O ano ja acabou!

The year is over (well, almost!). December is here and health associations are getting ready to close down for the holiday season, meaning that work is coming to a halt d'aqui a nada. Last week was actually a really busy week of work (hey! I never get to say that!) that served to pretty much close the associations activities for the year. Here's a short re-cap of the past week:

Monday, November 25th was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and my association, LEMUSICA, kicked off a series of activities:

Monday Nov. 25th-

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The association led a march and performed a dance to "One Billion Rising" in the center of town. The director gave a speech about cultural norms that perpetuate the tolerance of violence against women. She called on the crowd to defy cultural norms and recognize violence against women as a grave human rights violation. Sometimes, when bystanders are witness to domestic violence, the usual response that you hear is "'eso e cosa do casal" (that's a marriage problem between them) and "eso nāo e comigo" (that has nothing to do with me). The association was joined by a few government leaders (too few if you ask me) that also made some speaches and attended the performance.

Tuesday Nov. 26th

Palestra at Women's Prison

In continuation with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, LEMUSICA carried out a series of events throughout the week. Among these was a palestra (community talk) about violence at the Women's Prison. Again, LEMUSICA was joined by the Director of Justice and a representative from the government's Women's Social Action initiative. The director of LEMUSICA gave the opening remarks but was then quickly informed that some of the inmates did not speak Portuguese. Some of the women in the penitentiary were actually from Zimbabwe and only spoke English and Chona (local dialect). Nina, one of the staff members jumped right in and translated the entire palestra into Chona. It was remarkable. I stood next to Nina as she did this and it made me think about the power of local initiatives- like LEMUSICA (although the catalyst behind the formation of the organization was a German woman, the rest of the founding board members were Mozambicans and the organization is now currently ran by all host country nationals). I thought about how ridiculous it would be to have me (or any other foreigner, as a matter of fact) speaking to these women about domestic violence and calling them to take a stand ... the women would never relate to me and frankly, I cannot say that I can even begin to understand the hardships many of these women have endured. 

I wasn't sure what to expect ... and was actually quite surprised to see how small the prison was. It was a solitary building with one entrance and four windows. The women were let out for our plaestra and then quickly returned in doors. When I arrived, there was a group of male prisoners sitting under a tree... Turns out they were brought in from the city jail to work out in the fields. I guess I assumed that the women might have something similar to partake in. Nope. They were escorted back inside and the grate was locked. One women stood at the gate and saw us leave. 

A few of the women had babies strapped to their backs and toddlers running around. During the palestra, the toddlers ran around, bouncing from lap to lap and meddling in the cooking area. However, when their mothers were locked up, the children followed and I thought about how devastating it must be for these children to be locked up inside a prison all day with very little outside interaction or activities. I heard my co-workers say that when the toddler reaches a certain age, they are taken away by child services and placed in an orphanage.

Thursday Nov. 28th

Thanksgiving in Messica

I spent Thanksgiving in Messica, a town that sits 45 minutes west of my city and in between the border of Zimbabwe. It was a pretty low-key event (with just 10 volunteers, including myself) compared to last year's event hosted at Gorongosa (National Park). Overall though, it was a good time, spent with good company and good food. 

Saturday Nov.30th

Peace March 

On Saturday, LEMUSICA continued their activities by leading a peace march in conjunction with their activism for the Int. Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. This march was not just about women, but about the increasing political violence and insecurity mounting in the country. The director, Achia, was interviewed by the local branch of the Mozambique news station where she denounced these recent developments.

Saturday also marked one year and a half living in Mozambique (*pats self on back*). I am officially 2/3 done with my service :)

Sunday December 1st

World Aids Day

Sunday was World Aids Day.To start the day, I woke up to the joyful news that my alma mater, UCLA had defeated our fiercest rival, U$C, 34-15! I am obviously still ecstatic about the news. Shortly after, I met up with my JUNTOS group, who was participating in the days activities.  We took part in the march throughout town, distributed condoms to the populace, and championed HIV prevention messages. 

Busy week, eh!?

Now for my proud accomplishment of the month (drumroll please*):

Learning to tie a head wrap from a capulana! 

a year and half in-country

 

Well, those are all the novidades for now. 

Things to look forward to:

I am thinking of traveling up through Malawi and meeting up with a few PCVs at the Lake for New Year's Eve celebrations. Looking forward to exploring another African country and Niassa province! Pictures will surely follow so stay tuned!

Fiquem bem!