Work Based Learning Blues

For the past several weeks, I've spent more time photographing my kids than working on projects of substance, although my family abroad find them much more interesting. With the borders and citizen journalism out of the way, I've been working to get my work based learning elective going. My initial plans fell through when the head of the organization (Arco Iris, Inc.) that I had planned on working with left the country for several months and the second in command left for good. In other words, I'm unable to work there, so I tried several other organizations including World Food Program, World Vision and Health Alliance International.

Health Alliance International, or HAI, and I have agreed to move forward, but it's taking much longer than I expected to actually start. There are more hoops to jump through with an NGO as a free worker than I expected. HAI is an NGO that works to support existing project in the country mostly with HIV/AIDS. They are relatively new and have no communications staff in Mozambique, so I have been dealing with a manager in Seattle. The head or the Mozambique office is preparing to leave for Italy for an extended time, so we're still trying to work out logistics and who my supervisor and contacts will be with him out of the picture.

They are excited to have me and I was drawn to them because of the vision that Emily, the person in Seattle, had. They've never really had photographs before, but had great ideas of what we could do. She sent me a powerful story by Carol Guzy of the Washington Post, but in the end, the country coordinator was a bit scared by its strong content. However, she is organized and has vision. I plan on photographing projects within the country and gathering sound and video as well. I will work in the office here and do some local photography and interviews.

Their biggest concern was whether or not I could travel since all of their projects are upcountry. At this point, I'm waiting for more okay's and budgetary approvals––that's for travel (I'm not being paid as is required). It's been much tougher and frustrating a process than I envisioned, and I haven't even started in my workplace yet. I'm starting to sweat a bit since time is a factor and the clock is ticking.