Whistle While You Work

Working hard or hardly working? Definitely the former, but inevitably I still have those weekends where I lounge around my house watching Lost, Fringe, or Veronica Mars reruns and eat only cereal. Much has happened since I made the decision to extend my service for a third year, thus warranting a blog update regarding my new work-related endeavors.

Peace Corps

For the first time in Peace Corps-Lesotho’s history, a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader (PCVL) position was made available for qualifying third year volunteers. After putting the applicants’ names to PCVs, staff, and headquarters in Washington, I am delighted to report that I have been selected and ‘promoted’ to PCVL. The competition was stiff and so I am very humbled and appreciative to be given the opportunity to act as a liaison between my fellow PCVs and staff in Lesotho. With this new role come additional responsibilities including site development, trainings for new and existing volunteers, outreach for site visits, reviewing/amending the health program’s project plan, and serving on Peace Corps committees in a unique capacity. I have decided to step down from the HIV/AIDS committee, as both the co-chair and district representative to allow others the opportunity to learn and grow as I did. When available, I will sit in on committee meetings (Volunteer Advisory Committee, HIV/AIDS Committee, Peer Support Network, etc) and offer guidance and assistance where need be. Because the PCVL position is novel in Lesotho, we will be able to mold the position based on the needs of our 2 program sectors in country. I will maintain my duties at Baylor but will divide my time between the two organizations, both of which are based in Maseru. The first few months may involve trial and error to determine how best to split my time, but I am confident we’ll figure out a groove sooner rather than later. Flexibility has been key to my survival these previous two years and I’m sure it will remain so for my third. Did I mention a few perks to the gig include my own PC office, computer, and phone? If it were not for my bank statements and the “volunteer” in my job description, you’d think I had a REAL job! ;-)

Baylor

About 6 months ago, Baylor was sub-granted a hefty chunk of change from Elizabeth Glasier Pediatric AIDS Foundation for a program called Strengthening Clinical Services in Lesotho. The program and funds aim to upgrade and expand psychological and social services in each of Lesotho’s 10 districts, including the most remote of areas. I nearly applied for one of the Clinical Psychologist positions but ultimately decided against it for a multitude of reasons. The decision to stay with Peace Corps as a Baylor volunteer has paid off immensely because for the first time ever, I finally have a Mosotho counterpart! Counterparts are typically a host country national with whom volunteers directly work with and transfers knowledge. ‘M’e Lebo recently completed her masters-level training in South Africa and has recently assumed the role of Baylor’s first ever psychologist.

For the next several months, Lebo and I will be traveling across the country to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in psychological care. Primary emphasis will be placed on youth who are HIV positive. Because this field is relatively new in Lesotho and there are only 5 psychologists in country, we foresee the need to be great and are schedules to be full. A few weeks ago, we spent time in Leribe and found the greatest need to be caring for caregivers (including health-care providers). It’s easy to overlook those providing care in this immense HIV/AIDS epidemic but these individuals are the backbone for support and their mental health need not be ignored. Next week we’ll be heading to Qacha’s Nek to assess the situation there. I’m very excited to get back to my roots, back to my old stomping ground. [As a side note, I called my old host mom to inform her of my visit. The tears of excitement and anticipation were tangible through the phone. I miss that woman!]

The latest addition to my tasks at Baylor includes consulting on HIV-positive patient psychological cases. As a PCV, we are forbidden to provide direct clinical services since sustainability and capacity building are the crux of our program. I therefore assist ‘M’e Lebo by proposing ideas for particular therapy sessions, act as her support, and provide recent literature in the field. We’ve also been trained in different psychometric tests (IQ, Achievement, Memory, Personality, Depression/Anxiety Scales), so we have plans to instruct each other in that realm. We also intend to convert a small examination room into a Play Therapy room, though funds are very limited for this venture. Time to put the creative hats on! As a side project, we hope to start a Journal Club specifically for the few psychologists in country. If it isn’t obvious, we have our work cut out for us!

Before concluding, I’d like to send out a special thank you to Aaron’s family (Cindy and Uncle B). They graciously purchased and shipped over 300 youth-sized toothbrushes for the kiddos in Teen Club. Because of their kind contribution, we will devote August’s Teen Club to “The Importance of Oral Hygeine”.

(Over 300 youth toothbrushes donated to Teen Club from Aaron's family)

('M'e Lebo, Baylor's new clinical psychologist and my counterpart, stands next to a makeshift wheelchair while on outreach at Leribe's District Hospital)

(Baylor/Sentebale/Hole in the Wall Camp Mamohato Grounds)