Wander With Me

2013-05-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when it’s difficult. People do notice, people appreciate. I appreciate it when it’s done for me. Small gestures can be an effort, or actually go against our grain (“I’m not a big one for paying compliments…”), but the irony is that almost every time you make them, you feel better about yourself. For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more Gene Kelly dancing in the rain. -Jonathon Carroll

2013-04-26T10:45:00.001-07:00

A beautiful tribute...

Schweitzer

2013-02-12T10:38:00.001-08:00

It's good to be back in the Northwest!

Salang Hantle

2013-01-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

There are pieces of my heart scattered across the mountains of Lesotho...

Ralithakong

Ntsoareleng

Motsamai

Tlhokuli

Thlolohelo

Kabelo

Tlotlisang

Nteboheng

Mamello

Liatile

Boitumelo

Seabonga

Renang

Reitumetse

Tlotlisang

Ntsokoleng

Tsepang

Batloung

Tsepo

Hats, hats, hats...

2013-01-29T07:12:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks, I've been furiously knitting away trying to use up all my yarn.

These cute little ones had to suffer the consequences...

...the obligatory hat pictures.

Goodbye Party

2013-01-29T05:02:00.000-08:00

Big Sky

2013-01-27T07:13:00.002-08:00

I am going to miss these mountains and this sky.

Reitumetse

2013-01-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

I clearly remember the first time I saw this little girl...

I was sandwiched between two woman on a long bench at the Mokhotlong Hospital.

Cradled in my arms lay a tiny, wheezing 10 month-old...waiting her turn to see the over-worked nurse for the just two minutes he could give her to address her cough, vaccinations, malnutrition, HIV, and rash.

Up and down the hallway, nearly fifty women and their children waited patiently for their two minutes.

As sweat trickled down my back, I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the wall wondering how much longer we would wait.

A few moments later, I looked up to see one of the TTL Outreach workers gently leading a mother and child down the crowded hallway.

The mother was visible ill...the final stages of the AIDS virus tearing her body apart.

A skinny toddler trailed behind her, tears streaming down her face.

After the Outreach Worker ushered them into the doctor's office, she wedged herself onto the bench next to me and let out a deep sigh.

She proceeded to tell me the mother would likely die any day...the mother and the Outreach worker both knew this to be true...they'd seen too many friends and family suffer this same slow decline.

In her final days, the mother was desperate to find somewhere for her young daughter to go so she contacted TTL.

Reitumetse came to stay at the safe-home that afternoon.

The day after she arrived, the children were playing outside...she was sitting in my lap, still too lethargic to join...when her mother stopped by to visit.

As she walked around the corner, Reitumetse looked up, saw her, and began to let out a quiet whimper.

I quickly walked over and handed Reitumetse to her mother and she just melted into her arms.

A few days later, the hospital contacted us to tell us Reitumetse's mother had passed away.

This little girl had no idea her mother had passed away.

How do you tell an 18-month old something like that?

As the weeks passed, Reitumetse quickly regained her health and her fiery, stubborn, beautiful personality enchanted us all.

After three months at the safe-home, we took Reitumetse home on Friday.

I will miss this little girl immensely.

But I am so proud of all the progress she made.

I am so happy that she could return home to her village.

And I hope I will never forget her sweet little laugh and that mischievous little grin.

2013-01-21T19:27:00.000-08:00

Jujubee's Bakery...

A Year of Books...

2013-01-21T12:02:00.002-08:00

Just giving myself an update on the books I've read over the past year...

Currently reading...

The Sea, The Sea Iris Murdoch

Far From the Tree Andrew Solomon

Midnight's Children Salman Rushdie

...

Done and done...

A Visit from the Goon Squad Jennifer Egan

Case Histories Kate Atkinson

Daring Greatly Brene Brown

It Starts with Food Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

In a Strange Room Damon Galgut

This is How You Lose Her Junot Diaz

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows JK Rowling

NW Zadie Smith

Kafka on the Shore Haruki Murakami

The Marriage Plot Jeffery Eugenides

Don Quioxte  Miguel Cervantes

Frankenstein  Mary Shelley

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince J.K. Rowling

The Night Circus Erin Morgensen

Beautiful Ruins Jess Walter

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling

Mocking Jay Suzanne Collins*

The Phantom Tollbooth Norton Juster*

Someone Like You  Roald Dahl

Catching Fire Suzanne Collins *

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling

The Midnight Palace Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Sacks Rebecca Skloot

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling

Love Does Bob Goff

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Devil in the White City Erik Larson *

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Mindy Kaling*

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling

Still Life with Woodpecker Tom Robbins

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Junot Diaz

La Lacuna Baraba Kingsolver

The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy

Shanghai Girls Lisa See

This is Your Brain on Music Daniel Levitin

**No, I do not know why I read so many books at once...always have....probably always will.

***Audiobook...that still counts right?

In Closing

2013-01-20T11:12:00.001-08:00

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now.

