For the last two weeks I've been back on this grand continent in both Zambia and Ghana, two countries I've travelled to previously, but this time I'm here as a JSI consultant for a US-based NGO called, Ipas. Ipas is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to ending preventable deaths and disabilities from unsafe abortion. I've been working with Ipas' offices in Zambia and Ghana these past two weeks helping them assess how to ensure availability of key commodities, such as mifepristone/misoprostol and manual vacuum aspirator kits, that make it safe for women in these countries to access safe, legal abortions.
This trip has been fulfilling on so many levels. I've really enjoyed being back in two countries that I haven't been in years. After a few years doing quite a bit of management, I'm super content to get back into the technical, on-the-ground work. This trip was also quite special because my "client" at Ipas is a woman who used to work at JSI back in D.C. with me. What a treat to travel together in Zambia!
But my most favorite part of this trip has been the reunions, especially the unexpected ones!
We'll start first with the JSI ladies! Wendy (middle) and Briton (right) and I all worked together at JSI in D.C. and all started around the same time in 2003/2004. Wendy is now a Deputy Country Director for our USAID | DELIVER PROJECT in Zambia and has lived here for eight years. She's married to a Zambian (by way of Greece/Cypress) and has a two year old son, Theo (als in our pics). Wendy and Briton and I had a great time catching up and also spending time with Theo.
The most unexpected reunion came when we were at a meeting at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia. Back in 2010, I did some work through JSI for International Planned Parenthood Federation's Africa Regional Office. We trained about 10 of their member associations in supply chain management and forecasting and supply planning. During our meeting at PPAZ last week, I was so impressed with their Supply Officer's management of her commodities and inventory system. I asked her how long she'd been working there and she starting laughing. And then she said, "You were my teacher!" Ah! I was embarrassed that I hadn't recognized sweet Evelyn, but then so touched that she remembered me and had applied what she learned. Below is a pic of her, me, and her colleague Rabson who also attended the training we did in Nairobi.
Little did I know that I'd run into another one of my "students" while in Zambia. During our visit to Medical Stores Limited (MSL), the Central Medical Store for the Ministry of Health, we met with the Director of Logistics, John Ngosa. I trained John in supply chain management back in 2007 or 2008. He was so glad to see me and also told my Ipas colleagues- "Hey she was my teacher!" John went on to get his APICS certification and is now in a very senior role at MSL ensuring commodities get to facilities across the country. Check out our crew by one of MSL's truck (Donated by JSI's DELIVER project!)
Then the expected reunion that I think I was most looking forward to- seeing John and Mika from our JSI DELIVER office. We had a meeting there with Ipas and then promptly spent our after meeting time giving hugs and catching up. I've known them both since 2006- 9 years. They had both just started and are now part of the Senior Management Team and I was still pretty wet behind the ears when we all met during the ARV system design workshop. Mika and John are two of the most kind, smart, loving souls I've ever had the pleasure of working with and knowing. Mika also shares my love of jewelry (we always exchange when we see one another) and I love knowing the John has a soft spot for Brach's butterscotch candies :) Brought some direct from the US for him. :)
All-in-all, this was an excellent trip made more rich by all the old friends and new friends that I connected with along the way!
This trip has been fulfilling on so many levels. I've really enjoyed being back in two countries that I haven't been in years. After a few years doing quite a bit of management, I'm super content to get back into the technical, on-the-ground work. This trip was also quite special because my "client" at Ipas is a woman who used to work at JSI back in D.C. with me. What a treat to travel together in Zambia!
But my most favorite part of this trip has been the reunions, especially the unexpected ones!
We'll start first with the JSI ladies! Wendy (middle) and Briton (right) and I all worked together at JSI in D.C. and all started around the same time in 2003/2004. Wendy is now a Deputy Country Director for our USAID | DELIVER PROJECT in Zambia and has lived here for eight years. She's married to a Zambian (by way of Greece/Cypress) and has a two year old son, Theo (als in our pics). Wendy and Briton and I had a great time catching up and also spending time with Theo.
The most unexpected reunion came when we were at a meeting at Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia. Back in 2010, I did some work through JSI for International Planned Parenthood Federation's Africa Regional Office. We trained about 10 of their member associations in supply chain management and forecasting and supply planning. During our meeting at PPAZ last week, I was so impressed with their Supply Officer's management of her commodities and inventory system. I asked her how long she'd been working there and she starting laughing. And then she said, "You were my teacher!" Ah! I was embarrassed that I hadn't recognized sweet Evelyn, but then so touched that she remembered me and had applied what she learned. Below is a pic of her, me, and her colleague Rabson who also attended the training we did in Nairobi.
Little did I know that I'd run into another one of my "students" while in Zambia. During our visit to Medical Stores Limited (MSL), the Central Medical Store for the Ministry of Health, we met with the Director of Logistics, John Ngosa. I trained John in supply chain management back in 2007 or 2008. He was so glad to see me and also told my Ipas colleagues- "Hey she was my teacher!" John went on to get his APICS certification and is now in a very senior role at MSL ensuring commodities get to facilities across the country. Check out our crew by one of MSL's truck (Donated by JSI's DELIVER project!)
Then the expected reunion that I think I was most looking forward to- seeing John and Mika from our JSI DELIVER office. We had a meeting there with Ipas and then promptly spent our after meeting time giving hugs and catching up. I've known them both since 2006- 9 years. They had both just started and are now part of the Senior Management Team and I was still pretty wet behind the ears when we all met during the ARV system design workshop. Mika and John are two of the most kind, smart, loving souls I've ever had the pleasure of working with and knowing. Mika also shares my love of jewelry (we always exchange when we see one another) and I love knowing the John has a soft spot for Brach's butterscotch candies :) Brought some direct from the US for him. :)
And in Ghana, I also had the pleasure of running into two fabulous DC-based JSI colleagues who were in town for other work. My third night here and I had dinner plans! Was fantastic and always a treat to have friends in town to enjoy a meal with after a long day.
Today, I spent most of the day outside of Accra--about 45 minutes in the "suburbs" with my Boston-Ghanaian friend Paul's sister's family. Paul is my TA for my class at Boston University and we've been scheming about me meeting his family since I knew about this trip. His sister, Veronica, and brother-in-law George came to pick me up and took me to their home for a home-cooked lunch and relaxing with the family. It was a great afternoon and a lovely insight into the daily lives of a typical family living out the outskirts of but working in Accra (i.e. two hour commutes but lovely, quiet home surroundings).
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