Loss

I was supposed to spend this afternoon with one of my co-workers from the District Health Office.  We were going to do his weekly lesson in evidence based decision making, and then work out plans for distributing water monitoring forms to the Health extension workers. I was looking forward to the afternoon; I enjoy working with him a lot –   direct and to the point, always hardworking, always on time, always eager to learn more.

Plans change. His two year old son died this morning.  No notice, no warning. I spent the morning sitting on his living room floor with about 50 other shocked and grieving women.

It’s saddening, and not all that rare. Another of our co-workers lost two children suddenly, earlier this year.  It’s very common for meetings and field work to be rescheduled for funerals (almost weekly it seems).  Never before for someone this close to me, but definitely for people that they know.  The even scarier part is that the people I interact with on a regular basis, are more well off than many.  They have government jobs, steady income.  They’re not living in extreme poverty.  I can only imagine the increase in frequency of these types of events, for those who are.

Sometimes I think people romanticize poverty.  ‘It’s a simpler way of life.’  ‘People don’t have as much, but they’re still just as happy.’  I’m know I’ve done it.  I’m looking to move out of my comfy living situation, into something less plushy.  Why? In order to experience and understand better.  But I’m a lucky one.  I can pick and choose what I want to experience and what I don’t.  Living without electricity and running water – ok, sure.  My family getting sick – no thanks, I’ll pass on that one.  That choice doesn’t exist for many, and there’s nothing romantic or happy about it.