The Beginning (April 12th, 2010)

Sometimes I have to ask myself why I decide to do the things I do. In the months and weeks spent getting ready for this bike ride, I most certainly have had the ‘What was I thinking?!!” thought more than just a few times. Probably one of the main reasons for this thought is because until a year ago, I had not been on a bike in over 15 years. Now here we are riding over 1000 kms in just only 8 days, across Zambia. Although we were training in Mongu during the two months leading up to this bike ride, I don’t think anything can really prepare you for a bike ride like this. The days of riding are long, averaging about 150 kms/day, this is a pretty intimidating number for someone like me who has never ridden more than 30-40 kms in one day. (Never mind 5 consecutive days in a row!) Also yet another challenge is the fact that we are after all in Africa, which just in itself can be a challenging experience.

To decide to ride your bike across Zambia is certainly not something I would ever have guessed that I would be doing in my life! But here I am. It is certainly not something that I would ever have done on my own, so thank goodness for my other halves in this, Lianne and Bill. Over the past couple years I have been so proud of all the accomplishments we have been able to achieve with our work in Zambia. I am also amazed at all the things I have been able to do and see all over this continent. There is no way that I would have been able to achieve these wonderful things without Lianne and Bill, we really are like the ‘Three Musketeers’. I couldn’t ask for any two better people to be embarking on such a challenging journey. The best part about the three of us is that you just never know what we are going to do next….and now here we are at it again, with the ‘Three Musketeers’ riding our bikes across Zambia!



In the days leading up to joining the Tour D’Afrique in Malawi my feelings of nervousness and apprehension began to increase as the reality set in that I would soon be riding my bike across Zambia. The same thought just kept rolling in my head…. ‘Can I really can do this?!’ As we hopped on our bikes the first morning and rode out of Lilongwe, I was excited and feeling positive. Then we hit the first hill just outside of town, and my legs were already hurting! That was just the beginning of the mental game I had to play with myself on this trip. I just kept telling myself over and over to push it, and keep pedalling. Positive thoughts and words of wisdom from family and friends back home also helped too!


It didn’t take us long to get into the biking routine out on the road. By this time the Tour D’Afrique and all the riders (who have been here since Cairo, Egypt) are a well oiled machine. The day starts early at 0500, waking up and getting yourself and your tent all packed up. The sun is still not up at that point, so as you look across to the fields, schools, or churches where we are camping along the way, all you see is a dance of headlamps as everyone is packing up for the day. I call them the Tour D’Afrique fireflies! Now normally I am not a morning person, but being on the TDA makes you a morning person. The faster you get out on your bike, the faster you get to the next camp. It also means you get to escape the burning afternoon African sun.
There is no better way to experience a country by riding your bike through it. The TDA offers that chance, and has been the best part to joining this tour. Ok to tell you the truth some of my favourite memories have come from the times when take a rest on the road during our day of cycling. The ‘Three Musketeers’ have been known to stop once or twice at a ‘coke stop’. A coke stop is a TDA created term, by definition it is a local pub or rest stop in one of the villages along the way. Sometimes the cokes are cold, other times not so much…but this is Africa right?! Sometimes it just feels like I am just trying to pedal myself from one coke stop to the other….but I’m ok with it! We have even been known to take a few minutes on the side of the road for an afternoon nap. Together we share our energy bars, and remind each other to keep up on our H2O intake. We take off our sweaty helmets, lie down in the grass and give our bums much needed rest. (those saddle sores don’t take long to develop!) Although I do enjoy the days on the bike, nothing is more satisfying than seeing the orange flagging tape that signifies we have reached the next camp. Another of cycling done! The routine continues when we reach camp, and out comes the tent to be set-up…again. Dinner comes courtesy of our wonderful cook, James and then it is off to bed. Our early mornings mean that when the day of riding is done, we are all in bed at 7pm. I fall asleep so fast, barely even noticing the fact that I have no pillow. This is the time when I reminded how I don’t need much more than a backpack, a tent, and a bike to be happy in this world!

Jessica

Thoughts from Mongu...Written March 15th, 2010

This time around I have been in Mongu since February and have been continuing my training for the bike ride on the ground here. I am glad to have had some time to acclimatize…it is hot! Biking in Africa has been an experience. But I would not have expected anything less! From my time spent living and travelling here, I have realized that doing anything in Africa is always an experience. That is the beauty of this continent.

