On my way back from a VSO meeting in Senga Bay. I think we should consider it for our locality meetings. No pool but a 365 mile long lake to have a swim in before and after the meeting as well as at lunch time. Beautiful sandy beaches, complete with waves and not a crocodile in sight. It had the added bonus of being warm and quiet. Too bad about the balharzia!
It was good to meet all the other nurses and find out how they were managing in their placements. The issues seem to be the same everywhere so there is lots of peer support and understanding. Back to the real world tomorrow and the continuation of my orientation.
If anyone wants to write, letters should get to me at:
St Luke's Hospital
Box 21
Chilema
Zomba
Malawi
Mail takes about a month but it should get here. Sorry I'm not managing to get into my email. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the Scottish summer
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Never Leave Home Without Immodium
The Spanish tummy does not have a look in with the African tummy. I'm looking on it as part of the experience, a part I could well do without. Apart from that its been a good week.
I survived my first week's orientation in a paediatric ward. There were 60 beds and through out the week the number of children ranged from 201 and 240. 3-4 to a bed, very ill children mostly malaria and associated problems like meningitis, anaemia, febrile convulsions and pneumonia. The other main problems were TB and HIV. 40% of the children born in the hospital are HIV+ve. There were a lot of children with burns as well. Most of the families cook in doors over open fires with no ventilation leading to accidents and chest conditions later in life.
The nurses have to improvise all the time. They use giving sets to administer 02 and suction tubes for NG tubes. They don't have the right size if needles or cannula. Its horrible seeing a baby having a huge cannula put in their wee veins. They run out of drugs and equipment half way through the day and just accept it. If a drug is out of stock they don't think about using an alternative and although they improvise there appears to be a lack of initiative.
The ward staff welcomed me with open arms were so helpful all week and appreciated my input. I know I'll never question why I'm here. Some of the nursing practice is questionable and since I'm only doing orientation just now I'm not in a position to try to change things. There is little in the way of infection control but since most of the children are on massive doses of antibiotics it helps. There are no such things as nappies or rubber sheets on the beds and most of the beds are burst with the stuffing coming out so you probably get the picture.
When all is said and done the Malawians are such happy people with a wonderful capacity to laugh. They accept their lot and get on with it with dignity. We have a lot to learn from them. I've not had any more unwanted visitors to the house as far as I'm aware. The priest has threatened to visit later this afternoon so I've told him I'll be out late. I'm looking at another house later today so maybe I'll get something more permanent sooner than I thought.
I'm off to a VSO meeting for the first 3 days next week and the I have 2 days in the HIV clinic. I can't believe that will be my first month in. Thanks again for all the comments its good to hear from everyone. A special note for Sara "Tell your Mum its OK for you to visit".
I survived my first week's orientation in a paediatric ward. There were 60 beds and through out the week the number of children ranged from 201 and 240. 3-4 to a bed, very ill children mostly malaria and associated problems like meningitis, anaemia, febrile convulsions and pneumonia. The other main problems were TB and HIV. 40% of the children born in the hospital are HIV+ve. There were a lot of children with burns as well. Most of the families cook in doors over open fires with no ventilation leading to accidents and chest conditions later in life.
The nurses have to improvise all the time. They use giving sets to administer 02 and suction tubes for NG tubes. They don't have the right size if needles or cannula. Its horrible seeing a baby having a huge cannula put in their wee veins. They run out of drugs and equipment half way through the day and just accept it. If a drug is out of stock they don't think about using an alternative and although they improvise there appears to be a lack of initiative.
The ward staff welcomed me with open arms were so helpful all week and appreciated my input. I know I'll never question why I'm here. Some of the nursing practice is questionable and since I'm only doing orientation just now I'm not in a position to try to change things. There is little in the way of infection control but since most of the children are on massive doses of antibiotics it helps. There are no such things as nappies or rubber sheets on the beds and most of the beds are burst with the stuffing coming out so you probably get the picture.
When all is said and done the Malawians are such happy people with a wonderful capacity to laugh. They accept their lot and get on with it with dignity. We have a lot to learn from them. I've not had any more unwanted visitors to the house as far as I'm aware. The priest has threatened to visit later this afternoon so I've told him I'll be out late. I'm looking at another house later today so maybe I'll get something more permanent sooner than I thought.
