mobile clinic begins with health education on various topics including malaria, HIV/AIDS, hygiene, and nutrition.  Subsequently, students in our 24 schools receive free health services for the most common health issues (e.g., malaria, typhoid). In 2011, HopeCore conducted 55 mobile clinics and benefited 4,441 patients in total. We are now installing water tanks and water chlorination systems in all 24 schools, and by the summer 2012, we hope to have all our 6,000 students under long-lasting insecticide treated malaria prevention bed nets.

for more information, check out my organization's website at:
www.villagehopecore.org/blog