As most of you know I am back on US soil and braving the cold and snow. Just a week ago I wrote about visiting a site for a future boys and girls club. It's in a very rough township called Manenburg, as Vernon and I drove through the streets I couldn't stop thinking about what an incredible need there is here for a place for kids to stay safe and busy after school. The sheer number of teenagers, children and very little children hanging around, walking the street with no where to go, living in a very impoverished area. We got to the site and from the outside it doesn't look like much. But the inside was a beehive of activity. It is currently being used to feed people in the neighborhood with lunch being served every day from 11:30 to 1:00.
I couldn't help but be overwhelmed when we walked in and approached one of the Nuns who helps run the lunch program. I could hear the clatter of babies, children and teenagers laughing, it was coming from a large room that looked like a gymnasium. We were greeted with curiosity, at the front door. I'm not sure they are accustomed to seeing a white woman in their neighborhood, not to mention traveling alone with a man. This is a very large Muslim community.
I tried to take it in and picture the possibility of running a program where kids could go and do homework after school, get a healthy snack and stay off the streets. I expected to see a few people waiting for lunch to be served. I wasn't prepared for what I did see. The gymnasium was filled, I mean packed with young mothers, babies, children and some teenagers. Thinking as a nurse I couldn't help but see the amazing possibilities for this facility. If we were to work with the existing program already there and add our talents this could be a very important place for the township.
there is a lot of gang crime in this particular area, hospitals are far away and ambulance transport is not quick or efficient. Because of this Johns Hopkins Medical School sends students to run a trauma treatment program. This is where the people in the township are taught basic trauma services in the case of a shooting, how to respond to keep the victim alive until help can get there. They also provide trauma recovery support groups for people that have been affected by trauma in their lives.
Back to the lunch room. I walked in with Vernon and immediately was drawn to all the adorable children. One little girl caught my attention and I started talking to her mother.
the mother was a very beautiful young lady, probably around 18-20, and smiled as I made a big deal about her little girl. When Vernon and I left the mother followed us out and obviously wanted to talk to us. She introduced herself and wanted to know where I was from. When people find out I'm from the States there is an automatic response "I love your President Obama". Anyway, I told her we were looking for a good place to run some programs, that I am a nurse and would like to help bring a structured program for the township. Personally I envision classes on hand washing, food preparation, parenting skills and women's health with a focus on reproduction and HIV transmission prevention.
Her response will always inspire me. With a beautiful little girl on her hip, who she was clearly very proud of, she said to me "this is something we need so much here, we need to work together, together we can make a difference". Then she raised her right arm with her fist in the air and said Ubuntu, my response was to hold my fist to hers in solidarity. I know this sounds dramatic, but it was so spontaneous to follow her. Nelson Mandela had always told his people that with our hands spread apart we have no power, but if we put all our fingers together in a strong fist, the power is ours. That is what she was eluding to with her gesture. With the active mourning of Mandela's death still in the air, I knew what she was saying to me. When I said good bye she told me she hopes to see me again and gave me a big hug.
I left with my mind racing, it still is one week later.....
Thursday 19 December 2013
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Farewell Dinner Party
On Wednesday before we left the School of Nursing (SON) sponsored a party for the clinical sites, administrative people, our drivers, people from the University etc. Basically anyone that has helped make this incredible learning experience possible. Now anyone who knows me, knows that I get a bit crazy about putting on events, making sure everything is perfect. Don't get me wrong, I always love doing it and usually I am pretty happy with my results. I have to admit, I like to run the show and have control over most details, not trusting others to follow through.
Now with that in mind I will tell my story. From the very beginning I knew I had to put on this big party at the end of the semester. So when I got to Cape Town and settled in I asked Vernon what I should be doing for the party. He is a very relaxed person, you never get a feeling of anxiety from him and he told me "don't worry, just have the students make up a list of who they want from the sites". Right! So, I hound the students to make a list, hound them to give me an invitation to print up, and again hound them to give them out to everyone. In the meantime I needed Vernon to look it over to be sure we didn't forget anyone important. All I can think of is how this is all going to come together. Vernon has assured me that he has the venue, band, food ordered etc. That he just needs a list. Not that I don't trust Vernon, but let me tell you I was pretty anxious about the whole thing. I had no idea how many people would be there, the guest list was 70 people - so you see it wasn't just your typical backyard affair. On top of that I heard that last year many more people than invited showed up and we went way over budget.
Well, it was a beautiful night and a wonderful party. I walked into the function room and it was beautifully and tastefully decorated, china, crystal flowers etc. There was open bar for the guests (with the exception of the students, UConn is not allowed to provide alcohol regardless fo being over 21), band playing softly in the background and waiters going around getting drink orders. I met the chef and the rest of the crew and immediately relaxed...well, just a little bit.
In South Africa for an invitation it is customary to announce the time like this
6:30pm for 7:00. I guess that means to come anytime in that range. Just a few days before I found out that Cape Town was having a huge memorial concert for Mandiba so I was a little concerned that our turnout would be low. As 6:30, 6:45 and 7:00 came around I got even more worried that people weren't coming, there was only a few people there some I recognized, some I didn't. Then all of a sudden the place was full and the festivities commenced. First with Vernon saying a few words of thanks to everyone. Vernon is a Reverend and a very accomplished speaker, his words are always like magic. Then he says a few words about somebody that he "has had the honor and pleasure to work with etc." "Speaking as the official spokesperson for the University of Connecticut School of Nursing... Professor Denise Bourassa" of course at this point I look around because I'm not sure who that is, lol. Honestly, I knew I had to say a few words and had worked on something all afternoon. So, I got the microphone and I would like to have been as natural as Vernon, but let's face it, he's done it a lot more than I have. So, I give my words of thanks, that felt ok, but a little stiff because I had to refer to my notes. I covered that up with letting people know that speaking in front of large crowds makes me nervous. After a couple more people, Vernon came back and asked the band to accompany him and began singing "lean on me" directed for the students. They were all in tears, not only because it was beautiful but also because they know they will be on the plane back to the States in less than two days.
Dinner was great, music was fantastic and we all had a great time. Boy do those Sisters know how to have a good time. The dance floor was never empty - the students had such a good time with the Sisters that helped guide them during the semester. It really was a perfect night. See Vernon was right!
Here are a few pictures.
Now with that in mind I will tell my story. From the very beginning I knew I had to put on this big party at the end of the semester. So when I got to Cape Town and settled in I asked Vernon what I should be doing for the party. He is a very relaxed person, you never get a feeling of anxiety from him and he told me "don't worry, just have the students make up a list of who they want from the sites". Right! So, I hound the students to make a list, hound them to give me an invitation to print up, and again hound them to give them out to everyone. In the meantime I needed Vernon to look it over to be sure we didn't forget anyone important. All I can think of is how this is all going to come together. Vernon has assured me that he has the venue, band, food ordered etc. That he just needs a list. Not that I don't trust Vernon, but let me tell you I was pretty anxious about the whole thing. I had no idea how many people would be there, the guest list was 70 people - so you see it wasn't just your typical backyard affair. On top of that I heard that last year many more people than invited showed up and we went way over budget.
Well, it was a beautiful night and a wonderful party. I walked into the function room and it was beautifully and tastefully decorated, china, crystal flowers etc. There was open bar for the guests (with the exception of the students, UConn is not allowed to provide alcohol regardless fo being over 21), band playing softly in the background and waiters going around getting drink orders. I met the chef and the rest of the crew and immediately relaxed...well, just a little bit.
