Reflections

Due to Malaria complications, I will be returning to the U.S. this Thursday. I am very disappointed that my time in Africa has been cut short. Words cannot express how impactful this experience has been. However, blood work from the local hospital indicated continued complications with Malaria. Within hours of my diagnosis I learned I would have to return to the U.S. within 48 hours which was quite shocking! I will be back on Brammer Farms recuperating for the rest of the summer. It typically takes 3 to 4 months to recover from these complications. I will rest in order to be 100 percent by fall semester but “resting” is not exactly in my vocabulary. Yet, I know this is important for my health.

I strongly encourage individuals, especially college students, to experience life in a third world country. You quickly learn to appreciate the little things we take for granted in the U.S. like running water, electricity, internet and cell phone service. My greatest challenge during my internship was communication. (Yes, waking up at 4:30 am and having a bedtime of 7 pm was difficult as well!) The only phone call I made this summer was to my parents to inform them of my diagnosis and flight change. Technology is simply very limited in the bush. Texting, snap chats and Facebook was not an option this summer. I felt cut off from the rest of the world.

However, it is truly a small price to pay for the lasting good development work brings. The medical care, food supply, clean well water, orphanage housing and religious devotion that Orphans Unlimited provides to the Balama community of Mozambique is critical. There are more than 1,700 orphans in the total programs that rely on this endeavor to not only sustain life but to survive. Widows and local villagers are also given much needed employment opportunities. They work as washer women, guards, brick layers and pastors for Orphans Unlimited. In fact, the entire community relies on this program. The hospital receives its patient food supply from Orphans Unlimited as the Mozambiquan government lacks resources to provide for sick citizens.  Many communities in the district have access to clean water because of Orphans Unlimited. They have drilled wells, a timely and expensive process, so villagers can have water during the dry season.

 I found great joy in the agriculture development work I completed. My favorite endeavor was the goat herd. I have a livestock background with cattle and horses so goats were a new experience! A goat can drastically improve life for a Mozambiquan family.  They are an excellent source of protein and can provide extra income through breeding programs. However, a challenge is sustainability. It is difficult to convince Mozambiquans of the long term good of breeding programs verses short term consumption gain. I read about these concepts in my agricultural economics classes before traveling to Mozambique so it was interesting to see these real life issues first hand.

The bean and corn processing was another critical project I worked with.  The orphanage’s yearly food supply was prepared during three weeks of my internship. Daily, 500 bags weighing 75 kg were filled with corn or beans that were sprayed to protect against insect infestation. This was a long and dirty process! Workers unloaded the beans into shoots to clean and spray. The bags, which were very heavy, were then carried into a storage facility. Guards watch the warehouse 24-7 as thievery is common in Mozambique.

You feel a sense of accomplishment knowing you helped prepare a year’s worth of food for children in need. This summer I worked with the Balama orphanage which consists of 80 children. I got to know most personally and will miss them greatly. I have many pictures to post once I am back in the U.S! The children warm your heart because they smile constantly and are so happy with the little they have. Working with Mozambiquan orphans was a humbling experience. I look forward to sharing my adventures upon my return to the U.S.

Tomorrow, I depart Balama, Mozambique at 6:30 a.m. to drive three hours to the Pemba airport. From there I fly to Johannesburg, South Africa. My return flight is much shorter, only 12 hours, due to time zone change. I arrive early Thursday morning in Atlanta, Georgia to the U.S. and then make my final destination to Kansas City, Missouri. My family will be waiting for me at my terminal and I am looking forward to seeing them and of course, Teddy.

Exploring the African Bush

The highlight of my week was taking a drive through the African bush for a picnic! In the wild outback of Mozambique, or the bush, roads are simply small paths among the grasses. This is the closest I have been to taking a safari. The grass was taller than our truck! (Note, trucks are known as “bucky’s” here.)  Among the scenery I spotted an occasional cotton field tended by local farmers. I have only seen one livestock farm so far in the country, with only five very poor looking cattle. As we neared the mountainside we passed through remote villages. Villagers were surprised to see a vehicle, let alone white people. I am sure they will be remarking on our jaunt for days.

