I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with Josh Fattal between the months of January and May of 2009 on the IHP Health and Community Program.

Through out these five months he was a teacher, friend, supporter, energy booster, and role model to me. Josh is someone perpetually in motion. Even when he is not physically moving, which is rare, his senses are standing by to help someone in need or his presence is bolstering spirits.

When I think of Josh the first three images that come to mind are him teaching a lesson on the functionality of eco-toilets in India, dancing to karaoke in China, and planting a tree in a South African township. Though all three of these memories are in different places at different times, they are all connected by a common energy that proved to be contagious among everyone he was around. If Josh was excited about something, everyone was excited about it.

On February 10th 2009, in Bangalore India, Josh turned a tiresome sweaty afternoon into a thought provoking discussion sprinkled with humor and smiles. After hearing the group complain about the squat toilets for two weeks straight, Josh opened class with a remarkable lesson on the ecological efficiency of such toilets. He incorporated a writing from a friend and explained to us the amount of water we waste with a western toilet. I have never thought of squat toilets the same. With his combination of humor and knowledge Josh always has a way of turning things around.

Josh did the same thing in China through out our stay in Changsha in March of 2009. Due to the language barrier, it was much more difficult for our group to adapt to China and form relationships with Chinese students. On March 15th Josh proved that this was not the case. During a night of karaoke Josh was the first to suggest that we meet some of the Chinese regulars of the karaoke bar. We poked our heads into another room and were immediately welcomed. Josh was able to perform the task of cultural broker without even knowing Chinese.

A final memory I have of Josh is him planting a tree in May of 2009 in front of the library in Zwelethemba, the South African township we had been staying in for ten days. He was surrounded by children, who were watching and imitating his every move. One of the kids turned to me and said, “when I get big I’m going to go around and plant trees for people too.” I looked over at Josh and then back down at the kid. “Me too, “ I said as if I was also a five year old child. At that moment we both felt the same sense of admiration for Josh in both spirit and form.

Though these stories are clearly just a few knots in an overwhelmingly beautiful tapestry it is easy to see that there is a common thread. Josh’s natural ability to light up a room, find the good in a situation, or spur a small child to an aspiration is powerful and rare. At this moment just thinking about Josh’s smile gives me a rush of happiness and I can’t help but smile myself.

Shannon Marrero
IHP Health and Community Alumnus
Providence, RI