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DR CAROL Lynn Jenkins was born on the 7th March 1945
in the United States and died in Bangkok on January 22, 2008
at the age of 62.
But she lived her life as a citizen of the world.
Carol is described as unique, brave, tough, daringly
outspoken, determined, demanding, original, thorough and
absolutely dedicated to those with whom she worked,
especially for marginalized communities, creating ways to
help them by looking at problems from their point of view.
She had a heart of gold and her love and passion for PNG
were unparalleled.
The love that she bore for people was acknowledged and
reciprocated, which is why her death is so widely mourned.
She received her PhD in Medical Anthropology at the
University of Tennessee in 1980 and she joined the PNG
Institute of Medical Research in 1982 as Senior Research
Fellow and Head of the Medical Anthropology Unit. From 1982
to 1995 she conducted some of the early health related
anthropological research among the Amele people of Madang,
Gende People of Bundi, Simbai and the Hagahai people. One of
her children Ryan Simbai Jenkins was named Simbai because he
was conceived while Dr. Jenkins was working in the Simbai
area.
She built her relationship with the Hagahai in the remotest
corner of Madang Province and treasured the mutual love and
respect that grew between her and the Hagahai people. She
did everything she could to promote their welfare, in
education and economic opportunity as well as health. Her
legacy continues to benefit the Hagahai’s people’s lives and
well being.
The previous Director of IMR Michael Alpers expressed that
the tradition of human behavioural studies integrated within
IMR’s disease-based programs were brought to a state of
excellence by Carol Jenkins when she worked at IMR. As a
social scientist Carol was unusually committed to data, to
gathering solid scientific evidence, and she had a
remarkable ability to confront a disease that she was not
familiar with, grasp its essentials and see clearly how
behavioural science could contribute to the solution of its
challenging problems.
She was a pioneer for an HIV response when no one wanted to
talk about it. When HIV came to Papua New Guinea getting
funds for HIV research was a major difficulty, politicians
did not want to hear about it, and she began the campaign to
establish the National AIDS Council. In the 1990’s, Carol
studied sexual behaviour throughout PNG and trained a group
of young field workers., including a number of PNG nationals
who are now senior medical and social researchers.
Carol was one of those people who inspired everyone she met.
By her very essence, she made one want to do better, to care
more, and to make more evidence-based decisions free from
shackles of politics and egos.
Her dynamism most often promoted leadership, creative
solutions and positive change, and infrequently the
occasional threatening undercurrent. Her intentions and
endeavors were always focused on real and measurable
improvement. Her standards were difficult to match. I
believe we have all learned from Carol.
Carol’s achievement by the time she left PNG was
extraordinary. Her legacy was an exciting body of research
results with over 100 papers, and a large team of trained
and committed people to carry on the work. Many remember her
as workaholic, with so many projects going on at the same
time. Many a times she would take her two children out into
the field. She was a good mother not just for her biological
children, but for many young PNG social scientists working
with her, who continue to refer to her as mama.
I worked with Carol to field test some of her approaches and
we published a paper together. It was during this time that
I began to appreciate her quite staggering intellect. She
was tough and demanding and brilliant - but above all great
fun! She taught me a great deal during that time.
She was a great and courageous person and an outstanding
scientist and activist. And therefore she was a role model
in my life.
I knew Carol for 28 years and worked with her for 10 at IMR.
Working with Carol, I learned from her that there were no
such things as breakfast, lunch and dinner. She was alright
because she smoked a lot. I don’t smoke, but she always had
other options like “hey, look, how about you continue
working while I go and start preparing Breakfast, Lunch and
Dinner”.
As one researcher said, Oh mama Carol, those of us who have
benefited from all your hard work. If it wasn’t for you,
those of us who had worked with you for several years would
not have prospered well in our careers.
She eventually based herself in Bangkok and became a force
in the region and on the world stage as an acknowledged
researcher and leader in the field of HIV in the Asia
Pacific Region. A colleague in Bangladesh clearly remembers
meeting Carol in 1997. There was Carol, strong, animated,
vibrant, and argumentative. We would always argue, and
perhaps that was Carol’s technique to make us think, and
explore the burgeoning questions. Where is the evidence? A
constant phrase she would use. I watched and saw her caring
and loving nature, her warm-hearted support for the most
vulnerable and at risk populations, and always she fought
for our rights and social justice.
Carol loved music, especially jazz, and played jazz guitar.
It has been said that jazz may be the best metaphor for
Carol’s life as improvisation is at the heart of it! Her
approach to research was also unique. Like jazz, her
approach was at once rigorous, creative and democratic.
She was passionate too about her own family. Her legacy
includes two wonderful sons, both exceedingly talented and
engaged in preserving beauty and diversity in our world. As
we mourn her loss we cherish her memory. Let’s just
celebrate the memories of that wonderful life, so well and
meaningfully lived. Death has taken Carol away but the
relationship and work will continue.
There will be a Memorial Service for Dr. Carol Jenkins this
Sunday, February 10th 2008, 3 - 6 pm at the Botanical Garden
- Main Garden Area. After the memorial service we ask that
all bring light refreshments or drinks to share together.
The Botanical Garden charges entrance fee of K2.50 per
adult; K1.50 per student; K0.50 per child 5-12 years; or
K6.00 per family.
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