In South Africa for an invitation it is customary to announce the time like this
6:30pm for 7:00. I guess that means to come anytime in that range. Just a few days before I found out that Cape Town was having a huge memorial concert for Mandiba so I was a little concerned that our turnout would be low. As 6:30, 6:45 and 7:00 came around I got even more worried that people weren't coming, there was only a few people there some I recognized, some I didn't. Then all of a sudden the place was full and the festivities commenced. First with Vernon saying a few words of thanks to everyone. Vernon is a Reverend and a very accomplished speaker, his words are always like magic. Then he says a few words about somebody that he "has had the honor and pleasure to work with etc." "Speaking as the official spokesperson for the University of Connecticut School of Nursing... Professor Denise Bourassa" of course at this point I look around because I'm not sure who that is, lol. Honestly, I knew I had to say a few words and had worked on something all afternoon. So, I got the microphone and I would like to have been as natural as Vernon, but let's face it, he's done it a lot more than I have. So, I give my words of thanks, that felt ok, but a little stiff because I had to refer to my notes. I covered that up with letting people know that speaking in front of large crowds makes me nervous. After a couple more people, Vernon came back and asked the band to accompany him and began singing "lean on me" directed for the students. They were all in tears, not only because it was beautiful but also because they know they will be on the plane back to the States in less than two days.
Dinner was great, music was fantastic and we all had a great time. Boy do those Sisters know how to have a good time. The dance floor was never empty - the students had such a good time with the Sisters that helped guide them during the semester. It really was a perfect night. See Vernon was right!
Here are a few pictures.
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Beautiful Gates Garden, Thembacare, Boys and Girls Club
I am waiting for Vernon to pick me up to visit a few places before I leave. A couple weeks ago, before Thanksgiving the students and myself went to an orphanage called Beautiful Gates. They are a small facility that takes in children who have HIV/AIDs and for whatever reason their families could not care for them or did not want to. Adjacent to the orphanage there is a large plot of land that the orphanage has given to another NGO who is working on creating a sustainable garden to benefit the local women and children of the orphanage. The point person for the NGO is a local gentleman whose name is Happyboy. Mama works in the garden and does most of the weeding, planting and general maintaining. She is mostly Xhosa speaking so communicating is difficult, however, she is always smiling and very proud of the work they are doing. Some of the products go straight to the orphanage and the other products are sold to a local distributor as a form of income for the people who work the garden.
Vernon wasn't able to join us that day and I want him to see how great the garden looks. We spent 4 hours preparing then planting rows and rows of vegetables that Happy Boy thought the children would like and they would get good prices for in the market. I went to the local nursery with him to pick everything out and was amazed at how wonderful the plants were and inexpensive. I noticed on the property that they didn't have any fruit for the children. Happy Boy and I had talked about the connection between nursing, healthy food, nutrition and what else the children could benefit from. I suggested an orange tree and blueberry bushes. You would think he won the lottery and could't stop thanking me for buying what the garden needed especially the orange tree. He flattered me and said that when it bears fruit he will think of me exclusively.
From the garden we are going to a possible future site for a Cape Town Boys and Girls club like the one in Soweto that we volunteered at during excursion. The gentleman Casey who runs the one in Soweto is scheming with Vernon and I would like to say myself in securing a site for the same facility here. There is a huge need for children, especially teen agers to have a safe place to "hang out" when school is over. My thoughts are racing with the possibilities.
From there I am going to Thembacare which is a palliative care orphanage for children with again, HIV/AIDs. This is a clinical site for pediatrics that I haven't been to yet and the students have continued to volunteer at after their formal clinical rotation started. The director from that facility, Pricilla and I discussed at length last night some ideas we both had for connecting nursing students in Cape Town with our students so they could exchange ideas and learn from each other. Her connection to nursing school is personal in that her daughter is a first year student at UCT.
It is a beautiful day again, sunny, warm, breezy. My office at the beach beckons me as do the mountains of grading I have to do, but I am going to resist both. Ok well, maybe just the grading, I might go sit in my office later. I have so much more to write about but it will have to wait. Be on the look out for pictures from the various sites when I get back.
Vernon wasn't able to join us that day and I want him to see how great the garden looks. We spent 4 hours preparing then planting rows and rows of vegetables that Happy Boy thought the children would like and they would get good prices for in the market. I went to the local nursery with him to pick everything out and was amazed at how wonderful the plants were and inexpensive. I noticed on the property that they didn't have any fruit for the children. Happy Boy and I had talked about the connection between nursing, healthy food, nutrition and what else the children could benefit from. I suggested an orange tree and blueberry bushes. You would think he won the lottery and could't stop thanking me for buying what the garden needed especially the orange tree. He flattered me and said that when it bears fruit he will think of me exclusively.
From the garden we are going to a possible future site for a Cape Town Boys and Girls club like the one in Soweto that we volunteered at during excursion. The gentleman Casey who runs the one in Soweto is scheming with Vernon and I would like to say myself in securing a site for the same facility here. There is a huge need for children, especially teen agers to have a safe place to "hang out" when school is over. My thoughts are racing with the possibilities.
From there I am going to Thembacare which is a palliative care orphanage for children with again, HIV/AIDs. This is a clinical site for pediatrics that I haven't been to yet and the students have continued to volunteer at after their formal clinical rotation started. The director from that facility, Pricilla and I discussed at length last night some ideas we both had for connecting nursing students in Cape Town with our students so they could exchange ideas and learn from each other. Her connection to nursing school is personal in that her daughter is a first year student at UCT.
It is a beautiful day again, sunny, warm, breezy. My office at the beach beckons me as do the mountains of grading I have to do, but I am going to resist both. Ok well, maybe just the grading, I might go sit in my office later. I have so much more to write about but it will have to wait. Be on the look out for pictures from the various sites when I get back.
Sunday 8 December 2013
"What would Mandela do"
This question has been long known to nurses as the foundation of decision-making but stated as such: "What would Flo do", meaning Florence Nightingale. Now we are encouraged as a people to consider what would Mandela do? A now popular phrase in South Africa. This question is one of integrity, what is the right thing to do, what is the purest, unselfish action? Of course this application is different in the nursing profession, largely because it entails the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, and implementation of actions best for patient care. However, when applied to everyday decision making about who you decide to be, how you decide to treat those around you and more importantly how you choose to live your life, Mandela and Flo had the same ideals in my book.
How, so one may ask? Florence Nightingale didn't face jail time for 27 years as a result of her beliefs, nor did she go on to unite a rainbow nation as Mr. Mandela did, but for the nursing profession her message was just as strong. (she did suffer the scorn of her family as she went against everything that a well-bred woman was supposed to be at the time) Always advocate for the patient, let in the sun light to aid healing, keep the patient clean, safe and warm, consider the patients emotional health, feed the patient good wholesome food. All these actions will lead to healing of the body and spirit. Nelson Mandela's quest for equality and democracy for all is based on the same precepts. Advocate for those who need support, let the sun light in, however you can accomplish this, a card, a phone call, a smile for a stranger on the street, letting someone go in front of you in line when you're not in a rush. Keep people clean, safe and warm. Just thinking about the informal housing a townships that I have been in makes me realize that Mandela was talking about the basic needs of any human. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the very basic physiologic needs to maintain life that so many don't have. What about the emotional health of the individual - how did Mr. Mandela live in an 8X8 cell for years on end? Only to come out into the world not seeking revenge, but moving forward with a pure heart. We see every where that good wholesome food is expensive, fat laden, calorie deficient food is cheap and abundant. It is not so different here in the Cape Town area. The disparity between what some can afford in the grocery store is a plain as the reputation each grocery store carries. Woolworth's equivalent to Whole Foods, Checkers equivalent to Stop N Shop, Pic N Pay equivalent to Shoprite. One can't shop at either place and see the distinct profile of the average shopper.