One morning we arose at 3 am to watch the African sunrise from nearby cliffs. It was breathtaking! The sun rose just above mountains revealing a sea of green trees below. African trees are much different than the oaks, evergreens and spruces of the U.S. The scenery reminded me of the Lion King! Mozambique lacks the exotic wildlife of other African nations. Nearly all animals were killed in the war, but there is an occasional elephant spotting. (I am keeping my fingers crossed and camera ready!) Unfortunately, the elephants are known for destroying villages and fields while searching for food.

I met a Peace Corps volunteer, Rafael Hernandez, from Washington. I was shocked to find another American (or white person) my own age in Mozambique. He just graduated with a degree in physics and serves as a science teacher at Balama school. Rafael said the school system is very poor with limited resources. Each classroom typically has one textbook so students learn from their notes. The greatest challenge is teacher attendance, most teachers come to their classes intoxicated. Students must wait for hours outside the building for teachers to even show up. But, Rafael enjoys teaching his students and invited me to help him make peanut butter, his favorite Mozambiquan pastime.

I already know I will have reverse culture shock returning to the U.S., especially with my wardrobe. In Mozambique, showing knees is taboo as it indicates you are a wonton woman. Therefore, I have been wearing long skirts daily (I now know how pioneer women felt!) I wear tennis shoes to prevent snake and insect bites. Nightly I empty piles of dirt from my shoes. I will not take running water for granted again.  Guards pump clean water for my bunk house which I must then warm and carry to the shower area. Diet is dictated by the seasons because of limited food imports. Most products come from South Africa but meat and dairy are nonexistent. Lemons, watermelons, bananas and papayas  are currently available at the market.

I tried white watermelon for the first time! I do not recommend it as it is bland tasting. I also had my first papaya picking experience. The tallest papaya trees yield the first ripe fruit when they turn from green to yellow. By tying two bamboo poles together and having a Mozambiquan guard stand on three bricks we were able to reach ripe papayas from an 18 foot tree. Pictures of the experience are humorous! Catching the falling fruit is the most difficult part but it was a great addition to dinner.  I also had chance to work in the orphanage’s garden. Garden work is done by hand with a hoe and buckets for water (no water hoses here!) The gardens are covered with mesh to prevent insect contamination.

If you ever find yourself in Mozambique remember to never touch monkey beans. I thought a plant looked familiar. It was not until after I touched the prickly bean pods that I remembered they are notorious for making you itchy. After a thorough hand washing and several hours later my hands and arms were itch-free.

Today, I went on a weekly prayer walk with Orphans Unlimited staff. We walk to the nearest village, Balama, to check on sick individuals. The villages consist of many mud huts made out of Mozambique bricks.  Typically several family generations live in each hut. (Having five to seven children per family is normal in Mozambique.) Everyone walks or rides bicycles here but you see occasional motorcycles on the roads. All roads are dirt and covered in red dust so walking is a grimy venture! I look forward to my next outing in the bush. I have been taking many pictures of the wilds of Africa and cannot wait to share them on my return.

Firsts in Mozambique

Sunday church services in Mozambique are colorful experiences filled with loud clapping, expressive songs and lively dancing. Locals even bring their own drums to church! The services are around 45 minutes long and Sunday school follows. More than 150 village children attend and they enjoy learning bible stories with books and puppets. (They absolutely adore the puppets!) At my first service I found myself being pulled to my feet by an elderly women. She only spoke Portuguese and despite my protests of “poco Portuguese”, meaning I speak little Portuguese, she began explaining the complicated dance steps. When she finally realized I was not following her she jumped up and showed me how to “shake it” in front of the congregation. I can dance a great two step or cupid shuffle in the U.S., but African dances are another matter entirely! All English attendees were the honoured guests and the children sang a special song for us. Their voices were beautiful! This is a very friendly country and even the markets are filled with music and dancing.

In the markets I often hear old popular 90’s American tunes by groups like N’SYNC and the Spice Girls. My South African friend, Danielle, informed me that Africa is slightly behind in the times. She asked me what trends were popular in the U.S. and I told her leggings, button up shirts, neon prints and North Face jackets. Danielle informed me those will probably be trendy in three years in South Africa. She also told me she was from a small town with a population of 70,000. My hometown of Gallatin, Mo., has a population of 1,200 which astounded her! Afrikaans is the main language of South Africa although native languages and English are widely spoken. Most schools even teach students at least three languages fluently. Danielle has taught me Afrikaans phrases, such as “I want to sloop in a corner,” which means you want to take a nap!

