Week 5: May 29th to June 4th
A lot of my experience throughout this project has been very uncertain. As I may have
already mentioned, constructing a project of such sensitive topics from scratch, with no academic support from nearby institutions (simply because Medical Anthropology does not really exist in academic spaces here), has been touch. Since I have landed, I have struggled with trying to get schools and community members to work with me. I have been lucky enough to work with the Colegio Jose Olaya, whom have offered me a sanctuary to conduct my research. Though, every time I board Bus H to Huanchaco, I am reminded of how things still remain uncertain and unknown.
Although that is the purpose of my research -- to navigate something that has yet to be understood -- I have come across several situations that leave me to be in the unknown. However, this space that was very frightening, has become very comfortable. I enjoy not knowing what to expect every time I walk across the campus or ask for the key to the library, where I conduct my interviews. I enjoy not knowing what questions the teacher will ask today, and what the students might say in retaliation. I enjoy the building of community and collaboration across the campus. I enjoy being able to jump over such a large hurdle, because it reassures me that I will be okay, even when I am uncertain.
To me, this is the most important thing. If I don't leave with enough data -- that's fine too (even though I am doing everything possible to avoid that), but having faith in myself and my capacity to drive change through research & innovation, is fundamental to my future.
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