The sound of three and a half weeks is sounding increasingly threatening. As the days continue to disappear, I am grappling with the idea of only three and a half weeks left. Having been here for over a month, I can’t imagine leaving just yet. This past month has been remarkably productive for my research. I could not be happier with how much I have accomplished with the help of both Sussy’s experience and the stamina of our legs. I have collected probably close to 100 surveys and conducted interviews, among various other research, all while trying to follow the strict guidelines of the IRB (a whole other challenge in itself). I felt as though I didn’t have time to catch my breath between the 10-12 mile walks each day for the past two weeks. Now that I feel so close to accomplishing what I set out to do I can see this project really taking form and coming to life. The research truly speaks for itself and with my newfound knowledge, the process of writing conclusion and the rest of my thesis seems much less daunting (and maybe even a bit exciting—but that’s just my nerdy self talking).
While I feel proud of all that I have accomplished, each additional minute here is accompanied by the yearning to do more. Now that I finally have been able to take a breath of relief, I have unconsciously allowed other previously repressed thoughts come to mind. I know that the work here I have done already will eventually, maybe indirectly, help the people I am working with through the knowledge it will hopefully give them. I still cannot help but feel anxious, restless, and nothing other than antsy about every idle minute I spend here. I almost feel like a racehorse at the starting gate, clamoring for the doors to open and to let out all of my pent-up energy. It’s hard to explain or understand where this energy comes from. Perhaps it’s from the years of my interest in the problems throughout Africa, or maybe it’s from all of the things I’ve studied about, but probably it’s from the pure inspiration of simply living in this place. Being surrounded by the problems of Kakamega and the need of the people, is inspiration enough to want to develop a grand world-saving scheme, but I think moreso the idea of working with the people here to find a sustainable solution and the world of endless possibilities is what drives my energy. It seems like everywhere you look there are possibilities to work with the community to better itself. Whether through infrastructure development, improving income-generating vocational skills, educational empowerment, or resource building, there never seems to be an end to the opportunities.