The bean processing was officially finished this week which was very exciting. Monday begins corn processing which will entail unloading, cleaning and spraying the corn to be stored for the upcoming year. Many locals are hired to help with the yearly grain buying. I stand at 5’ 6’ and am taller than most male workers here! Supplies must be bought in advance to ensure the orphans will have food throughout the year. Corn work will continue throughout June. To mark the beginning of June I have helped prepare for one of the largest yearly celebrations. June 1 is International Children’s Day which is considered a major youth holiday in Africa. Many of the children do not know their birthdays so this is the day for general birthday celebrations. All village children are invited to an event sponsored by the orphanage where they spend a fun-filled afternoon playing games and receiving cookies and candies. I am in charge of preparing games which will include sack runs, relay races and limbo.

Each week a staff member rotates assisting Linda, our cook, with meal preparation. This week was my kitchen assistant time. I greatly enjoy the fresh tropical fruit here especially the bananas and watermelon! The sweetest food I have eaten is banana cake. (Everyone knows I have a sweet tooth and in the U.S. I enjoy baking my famous homemade chocolate chip cookies!) Goat is a popular meat here, I find myself missing American beef. Dairy products are difficult to come by as well so I will be without milk and cheese this summer. Luckily, my diet in Africa has expanded beyond rice and beans as I had feared! Linda is great at making homemade meals out of limited resources as she even made enchiladas last night.  This week, I found myself missing American food. I will be eating my fill of cereal, hamburgers and ice cream when I return!  

Travel, always an adventure!

You never know what adventures travel will bring. During my second week in Mozambique I have contracted Malaria which has been quite an adventure itself. Thursday morning at the baby clinic, I had a headache and stomach pains. After lying down, I soon had a high fever and was diagnosed with Malaria. Malaria is a tropical sickness spread through mosquito bites.  It is a frustrating illness as I am bedridden for several days with joint aches, headaches, light sensitivity and loss of appetite.  I even took precautions by taking anti-Malaria medication and consistently applying insect repellent. Thankfully, Brenda is a registered nurse and has taken excellent care of Danielle and I, as she was also stricken. I have been on medication the past three days and have two more days of bed rest. Danielle and I keep each other entertained by playing card games. (There is limited entertainment in third world countries!) I look forward to Monday when I can begin to process beans again.

The past week has been devoted to bean processing. My job is quality control as I ensure beans run through the shoot have been sprayed with preservative. This is important as it protects the beans from insects during storage. The beans and corn processed during the next few weeks will be the yearly food supply for the orphans. I also clean my shoot in between bags as they get contaminated from different bean bags. Workers load 150 lb bags of beans into the metal shoot and it is an impressive process to watch as a Mozambiquean can carry one bag on his head! The job begins at 6 am and ends at lunch time. It gets dusty and dirty but is an essential time of year for the orphanage.

Once a week, the orphanage staff hosts a baby clinic. Each Thursday mothers with newborns bring babies for a health check. The babies are weighed, measured and growth progress is recorded. A set of twin boys came in this week weighing under 8 lbs each, they were very tiny! The mothers are given milk formula and medicines which are not readily available outside of the cities. Several babies had been in the local hospital. In Mozambique, basic medical procedures such as tonsil removal or a C-section can be extremely risky due to limited medical knowledge. I am located in Balama, which has a hospital but no post office. (So please do not expect any letters from me!)

I have made my first trip to the local market, which is made up of many stalls in the streets. Wares range from bicycle parts to vegetables. Bicycles are the most common means of transportation but you will find several motorcycles in the streets. Markets here are not as intense as in Vietnam, where bartering for the good almost wore you out and shopkeepers would try to drag you into their stalls! The hand dyed African clothe is beautiful, with exotic patterns and brilliant designs. They are sold in pieces and one can make an entire traditional African outfit. Everyone is very friendly in the market, and I thought I was making friends with local children. However, apparently they were laying their hands out to me for money, not high fives! I think I confused both of us, again culture differences. I have also had to turn down several marriage proposals here. Apparently, blonde haired American girls are a rarity here!

