Lianne, Bill, Joan and Jess at Heathrow Airport
Well we are back on Zambian soil and it doesn't even feel like we left! Right now it is 5 AM of Day 2...and I am wide awake. I am never up at this time, but thanks to jet lag here I am this morning. Our plane ride to Zam was looong, except we did end up meeting two guys in the middle of Heathrow airport who will be working in Mongu. They are from Seattle and it just so happens that they will be taking over Tyler's construction project out in Limulunga. What a small world to actually meet them in one of the world's biggest airports, but these Zambian connections just continue.
I don't think I have ever been so excited for a trip in my whole life! But it really is because I get to return back to a place that I love and miss so so much. And now we are coming back with Dr. Bill Nelems, who is truly the reason why we are back in Zambia. This time we are also bringing with us Joan Bassett-Smith, who is the former Director of Nursing at UBCO. She was also a professor of ours when we were wee little nursing students and has spent over 10 years working on nursing education projects in Ghana. She really gets Africa. Which is why it is so exciting to bring her with us back to Zambia!
We arrive after 24 hrs of sleepless travel at 0600 to Lusaka Airport. The rains have come already this year..so to our surprise it is quite cool! I know once we head to Mongu it will be much hotter. Bill has planned quite the full day for us already. We give Margaret a call at University Teaching Hospital and she is already waiting for us in her office. So off we get our rental car, Lianne starts the drive (good thing she is used to working night shifts and can go off little sleep..cause pretty sure she hadn't slept in about 2 days). Lusaka traffic sure hasn't changed much, expcept right now in Zambia there is a HUGE petrol shortage..the lineups for gas are unreal!!!!!! We are already making backup plans with jerry cans for our trip to Mongu. (don't worry Dad)
We set off to meet with Margaret, the Assistant Dean for the School of Medicine at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka (the biggest and only tertiary hospital in the whole country) I know we have talked about her before on the blog but she truly in an amazing women. Began her career as a nurse, married the best Lozi (our friend Mubita), had 4 children...and somewhere in there managed to get her Master's and PhD. She has really been a driving force for improving nursing education here in this country. We are honoured to be able to call her a friend and colleague. It was neat to connect her with Joan Bassett-Smith..hopefully this is the start of us writing grants to help fund a nursing skills lab here at UTH. While we are at UTH we are approached by the Director of Surgery, Dr. Labib..and then Dean Mula stops by to say hello. Word is out that we are doing a surgical skills course in Mongu!!!! They all request us to run the surgical skills course at UTH. Feels good to know we get to deliver this course first in Mongu, but it is huge that the biggest hospital in the country is already asking us to come and work with them!
Mobita, Lianne, Cam, Glynn, Dr. Chifumbe Chintu (Bill's classmate at U of T)
Looks like we have a lot of work to do, I don't need to come home...right????? :)
Jessica
6 comments:
you guys look great[considering no sleep] I'm at work and everyone says hi[ the med students think you guys are hot] have a great time setting up. mom and dad
Testing. Hope I can still do this. Sent one before it didn't go through. Love from Nannie
We are so glad to hear you’ve arrived safe and somewhat sound. As I sit here, humbly shedding a few tears, I am trying to understand why I get so emotional when I read some of your Blog entries.
I’ve heard it said that “Africa just gets under your skin”… for me, and I think I am pretty safe in saying for you two, there isn’t a truer saying is there? It not only is a stunning and inspiring continent that has to be seen to believed, but for me it’s ‘the people’. They have an incredible charm that slowly washes over you. Sometimes it’s only just a look …‘those eyes’… or ‘that smile’… I also get that special feeling when I hear them sing…what beautiful voices... it is an experience that touches you deep inside …it’s a feeling that truly moves you. Suddenly you realize, with whatever it was they said or did…they have just stolen your heart!
I miss that…
May the African spirit continue to feed your passion, but also know I selfishly miss you even more when you are so far away.
Be Safe – Love Always, Mom…asomewhatsentimentalblubberingfool !
Lianne & Jess!!!!
