Malaria Presentation

Sunday, 16 April 2023 (63)

It was a good day for practicing Malagasy. I went for a long walk and spent the whole time going over conversation for the LPI. It a funny thing when we are supposed to know the language but our instructors have a conversation with another native and we hardly can make out what is being said. The language is very deep and we are just getting the baby basics of it.

Malaria PowerPoint Title Slide

Monday, 17 April 2023 (64)

My roommate, ET'd (Early Terminated) today. I was one of the last of the group to hear about it. Apparently, he has been thinking about this for a couple of weeks and confided in a couple people. A vehicle came for him and whisked him away to Tana. The staff doesn't like it when this happens and tries to not have us talk about it or know too many details. I can understand how it could become a thing if others feel similar.

It wasn't that he didn't fit in or couldn't speak the language. In fact, I thought he was doing very well in all aspects and thought he made a pretty good poster boy for the Peace Corps. The story goes that he just didn't feel this was the right thing for him at this time. He supposedly didn't feel comfortable doing the health thing and going out in the community and talking to people. A couple of the girls were closer to him and may be taking it hard. I am surprised in how quick it occurred without any notice nor goodbyes. Just another example of how quickly the world changes - and people come and go so quickly here - and everywhere.

We also rehearsed our presentations in a group setting here as practice for tomorrow's final presentation. Many still seemed unorganized or sketchy in their presentation skills. We are all just doing a lot of reading from paper, even so, some hardly connect with their audiences. Imagine giving a talk and having stage fright - now add the foreign language.

Here's my final presentation - in English and Malagasy. It's not so interactive - mostly a speech on being an example. Also some of the Malagasy is in phonetic spelling for me not to mangle the words too much.

Hello, gentlemen and ladies.
Salama tompko lahy sy tompoko vavy. 

My name is Rick. I am happy to meet you all.
Rick no anarako. Falymafahantatra, ianareo. 

I am here to do a small thing.
Tonga aato aho hanao izay kely bavitako.

I will be a volunteer at the CSB II in Sahanivotry.
Ho volontera any amin’y CSB II Sahanivotry, aho.

I desire better health for all.
Maniry fahasalamana tsara kokoa ho wanyrehetra, aho.

I would like to ask you some questions.
Te hamay-traka fanontanina anareo, aho.

Tazomoka.

What causes malaria?
Inona no mahatonga tazamoka?

You all know Malaria is caused by mosquitoes.
Fantatrareo fa ny tazomoka dia azo avy amin’ny moka.

What are some symptoms?
Inona no soritr’aretina?

You all know the symptoms (fever, diarrhea, etc.)
Fantatrareo daholo ny soritr’aretina (tazo, aretim-pivalanana, sinseesa sinseesa…)

I have spoken with many people.
Ne-resaka t’aminy olona betsaka, aho.

I have asked many questions.
Nanotany fantanina betsaka, aho. 

I don’t know the real problem, nor the best solution.
Fa tsy tena haiko ny olana na ny vaolana.

But I do know this:
Fa afaka milaz ity, aho.

Malaria is a complicated problem. But let’s first start with mosquito nets.
Sarotra ny mamaha olana momba ny tazomoka fa ity misy hevitra tsotra iray: 

Mila mampiasa lay (lie).

Ask yourself this question: Why do you use or do not use a mosquito net?
Mantaniatena, ianreo: Fa ahona mampiasa na tsy mampiasa lay (lie), ianareo?

Why?
Fa ahona?

Do you have that reason in your mind?
Ao (ow) an-tsainareo ve ny antony?

You know “how” to avoid malaria – including using a net.
Fantatrareo “ahona” ny miady amin’ny tazomoka anisany ny mampiasa lay (lie).

But will you?
Fa moa hampiasa ve, inareo?

Why?
Fa manina?

Perhaps one of the reasons: is for us to be an example.
Angamba antony iray ity: satria tokony manao ohatra, isika.

Let me explain.
Mamela ahy hanazava, anareo.

Americans know there are people around the world who need help.
Fantatry ny Amerikana fa betsaka ny olona mila fanampiana.

People who have health issues. Most know this but do nothing.
Olona manana olana ara-pahasalamana. Saingy tsy manao nino-ninona, izireo.

I have come here to do something. To volunteer. It is a small thing.
Tonga aato aho hanao zava-cha kely. Hanao voluntera.

My efforts may not save any lives. My efforts may not change the world.
Mety tsy hamonjy aina ny asako. Mety tsy hanova izao tontolo izao.

But many view my efforts to help as an example.
Fa lasa ohatra aho ny fahatongavako aato.

Perhaps they will themselves be more helpful.
Angamba mety hanampy koa, ny olona hafa.

Perhaps they will do more small things to help others.
Angamba mety hanao zava-cha kely bavitany koa, izireo.

Use a net! Become an example.
Mampiasalay (lie), mba ho ohatra.

Maybe it will do nothing. Maybe it will save your life.
Mety ho zava-cha kely izany fa mety hanavotra ny inao.

Maybe your child, or your family will also start using a mosquito net.
Angamba ny zana-cow fianakavinao no hanomboka hampiasa lay (lie).

This is a small thing. This is a good thing.
It may be inconvenient. You may think you are not at risk.
Zava-cha kely izany fa zava-cha tsara. Mety tsy mahazatra.
Angamba mearcherrytra ianao fa tsy olana be izan.  

How many people in Madagascar get malaria?
Firy ny olona aato Madagaskara voany tazomoka?

2,000,000
Roa tapi-trisa.

How many die?
Firy ny maty?

10,000
Iray alina.

Would they like to go back in time and do that small thing?
Mety ba naniry ny hefarina ati-ow-rena angamba izereo ka hanao izany zava-cha kely izany?

Would they like to have their health, or their child, or their spouse back again?
Mety ba naniry ny hefarina ny fahasalamane ny zanany na ny vadeny, izereo?

Probably.
Angamba.

Being an example is a good reason “why”.
Ny manoa ohatra dia antony layhibe iray.

It is time to decide.
Fotona izao hanapana hay-vitra.

I plead with you. Do what you know is a good thing. It is a small thing.
Miangave anareo, aho. Atovy izae fantatrareo fa tsara, na zava-cha kely aza. 

The world needs more examples.
Mila ohatra izao tontolo izao.

The world needs you and I to do more small things.
Mila anao izao tontolo izao mba hanao izay kely vitanao.

You may not change the world.
Mety tsy hanova izao tontolo izao, ianao.

But you will change “your” world.
Fa mety hanova ny tontolonao.

And you may save a life.
Ary mety hamonzy iina, ianao.

My name is Rick.
Rick, no anarako. 

I am here to do small things.
aato aho hanao zava-cha kely mba vitako.

Why are you here?
Ary nahoana ianareo no aato?

Final PowerPoint Slide