Checking In

So I'm in Himachal, healing from my bout of sickness, and diving right into work. I wish I had more time to write something long, to describe everything I'm seeing, hearing, learning, but I simply can't. Not in one post, not in a quick few minutes. But of course I'm going to try anyway...
My project's been outlined here with JagoriGrameen, and it's a lot of work, and excitingly, a lot of responsibility. I am working with a team of 3 other local Himachalis and the basic jist of our work is to conduct a gap analysis (thanks for the term Rob) to understand the national and Himachal rural health policies that have been implemented and how they differ from what the current situation is in the field (the focus of the analysis will be on women's gynecological health issues). So the project itself has 4 prongs: analysis of the current policies in place, data collection amongst the governmental Primary Health Centres, interviewing women to address their issues/concerns, and developing a health monitoring system. During the next three months, we're running a pilot on this project, in 5 villages. Right now, we're in the pre-research phase, where we're outlining the timelines, frameworks, locations etc.
Besides the specific project, I have had the chance to sit in on some great sessions, trainings, workshops etc. Today, Dr. Pritam, a gynecologist from Jaipor, held a workshop for training barefoot gynecologists in the area of Shapur. Yesterday, I joined Dr. Pritam and a few others in a camp to spread awareness and understanding in a village facing an HIV scare. After Dr. Pritam held the educational session, I had a chance to sit down with the 40-50 women from the area and ask them what their reactions were, what their feelings were about some of the things they learned. Majority of the women had responded by telling me that HIV/AIDs was something they heard about on TV. That they knew that a prostitute in the area had died from it but had no clue how she died, or how she got it. It was the first time they had heard of HIV transmission through sexual intercourse, blood to blood contact, verticle transmission etc. One of the most shocking things to them was the idea of anal sex amongst men...the couldn't fathom the fact that such a concept exists. You know...you read about this in literature, that awareness is so low, but when you really experience it, it really takes you by surprise.
Anywho, I really have to get going, it's getting late and I still need to prepare dinner, boil water, etc. etc. Haha. Yeah, I have no fridge, and make all my own food and am basically the most domestic I have ever been in my entire life. I have two roomates though, two Jagori volunteers from Delhi for another month. I've also befriended my neighbours who have been great! I finally know how to get around and where to go to get everything I need!

Okie dokes, I'll check in again sometime soon now that I know where this cafe is. Hope you're all well. Miss you.