This makes me ponder the even more complicated question of how we integrate the real world and the ideals of Flo and Mandela? Especially in our rapid, technologically advanced world, how do we "care for the patient", where does the science of evidence based practice come into this equation that we as nurses are taught and teach to consider. Is there a way to combine the two actions? How to fulfill Flo's ideals while dealing with the realities of the world we live in. I honestly don't have the answer, but since being in South Africa, especially now during a time of national mourning, I hope to come closer to the solution.
Another one of my favorite office spots, Cocoa Wah Wah, picture taken with Precious, one of the young ladies that fed me breakfast, dinner and sometimes lunch. Most definitely a large decaf cappuccino "take away" as they say in South Africa.
PS - I hit "publish" with a little hesitancy...so many private thoughts, yikes!
How, so one may ask? Florence Nightingale didn't face jail time for 27 years as a result of her beliefs, nor did she go on to unite a rainbow nation as Mr. Mandela did, but for the nursing profession her message was just as strong. (she did suffer the scorn of her family as she went against everything that a well-bred woman was supposed to be at the time) Always advocate for the patient, let in the sun light to aid healing, keep the patient clean, safe and warm, consider the patients emotional health, feed the patient good wholesome food. All these actions will lead to healing of the body and spirit. Nelson Mandela's quest for equality and democracy for all is based on the same precepts. Advocate for those who need support, let the sun light in, however you can accomplish this, a card, a phone call, a smile for a stranger on the street, letting someone go in front of you in line when you're not in a rush. Keep people clean, safe and warm. Just thinking about the informal housing a townships that I have been in makes me realize that Mandela was talking about the basic needs of any human. Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the very basic physiologic needs to maintain life that so many don't have. What about the emotional health of the individual - how did Mr. Mandela live in an 8X8 cell for years on end? Only to come out into the world not seeking revenge, but moving forward with a pure heart. We see every where that good wholesome food is expensive, fat laden, calorie deficient food is cheap and abundant. It is not so different here in the Cape Town area. The disparity between what some can afford in the grocery store is a plain as the reputation each grocery store carries. Woolworth's equivalent to Whole Foods, Checkers equivalent to Stop N Shop, Pic N Pay equivalent to Shoprite. One can't shop at either place and see the distinct profile of the average shopper.
This makes me ponder the even more complicated question of how we integrate the real world and the ideals of Flo and Mandela? Especially in our rapid, technologically advanced world, how do we "care for the patient", where does the science of evidence based practice come into this equation that we as nurses are taught and teach to consider. Is there a way to combine the two actions? How to fulfill Flo's ideals while dealing with the realities of the world we live in. I honestly don't have the answer, but since being in South Africa, especially now during a time of national mourning, I hope to come closer to the solution.
Another one of my favorite office spots, Cocoa Wah Wah, picture taken with Precious, one of the young ladies that fed me breakfast, dinner and sometimes lunch. Most definitely a large decaf cappuccino "take away" as they say in South Africa.
PS - I hit "publish" with a little hesitancy...so many private thoughts, yikes!
Friday 6 December 2013
Cape Town Memorial
I'm not sure what the news is portraying in the US about Nelson Mandela's passing and what is happening here in South Africa or Cape Town in specific. I have fears that in our typical US fashion everyone is speculating that there will be riots in the streets, mayhem and discord because of his passing and increased racial tensions. Maybe that is just me being a bit dramatic, but I can assure you that my experience so far is far less dangerous than everyone envisions.
The memorial today was not as crowded as I thought it would be, getting into the city via train was very easy and the streets were not a mob scene as I originally expected. I think that many people were still at work and nothing has officially shut down yet in formal mourning. There were representatives from almost every religion sending their prayers and memorializing what a great leader Mendela is, I can't say was, because I think for the people of South Africa at least in this area, he will be immortal. There is no past tense for a man as great as him.
Scanning the crowd I saw faces of every color, maybe it really is the Rainbow Nation that he worked so hard to achieve. Black, white, Colored, Indian, all celebrating his life and reflecting on his wish for the world. His message was not just for South Africa, but for all of us to live a life of commitment to others, strive for a world where equality is expected and rejoice in the differences that really make us all the same.
I watched the faces of my students soak all this humanity and history in and I couldn't help but be a little jealous that they are having this experience so early in their lives. Although I feel envious that I never experienced anything as worldly as this at their age, I am so grateful that we are providing our younger generation with opportunities to experience the world in a way that most of us didn't. They are such an open group of individuals and to think that they will be taking back to the US not only their new found nursing skills, but will be better equipped to take care of people from all backgrounds with a new understanding of cultural differences.
The high light of the event for myself and a few of the students came upon us in a very spontaneous way and couldn't be replicated if we tried. As the crowd was listening to different speeches, prayers and performances the students and I heard some chanting and singing off to the left of us and decided to go check it out. The chanting had a distinct, fun, joyful sound to it along with Zulu calls interspersed. We weaved our way through the crowd and came upon a second sub crowd that was celebrating with the ANC flag. The ANC ( African National Council) is the organization that Mandela was president of during the Apartheid years. Anyway....as I was trying to leave the with some of the students we got caught up in their dancing, chanting, singing and celebrating in a way that we could't escape if we wanted to. We were totally part of this incredible mass of celebrating people honoring the man that made freedom a reality in their life time. Of course we had no idea what the words meant or what the dance moves were, but all those around us began including us and encouraging us to join and teaching us the words and moves. I've never been so comfortable being in the minority and never did I feel unsafe.
The memorial today was not as crowded as I thought it would be, getting into the city via train was very easy and the streets were not a mob scene as I originally expected. I think that many people were still at work and nothing has officially shut down yet in formal mourning. There were representatives from almost every religion sending their prayers and memorializing what a great leader Mendela is, I can't say was, because I think for the people of South Africa at least in this area, he will be immortal. There is no past tense for a man as great as him.
Scanning the crowd I saw faces of every color, maybe it really is the Rainbow Nation that he worked so hard to achieve. Black, white, Colored, Indian, all celebrating his life and reflecting on his wish for the world. His message was not just for South Africa, but for all of us to live a life of commitment to others, strive for a world where equality is expected and rejoice in the differences that really make us all the same.
I watched the faces of my students soak all this humanity and history in and I couldn't help but be a little jealous that they are having this experience so early in their lives. Although I feel envious that I never experienced anything as worldly as this at their age, I am so grateful that we are providing our younger generation with opportunities to experience the world in a way that most of us didn't. They are such an open group of individuals and to think that they will be taking back to the US not only their new found nursing skills, but will be better equipped to take care of people from all backgrounds with a new understanding of cultural differences.