I've wanted to express my thoughts about leaving this amazing country.

Reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the past year.

But the last few weeks have passed quickly.

Things have distracted me from completing the task...

...lots of rain equaling no electricity or internet...

...a small malaria scare resulting in a four hour drive to South Africa and the nearest adequate hospital (don't worry, I don't actually have malaria)...

...sweet babies to cuddle...

...my own reluctance to admit this year is actually coming to an end.

Today, marks just ten days until I leave.

Certainly, I have mixed feelings about this transition.

I could not be more excited to see and hug and laugh with this wonderful family I have...

...snuggle with this weird kitty...

...and nourish my friendships with the amazing people I've missed in Seattle.

But I'm said to leave the sweet babies that bring meaning to each day here...

...I know my heart will ache for the breath-taking beauty of these mountains...

...and I'll miss the slow, relaxed pace of a rural African life.

I know life at home with be filled with triumphs and struggles of its own.

In my first days at home, I'll have the privilege of witnessing the wedding of one very special boy...

...I'll officially be sworn in as an attorney in Washington State...

...and I'll relax around the kitchen table with family celebrating the birthday of one of my favorite people in the world.

All of these things will give me strength as I transition back to life in the U.S.

And while I'm anxious about finding a fulfilling job in this lovely job market, I know that this new period in my life will help me grow and allow me to learn about the world around me in ways I cannot predict.

I look forward to the moments of laughter, relaxing, and ridiculousness peppered throughout the hard work of rebuilding a life in Washington.

And I hope...I know...that the perspective, strength, friendships, and memories I have gathered in this past year will guide me along the way.

A Holiday Adventure

2013-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Over the holidays, we spent two weeks traveling through South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique.

Because Lesotho is completely devoid of all wildlife...oh excuse me, we do have ice rats - which are just as exciting as they sound...we decided to start our trip in South Africa's Kruger National Park.

See the fence on the right side of the picture?

Well, hyenas would pace back and forth along the fence all night long, trying to get to all the warthogs that were darting around on our side of the fence...craziness.

We then spent a few days in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique.

The contrast of a large African capital city to our small sleepy mountain town...

At the fish market, freshly caught seafood lay available for the choosing.

We picked out some prawns and stone fish and carried it to the restaurant in the back to be grilled up.

Then we spent five glorious days relaxing on the beach in Tofo...doing nothing but reading, eating, and swimming.

I hardly took my camera out at all in Tofo...that's why all I have to share is a few phone pics and some scenery pictures I quickly snapped on our last morning as the rain started to fall.

I was too busy reading...and eating...and swimming, after all.

And the above would be the only picture I have from Swaziland.

Yep, I did a terrible job documenting this trip.

Lastly, we stopped in St. Lucia, South Africa...a massive marine estuary filled with hippos and crocodiles.

Ha Hlakane

2012-12-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, we took an overnight hike to a village a few hours outside of Mokhotlong...

...of course, we had to take a donkey along to carry all our heavy things...

...we were taking large amounts of maize meal and flour out to the villagers and our donkey friend was more than happy to carry it..I think...

...he was very agreeable for the most part...

...except when he saw girl donkeys...

...then he wouldn't listen to anything anyone said...

...we headed out to the village of Ha Hlakane...

...where Sapewae and her family live...

...of course, the first thing on the agenda was learning how to give proper high-fives...

...as usual, many requested self-potraits...

...and we moved on from high-fives to 'knuck'...

...we learned how to grind maize by hand...

...and the whole town came to watch the 'lehoa' (white people) who had suddenly appeared...

...learned how to play lots of silly Sesotho games...

...cuddled with the kitty even though Basotho thought us crazy (they may think anyone who keeps company with a cat is a witch)...

...watched some traditional dancing...

...watched Brad entertain all the kiddos as a 'robot'...

...watched this little herd boy try to catch us a sheep that he insisted we needed...

...and took some pictures with the family.

Gingerbread? House?

