Fresh Start

I’ve been having a hard time writing a blog post since the new year. Mostly because there’s been too much going on and I know I can’t possibly put into words everything that’s happened and how I’m feeling about it. 

January 1st-3rd were occupied by a huge fight between two families, which resulted in my favorite family, Manaleato and Kauga, moving from Limol to nearby Malam. The fighting was violent and got the whole community involved. Essentially two young people Ranky and Kolmet consenually or non-consensually ran off to the bush and intend to be married. Kolmet’s father Kauga doesn’t approve of Ranky, hence the fight. I cared for a few wounds including a bitten finger and a blow to the head. I was advised not to record anything because the words people are saying are too bad for the archive. The fights prompted other fights as well and one young woman crossed the village at night with a knife to provoke another young woman. The schoolgirls were then called to a special meeting to advise them on their role in the fighting and how they have to be better. According to the meeting, Kolmet is still in school and shouldn’t be looking for a husband, and thus she is to blame for the unrest. Other girls, likewise, should not be waving knives like everyone else in the village. I attended the meeting and had a chance to tell all the schoolgirls that I also thought they should be good and go to school but because they are important and have potential to do great things.

January 4-6 were occupied by the caring, death, funeral, and burial of a baby boy, Chris, born three months early on Christmas morning. I spent seven hours with this poor baby doing everything I could to get him warm and eating. Regardless of the outcome I hope my presence provided some comfort for the poor mama. There were some happy moments when baby Chris became responsive, warm, and even started sucking on my finger. The burial and funeral were immediate and sad. I was able to video record everything and I think the footage turned out really good. Hopefully one day, Pauma will be happy to remember the beautiful celebration of her poor baby’s life.

It’s now January 7th and the whole village is sick with a head cold. I gave out tons of vitamin C but I don’t really have anything better to help everyone. I haven’t fallen ill yet, so I’m holed up in my room on this rainy day and working in the village genealogy project.

Another new development - my last three runs have been group affairs. Young girls have been joining me and my new route takes us along some of the less rocky paths around the village including a big hill. The girls like to run in a line, and every so often I have the back of the line run to the front in a rotation. It’s really fun actually!

Lots more thoughts but that’s all for now,
Kate

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