Jazzy update!

Jazzy is doing wonderfully! She went cross country skiing with me last week; you would never know she was a Zambia native. She bounced around in it for several hours but was happy to come inside and sit by the fire. She had her second vet visit a few weeks ago and is doing well. Right not she is snuggled up in my grandfathers old reclining chair taking a nap.

Jazzy started to road to America when my friend and fellow PCV Caroline took her in. Jazzy was not an only child in her house though. Caroline adopted a former PCV's dog named Blue and she had a cat named Kitty. I remember the first time I met Jazzy and saw her playing with the other two. She and Kitty loved to play, and being similar in ages they bounced all around Caroline's yard. When I decided to keep Jazzy as my dog I felt bad breaking up these two friends. With all the trials and heart ache to bring Jazzy home to America I hoped Kitty would be able to come home with Caroline this year also and the two could maybe see each other again. I was so sad to hear that Kitty didn't return home to Caroline's site one day and later was found passed away in the field. She had been bitten by a snake. When Caroline told me the news and asked me to give Jazzy a big hug for her I did. I swear Jazzy could understand what I told her cause she looked sad...... Zambia is as tough on animals as it is on people. It makes me wonder what would have happened to Jazzy had I not taken her in and if we had stayed longer in Zambia. I feel really grateful for having been able to get J to America. It literally took a village to do so. From my village friends for giving us a ride to the veterinarian who took care of the international paperwork Jazzy and I thank you. It could have had a whole different outcome had we needed to hitchhike our way to the capital and to the airport or had I needed to navigate the airline rules alone. I hope I can pay it forward and help someone else when they need it.

A Future in World Aid

It feels so great to have a clear direction and a path to follow. The scariest thing when thinking about the future is not knowing where you want to go. Since returning from Zambia I've had the time to reflect and assess what it is that makes me light up. I'm so grateful that Peace Corps allowed me to find my passion for helping others and a drive to want to make the world better. My goal now is to make as many meaningful connections as I can with people I respect and admire who are already doing just this. I want to learn from them and hear their success stories. My hope is to find an organization with the same interests and values as mine. I loved having the opportunity to work in health while in Zambia. HIV and Malaria are causes that have come near to my heart. I also loved working with and supporting women and girls in empowerment and income stability. My dream is to work and support an organization that helps these causes. I see myself in the next 5 years living abroad and doing similar ground level work as during my service. I'm looking at organizations in and around Boston so I'll still be close to home for a time. I believe this next step will lead me to a long term career in public health abroad.

In other news, the Help Build a School Fundraiser is still progressing. I've asked my friend and contact in the village to send me an update on the community and their progress to date. With the help of friends, we've raised over $500. My plan is to start several more funding ideas this month and have the money raised by the summer. We are still targeting $5000 for the completion of the school, teachers housing, and a drinking well. Our t-shirt sales have been slow but about half have been sold!!! I have also been in contact with a local HIV program here in Augusta ME called the Horizon program. They have invited me to speak to their clients in May about HIV in Zambia. We hope to gain awareness of our cause and send a package of school supplies to the children of this community.

The future looks bright on many fronts :)