Six weeks ago I came with fellow teachers, Fay and Lianne, and with nine nursing students from the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, and helped guide them through a clinical placement at Lewanika General Hospital, our local hospital here in Mongu. With funds raised by the students they were all able to purchase ZamBikes to use around town. I will never forget the first day we all went down to the bus station to pick up our ZamBikes. The bikes are quite flashy looking compared to any other bike you usually see on the road here. First, they are brand new (compared to most of the other rickety bikes you see on the roads here) and the other is that they are painted a very bright yellow! We were quite the talk of the town riding those bikes home from the bus station that day. I don’t think Mongu had ever seen a sight quite like it…imagine ten Makuwa’s (the Lozi name for white person) riding through the streets of Mongu all together on bright yellow bikes! It is uncommon in Mongu to see even just ten young female Makuwa’s all standing together, never mind them all riding bright yellow bikes together.



ZamBikes in the Lusaka bus station..on their way to Mongu!

Biking through the roads in Mongu can be a bit dangerous at times (sorry Mom!). The taxis and minibuses drive so fast, barely paying attention to the mass amount of people walking and biking up and down the roads. The roads are also slowly falling away, leaving jagged edges and potholes in the pavement. This means you have to avoid these dangers all at once! The other thing about Mongu is the sand.
Any Zambian can tell you that Mongu is famous for three things…fish…rice…and the sand! This is a very sandy place, and riding or driving around in it reminds me a lot of navigating through snow. You can see how this would be an added challenge; because you are constantly having to swerve your bike tires around so you don’t get stuck!

Lianne and I have been working in Mongu since 2008, and from the beginning we were one of the few female ‘Makuwas’ in town. This means we usually always have people coming up to us to introduce themselves; we can’t help but stand out! But the beauty of it all is even if we’ve met someone just once…they always seem to remember it and now us means we are friends for life! (Just yet another reason why I love Africa) I am constantly amazed at how many people remember my name; even I only shook their hand once. This has also been reflected in my biking experiences here. It seems that every time I hop on my bike and start biking anywhere in town, I have multiple people coming up and saying hello or wanting to carry on full conversations! I can be biking on any road, and will often hear Jezzzzzzzka! Jezzzzka! (That is how they pronounce my name here). Each time I hear my name being called I never know who it is going to be…. maybe it is one of my taxi drivers, maybe it is a lady from the market, or maybe it is a patient’s family member, who knows who it will be next time?

I think my favourite thing about biking in Mongu is that it brings you so much closer to the people and their lives here in this town. You can see the sights, hear the sounds and smell the smells just that much more. My favourite time to bike is around 6pm, when I am out on the road alongside everyone heading home from work. (Most are usually walking or biking home since they can‘t afford vehicles). This is always good time for conversation with the locals, and they are often shouting out a Hello! Or Kimanzibwani! (Lozi saying for Good Evening).
Dusk comes as the sun begins to set; the women are setting the fires in preparation for bathing the children and cooking nshima (the local dish). There is an air of peace and calm, and I get to soak it all in.

This is only just the beginning!

Jessica

bicycle diaries

When I was a kid I enjoyed going for strolls around the block on my banana seated Strawberry Shortcake bike. It was a way for me to occupy my time and spend quality time with my friends and neighbours.

Now that I am almost 25 years old the face of biking has changed for me…or has it? I enjoy taking my bicycle for a stroll down by the river having the air whip at my hair and the beautiful scenery all around me as I take my bike down a new path on the search for a new adventure. When I look back and relate my experience of biking as a child on the banana seat to me on my much smaller seat now, I see the same excitement and joy, the same yearning to find a new adventure!

The beautiful thing about biking is how practical yet versatile it can be. It can fit almost any lifestyle. I enjoy biking to work – it is economic, cuts down on transmissions, and fits with my hippy side of life. I enjoy the exercise – it creates endorphins after a stressful day and helps with the guilty feelings you may feel after eating those Timbits. I enjoy the rush – downhill biking allows me to feel the rush as I manoeuvre my bike through trees and up and down ramps. I enjoy the challenge – pushing myself to bike from Lilongwe, Malawi to Victoria Falls is something I never doubted biking could do, but something I never saw myself caring out. Once again, biking is taking me on a new adventure.

I was recently training for this bike ride in Inuvik, NWT. The one gym in town was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After a shift I would head to the gym and ride for 1-3 hours. I would sit there and watch the gym community at large “climbing Kilimanjaro” on my bike. A month ago I arrived in Mongu, Zambia. Awaiting me was 9 Canadian nursing students, two instructors, and 13 yellow Zambikes. I must admit in the first few weeks the bikese didn’t see much of me. However in the last 3 weeks I have been biking almost daily and remember the pure joy of biking. It has also reminded me how HOT it is in Africa! Nonetheless, I am ecstatic to embark on this journey with my good friends Jessica and Bill. It won’t be easy, but we will do our best to have as much fun and as many adventures as possible!

