Goodbye to Malawi...the last post

This photo shows us working in the skills lab. It is very difficult on the wards to spend quality time with each student and I found a morning had gone by and I had only worked with two of the students...I had 14 on the ward but luckily the four post basic students I was working with were also on the ward so the students had quality input from them...
Even so with OSCIES the practical exams looming anxiety was running high and we spent some time on procedures in skills lab.

Luckily for these students wound cleansing actually came up in OSCIES.
The team of Community and Med/Surg had to observe the skills of each

of the 154 first year students making sure that skills for the day were completed and the students were kept segregated after their exam, each day there were 4 skills with 4 stations for each and we worked 7.30-20.00hrs both days to ensure each student had their exam. It was real team effort and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience....

From top Innocent, Me Frank, Daza & Stella my lovely post basic students

What a great team these students studying to upgrade their status were a great help to me and the students helping to give them a great start to their careers.

A great group photo thanks to Kerry (sadly my camera gone too now!)

So I am coming home next week. For many reasons mainly personal.
The project has been given an extension so there is a another year that I could not commit to. The students I have been working with finish semester next week and will be away for three months.

Today I received an outstanding reference from my line manager which made me feel both proud and sad.
Tomorrow I am going to talk to new volunteers about working in a resource stricken environment and relationship building

I have seen and been part of both heart wrenching and truly uplifting experiences.....
I have learnt the most important job for me is that of being a mother, have been enriched by my time in Malawi and made great new friends. I have a global address book and will take back with me more than I leave behind not materially but through personal growth.

Thank You to all of you for your support .....so it is tionana Malawi may you rise from poverty to be the country you deserve to be. Xxx

High HIGHS & Low LOWS

Capping Ceremony

The week after election whilst still awaiting results we had the capping of the new student nurses. I may have said on earlier blogs that Malawi has lots of protocols and this one went out before my time in the UK!

 In fact we stopped wearing caps in the mid/late 80s!... The students march in to a lively beat following the tutors all hip swinging, my attempts caused much encouragement and amusement....

The service hymns prayers & Lighting of candles.
I had been working with these students on their first days/week on wards.

Placing of caps and Epaulettes
The service highlight is the placing of caps and epaulette by the lecturers, which is considered a great honour. Natalie another VSO volunteer and my former housemate had never worn a cap so a little direction from the oldie was in order!!

This was a lovely way to finish almost two weeks of being shut away (one in the hospital) and for Natalie who was near the end of her placement and Matt a Peace Corps volunteer to finish.....out on a high.


Sadly this was quickly followed by a low for me(& Nat & Matt) the election results were finally announced on Friday 30th May 10 days after the election and Malawi was to have a new president. This is what the people wanted. we were told to be vigilant and expect celebrations.
The next morning Natalie, Matt and I headed into town and a 11am in broad daylight and close to a police presence I was assaulted in an attempted mugging.
The bruise below is still fading three weeks later but thankfully my face is okay body bruises and grazes healed. Another first for me being punched in the nose at 50!!
It all happened pretty quickly one minute happily walking to supermarket the next being grabbed, dragged, punched and kicked! Everything you learn about giving up your  possessions goes out of the window when adrenalin and injustice kicks in. I have never given up anything without a fight!!
But I worry what may have happened had Natalie and Matt not come to my rescue. Matt my hero with his insanity work outs coming into play, even in the middle of this I remember being amazed at his high kicks and Natalie's negotiating before we run. Probably quite a shock for them too as I seem to be very fit at the moment!!



Probably the worse part for me was the attitude of one of the police officers...'You look like money ' yet another female police officer at the scene gently picked debris from my hair...... that felt like a kindness.
Also the help of  fellow volunteers Thank You Sally you were lovely.

Nice Bruise!

By the time I had been to hospital etc. Marali and Mairead were on their way. Probably just as well as I would have  tried to stop them, so my low was followed the next day by an incredible high
Seeing and spending the next three weeks with M & M and it was great. We did not do all I had originally planned but most and it was fab. My two girls had travelled across continents to be with me and I could not be more proud of them!

