I've spend the last 2 days working at a hospital/clinic in an outskirt of Accra. It's been quite an interesting experience, though I've hardly seen or done anything yet. It's hard to describe what it's like - but the place is really nice and quite clean. There are separate buildings for the different 'departments' and everything inbetween is outdoor. Just like you picture, there are people waiting everywhere: sitting under a tent on plastic chairs, waiting in lineups, etc. Jeanette, you're so right about complaints about a bed in the hall at KGH!!! Try having an emergency C-section on the dirt ground!!! Or try keeping a person dry while being transferred from the surgical department to the ward in the poaring rain... But they do fabulously with what they have and the people they have. The staff are SO friendly and hardworking. So far I've gotten to give a bunch of TB and polio injections to nearly 50 newborns, watch a lumpectomy (partial mastectomy) and removal of the lymph nodes (was thinking of you the whole time Aunt Betty!!!) - the tumor removed was absolutely beyond description... I've gotten to do all the vital signs of about 100 pregnant women and bring them into the maternal system. I've gotten to watch a bunch of ultra sounds given, as well as learn how to measure the femur and head circumference to determine the gestational age. I was able to do some assessments of pregnant women, determine the position of the baby...but have yet to listen to the fetal heart beat with one of their devices...but potentially Thursday... I will also be able to see a C-section Thursday and some other interesting surgeries Friday. Although it's a fairly small hospital I'm working at, I'll definitely get lots of experience under my belt. ...and I suppose having mastered feeding, changing, bathing, dressing, and putting to bed over 40 children in less than 2 hours at the orphanage, well, I should be good to go here!! It's been a really nice change to be working with different volunteers, staff, and just doing different things. I will still spend some time at the orphanage after being done at the hospital, but that won't be every day - so it'll be good.
On Friday, in honour of Cathy (my roommate) leaving - 3 of us took a trip to one of the beaches here. It was really nice to just spend some time with these 2 girls (both of whom left this weekend) and although I did, sadly, come out with a sunburn I'm still suffering from, it was totally worth it. But there really is no BREAK here - the entire time, we were constantly approached and often surrounded by people wanting to speak to us. Although it's nice and the people do genuinely mean well, I will admit that it gets tiring. These girls and I were talking about the first thing that's going to be done when we get home: walk down the street and enjoy the feeling of not being stared at. It's funny - I feel bad saying that, because they're so friendly and welcoming, but it's amazing how a small retreat like that can make a world of difference...
Okay, I'd better get going - but thanks as always for your encouraging emails. Although it's hard to believe I've been here over half my time now, I'm really excited to, in exactly 4 weeks, be able to see and catch up with some of you. So until next time my friends...
Love to all from Africa,
Teresa
our sand 'castle'...which inspired the question of "what is the meaning of this" by many of the locals...which lead to the sandcastle's eventual destruction
orphanage waiting room
giving infant immunizations
the children in my home
our sand 'castle'...which inspired the question of "what is the meaning of this" by many of the locals...which lead to the sandcastle's eventual destruction
orphanage waiting room
giving infant immunizations
the children in my home
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