The high light of the event for myself and a few of the students came upon us in a very spontaneous way and couldn't be replicated if we tried. As the crowd was listening to different speeches, prayers and performances the students and I heard some chanting and singing off to the left of us and decided to go check it out. The chanting had a distinct, fun, joyful sound to it along with Zulu calls interspersed. We weaved our way through the crowd and came upon a second sub crowd that was celebrating with the ANC flag. The ANC ( African National Council) is the organization that Mandela was president of during the Apartheid years. Anyway....as I was trying to leave the with some of the students we got caught up in their dancing, chanting, singing and celebrating in a way that we could't escape if we wanted to. We were totally part of this incredible mass of celebrating people honoring the man that made freedom a reality in their life time. Of course we had no idea what the words meant or what the dance moves were, but all those around us began including us and encouraging us to join and teaching us the words and moves. I've never been so comfortable being in the minority and never did I feel unsafe.
Nelson Mendela Memorial
There is a memorial this afternoon at 5pm in the center of Cape Town (Grand Parade) that I will be attending with the students, all trains are running for free and this will be a historic event that the students will never forget. They have already been so transformed as young adults by the people here and their experience, this will only add to the depth of how much they have come to love their second home for the last 3 months.
Nelson Mandela Dies
As you know by now Nelson Mandela has passed away while we are here in Cape Town. The mood is both somber and joyful. Somber because he accomplished so much in his lifetime and has directly affected so many people, many of whom I've become close to while here in South Africa and those hearts are full with sorrow. Joyful, because of his memory, his legacy, and what he stands for even in his absence of this physical world.
The students are busy with a test and they have two exams tomorrow morning. We are supposed to have a review session this afternoon, but we have decided as a democratic group that we will have a shortened session and take part in a memorial that will be conducted in Cape Town. Our good friends Rev. Vernon Rose and Ben will be helping us with getting where we need to be.
more later....
The students are busy with a test and they have two exams tomorrow morning. We are supposed to have a review session this afternoon, but we have decided as a democratic group that we will have a shortened session and take part in a memorial that will be conducted in Cape Town. Our good friends Rev. Vernon Rose and Ben will be helping us with getting where we need to be.
more later....
Sunday 1 December 2013
The view from my new office
I've found a new place to work while I am here in Cape Town. I started grading care plans and reading final papers for my on-line clinical nurse leader class I am teaching at 7:30am in my favorite little shop Cocoa Wah Wah, finally left when I felt like I outstayed my welcome three hours later. The people who work there have come to know me as "the nursing professor from the States", apparently it's a favorite hang out for my students as well. As my students say, it has a great "vibe". Sound a little retro and it actually is...they have a great play list with all my favorite alternative rock from the late 80's and early 90's...yes, a lifetime ago.
Ok, so I digressed. Anyway...got bored there and could't face sitting in my flat. It was a perfect summer day and I know that I don't have many of those left since I will be leaving in 2 weeks. I am excited to be home to see everyone, but nothing about me is happy with going back to 30 degree weather and dark at 5pm. So...I decided to work at the beach. Ya, right you say, I bet you got a lot done! I actually did get through 6 out of 16 care plans, graded two final papers and finalized the exam I am giving Friday morning. Not a bad day in the office. I am posting two pictures, one of my office and the other of the view from my office.
This is going to be a crazy week for both student and teacher. They have a paper due for me tomorrow night (which means 16 more papers to grade), 2 exams on Friday and 2 exams on Saturday. I think there will be some celebrating to be done in Cape Town on Saturday night.
Well, all I can say is it doesn't get much better than the view from my new office.
Ok, so I digressed. Anyway...got bored there and could't face sitting in my flat. It was a perfect summer day and I know that I don't have many of those left since I will be leaving in 2 weeks. I am excited to be home to see everyone, but nothing about me is happy with going back to 30 degree weather and dark at 5pm. So...I decided to work at the beach. Ya, right you say, I bet you got a lot done! I actually did get through 6 out of 16 care plans, graded two final papers and finalized the exam I am giving Friday morning. Not a bad day in the office. I am posting two pictures, one of my office and the other of the view from my office.
This is going to be a crazy week for both student and teacher. They have a paper due for me tomorrow night (which means 16 more papers to grade), 2 exams on Friday and 2 exams on Saturday. I think there will be some celebrating to be done in Cape Town on Saturday night.
Well, all I can say is it doesn't get much better than the view from my new office.
Friday 29 November 2013
Mitchell's Plain Clinic
One of the clinical site that the students have been rotating through is a clinic in a largely Muslim populated township. A township is a step up from informal housing. The townships are neighborhoods of tiny houses that are made of cement, have electricity and I presume water because there is no outhouses. Unlike the informal housing which I mentioned earlier are just 4 walls put together with who knows what, no electricity, no water, and no real neighborhood just miles of shacks in open fields.
Anyway, back to the clinic. I usually try to go first thing in the morning because this is when they are the busiest. There is a TB clinic on one side and general medical care on the other side. People will starting lining up by 6am if not earlier to get in to see either a doctor or nurse practitioner. I'm told that sometimes people start lining up as early as 4am.
It is a very overwhelming place to walk into, especially being a white women driving up in a car. I've learned to just smile and say "good morning", the clinic is not very big, maybe the size of a gymnasium with some rooms around the sides and a large waiting area in the middle. There is a gate you need to walk through with a security guard, which is the same man every day. More about him later. As you walk in all you can hear is hundreds of people talking and lots of children running around and babies crying. There are literally at least 100 people in the waiting room every time I come in to check on the students.
I usually find the students either in the immunization/sick room. This is where they triage sick children along with give immunizations, all in the same room, all sharing the same air and probably germs. The equipment they have is so old I'm shocked they still work. The scale alone looks like something my parents had when I was growing up. As a small thank you gift I had the students bring digital thermometers, the nurses (they are called sisters here) were so thrilled and I quickly found out why, all they have is mercury thermometers that take forever. I actually had to teach the students how to read it since they had not been exposed to them before. The other places they work is in the family planning on Tuesdays and on Mondays in the antenatal testing unit. Both of these areas are just basic rooms with one exam table on it that may or may not have the paper sheet replaced before or after your visit.
Teen pregnancy is very high here as well as pregnancy in general. Lots and lots and lots of young children and babies in this township. There is a big push for safe sex and getting tested for HIV, actually there is a campaign going on in all of South Africa to "know your status" with free testing sites all over the place. The students have been getting a lot of practice with family planning and are a little frustrated with the lack of prenatal testing they get, there is no ultrasound machine.
It's hard to explain unless you are here just how poor the people in the townships are and how hard the sisters work each and every day with very little. The clinic will see at least 2-3 hundred people in one day and most of the time they do not have a doctor or a nurse practitioner, they have the sisters who are registered nurses, but have to call for an ambulance if there is anything more urgent than typical childhood diseases, colds, etc.
Back to the guard at the gate. He is an older gentleman, probably in his 60's who wears a knit cap and jacket regardless of the temperature. He is so friendly and we share pleasantries every time I come in, he has gotten to know me and lets me know where the students are. On my way out the other day I asked him how he was, he told me with a smile I'm doing well. I then asked him how his weekend was and he told me "not very good, they shot my son and he died". Like an idiot I had to ask him twice to be sure that I heard him tell me very calmly that his son was shot. He explained that he was robbed, put up a struggle and was then shot and killed. He was 25 years old. All through this I wondered how the heck he was there and still smiling, doing his job and asking me how I was doing. It occurred to me that he couldn't afford to not work regardless of the reason and that is why he was there, guarding the gate. I walked away with a heavy heart and wished there was more I could do.
pictures on the bottom are from the excursion...this is informal housing in Soweto.
Anyway, back to the clinic. I usually try to go first thing in the morning because this is when they are the busiest. There is a TB clinic on one side and general medical care on the other side. People will starting lining up by 6am if not earlier to get in to see either a doctor or nurse practitioner. I'm told that sometimes people start lining up as early as 4am.