Us on safari
We had an amazing time on safari both scary and thrilling and stayed in the most amazing accommodation. This was a once in a life time experience and exceeded my expectations. Had I not been living here I do not think we would have ever done this certainly not together. So everything happens for a reason.
Leaving them at the airport yesterday after typical Malawian issues..'the seats have all gone' was heart wrenching. But we had a great time and I love being their Mummy.I was so relieved when I knew they were safely home today. XX
 Thank you Judy for the airport runs.. Afro-pop,  Nkhoma,  support etc and Sally again for the lunches, swimming & understanding.

So tomorrow back to work. It will be like starting over. Natalie and Matt gone Crystal gone M & M home.
We will see what the next month brings!!

Whats Happening??

 Last time I wrote I was off to Senga Bay again for Peer Review meeting. It was a great time to catch up with the nurses I had arrived with and swap stories and also meet up with those who are coming to the end of their placements. Above is Rob who arrived with me and Laura who leaves in July...This was at the beach party on our last night and I tried BBQ crocodile and it was very nice!!!

 Not your everyday beach experience but as they say this is Africa so moving your cattle along the beach is probably the best way.

This was the view from my hotel which is beautiful the hotel was quite run down and they only stocked the bar on our last night but on the whole we had a productive meeting with lots of work for us to do together as well as some good old fashioned fun!!

The last couple of weeks I have been lucky enough to do some lectures with the third years and post grad students.....Took the first years to the ward for the first time and will be working with some of them at the hospital next week. Also had a film crew from VSO London so I am about to become a star!!!! Well maybe not but did manage some shots in the lecture theatre, skills lab and a rather long interview so we shall see.

Currently on lock down now general election tomorrow and we have been given the week off work and have to stay in tomorrow and the day after. Lets hope the people get what they are hoping for, all quiet at the moment but we were told riots earlier in area 3.

Low of the week was my encounter with the biggest spider I have seen in my life that just happened to cover the back of my hand as it sat there. I have to say I did not take it as well as the snake and screamed my head off whilst propelling it off of me into the bath. The guard came to the rescue and killed it with the broomstick. Poor sod nearly had heart attack as he felt need to show me the rather large body which caused another scream....didn't know I had it in me!!!

Only two weeks now hopefully until my Girlies arrive really really excited about that will update as and when Xxxx

Zomba was beautiful

This was the beautiful lodge at Trout Farm that Natalie Oli and I rented for Easter it was advertised as self catering but when we arrived there was no gas for cooking or hot water! Luckily Oli came prepared with camping stove and ready made supplies so we certainly didn't starve....

But with a view like this from the veranda who could worry about such things.

Having said that having braved the shower on night one (it hurt!) it was baby wipe washes from then on...so here I am on the mountain no make up, hair well.......but so peaceful!

The William's Waterfall was calming and we were the only ones at this point. As we climbed up to the viewing points the mist descended!!!

We were lucky enough to see most of Zomba from Queens view but sadly by the time we got to Emperor's view you could not see your hand in front of your face!

Off to Senga bay again today for 4 day Peer Support meeting. Looking forward to catching up with the colleagues I have not seen since in country training. Last day of internet in house today so will catch up when I can great long Skype with Marali & Mairead yesterday ...Roll on June.

Have had some fun too!

My year of firsts continues and I returned to the lake with Natalie & Oli to experience the Catamaran

This is the little beauty above. We set sail around 10.00 as the wind drops in the afternoon...I was the non sailor aboard. All went well for the first hour or so apart from some minor technical difficulties getting caught on local fishing net lines. But....the wind just dropped and all was still we were far out from shore and going nowhere just merrily bobbing on the surface, no waves, no wind.
This continued for over an hour the result we spent four hours out and was at the mercy of the midday sun!

