The Choice!

So Ive been out of a full-time job for more than a year now! Yes, I took on a research internship, started blogging professionally and did many online assignments so that my otherwise impeccable CV didn’t suffer too big a hole. But all this hardly helped the perpetual sinking feeling of not actually having a job.
 

Most people understood and supported my choice. Well, why wouldn’t they? Staying at home and supporting your husband is considered the most worthwhile pursuit, after all!

I soon knew I had to do something or my end was near. No, I’m not being dramatic, its true! My self-worth had fallen considerably, and I began to have insane rages and violent tantrums. I was doing more harm than good for the people at home!

So I began applying for jobs in other cities in Ghana and within 3 weeks, I had one! It is a research consulting profile to conduct studies with children in multiple districts in Ghana. Perfect for me! I took it without thinking twice.

This is my last week in Obuasi. I move to Winneba in a few days. I will live out of a suitcase, stay in some guest-house, starve most of the time and more likely than not, end up with Malaria!

But I am happy, its where my heart is! Best of all, I’m going back to fieldwork, my soul-food! J

It depends! Does it?

For some reason, I really resent it when people, especially at workplace say "It depends!" with an air of knowing!  

What does that mean anyway? It doesn't in the least answer what you are asking. For example, the other day, we asked someone does a door-to-door health intervention (spraying anti-malarial insecticides on walls of houses) - How many houses do you cover in a day? 

"It depends" came the answer.

"On what?" I persisted!

"On many things like the size of the houses, the number of rooms, the type of walls, etc".

This type of an answer helps no one. But sadly, lots of people talk like this!

He couldve simply said " Around 10-20, depending on the type of houses".

I really don't get why people cloud things - why they settle for being ambiguous and obscure where they can be a little more objective and say something concrete. Its almost as it is either:

1. They don't know

2. They don't want to tell you

3. They want to make it seem like its something complex when it is not. 

4. Its too big a load on their brain to think about it and come up with an answer. 

Raising the BAR?

Is it sadistic hinging on cruel to make mileage of the fact that men think you are doing them a favor by letting them buy you coffee? I ask this purely in the context of work. I personally dont think so, given the disadvantages women face in workplaces, esp in India - for example, we almost always lose out on the special bonding that men indulge in only over drinks - decisions made, friendships created, secrets spilled, information shared - we very rarely get to even know about it, let alone be part of a drinks-do!

So think about it - there emerges a pretty strong case for women to use their appeal to the same end.

I too have one :)

A new person was hired on our field team. Another one of those! (I get quite crabby these days)

Resignedly, I asked my colleague what his job description was to be.

Well, hes basically going to be your bitch!

Oh how I loved that!!! :) I dont mean it in a disrespectful way at all; the person in question is a highly qualified field expert...but just think about it.....my bitch !! :) just when my nerves are stretched to a snapping point due to the stress at work over the last few months....the tedious phone calls, the ridiculous errands, the never ending field trips, the brain-numbing amount of planning ...its not as if Ive not had a project assistant before, but just the thought of someone whos job is to make your life easier is such an amazing luxury :)

Now I too have one :) And I'm loving it :)

Financial help - need vs want

An email I received in response to an article I wrote: 

Hi 
I have built delinquency models for a leading bank in the sub-prime market. I was really shocked about the high interest rates and the profits generated in the sub-prime market. This was before it collapsed.

Your article "Micro-credit Bubble?" of August 2009 makes interesting reading.

I am one of the many Indians “doing well” in Canada. Today, my house value is $500K. In 5 years it grew from $350K. My wife and I have two cars and an outstanding mortgage of $200K and a car loan of $10K.

In reality if I look back, I have been brain washed to: 

1. Have a good house, all appliances, latest gadgets, cars and keep increasing my wealth.

2. On getting a good job, I was brain washed to buy a house and build equity. The price of the first house was $200K, which was more that what its actual economic price must be. Having a good job and good credit score never made me think it was highly priced. The first time I learnt about high price was recently – when the housing market collapsed in the US.  Housing prices kept on rising and within 5 years of buying my first home, its market price was $280K. At the same time, my salary and my wife’s salary had grown but not at 40% over 5 years.

3. I and my wife were made to feel we could go for a house worth $350K. We sold our first house bought the second at $350K and new furniture and new appliances. Now 5 years later it is $500K

What did I achieve? 

1. A significant portion of my earnings have gone to repay interests on mortgages and house taxes and insurances.  My real purpose of earning was not for paying mortgages and house taxes. 

2. I have a loan of $210K. I had no loans when I stepped into Canada.

3. We have a very luxurious house. I and my wife come from very simple families. We now feel all this is a waste. It does not serve any economic purpose. We are stuck in the system. In reality we do not have economic freedom.

4. The market price of my house is $500K when its economic value is around $200K or less.

I see "economic growth" in India or is it an opportunity for the rich to become richer? I have been talking to those “benefited” by financial help. Unknown to the person who earns and pays his or her loans - there are many in the system who keep on "benefiting" by this financial help. These FI’s keep on making people go into higher and higher loans every time they clear their earlier loans. The interest rates in India are much more than in Canada. Anyone like me can borrow at 3.25% or less and give at 12.5% or more as a micro-finance loan. In the process, rather than helping the needy, the MFI is helping the rich become richer.

I want you to think about it. Build economic values and not capitalistic values. Ensure the women who the targets of MFIs, do not end up financially exploited by MFIs.  Reduce greed.

I look forward to your views.