Helping others often entails sacrifice. For Alexander Kalimbira, a professor at the University of Malawi but currently studying nutrition in Canada, putting his own needs second is something he's learned to deal with. "We challenged tradition," said Kalimbira, about the risk he and five male colleagues took when they decided to study home economics and nutrition at university. "You don't see a lot of men in Malawi taking those classes. Men don't usually cook, but in class, we had to cook. The other students jeered at us."
Being pioneers in the field was too much for some to bear, and two of Kalimbira's classmates dropped out of the program. One of their professors tried to reassure the others, saying men are studying nutrition all over the world. It was enough for Kalimbira, and after he graduated with his undergraduate degree, the university brought him on staff. Since then, other men have entered the field. Kalimbira now teaches more men than women in his nutrition classes and his department just hired two male nutritionists.
Kalimbira's interest in nutrition led him to complete his masters in Malawi and Oregon State University. He also completed a one-year internship with UNICEF on a research project on child well-being, and spent time in Sweden, South Africa and Lesotho, soaking up information every place he went. It was only a matter of time then, that he made his way to Canada. Here on a Commonwealth Scholarship (for students expected to make a significant contribution to their own countries on return from Canada) since September 2004, Kalimbira is studying for his PhD in applied nutrition with an emphasis on micronutrients at the University of Guelph.
While here, the 35-year-old attends Kortright Presbyterian Church in Guelph. His four-year scholarship ends in August 2008 and has kept him away from his family. His seven-year-old son and three-year-old daughter initially didn't mind his absence that much, but are now feeling the sadness of a father who is far away. "My son has said to me, "Daddy, you said you would be coming back soon, but you're not here. When are you coming to see us?' And I'm not even finished my first year! It's heartbreaking to them and to me to be away, but it's a sacrifice I have to make."
His desire to improve the health of his countrymen wasn't always a goal for Kalimbira. It wasn't until his first university nutrition course when his interest started to grow. "Our professor was telling us about the situation on the ground, and my eyes opened up to what the problem was. I thought, "Wow! This is an interesting situation that you can actually do something about."
According to a report released last year by UNICEF and the Micronutrient Initiative — a Canadian response to improving child health in developing countries — about one third of the world's population do not meet their physical or intellectual potential because of micronutrient deficiencies. Vitamins A and B, along with iron and iodine are badly needed. Deficiencies not only impact the individual's health, but the health and wealth of the entire country. Programs to help improve the situation are ongoing through UNICEF, World Vision Canada, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and partners of the Presbyterian church. Food fortification, vitamin supplements and diet diversification are all popular methods to increase nutrition.
"As a nutritionist, I get emotional over how big our problems are. The least contribution I can make is to sit back and say I helped — even if that just means training more nutritionists or doing research to change policies that impact the lives of women and children. That would give me satisfaction."
Although he misses the familiarity of Malawi, serving his home congregation as an elder and composing music for the church choir, Kalimbira is grateful for his time in Canada. "My eyes keep opening up," he said. "I'm always learning something new. Even if the program ended today, there is a great deal I've already learned, especially how to approach problems we already have."
