While at this moment I can’t say that I’m really dying to get back to Zambia anytime soon, there is a part of me that will miss this place that I have lived for the past 3 months. Yup, that’s right, I am finally being released from what at times felt like my own private hell. I don’t think that I’ve ever been so frustrated at times, but so happy and content at others. Almost everything and everyone related to work was a constant headache, while the people outside of that context were friendly and warm…in short the Africa that I’m used to.
Anyway, I’ve learned a lot about myself; most importantly that I’m not as patient as I sometimes like to think and unfortunately I still have a lot of work to do in the realm of interpersonal communication. While I fault myself for some of the difficulties and troubles that I’ve had working with certain personalities here, I can’t help but think that there are only a couple of things that I would have done differently. There is only so much that one can do when faced with people that have adopted passive-aggressiveness and mediocrity whole-heartedly. This is especially true for those that are unwilling to listen to and absorb constructive criticism. However, these are all important lessons that I’m happy to have learned, despite the fact that I can’t wait to put it all behind me. I will only be stronger because of this experience and know that when I return I will be prepared. I just hope that at least a little of what I tried to do and the example I tried to set rubs off. If not…well, those individuals will fit in very well within the Ministry of Health.
God I can’t wait to get back to working with communities!
