My life has been wonderful lately, I am happy, healthy (relatively) love my work and am surrounded by babies and children. I coast along, busy with my daily tasks, holding babies and enjoying life… sometimes forgetting the harsh nature of the surroundings, where I am and what life is truly like here for these wonderful persevering people. Tragically today, I have been jolted back into reality with a sad but all too usual event.
Death for humans is a part of life. Death in the US, while obviously occurring daily to many people is not something we come in contact with very often unless you work in the medical field etc…I remember the first time someone died close to me, I believe I was 10 years old. I knew people died but didn’t experience it on an annual basis, much less a day to day basis.
Death in Tanzania is something that happens all of the time and that everyone is aware of all of the time. Mothers die in childbirth; many die of HIV/Aids, children die from lack of medical care and malnourishment, many people in our area die from asthma attacks and accidents and unfortunately, many die violently.
In the past week, one of our social workers brother died at the age of 32 from kidney failure due to undiagnosed high blood pressure. Two days ago the 19 year old brother of one of our teachers was killed in a car accident. This morning we found out that a sweet little boy we help out sometimes was beaten to death by his drunken brother at the local village. He was 10 years old. Many of our children went to the primary school with him and were in his class. I personally knew him as we had arranged for him to receive glasses a few weeks ago and he hung out here on the weekends and played soccer with the kids.
I have had a very hard time dealing with his death and the violent nature of his attack. I have cried several times, when additional details come out. The one thing I have noticed is that no one here cries. They are sad and in shock, but it is just a part of life here. They are a caring, loving and happy people, not unfeeling, just doing what they can to get by in life. They have to deal with so many of their babies, family members and neighbors dying that I feel it is the only way they can cope.
One of the many reasons I love this country and the people here is that when life deals them a blow, they persevere and press on. Somehow they know that as sure as the sun sets, it will rise again. Life sucks sometimes, there isn’t enough food to eat, water to drink or clothes to keep you warm, people die and people are born. We, in 1st world countries, have many quotes or sayings to get us through the tough times, little books to read and people to council us. Here they just pick up their head and plug on through the day, grateful to be alive even for just one more day. I am truly grateful to have the opportunity and ability to work side by side with and get to know them and to realize how lucky I have been in my life.
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