Thankful in chaos

My first Thanksgiving in Africa was a much more exciting experience than I had expected. The ZEHRP interns were invited to the house of the CDC director for Zambia. His name was Dr. Larry Marum and his wife's name was Elizabeth, I think that she is a doctor as well. It seems to be the case that those couples that do research work in Zambia are both very well educated.

We piled into cabs and took off for their house which was in a much fancier part of town than our dear Emmasdale. After about a twenty minute cab ride we arrived and were escorted to the back porch where there was a great little spread of snacks and drinks. They had coke and fanta and brewskis and scotch. It was a wonderfully American place. Meryl, Jacquee and I took a seat and at that the party table was established. We had a great time talking about things other than work. Someone I got claimed a lot of attention when it got out that I might be talking to a little lady back in the states. It was a very entertaining pre-feast fellowship.

I think that I was the only one to pour a sip of scotch but, Elizabeth said that she was disappointed that no one was drinking the Johnny Walker, well, me being the giver that I am did not want to leave her like that if I could help it.

It was a fairly traditional buffet with all the goodies. Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes (which I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole), pumpkin pie, Apple Pie, and whipped cream. They are Catholic and read a prayer for health out of the Book of Common Prayer. It was a neat tradition that they have. Oh man, it was a very long meal though. I stuffed myself pretty ridiculously and had to try and keep conversation, it was a delicate business, staying interesting when all you want to do is take a nap. We were warned before the meal that we were going to go around the table and have everyone say what they were thankful for.

Friends and family and the way that being away gives others a chance to show how much they care about you were a few of the things that I said I was thankful for. I am truly thankful that I do have such a fantastic family that have supported me so thoroughly while I have been far away through care packages, prayers, emails, Skype calls and letters. It has all meant so much to me and I am so very grateful.

We left the Marum's around 9:30 and headed back for the flats. I got to good 'ol flat four and was gone by 10:00, fat and happy. It was a good day to be able to think back on because tomorrow would be pretty rough.

Yesterday and today were pretty hairy. Here is a little background:

We have been hearing little bit sand pieces about some substantial budget cuts that could be coming down the pipe but, we had yet to hear any specifics and really last we heard this was just a precautionary measure and likely everything would pan out just fine. Well we lost a research initiative through the population council that was to make up about 27% of next year's budget. 27% translates to 57 positions. The Program Management Group (PMG) did what I thought to be a horrendous job of explaining to the laboratory staff the situation. They said that there are nine in the lab right now and that seven would be eligible for contract renewal. The staff as well as the management (Kahler and I) are very worried that the lab will not be able to function given this decrease in workforce. Those that are left will be working that much harder and have that much morale stolen from them. We were looking forward to the opportunity to pick up another lab tech. This cutting two of them loose is a fair sized step backwards. Kahler and I had a quick meeting of the minds to see if there was any way that we might be able to clear up the news that the staff was just handed. I can't think of a worse way to go into the weekend than thinking that next week you may not have a job. When a job is lost here, it is just done, there is no benefit package or severance. We walked back to the lab where all of the staff were gathered and tried to explain that this was as much news to us as it was them and that we are going to the mattresses for them in every way that we are allowed. They did not have many questions but, I think they really just wanted to know that we truly are in this thing with them and want them to be part of the team. Moses, is our rock of motivation, he said 'we can do this!' several times which is exactly right. It is possible but, it will not be easy. Intern... got to be kidding me.

Kahler pointed out something interesting today when Dr. Kilembe (site director) came into my office. He came in and wanted to try and tell us that he knew that we could not afford to lose any staff. He wanted to tell us the two that he was thinking of if it did come to that. Kahler noticed that Dr. Kilembe really cares about what we think and knows full well that we control the feelings and morale in the lab regardless of how much terrible news they receive. Even though we have not been here for a very long time we have developed some neat relationships with the lab techs.

Oh man, yesterday was a train wreck. the PMG was scheduled to come in and meet with all of the staff at 10:00 and instead we had all staff of the entire project gathered only to be told that the PMG would not be coming and that they should go back to work. Every one knows that contracts are about to expire and most of them associate the PMG with bad news, how can anyone blame them.

It was a heck of a week, Thanksgiving and job responsibilities made it one for the record books. I do hope that you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and maybe even got to snag a few deals on Friday. Brother and Jennah, I am very impressed, that is a big deal but, check on appliances for the new place! I can't wait to see it. It was great to hear from Uncle Lee, so glad that all is well! Very much looking forward to seeing everyone here in a couple short weeks.

All is alright