It is a very overwhelming place to walk into, especially being a white women driving up in a car. I've learned to just smile and say "good morning", the clinic is not very big, maybe the size of a gymnasium with some rooms around the sides and a large waiting area in the middle. There is a gate you need to walk through with a security guard, which is the same man every day. More about him later. As you walk in all you can hear is hundreds of people talking and lots of children running around and babies crying. There are literally at least 100 people in the waiting room every time I come in to check on the students.
I usually find the students either in the immunization/sick room. This is where they triage sick children along with give immunizations, all in the same room, all sharing the same air and probably germs. The equipment they have is so old I'm shocked they still work. The scale alone looks like something my parents had when I was growing up. As a small thank you gift I had the students bring digital thermometers, the nurses (they are called sisters here) were so thrilled and I quickly found out why, all they have is mercury thermometers that take forever. I actually had to teach the students how to read it since they had not been exposed to them before. The other places they work is in the family planning on Tuesdays and on Mondays in the antenatal testing unit. Both of these areas are just basic rooms with one exam table on it that may or may not have the paper sheet replaced before or after your visit.
Teen pregnancy is very high here as well as pregnancy in general. Lots and lots and lots of young children and babies in this township. There is a big push for safe sex and getting tested for HIV, actually there is a campaign going on in all of South Africa to "know your status" with free testing sites all over the place. The students have been getting a lot of practice with family planning and are a little frustrated with the lack of prenatal testing they get, there is no ultrasound machine.
It's hard to explain unless you are here just how poor the people in the townships are and how hard the sisters work each and every day with very little. The clinic will see at least 2-3 hundred people in one day and most of the time they do not have a doctor or a nurse practitioner, they have the sisters who are registered nurses, but have to call for an ambulance if there is anything more urgent than typical childhood diseases, colds, etc.
Back to the guard at the gate. He is an older gentleman, probably in his 60's who wears a knit cap and jacket regardless of the temperature. He is so friendly and we share pleasantries every time I come in, he has gotten to know me and lets me know where the students are. On my way out the other day I asked him how he was, he told me with a smile I'm doing well. I then asked him how his weekend was and he told me "not very good, they shot my son and he died". Like an idiot I had to ask him twice to be sure that I heard him tell me very calmly that his son was shot. He explained that he was robbed, put up a struggle and was then shot and killed. He was 25 years old. All through this I wondered how the heck he was there and still smiling, doing his job and asking me how I was doing. It occurred to me that he couldn't afford to not work regardless of the reason and that is why he was there, guarding the gate. I walked away with a heavy heart and wished there was more I could do.
pictures on the bottom are from the excursion...this is informal housing in Soweto.
Thursday 28 November 2013
Plettenberg bay pictures
these are some of the highlights. Me walking with an elephant, hand and trunk, me riding an elephant, and me smiling with an elephant (trunk up is a big smile, she liked me). One of Plettenberg's Beaches, the view from my hostel bedroom. Some of the animals I got close to while doing a safari on horseback...I was too scared to get a picture of the rhino that was right in front of me, just in case he and his buddy figured out we were there, crazy stuff. Two plus hours on a horse = more bruises!
Plettenburg Bay - Outside my comfort zone in a Hostel
I never thought I would find myself crawling through passages in caves that are barely big enough for me to fit in. With names like the "stove pipe", the coffin, etc you can only imagine what I was up against. But when you are with a bunch of youngsters who are up for anything, who am I to say no?
That was the start of my hostel experience. And what an experience. Anybody who remembers our "road" in Vermont will know what I'm talking about when I describe the way to the hostel, in the middle of the night, with a nervous older gentleman for a driver, as being just a little stressful. Pitch dark, not a light in sight, a veritable path way for a 22 seat bus with a trailer hitched to it for luggage. We finally made it there and our hostel adventure started.
We were met by Vicki and her three dogs, one of which was HUGE, named chug a bunga, then two others Rosie and FiFi. They were all adopted township dogs that were rescued - two of them had coloring just like JT, I was ready to bring them home.
The students had a bunk room with 16 beds and I was living in the lap of luxury in my single with adjoining bathroom what I shared with our 70 year old driver, Lenny. All I wanted to do was go to bed, and that's just what I did not caring that there didn't seem to be the same amenities that I am used to! ha ha. Oh did I mention that my body, especially my knee, grew more bruises from my cave dwelling? I woke up the next morning to see the most incredible view that I have seen in a long time, complete with an Italian mob boss hideout and families of baboons.
The next morning we met Vicki's husband/friend (never got the low down on their relationship) and the two children they had taken in because their mother was a drug addict and had abandoned them for weeks at a time when they were 3 and 5. The little boys name was Gift and the little girls I can spell. They were the most beautiful, happy and fun loving children I have met in a long time. Full of hugs and giggles. The students were in love! Vicki and Matthew own and run an orphanage in their spare time and great cooks. For $150 dollars I got lodging for 3 nights, 3 full meals and breakfasts which were delicious. I think I've found a new way to travel.
more to come.....with pictures
That was the start of my hostel experience. And what an experience. Anybody who remembers our "road" in Vermont will know what I'm talking about when I describe the way to the hostel, in the middle of the night, with a nervous older gentleman for a driver, as being just a little stressful. Pitch dark, not a light in sight, a veritable path way for a 22 seat bus with a trailer hitched to it for luggage. We finally made it there and our hostel adventure started.
We were met by Vicki and her three dogs, one of which was HUGE, named chug a bunga, then two others Rosie and FiFi. They were all adopted township dogs that were rescued - two of them had coloring just like JT, I was ready to bring them home.
The students had a bunk room with 16 beds and I was living in the lap of luxury in my single with adjoining bathroom what I shared with our 70 year old driver, Lenny. All I wanted to do was go to bed, and that's just what I did not caring that there didn't seem to be the same amenities that I am used to! ha ha. Oh did I mention that my body, especially my knee, grew more bruises from my cave dwelling? I woke up the next morning to see the most incredible view that I have seen in a long time, complete with an Italian mob boss hideout and families of baboons.
The next morning we met Vicki's husband/friend (never got the low down on their relationship) and the two children they had taken in because their mother was a drug addict and had abandoned them for weeks at a time when they were 3 and 5. The little boys name was Gift and the little girls I can spell. They were the most beautiful, happy and fun loving children I have met in a long time. Full of hugs and giggles. The students were in love! Vicki and Matthew own and run an orphanage in their spare time and great cooks. For $150 dollars I got lodging for 3 nights, 3 full meals and breakfasts which were delicious. I think I've found a new way to travel.
more to come.....with pictures
Sunday 17 November 2013
Taking a digger
I finally found my way to the beach area where I wanted to run. Didn't get lost getting there or coming home, I am very impressed with myself. Except....well, here I am having this wonderful run, ocean to my right, the mist in my face from the crashing waves. Lion's Head and Table Mountain to my left in the distance, a rugby team practicing in the field to my left. Couples, families and dogs everywhere, a beautiful Sunday morning and things couldn't be better. And then of course....I trip on a raised cobblestone brick and take a nasty digger!! There I go left knee, right hip and both hands -- what a way to ruin a perfectly beautiful morning/run. My already broken phone went flying, head phones ripped out of my ears and my pride badly bruised! Not to mention the look of terror on the family that approached me to see if I was alright - they didn't speak English so all I could do is smile and keep running. I was so determined for this little "slip" to not ruin my day. I kept running. In case you are wondering, I had a phone and Ben, one of the people that is involved in the program lives just around the corner so if it had been worse I would have had help.