I'm off to a VSO meeting for the first 3 days next week and the I have 2 days in the HIV clinic. I can't believe that will be my first month in. Thanks again for all the comments its good to hear from everyone. A special note for Sara "Tell your Mum its OK for you to visit".
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Two Weeks On
I'm in another slow internet shop. Dial up was never this slow at home. I'm learning a lot about Malawi things take a long time, the intention is good but things just don't happen when they should. They love paper work, in triplicate if possible, and lots of lengthy procedures for simple tasks.
My house was not ready for me so they arranged temporary accommodation but it wasn't ready for me so I had to stay with another volunteer. I moved into my temporary house yesterday. It has two rooms, kitchen, loo and bath. I spent a day cleaning it and it looks OK now. For the first time since arriving I have been able to unpack and put my cards and photos up. I've had 2 visitors the priest and a rat. The monkeys make a hell of a noise on the roof and the goats crap in the garden apart from that its OK. It will be 2-3 months before I get into my house for the rest of my placement. I can't get a phone put in until I'm there so my access to the internet is limited.
Everyone around has been very welcoming. The locals, particularly the children, stare all the time. It took me a while to realise its because I'm white. I sometimes entertain them by trying to speak Chichewa.
I'm in Zomba to go to the market. Its about 20 miles from where I live. The local transport is particularly dodgy. Its all mini buses the size of a transit van if your lucky they squeeze in 15 people including the driver. Sometimes the windows are missing. They stop for fuel at garages when they have collected enough money or if they get stuck the buy it in old cooking oil bottles from the side of the road. As well as 15 people they carry livestock, crates of empty bottles, anything dangerous goes.
I'm having to get used to BO and other offensive odours. The people here are so poor deodorant and soap are the last things on there shopping lists.
Starting 4 weeks orientation next week to register with the NMC here. It took lots of paperwork to arrange it.
I've not been able to answer any email on the shorty address but will try next week.
Thanks for all your comments it was really good to read them.
My house was not ready for me so they arranged temporary accommodation but it wasn't ready for me so I had to stay with another volunteer. I moved into my temporary house yesterday. It has two rooms, kitchen, loo and bath. I spent a day cleaning it and it looks OK now. For the first time since arriving I have been able to unpack and put my cards and photos up. I've had 2 visitors the priest and a rat. The monkeys make a hell of a noise on the roof and the goats crap in the garden apart from that its OK. It will be 2-3 months before I get into my house for the rest of my placement. I can't get a phone put in until I'm there so my access to the internet is limited.
Everyone around has been very welcoming. The locals, particularly the children, stare all the time. It took me a while to realise its because I'm white. I sometimes entertain them by trying to speak Chichewa.
I'm in Zomba to go to the market. Its about 20 miles from where I live. The local transport is particularly dodgy. Its all mini buses the size of a transit van if your lucky they squeeze in 15 people including the driver. Sometimes the windows are missing. They stop for fuel at garages when they have collected enough money or if they get stuck the buy it in old cooking oil bottles from the side of the road. As well as 15 people they carry livestock, crates of empty bottles, anything dangerous goes.
I'm having to get used to BO and other offensive odours. The people here are so poor deodorant and soap are the last things on there shopping lists.
Starting 4 weeks orientation next week to register with the NMC here. It took lots of paperwork to arrange it.
I've not been able to answer any email on the shorty address but will try next week.
Thanks for all your comments it was really good to read them.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
Made It
Arrived with all Luggage in tact. Staying in Lilongwe for a week to try to get the basics of the language and do some registration for working and living here. We were brought into town to an internet and telephone cafe. The internet is slower than I ever remember it and they have run out of phone cards. We are all a bit tired after the journey. We are quite a large group of volunteers from Canada, Usa, Holland, Spain, Nigeria and the UK. I don't know if I will manage back again or have to wait for internet access at my placement. I got a photo of the sunrise from the plane it was quite spectacular. Its has been a really pleasant day with a temperature of 22C and a gentle breeze. the locals think its cold!
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Last word Before I Go
Well I always have to have the last word!
The hardest bit is coming, withdrawing from chocolate and alcohol, fitting in the rest of my shoes and trying to remember what I've forgotten.
I may not have internet access for a few weeks but I'll update the blog as soon as I can.
Thanks to everyone for their kindness and thoughtfulness. I've packed my cards and gifts and I've all the wonderful memories of the leaving dos.
Speak to you soon
Carol
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