This week is just filled with new experiences. Contracting Malaria was not fun but I am sure it will be an excellent conversation starter back in the U.S. We had several wildlife spottings of a mongoose and cobra. Luckily, the guards had killed the cobra as snakes are ‘not my thing.’  But, the mongoose was an interesting tropical creature that resembled a weasel combined with a ferret. I hope to see more wildlife in the coming days. This weekend I will be resting up and taking plenty of fluids. Until next week!

Salamma from Mozambique!

I have arrived safely to Africa with no issues (I was very glad I did not lose any luggage!) My longest flight was 15 hours from Atlanta, Georgia to Johannesburg, South Africa. I slept most of the flight as I was exhausted from three finals, a 20^th birthday party and moving out of my college house. It was a lot to fit in before my departure.  Luckily, I managed to visit my family on our farm the weekend before I left. I had to make up for the events I will miss over the summer.

I spent the night in Johannesburg to catch an early small plane to Pemba, Mozambique as there are limited flights into the country. Security was not as daunting as I had originally thought. I had no problems with my U.S. passport or Mozambique visa. As a communist country, there are very strict standards to gain entry to the country. When I arrived I had to meet with local government agents and police which was rather interesting considering limited English is spoken here.

Portuguese is the native language, since colonization ended after wars in the 1960’s. Most people speak limited English but communication is possible, it just takes some time. (Just like most things in Mozambique!) The children at the orphanage speak more English and enjoy teaching me Portuguese. The orphanage is run by solar power so during the night we have light. It gets very dark, very quickly here. My day begins at 4:30 am and ends at 8:00 pm, my bedtime. Communication is extremely limited from Africa to the U.S. and there is a seven hour time zone difference.

This summer I will be working as an intern at Orphans Unlimited which was founded by Brenda or “Bush Bunny Brenda” as she is known in Africa. Other full time staff include Linda, our wonderful cook, and Eric, mechanic and go-to person for technology issues. There are many locals who work for the orphanage as security, handy men or washers. Here, my living arrangements are similar to summer camp except we lack electricity, air conditioning and running water. I live in a bunk house room with two collegiate volunteers and another will be joining us later in the summer.

Danielle is a white South African and we have a wonderful time comparing cultures! She saw my John Deere hat and immediately told me that was one of her favourite “bucky’s” which means truck or tractor companies. (John Deere is my favorite too!) Taking safaris is normal in South Africa and she has exciting stories of seeing elephants, zebras and lions daily. Emma is from Texas and plays collegiate volleyball for Concordia University. She has a bright personality and has travelled to several countries including Morocco, Mexico, Japan and Italy so we enjoy comparing travel stories.

I am the only agriculture intern and my responsibilities include the goat herd, any gardening, development programs and working with children. In Mozambique, women are required to wear long skirts and tops with sleeves. I will have very interesting tan lines when I return! Today, I assisted in de-worming the goat herd where my summers of veterinarian job shadowing and livestock experience came in handy. I was responsible for filling syringes and helped Brenda with anything she needed which included catching baby goats. There are more than 110 goats in the herd, which was started by Brenda.

Life is very different here and I find myself often missing American items such as Starbucks (and caffeine in general), my Macbook , Iphone, Netflix, Pandora music and of course Facebook. I also dislike “missing out” and I warned my friends that I did not want any surprise engagements when I returned! However, I know this is a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone has been extremely welcoming since I have arrived to Africa and my sponsoring company, ICM has been very helpful to coordinate my internship. There are smiling faces in every village and I have greatly enjoyed meeting the children. I have only been in the country for less than a week, but I feel excited about my summer adventures. I will have great stories to tell when I return to the states!

#AgAmbassador

It is hard to believe that my year as a National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador is drawing to a close. It's been quite the adventure! Being a part of this program has been one of my favorite collegiate experiences hands down. The people I have met, including Ambassadors and FFA staff, are pretty amazing. I even met one of my best friends, Kylah Reynalds, who hails from Oregon. We may never have crossed paths if not for this program! 

One of my final presentations was during the Missouri State FFA Convention. My workshop reached

more than 150 FFA members. I cannot express how excited I was to speak at Convention- I felt so honored to be asked to present a workshop. (I could hardly sleep the night before and arrived an hour early to my assigned room!) The title of my talk was "#AgIssues" and I discussed current threats, trends and opportunities in agriculture. Through interactive activities students had the chance to relate issues to social media. I stressed the importance of being an AGvocate and how it is important to tell your personal story in agriculture to combat industry threats. Personally, I had a blast and I even created my first Prezi with no technical errors!