So, now I am limping around, have a lovely sore looking knee and can't wait to see it tomorrow morning. Just when all the other scabs on my legs had cleared up! The good news is I had a wonderful cup of decaf coffee and breakfast with my leg up on a chair reading the Sunday paper in a coffee shop on the beautiful coast of Cape Town. It was worth it.
So, now I am limping around, have a lovely sore looking knee and can't wait to see it tomorrow morning. Just when all the other scabs on my legs had cleared up! The good news is I had a wonderful cup of decaf coffee and breakfast with my leg up on a chair reading the Sunday paper in a coffee shop on the beautiful coast of Cape Town. It was worth it.
Friday 15 November 2013
Running in Rondebosch
I've been trying to take advantage of the really nice weather and run whenever I can. Only problem is I'm finding it really boring and hard to stay motivated. I am running on Rondebosch Common which is right across from my apartment and has a beautiful view of Table Mountain and Lion's head, but it is very flat, one time around is about 1.7 miles so I do it twice. I have added on another street that is adjacent, but again it's flat and boring.
I need to be able to get to and from Camps Bay (the ocean) and run along the promenade, I can get there just fine, but always get lost coming home! My goal for this weekend was to get out there and find a route on the beach that has a little more to offer than flat roads. I guess I miss running in Hebron and on Uconn campus, too bad it will be winter when I get back, dark and cold.
Despite the flat, boring terrain, I find myself amazed that I am running in South Africa, hours away from home listening to the same play list that I listen to when I'm in CT. It always amazes me that we can get on a plane and like magic, 15 hours later, you are essentially a day away from where you just came from. When I am getting up in the morning my kids are still awake, but it's another day from them. I'm starting my day and they haven't gone to bed yet. I can't even keep up with the time change from Arizona, so I haven't been able to connect with Kyle very often.
I don't know why it took me so long to discover Skype. I am finding it's the best way to communicate, if you know me, you know I don't like talking on the phone, but I don't mind using Skype. Seeing the person I'm talking to really helps to stay connected.
It is supposed to rain all weekend, which is fine, I have a ton of work to do to prep for the week coming up. The semester is flying by and a big part of me doesn't want it to end. So I am trying to enjoy the time I have, see everything I can and enjoy this adventure.
I'm attaching two pictures, one of me working with a student teaching newborn assessment and the other from the commons that I run on. My apartment is in the background next to the red roof.
I need to be able to get to and from Camps Bay (the ocean) and run along the promenade, I can get there just fine, but always get lost coming home! My goal for this weekend was to get out there and find a route on the beach that has a little more to offer than flat roads. I guess I miss running in Hebron and on Uconn campus, too bad it will be winter when I get back, dark and cold.
Despite the flat, boring terrain, I find myself amazed that I am running in South Africa, hours away from home listening to the same play list that I listen to when I'm in CT. It always amazes me that we can get on a plane and like magic, 15 hours later, you are essentially a day away from where you just came from. When I am getting up in the morning my kids are still awake, but it's another day from them. I'm starting my day and they haven't gone to bed yet. I can't even keep up with the time change from Arizona, so I haven't been able to connect with Kyle very often.
I don't know why it took me so long to discover Skype. I am finding it's the best way to communicate, if you know me, you know I don't like talking on the phone, but I don't mind using Skype. Seeing the person I'm talking to really helps to stay connected.
It is supposed to rain all weekend, which is fine, I have a ton of work to do to prep for the week coming up. The semester is flying by and a big part of me doesn't want it to end. So I am trying to enjoy the time I have, see everything I can and enjoy this adventure.
I'm attaching two pictures, one of me working with a student teaching newborn assessment and the other from the commons that I run on. My apartment is in the background next to the red roof.
Saturday 9 November 2013
Para Gliding off Signal Hill over looking ocean and Table Mountain
Yes, I para glided for a while until I became nauseous, so that was the end of that. It was so relaxing and beautiful, I am really angry with my inability to withstand motion. I asked the instructor if it would be worse if I parachuted out a plane, and believe it or not he said that wouldn't make me sick! Maybe I will do it this summer. I wasn't able to get many pictures because I was too busy keeping the banana I just ate in my stomach, but I'll share what I have. I wish I could show them all to you, there is a distinct progression in the look on my face, all smiles and then holding it in. Oh well, I tried.
Another week of clinical and teaching under my belt. I am shocked at how much prep time it takes me to prepare for 16 hours of lecturing. I hope my students are studying as much as I am prepping. Judging from the quiz I gave them yesterday they are all studying. I will up my game on the next quiz and make it a little more challenging. I'm sure they would disagree.
My goal for tomorrow is to head back out to Camps Bay and find the running area I have been reading about. I try to go one new place each weekend day because I know I don't have time or energy during the week.
This is flying by really fast. Sorry to brag, but the weather is fantastic. I will be so depressed getting off that plane at JFK. Good thing I will have Christmas and all the kids home to look forward to.
Another week of clinical and teaching under my belt. I am shocked at how much prep time it takes me to prepare for 16 hours of lecturing. I hope my students are studying as much as I am prepping. Judging from the quiz I gave them yesterday they are all studying. I will up my game on the next quiz and make it a little more challenging. I'm sure they would disagree.
My goal for tomorrow is to head back out to Camps Bay and find the running area I have been reading about. I try to go one new place each weekend day because I know I don't have time or energy during the week.
This is flying by really fast. Sorry to brag, but the weather is fantastic. I will be so depressed getting off that plane at JFK. Good thing I will have Christmas and all the kids home to look forward to.
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Wind and parking your car in Cape Town
I'm not talking about the fierce wind that makes me feel like I'm moving backward when I run. Although I just got back from a run on the "commons" and the wind was so bad I honestly had trouble going forward. For my friends at HH, it's like the wind tunnel between parking and Children's hospital. For my UConn friends, just about anywhere on campus. I'm happy to have a safe place to run that is right across the street from my flat. Only issue is that it is so flat and incredibly boring. There is common area (really an empty field) that is surrounded by a walking/jogging path, it is about 1.7 miles around. So twice and you get close to a 5K. There are always a lot of people walking and running so it is very safe. I will post a picture of Table Mountain and University of Cape Town in the back drop. I have to admit, it's quite stunning.
So the wind I'm talking about occurred during a teaching encounter with a couple of my students. The patient was a very nervous, self conscious, first time mom with 36 week twins. She was feeling overwhelmed and wanted help breastfeeding. So, I was teaching my students and the mother some techniques to get the baby to latch on. As I was doing that, one of the nursery Sisters (nurse) came in to give both of them injections, ignored us and took the baby from the mom. The mom explained that she needed help breastfeeding and apparently the sister didn't like what we were doing, which is common and absolutely fine. But this is what really made me want to laugh out loud and say "really, you're serious, you think that's going to work?" The sister proceeded to tell the mother that the baby has "wind", I looked at my students and shrugged my shoulders. The sister told the mom that you can tell if the baby has wind by where it's tongue is, if it's up against the roof of the mouth, there is wind, if it isn't there isn't wind. At this point I still had no idea what it meant to have wind. Was that the same as passing gas? Apparently not, having wind means you need to burp, now you are probably way ahead of me here, but it took me a while to get it. The whole tongue issue really confused me, I'd never heard of that, but that's not to say it isn't true. Then the sister goes on to teach the mother how to "break the babies wind", puts the infant up on mom's shoulder and rubbed the back exactly two times and proclaimed, "wind is gone, the baby will eat now". None of us heard anything close to what we call a burp. Mom gave us a confused look, but allows the sister to help the baby onto the breast, and what do you know, the baby latched on, the students looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders!
