Burundi (finally!)

After a festive start to 2015, I was off to the next destination: Burundi! I’ll forewarn you that while I’ve enjoyed my time in the capital of Bujumbura so far, I’m here for work. (Although, arguably, global health work is fun – so proceed with caution!)

Burundi is a tiny little country in the Great Lake Region of Africa, and in many ways, it’s kind of a gem. Sure, you may have heard it in the news recently for conflict on the borders of DRC and Uganda (I heard about this 2 days before leaving Ethiopia!). And perhaps you’ll hear even more about this as their 2015 election roles near. But in this small, land-locked country of nearly 11 million – considered among the poorest in the world – there are so many positive things too!  

Take Dedo, for example. My dear friend and fellow Global Health Corps alum who I got to see multiple times since making the trip out here! He took me out to a few restaurants here (the same few I’ve been eating at all week, actually). He introduced me to his friends and some of Bujumbura’s elite (think “I’ll give away $1 million dollars” elite). And he really just helped me explore the city a little, including posing in front of a music video shoot! Gosh I just adore this man!

A music video shoot in the center of town!

Another really positive thing here, my housemate, Mahesh. I mean, really! He made my trip SO much easier for me, sorting a lot of logistics that I would have spent at least a month trying to figure out. We spent the first two weeks in this huge apartment – I think the power only went out once! – and he showed me the ropes around this place a little. We have a chef who comes in a few times a week and whips up incredible cuisine. (This probably sounds really fancy but with the exception of the fact that Jean-Marie, our cook, makes incredible crepes, it’s fairly common among families with a steady income here). And we hired a driver and vehicle…although, this one ended up as a bit of a disaster...long story. 

Mahesh in front of our apartment (with someone else's clothes
drying on our shrubbery...)

Just Jean-Marie, our cook's, weekly menu! 

And, since I always love food, I have to say I've enjoyed checking out a few restaurants in the city - Le Cafe Gourmand (home to amazing pastries!) and, one of my favorites, the lakeside (hippo-view) Kiboko Grill. 

A bruchette - a popular dish here in Burundi

Wine, brie, baguette, and a papaya/tomato/mango salad...
on a Friday Night.

Brunch at Cafe Gourmand.

Yum!

And aside from these incredible people, work has been an absolute whirlwind! Just 2 days after arriving, I started working 15 hour days! My job for the 3 weeks I’m here is to implement a qualitative research study to understand how women here in Burundi understand the concept of “work,” and how they balance that with childcare. We’re doing lots of focus groups and interviews to ask women themselves, who are the most expert about what their own experiences are, as part of a larger economist-led study on family planning in Burundi. This past week, one of the Principal Investigators on the project, a professor in my department, came and stayed with us for the week, which provided a new perspective on the project. But more about all of this later...

So, in short, an eventful first couple of weeks! It hasn't been perfect (e.g., car/driver troubles, stomach bug, limited work/life balance) but it has been enjoyable. Stay tuned!