My remaining presentation schedule includes a civic group and collegiate club to conclude my 30 Ambassador hours. I am greatly looking forward to presenting "Collegiate FFA Opportunities" to the MU Ag Systems Management club as they are quite the crowd! I enjoy every opportunity to speak to groups regarding agriculture. Being an Ambassador was the highlight of my sophomore year. 

I believe it is essential to bring awareness to our industry and make our way of life relatable. Not everyone will be a farmer in their life but everyone will need a farmer at some point. That's what motivates me; the farmers. People like my Poppie Brammer work hard to provide food for our country. They wake up at the crack of dawn, feed livestock in the bitter cold and harvest crops in the sizzling heat. And they do not complain. (Does the "So God Made a Farmer" commercial ring a bell?)

Yet, sometimes we as citizens forget how much needed producers are and we do not realize the issues facing agriculture. Even if we are involved in the industry or have been raised in a farming household we should strive to be continual learners and be prepared to all serve as an ambassadors. You do not need a fancy title or matching polo to spread agricultural awareness. All you need is a message. 

Setting up for workshop #1!

Students created Twitter hashtags about agriculture industry issues.

Having a "teaching moment" during my #AgIssues Prezi. 

During another activity students worked in groups to brainstorm agriculture related songs. 

My cousin, Jesse Poisal, attended my workshop. It was great to see her! 

A Convention "First"

Blue corduroy jackets descended upon Columbia for the 86th Missouri State FFA Convention. In high school this time of year was the most stressful but also the most exciting. I knew I would see my friends from across the state at the Hearns Center. (In between contests and courtesy corp duties of course!) I qualified to state each year and had the honor of ranking gold in horse judging evaluation, being on stage for public speaking awards and winning two area proficiencies.

Through my years in FFA I have served many roles; contest team member, public speaker, officer, camper, National Convention delegate... you get the picture; I love FFA. The organization has offered me countless opportunities. I credit FFA and my first advisor, Mrs. Rogers, for developing my potential and giving me the foundation for future success.

Now, as a collegian I find myself having a different role at Convention. I worked in the media room creating press releases for Missouri FFA and recruited students to MU clubs at the career fair. And, I was very blessed to be asked to conduct a workshop for National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassadors. The tables had definitely turned as I was used to being the student verses the presenter! (I felt pretty old when I got mistaken for an agricultural advisor and a mom all in the same day.)

There were many highlights to this year's convention. Being a presenter was pretty awesome- I had the chance to share my message with more than 150 FFAers about issues facing the agriuclure industry. But, the people are what make Convention truly memorable. This year I got to see my best friend, Sonja Perry, retire as a Missouri State FFA secretary. Her passion for agriculture and dedication to FFA is simply unmatched. She has inspired me in more ways than I can count and I shed tears as she retired her jacket on stage.

I also got to see my little brother, Dane, as he had qualified for a second year to state. Dane was the high individual on the Gallatin agronomy team and is one of 30 high school sophomores selected to attend the Missouri Agribusiness Academy this summer. It seems like just yesterday I was on the MABA bus in Jefferson City to have the time of my life touring St. Louis agribusinesses.

You just never know who you will run into at Convention. While I was cheering on this year's state officer team, I saw my mentor and former superintendent Mr. Croy. Also, my past advisors Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Henderson were in attendance in addition to numerous advisors and friends I have met through the years. If I could say one thing to a current FFA member it is this; enjoy your time in the blue jacket. The official dress may get a little scratchy, you may get tired of studying for your contest team or you may be in a hurry to grow up but don't. Enjoy the moment.

Megan LaManna and I recruit ACT members at the Career Fair. 

"Arrrg... Join CAFNR Student Council!" Mat Jeffers, Maggie Hardwick and I assisted with the adventure themed booth. 

So proud of my little brother, Dane Brammer, who is one of 30 sophomores selected to attend the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Glad you are following in my footsteps as a MABA alumni! 

FFA is a family tradition for the Brammers! Dane is a current member, Celia teaches agricultural education and I am a collegiate member so we represent all FFA areas. 

The Gallatin FFA Chapter had TWO state proficiency winners this year. Congratulations Megan Beck, we have come a long way from our days showing horses.