Now parking your car here is an adventure, as if driving on the other side of the road isn't fun enough. I have 3 clinical sites that I go to, none of them have adequate parking, but what they do have is people willing to "watch your car". This is a source of income for people, they get your attention as you pull into the parking lot, some how they find you a spot, direct you into that spot and there you go. At first I didn't like it, I felt pressure because there are at least 10 people trying to get your attention. When you come back to get your car you are expected to give a tip for their services. They will find you no matter how much later you come out of the hospital and boy do they remember your face!
This week I had two very nice things happen to me related to parking. At one site the parking person wanted me to parallel park my car. I can't do that back home, never mind on the other side of the car, on the other side of the street. Just too much for me to process. So I took a chance that he spoke English and explained that I didn't know how to park that way, there was clearly no where else to park. This man patiently proceeded to guide me through the whole process without hitting anything. I was so pleased I gave him his tip before I went in just in case he wasn't there when I got back. He looked very happy with what I gave him. When I got back I saw that he had washed my car - windshields, hubcaps, the whole thing and he was smiling profusely, obviously proud of himself. So, your wondering how much did I give him to deserve such royal treatment. I gave him 9 rand, which is equal to a whopping 90 cents. That is just one example of how poor some of the people are.
The other incident wasn't nearly as striking, but it made me realize that these men and women really are providing a service and I am now happy to let them help me find a spot and then park. Today I got into a spot that I never would have guessed I could get into, but with the guidance of my parking man, I got a spot right in front of the hospital. When I got out of the car he told me to have a good day. I gave him 9 rand and wished him a good day as well.
I'm posting a picture of the beach I went to Sunday. I'm not trying to rub it in, but boy was it beautiful.
So the wind I'm talking about occurred during a teaching encounter with a couple of my students. The patient was a very nervous, self conscious, first time mom with 36 week twins. She was feeling overwhelmed and wanted help breastfeeding. So, I was teaching my students and the mother some techniques to get the baby to latch on. As I was doing that, one of the nursery Sisters (nurse) came in to give both of them injections, ignored us and took the baby from the mom. The mom explained that she needed help breastfeeding and apparently the sister didn't like what we were doing, which is common and absolutely fine. But this is what really made me want to laugh out loud and say "really, you're serious, you think that's going to work?" The sister proceeded to tell the mother that the baby has "wind", I looked at my students and shrugged my shoulders. The sister told the mom that you can tell if the baby has wind by where it's tongue is, if it's up against the roof of the mouth, there is wind, if it isn't there isn't wind. At this point I still had no idea what it meant to have wind. Was that the same as passing gas? Apparently not, having wind means you need to burp, now you are probably way ahead of me here, but it took me a while to get it. The whole tongue issue really confused me, I'd never heard of that, but that's not to say it isn't true. Then the sister goes on to teach the mother how to "break the babies wind", puts the infant up on mom's shoulder and rubbed the back exactly two times and proclaimed, "wind is gone, the baby will eat now". None of us heard anything close to what we call a burp. Mom gave us a confused look, but allows the sister to help the baby onto the breast, and what do you know, the baby latched on, the students looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders!
Now parking your car here is an adventure, as if driving on the other side of the road isn't fun enough. I have 3 clinical sites that I go to, none of them have adequate parking, but what they do have is people willing to "watch your car". This is a source of income for people, they get your attention as you pull into the parking lot, some how they find you a spot, direct you into that spot and there you go. At first I didn't like it, I felt pressure because there are at least 10 people trying to get your attention. When you come back to get your car you are expected to give a tip for their services. They will find you no matter how much later you come out of the hospital and boy do they remember your face!
This week I had two very nice things happen to me related to parking. At one site the parking person wanted me to parallel park my car. I can't do that back home, never mind on the other side of the car, on the other side of the street. Just too much for me to process. So I took a chance that he spoke English and explained that I didn't know how to park that way, there was clearly no where else to park. This man patiently proceeded to guide me through the whole process without hitting anything. I was so pleased I gave him his tip before I went in just in case he wasn't there when I got back. He looked very happy with what I gave him. When I got back I saw that he had washed my car - windshields, hubcaps, the whole thing and he was smiling profusely, obviously proud of himself. So, your wondering how much did I give him to deserve such royal treatment. I gave him 9 rand, which is equal to a whopping 90 cents. That is just one example of how poor some of the people are.
The other incident wasn't nearly as striking, but it made me realize that these men and women really are providing a service and I am now happy to let them help me find a spot and then park. Today I got into a spot that I never would have guessed I could get into, but with the guidance of my parking man, I got a spot right in front of the hospital. When I got out of the car he told me to have a good day. I gave him 9 rand and wished him a good day as well.
I'm posting a picture of the beach I went to Sunday. I'm not trying to rub it in, but boy was it beautiful.
Saturday 2 November 2013
Life on my own
we got back from Johannesburg last week on Sunday and I gave the students monday off to recover from days of traveling and sightseeing. Joe and I climbed Table Mountain. It was a beautiful day and perfect for hiking, of course Joe was running up the mountain and looked back to make sure I was still alive, which as you can tell, I am. The students were amazed that we did it in 1.25 hours, I was more amazed! Joe spend a couple days sightseeing with the couple that have been with us (the first professor and her husband). He got some great pictures of the coast line.
So I have been driving on my own for the last few days and have only had a few tense moments when I realize I am on the wrong side of the road. Driving on the opposite side definitely takes some getting used to, but I was very proud of getting to all three clinical sites on Wednesday with minor direction issues. The sites are in the poor townships and it's hard to see people living with so little when just miles away there are beautiful shopping malls, upscale stores, lots of restaurants and people with plenty of money. There is always people looking for food, so we have gotten used to keeping our leftovers and giving it to anyone who asks for money or food.
I taught for the first time thursday and friday for 8 hours each day. What a way to get initiated into the world of lecturing! First day was pretty rough, second day was a little easier, I am truly hoping that this week I am better prepared and a little more coherent! Luckily the students have been very patient and kind, they know I am new at this and trying my best. They are also confident that I will be fair, so that helps.
Here are pictures of our hike and Joe's drive on the coast. The first one is a picture from my balcony, the flat part is Table Mountain and that is what we hiked.
So I have been driving on my own for the last few days and have only had a few tense moments when I realize I am on the wrong side of the road. Driving on the opposite side definitely takes some getting used to, but I was very proud of getting to all three clinical sites on Wednesday with minor direction issues. The sites are in the poor townships and it's hard to see people living with so little when just miles away there are beautiful shopping malls, upscale stores, lots of restaurants and people with plenty of money. There is always people looking for food, so we have gotten used to keeping our leftovers and giving it to anyone who asks for money or food.
I taught for the first time thursday and friday for 8 hours each day. What a way to get initiated into the world of lecturing! First day was pretty rough, second day was a little easier, I am truly hoping that this week I am better prepared and a little more coherent! Luckily the students have been very patient and kind, they know I am new at this and trying my best. They are also confident that I will be fair, so that helps.
Here are pictures of our hike and Joe's drive on the coast. The first one is a picture from my balcony, the flat part is Table Mountain and that is what we hiked.
