The Other Side of JA

In just a week,
I have learnt that smoking weed will prevent Malaria
Bleaching must be done once you are 13
Parents will sell out their children for the promise of a free insect spray
Don't hide it, if you want light, run a wire ANYWHERE, even thru ur hose
NEVER knock on a door without identifying yourself FULLY!!!
If one police van passes, be on the alert..2 means you head back to the bus...SOLDIERS MEAN GET OUT!
Some people have pig pens behind their houses, some LIVE in the pens
There is little difference between a gully and a river, same water
Again..Don't hide it, if u need to bathe go ahead, what is the difference bet. a road and ur house?

OK, to fill in those that haven't heard my horror stories, i am now working with the Ministry of Health. For 2 months i will be working in inner city communities carrying out Malaria Surveillance. The inner city communities are the areas mostly affected by the outbreak of Malaria since November so we have to keep going to them and asking them certain questions. Some people will get tired of us asking the same questions but are not ALLOWED to refuse giving blood as they will be killed by higher authorities. Being in this program has opened my eyes to the living conditions of many Jamaicans, but what is even more shocking is that this is not what troubles them, they are troubled by the fact that ppl keep asking them unimportant questions but won't come to give them a job. (Uh..I'm sorry :S)
So yeah hopefully i get thru these 2 months in one piece and without contracting "the fever" cause weed gives me a migraine.