Muzamaile cwani? I'm totally gonna watch your blog, wish I was big in good old Mongu with you! Keep us posted on all the successes and challenges, looking forward to hearing about your experiences!
Update from Mongu Oct 25-09
We have just heard from Jessica by telephone and thought you might like to know that they are safe and sound, but unable to get to an Internet cafe to send updates via email. The internet where they are staying and at the Nursing School has been down since their arrival (sigh....TIA = “This Is Africa”). Anyway here’s what we know has happened since the latest Blog entry:
...Lianne negotiated for the gas (..and a spot in line?).. . >>you go girl- she is amazing at negotiating; no doubt she was bold and confident, yet did it sweetly and respectfully with her big beautiful smile...whea..nna >>
.....they had two flat tires and almost ran out of gas on the road into Mongu -thank goodness for gerry cans!!... 6 people in the vehicle and lots of extra weight due to all the “stuff” they brought with them( and likely not so good tires...)>>...remember it is really hot out, they are shoulder to shoulder in the car traveling through many small villages, their vehicle is likely a standard and it is a right driver. They are somewhat a spectacle as 6 white people in a vehicle travelling to Western Province, where not many tourists ever visit. When they are on the side of the road, the people who are walking or riding their bikes as they fix their tire(s) on the side of the road, are carrying LOTS of stuff- bundles of wood or coal, heavy containers of water...the women are carrying their children on their backs using a large piece of decorative cloth wrapped around their body like a sling. You too would be in awe when you saw the women coming from a water pump carrying a container of water on their head, holding a toddler on one hip, a large item from a market under her other arm and a baby in a sling tied to her back.
Women and children are responsible for fetching water which is sometimes a two or more kilometre walk. I could barely lift a full container so I still don’t understand how a 10 year old can carry one on their head. Some items I’ve witnessed women carrying on their heads include a manual sewing machine, 12 stacks of 16X 16 cartons of eggs, 2 suitcases each, a massive bowl containing at least 40 – 50 loaves of bread , and a huge box that was so heavy it took three people to hoist it onto the women’s head. I once saw a man carrying a refrigerator on his head. That’s impressive no matter what sex you are! >>
.... they arrived in Mongu a few days ago and hit the ground with both feet running there is so much they want to do
...they are met ‘everywhere they go’ with wonderful welcomes.”It feels great,” said Jessica, “except to know we are only here until Friday. They think we are back for good...it’s going to be so hard to say goodbye again” >>I felt her sadness...>>
...they spent today at the orphanage...it went great...they played games and did the activities we sent. Jessica (and no doubt the children and folks at the orphanage) was very grateful to those of us who contributed to the purchasing the things , came up with ideas ( you know who you are...:)) and prepared the crafts (Nannie and Grandad).Everyone went away with something and the water balloon activity was a great hit. The soccer balls were greatly appreciated and they can’t wait to hand out “the rest of the things“ they brought for the children at Cheshire Home and the children in the village. >>our goals were achieved!!>>
... the Kelowna Docs have all arrived and everything is ready to go; the surgical teaching workshops begin tomorrow; the Team is geared up and excited to get started...
..the new guest house at Cheshire Home is large and beautiful and will be great for future groups to be able to use
able ...>>
...they are looking forward to the Appreciation Dinner they are hosting in a few days >> no doubt it will be filled with good food and new and renewed friendships. Though it is our Team who is hosting this evening, I am sure they too will also ‘be appreciated’. There will surely be lots of laughter and tears; the dancing will inevitably ensue and the gifts of the Zambian voices will be heard....as always the Zambian women will look amazing. They take pride in their traditional jewellery and Zambian fabrics by wearing elaborate fitted dresses in bold patterns and colours..it well surpasses my look of the ‘little black dress’ ... wish I could be a fly on the wall to silently observe >>
Things at the Convent are : ”the same as when we left” >>it was said in an endearing way, as though it was comforting to find it so....>>
...>>as we said goodbye, their driver had just arrived to take them back to the Convent where Sister Christina and her group will be hosting them all for dinner...
Looking forward to the updates from the girls as soon as they are able ...>>
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