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Dazed and Amazed
left cape town saturday morning and got to johannesburg later in the afternoon. We have have had days full of great food, sightseeing and learning about apartheid and what it was like to live through it and now be free. We went to the Hector Peterson memorial, The Apartheid Museum and Constitution Center/old prison that was closed in 1983. I am still trying to soak everything in and understand what was happening here while I was a teenager in America with nothing more to worry about except new clothes, my favorite song and maybe even boys. Contrast to Hector who in 1976 (I was 13, the same age as him) who became famous in is death. A famous photo of him being carried by another teen ager with his sister close behind was taken during the riot in Soweto that was fueled by Apartheid laws mandating that all children had to be taught in English and Africaans. He was shot by the police during a peaceful demonstration that went out of control.
The townships of Soweto and Kilptown are miles and miles of "informal housing", but honestly they are nothing but tin walls and roofs held in place by rocks. No running water or electricity, women were doing their laundry in buckets on the ground and hung them to dry. There are some communal structures that are used for toileting, again, no running water. Very hard to imagine unless you are here.
Spent an amazing three hours with the Boys and Girls Club of Soweto. They are open to the neighborhood from 3p-6p for kids to play, get a snack and do homework. On an average they see at least 120 kids every day. It is modeled after the boys and girls clubs at in America and tupperware has been a large sponsor. The NBA also sponsored a basketball court for them then sent a few players to celebrate the opening of it. The children there were amazing and so full of energy, happy to be there and even more happy to have extra adults to play with them. I have posted a few pictures. One is of Joe giving kids helicopter ride, he had gotten at lest 20-30 of them involved in a soccer game. There is one with me and my hair looking especially good because 1. I have no way to blow dry my hair and 2. a few of the kids decided that my hair was fascinating and wanted to play with it, two of the little girls tried to style it the way they are used to seeing their moms do it, I didn't have the heart to change it! The kids loved getting their picture taken, this little girl was especially beautiful and loved to pose.
PS---This post was done while I was on Excursion in Johannesburg but I am just getting it to you now a week later, sorry!
The townships of Soweto and Kilptown are miles and miles of "informal housing", but honestly they are nothing but tin walls and roofs held in place by rocks. No running water or electricity, women were doing their laundry in buckets on the ground and hung them to dry. There are some communal structures that are used for toileting, again, no running water. Very hard to imagine unless you are here.
Spent an amazing three hours with the Boys and Girls Club of Soweto. They are open to the neighborhood from 3p-6p for kids to play, get a snack and do homework. On an average they see at least 120 kids every day. It is modeled after the boys and girls clubs at in America and tupperware has been a large sponsor. The NBA also sponsored a basketball court for them then sent a few players to celebrate the opening of it. The children there were amazing and so full of energy, happy to be there and even more happy to have extra adults to play with them. I have posted a few pictures. One is of Joe giving kids helicopter ride, he had gotten at lest 20-30 of them involved in a soccer game. There is one with me and my hair looking especially good because 1. I have no way to blow dry my hair and 2. a few of the kids decided that my hair was fascinating and wanted to play with it, two of the little girls tried to style it the way they are used to seeing their moms do it, I didn't have the heart to change it! The kids loved getting their picture taken, this little girl was especially beautiful and loved to pose.
PS---This post was done while I was on Excursion in Johannesburg but I am just getting it to you now a week later, sorry!
Saturday 19 October 2013
Hakuna Matata
hi everyone
I am very excited to post my first blog thanks to one of my students who is a computer wiz. In case you're wondering Impilo means cheers in Xhosa, one of the languages spoken here in Cape Town. The picture you see is from my balcony window and is Table Mountain. It literally comes out of no where. When the cloud starts to cover it, they call it the "table cloth" because that's what it looks like, a table cloth draping over a table. The students and the professor here with me have climbed it and I am anxious to get Joe and I out there, be on the look out for pictures from whatever elevation I make it to!
So, as you have figured out, we are here - got here without incident, but am suffering from a little jet lag. The first leg to Johannesburg was a straight 15 hours, then a 3 hour layover, which we needed every minute of because we had no idea where we were going, then got on another flight to Cape Town which is two hours from Joburg as they call it here.
I was so happy to see our friends pick us up from the airport and was greeted with the typical warm hugs from everyone. Even people I don't know, it's just the way people are here, hugging is very normal and just feels right. Anyway, Joe being the better traveller than I am made me stay awake until 10pm that night. The next day, bright and early, Vernon picked us up at 8:30 to show us around the city, university of cape town, the townships and some of the clinical facilities that we will be working in. More about that later. We went out to dinner to a Thai restaurant with the students, Nancy and her husband Kevin, and Vernon and his wife Esme. What a great night. The students are so happy and full of great adventures and stories about their first few weeks in cape town. They were also very relieved to have finished 1/2 of the leadership course and all of pedi clinical and classroom, the caveat was having 3 tests in one day....needless to say they had a little steam to blow off last night.
So today is Saturday, we left again at 8:00, went back to the airport and flew back to Joburg where we will be for the next few days sight seeing and then off to the Kruger National Park. We are having an amazing thunderstorm right now which I hear is normal, but it is supposed to clear up soon. We are going out to dinner tonight (which Joe is being very good about), but for now the students are sleeping and I am catching up on work, etc.
So far this is amazing, I have a lot to say, but will keep this short for now. Don't want the electricity to go out and loose all this info. Miss everyone, but having a great time.
I am very excited to post my first blog thanks to one of my students who is a computer wiz. In case you're wondering Impilo means cheers in Xhosa, one of the languages spoken here in Cape Town. The picture you see is from my balcony window and is Table Mountain. It literally comes out of no where. When the cloud starts to cover it, they call it the "table cloth" because that's what it looks like, a table cloth draping over a table. The students and the professor here with me have climbed it and I am anxious to get Joe and I out there, be on the look out for pictures from whatever elevation I make it to!
So, as you have figured out, we are here - got here without incident, but am suffering from a little jet lag. The first leg to Johannesburg was a straight 15 hours, then a 3 hour layover, which we needed every minute of because we had no idea where we were going, then got on another flight to Cape Town which is two hours from Joburg as they call it here.
I was so happy to see our friends pick us up from the airport and was greeted with the typical warm hugs from everyone. Even people I don't know, it's just the way people are here, hugging is very normal and just feels right. Anyway, Joe being the better traveller than I am made me stay awake until 10pm that night. The next day, bright and early, Vernon picked us up at 8:30 to show us around the city, university of cape town, the townships and some of the clinical facilities that we will be working in. More about that later. We went out to dinner to a Thai restaurant with the students, Nancy and her husband Kevin, and Vernon and his wife Esme. What a great night. The students are so happy and full of great adventures and stories about their first few weeks in cape town. They were also very relieved to have finished 1/2 of the leadership course and all of pedi clinical and classroom, the caveat was having 3 tests in one day....needless to say they had a little steam to blow off last night.
So today is Saturday, we left again at 8:00, went back to the airport and flew back to Joburg where we will be for the next few days sight seeing and then off to the Kruger National Park. We are having an amazing thunderstorm right now which I hear is normal, but it is supposed to clear up soon. We are going out to dinner tonight (which Joe is being very good about), but for now the students are sleeping and I am catching up on work, etc.
So far this is amazing, I have a lot to say, but will keep this short for now. Don't want the electricity to go out and loose all this info. Miss everyone, but having a great time.
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