This rather unattractive picture of me shows the consequence of that. Burnt to a crisp, but this lovely lunch destination with the lake in the background and my first sighting of a wild monkey made it all worthwhile. Interestingly I was not afraid whilst we were stranded but very chilled as I had no control whatsoever. I woke Monday feeling so happy I had escaped sun stroke only to feel very unwell Monday evening.

The days here can be very long if you do not have work to do (there have been a few complications at the Uni)  and we fill our time with some weird projects. Natalie decided to try her hand at quilt making. I cut squares and triangles not all well as I was off my head on Piriton after being eaten by the mozzies. But we are now all the proud owners of our own very bright designer bed covers and pillow cases. Natalie also decided that she should kill her own chicken in order to have the full African experience!

I will spare you the before and after photos and I did not take part in the killing but it was carried out very quickly and cleanly by Frank our help who has killed hundreds of chickens for his family to eat. I did watch the gutting which was fascinating and Frank took all the innards that the whities would not eat as well as the chickens head! We did have a very nice chicken dinner the following day.
We are currently laying a brick patio in the back garden.

Check out the label on this lovely bottle of red shared with Oli...

So highs and lows....  Great parcel yesterday Alta Rica & mini eggs thanks Sharon... super happy Marali and Mairead coming out soon miss you all. Have a great Easter I am off to Zomba for the long weekend. (Not Zumba dancing as dear Mairead thought!!)

So Much In a Month!

So it has been nearly a month since my last update and on reflection so much has happened yet it feels so little!!

My reorientation back to the University started with marking of the third year paediatric exam papers and attending the GAIA (Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance) Scholarship ceremony to welcome new first year students in receipt of this benefit. They are all students who have difficult personal circumstances and part of the scholarship pays for their uniform, vital signs equipment as well as a food allowance. The students performed a thank you song and dance which was beautiful and very moving.....There is much excitement and enthusiasm in this group and having the 150 of them in the lecture theatre can be quite a challenge! They will commence their clinical placements in May.

I also had the privilege of assisting with the University Entrance Exams for Malawi...this was quite an experience.

The picture above was taken early in the morning at a sports stadium where the registration for Lilongwe took place it does not really do justice to the thousands of young people who turned up to register this was the girls side where I worked and registered a few hundred candidates!!

The exam took place on Thursday it was supposed to start at 07.30 I was assigned to a local secondary school where 540 students sat and apparently I got off lightly as this was the smallest site.

Each candidate was individually identified by me and I only had two queries the exam room was packed tightly with only about 12 inches between tables and the exam finally started nearer 10.00

I did not hear one student complain. The exam took place all over Malawi with 20.000 candidates

after 2.000 government funded university placements. This was an experience I will never forget.

There were soldiers in attendance (with guns) should the situation get out of control. I did not like that!!

This is one of my favourite pictures of local produce. Pumpkin or tomatoes???

Have had some fun too and projects to keep myself occupied apart from candy crush...

Next instalment coming soon I hope if internet keeps playing.

Fit To Practice!!

Thank goodness I have been signed off and recommended for registration a relief after over 30 years in the job!!!

St.Patrick's day was officially the end of my hospital orientation.
The two weeks previously I had spent time in Surgery with the palliative care team and at the Lighthouse an HIV/AIDs unit.

The Orthopaedic ward was interesting most of the men having trauma wounds from disputes or road traffic accidents and one crocodile bite!! I was amazed at how well wounds were healing given the cramped conditions and the same dressing type for all wounds...(clean and cover.... gauze)

I spent a day with the palliative care team at the hospital the team consists of one full time nurse and another nurse rotating one week in four the doctor is on call from trauma. They mainly give advice on care and pain management

The Lighthouse was really interesting and I was amazed at how many patients they see in a day. The unit is sponsored by USAID and anti-retroviral drugs and family planning advice is given the service is free. The clinic has 15.000 patients registered for Lilongwe which has a population of 80.000.
I heard many sad stories but equally met lots of people living their lives with symptoms being well controlled with ARVs.
I spent a day in the villages with the community palliative care nurse and was humbled by living conditions as well as the welcome I received into patients homes.
I caused a bit of a stir with the children as a Muzingo (White person) in the village and soon had many coming out for a look!...Felt a bit like the Pied Piper.