2012-12-17T07:57:00.001-08:00

Jujubee's Bakery...

2012-12-15T02:34:00.003-08:00

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world. -- Fred Rogers

I'm not sure...

2012-12-14T08:40:00.002-08:00

...how I feel about horse riding.

I love animals...I love being outside...

...but I don't love it when my butt hurts beyond belief...or when the horse decides he'd just prefer to stand in place.
Meet my horse, Midnight...actually I changed his name to Diamond half way through our ride.Maybe that's why he wouldn't do anything I wanted him to.It was a beautiful ride out to the waterfall.And definitely a fun day...

...maybe I'll let you know my final opinion when my butt stops hurting.

A Food Crisis

2012-12-14T04:04:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, a more-than-welcome rain has fallen over the highlands of Lesotho.

The proceeding weeks have seen too many Basotho looking pleadingly toward the sky praying for the rain their crops so desperately need.

With the rain, relief washed over the people of Lesotho.

And while a few days of rain does not guarantee a fruitful yield, this long-awaited weather pattern has provided a hope that this year's harvest will bring relief to the hundreds of thousand of people experiencing extreme food shortages.

The families of rural Lesotho rely primarily on subsistence farming and the past few years of poor harvests have wrought devastation on hundreds of thousands of people in Lesotho.

The severity of this devastation - nearly 725,000 people facing famine - caused the Prime Minister of Lesotho to declare a food emergency in August of this year.

We see the effects of this food crisis first-hand in the families we serve.

The number and severity of malnourished children being admitted to the safe-home has increased dramatically, seeming to overtake HIV/AIDS as the primary reason for admittance.

In previous years, Outreach would provide a large bag of maize meal to, maybe, two struggling families a month.

Now, we consistently provide this staple to over fifteen families a month.

Lesotho has put out a mass appeal to the international community for assistance in this emergency.

This appeal has gone largely unanswered, leaving many in Lesotho with no food and no where to turn.

At Touching Tiny Lives, we're continually looking for new ways to address the increasing food insecurity.

But we can play just a small part in addressing the myriad issues that have contributed to this crisis.

However, we will endeavor to combine the passion of our staff, the strength of the children we serve, and the limited resources of the country of Lesotho to provide high-impact care, one child at a time.

A few interesting articles...

The Guardian
Lesotho: hungry and largely forgotten as donor pledges ring hollow

Alert Net
Lesotho's food crisis: a waiting game

Mamello

2012-12-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

I got to see this sweet face on Friday.

Mamello has been home in her village for almost six months now.

Since she's been home, I've been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to visit her in her village.

As we pulled up I could see a little green hat bobbing around, nestled between the little heads of the village children.

It was so beautiful to see her at home...with her friends...with her family...in her village.

The minute we arrived, she took my camera and started taking pictures of all of her friends.

This smart little girl remembered every button to push to review the pictures....of course, after she remembered to place the wrist strap snuggly around her little wrist.

Although she still hasn't quite mastered looking through the eyepiece ...it was more of a smoosh the face to the display and point the camera in a random direction.

All this visit made my heart warm in so many ways, it was also a difficult visit.

It was readily apparent that Mamello is experiencing some very significant side-effects from her ARVs.

Were she growing up in the US, she would long ago have been switched to a regiment of ARVS that worked better with her body.

We've contacted a specialist with the Baylor Pediatric AIDS Iniative who I hope will have a chance to visit Mamello and address these issues.

This little girl deserves so much more than to live with these debilitating side-effects.

Sani Top

2012-12-05T21:30:00.001-08:00

Where Lesotho meets South Africa, it drops off in a magnificent display of nature.

The Mountain Kingdom drops off in shear basalt cliffs to the savannas of South Africa below.

These two landscapes often have markedly different weather patterns.

On the day we hiked Sani Top, a blanket of clouds buffeted the escarpment sending fingers of mists reaching over the rocky cliffs' edge.

A Birthday Treat...

2012-12-02T05:13:00.000-08:00

Jujubee's Bakery...

A Life Lost...

2012-12-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

December 1st is World AIDS Day.

This day provides an opportunity to reflect on all the progress that has been made in fighting this epidemic.

However,today I am consumed by the heartbreak of losing this little girl.

Two days ago she lost her battle with AIDS.

She succumbed to an opportunistic pneumonia - a disease that was able to thrive because AIDS had already ravaged her little body so.

Although the loss of any young life is tragic, her death highlights the many obstacles that obliterate too many children's chances of a healthy childhood.

