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??