On the domestic front biggest challenge of the month was a visit from a baby Black Mamba in the early hours of the morning.....'You awake Al?....We have a situation!
The situation was the above now dismembered body of an apparently deadly snake sorted by two psycho nurses with gardening implements!!!!! Body confirmed as Black Mamba our worry for the next few days was where was Mummy??
Thankfully no further visits but I have to say this experience was not on my wish list.
                                                                                                                                                                        I celebrated the end of orientation with a weekend at the lake. Senga Bay is about a two hour drive from Lilongwe and I was taken by some other volunteers to Cool Runnings a great place on the lake popular with volunteers......It is beautiful and difficult to believe it is a lake and not the sea with the waves and all. A great place to wind down and reflect on the experience so far. The children below were my playmates until I was worn out!!!

Children on beach

My home for next year & Orientation

This is my new house will be sharing with Natalie until she finishes her placement at the end of May it is within the KCN compound with a guard situated close by....this is usual in Malawi

I always wanted a walk in wardrobe.....nails in the bookshelf was not quite what I had in mind.

My princess lace bed....Okay it's a mozzie net! Recently pulled down by cat lodger so had to borrow hammer to reinstate.

House is basic but fine hot water an added extra in recent months so lucky me.

Huge garden Natalie growing veg with the help of gardener Frank....don't think I will be keeping that up.

ORIENTATION
Week at college day 1 consisted of tour and being introduced to so many people
Day 2 no office or desk yet joined library it is a fantastic resource amazingly loads of books and resources available Day 3 & 4 out at NGOs and VSO project updates loads of projects going on to improve healthcare.
Day 5 in skills lab with Natalie Matt and students then off to hospital for 4 weeks to gain my Malawian registration
Started in Paediatrics do not really know how to start describing the experience. I have never seen so many people in small area... literally babies, children and parents everywhere.
 It is Malaria season and each day brings seriously sick children and babies some amazingly make it against the odds sadly not all.
 I have gained so many skills in working in a resource stricken environment in emergency care.
 I did not expect to see bed sharing but 2 to 3 per bed is usual and I actually looked after 5 sick babies in one cot!!! No infection control or health & safety police here.....

This week I worked in adult medical again totally over crowded at least they are not sharing beds you just wheel another one in and use the corridor 67 patients on 30 bedded ward cramped is an understatement.
The saddest part is preventable premature deaths but I guess that is what all the aid here is trying to improve
Two more weeks hospital based and then to start my role.......

28 days in and what is happening?

Hi All
Well logging in at last have some decent internet from a friend!
Landed in Malawi 2/2/14 suitcase missing!......Another volunteer had and was already on bus!!
Well at least I didn't have to go through the missing suitcase saga
Arrived at hotel quick change received settling in allowance and off to BBQ to meet other volunteers

• Below is picture of my smoking place I found at hotel ... You do not see women smoking in Malawi

• Met my new housemate Natalie at BBQ and she had a ciggie yipee!!
• Day 2 got to speak to my Girlies...set up email all good
• Day 3 email not working again.......and so it has been on off on off...
• In country training lasted week finished with social event

  

  Nanda, Me and Jo Supporting Kate!
  
  

Saturday saw us all departing to our various placements around the country. Most pick up times were for 9am but we are in Malawi now so they varied.......

As did the vehicles perhaps the most unusual being for the nurses going to St Luke's in Zomba a good few hours journey in the back of an ambulance!!!
There is only a bench in the back and this is usual as they are merely a method of transport........

Next installment will be arriving at accommodation??

Am I Ready?

Suitcases packed? Check

Language learnt...Not

House cleaned with help from my friends? Check

Ipod fully loaded? Check

Nervous? ....Yes

Excited? ....Yes

Countdown of three days until departure

With lots of Breaking Bad to fit in before then....