At fourteen months, she was severely malnourished - although services, like TTL's are available, the systems for reaching these children are imperfect.

She was tested and diagnosed as HIV-positive shortly after birth - yet in her fourteen months, the clinic she attended failed to start her on ARV's which are now free and widely available in Lesotho.

She lay in the Mokhotlong hospital when her rapid, labored breathing became too much for her little body - yet the understaffed and under-resourced hospital could do nothing to ease her distress.

...

Each World AIDS Day, I know I will remember this baby girl...I will remember her sweet smile, her little laugh.

And as the years pass, I will celebrate the astounding progress that continues to be made in this fight.

I will celebrate the day we have better access and higher quality ARVs and vaccines.

I will celebrate the day we have a cure to HIV.

But today is for this little girl...and for every child who will not live to see that day.

2012-11-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

M&D in Lesotho

2012-11-25T08:18:00.001-08:00

It was a very unique pleasure to have my parents share in my life here in Lesotho.

Following ten days of safari in Botswana and a week together in Cape Town, they concluded their trip with a visit to Mokhotlong.

We began our trip into Lesotho via Sani Pass, the former-donkey trail/4X4 switch-back road that scales the Drakensberg.

While taken with the area's beauty, the Madre - who just might have a small fear of heights - was just glad to survive the cliff-hanging road.

Of course, a stop at the 'Highest Pub in Africa' was required.

Conveying what life is like here in Mokhotlong is tricky.

I can tell you that I awaken each morning to a chorus of sheep bells sounding as a flock parades past my door.

I can describe the skinny bodies and huge smiles of the babies in the safe-home.

I can try to articulate how I find the mountains that surround my home to be both alarmingly bleak and strikingly beautiful at the same time.

And I can quote endless statistics about the poverty, food insecurity, and child mortality that plagues this nation.

But I can never quite find the words to paint a true picture of these things.

So to share these experiences and realities with my parents was a gift.

The Faces of Malnutrition

2012-11-21T00:51:00.002-08:00

This sweet baby girl has a little smirk that instantly puts a smile on the face of anyone she flashes it at.

Boitathelo came to TTL a few weeks ago suffering from chronic malnutrition.

Malnutrition is generally classified as either chronic or acute...depending on whether the child has experienced a severe lack of food and essential nutrients over a long period of time, perhaps their whole life, or they are suffering from a temporary lack of food and nutrition.

Children suffering from acute malnutrition generally experience what is referred to as "wasting"... or a substantial loss in weight, among other symptoms.

Chronic malnutrition generally leads to "stunting"... or an overall lack of growth which results in a child who is very small for their age, as well as significantly underweight.

Sweet Boitathelo is fourteen months old...chronic malnutrition has clearly taken its toll.

I know it's hard to tell from the picture above, but she is hardly the size of a nine month old.

She hasn't started walking or even crawling and can only just sit up on her own.

Although she's been with us a few weeks, this little one has been slow to gain any weight.

Yesterday, her breathing became extremely distressed...her little stomach rapidly rose and fell with each little breath.

She was admitted to the hospital where we hope she'll receive the care she needs to overcome the many obstacles she faces.

Through it all, however, that little smirk keeps popping up to let us know there's a lot of fight left in this little one.

Renang, in comparison, was suffering from a more acute case of malnutrition when he arrived at the safe-home several months ago.

Although very skinny, his overall growth had not suffered...he was within the normal height range for his age.

Renang's malnutrition had still taken its toll, however.

At seventeen months he wasn't yet walking...likely because his legs hadn't developed enough muscle-mass to master this skill.

In just a few weeks and many big meals later, this little man was cruising around the playroom.

Renang returned home to his grandmother last week, his chubby cheeks and confident gait a sure sign of his recovery.

TTL will now serve Renang as an outreach client to continue to monitor his growth and health and ensure that those little legs keep running around.

Cape Town

2012-11-20T08:14:00.001-08:00

At this point in my journey, a week in Cape Town with my parents was exactly what I needed.

I needed some time in the big city.

I needed some warm ocean air.

I needed some delicious food.

I needed some good wine.

And most of all I needed some hugs from the madre and padre.

Hiking Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point

Watching the African Penguins at Boulder Beach

Wandering around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Wine tasting in Stellenbosch

Climbing Table Mountain

Whale watching in Hermanus

A wonderful trip that rejuvenated me for my last few months in Mokhotlong.

Pictures of my parents visit to Lesotho to come...