From the other side of the single story
The most important thing I’ve done this year was follow world news from a place that is not the US. When I moved to Burundi last July, I told myself I’d make an effort to follow the news of the continent, but it didn’t take long for me to become overwhelmed by the inundation of […]
Diagnosing Bukeye
I just finished reading the chapter of Jeffrey Sachs’ book, The End of Poverty, in which he discusses the idea of “clinical economics,” and his ideas resonated deeply with the reactions I’ve been having to my immersion in the rural community of Bukeye, Burundi. The essence of “clinical economics” is the idea that the world of […]
Defining “community” across borders
The Global Health Corps experience, and life in rural Burundi specifically, has strengthened my personal value of the idea of “community.” An email I received from a friend recently that said “may you be surrounded by much protection while outside the reach of enfolding arms” made me realize just how much. I was happy to […]
Student Becomes Teacher, And Vice Versa
My fellowship year has already felt like a series of situations I never thought I would find myself in, and every time I think I’m getting a hold of things, the next unexpected experience comes shooting down the pipeline. My job in Burundi is to help get the establishment of a rural health clinic […]