The Story So Far:

I was picked up from the airport by one of our good friends at Zambikes. As we were driving to their farm house we are passing many people on the road with bikes with loads of charcoal, chickens and dogs racing into the streets, and the craziest traffic. The entire time I was chatting away catching up and it dawned on me that this all seemed perfectly normal and not surreal at all. I knew I was home.

At the Zambike farm I had a chance to try welding. It has been something I have wanted to try for awhile, but Zesco that pesky power company has prevented me from carrying out this bucket list activity. However, this time I was fortunate enough to stick weld and make a zambike….Ok, you caught me, I welded two pieces of metal together and then sanded them which is not quite a bike. I did get a chance to see my bamboo frame and instantly fell in love!

The next day I loaded into a bus and set off for Mongu. It was so good to see Jessica, Fay, and my home! I can not believe it has only been 2 and a bit months since I was here last. To be completely honest I was a little nervous to meet all the students as I didn’t really know them and was coming into the program half way through. I was not surprised to learn that all the ladies are amazing nurses!

My first week started off getting to know everyone and the routines. It was great to see how well everything ran. I feel like I live in a commune with 11 other wives who all cook and clean! It was great to be back at the hospital and work with the midwives. I have to tell you one of my proudest moments in my life. I’ve delivered babies here in Zambia before, but this trip was focused on teaching the students. We would discuss how to deliver a baby, possible complications, and cultural sensitivity in nursing practices. It was the most rewarding moment when one of my students delivered her first baby. I remember how it felt for me, and to see the joy on her face made my heart melt. Teaching truly is one of the most exciting things I’ve done in my career!

In saying that….maternity has not been a happy place the entire time. There have been many deaths, complications, and difficult times for the students and myself. We have had many debriefing moments where we have to end the day with a fanta or mosi (soft drink or beer). Overall, the students have been extraordinarily resilient and try to take each moment as a teaching opportunity.

The third trip to Zambia....

Most of our followers are aware that Jess and I are on our way to Zambia again...As usual it has been hectic getting everything together before anothe busy trip. I am writing from London, Heathrow Airport on route to Zambia as we speak!

Jessica has been in Zambia since the end of January. She is accompanied by 9 UBCO nursing students and Fay Karp a proffessor at UBCO. The girls are completing their 4th year practicum and have classmates who are in Ghana completing theirs. We are extremely excited to see the students in Zambia as it was something Jess and I envisioned from the beggining. Naturally it would make sense we would be there to see them on the ground. For the next 6 weeks we will be working alongside Fay and guiding the girls through their practicum. I am arriving a little late, but in time to help out with Obstetrics and maternity while Jess will focus on HIV/AIDS clinic and med/surg.

After our 6 weeks we plan to develop a Post opeative nursing manual for one of our future trips. The manual will be developed with the guidance and support of our Zambian nuse colleagues.

And to finish the 3 month trip off, why not a charity bike ride? Jess, myself, and Bill will be riding our bamboo bikes as part of tour d'afrique. Bill will ride 4500km from Lilongwe to Cape Town. Jess and I, being younger and smarter, will ride 1100 km from Lilongwe to Victoria Falls.

This is just a brief synopsis of our future plans....stay tuned. Check out the new links to OKAZHI, Tour d'afrique, and the UBCO nursing students blog!!

Lianne

Essential Surgical Skills

One of the main objectives of our trip was to help facilitate a week long Essential Surgical Skills (ESS) course. This course focused on essential surgical skills such as knot-tying and suturing, chest tube insertion, colostomies, obstetric emergencies, cast application, and many other surgical procedures. These skills are basic, but given the right application of all these skills...they are LIFE-SAVING! The course was developed by Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) and have been delivered in 7 African countries; Zambia now the eighth country on this list. (http://www.cnis.ca/). We are the first team to bring this course to Zambia, which was very exciting. But this is also the first time CNIS has brought the ESS course to a rural facility, which is our very own Lewanika General Hospital!


Bob and Bill pointing out Zambia on a CNIS poster

Two of our surgeons, Dr. Bill Nelems and Dr. Gary O’Connor, spent a week in Calgary last year taking the training that was required to teach the ESS course. They were joined by Dr. Bob Taylor from CNIS and Dr. Glynn Jones who is an general practicioner, with a speciality in anesthesia.

We had a total of 23 doctors, clinical officers, physician liciensciates, and a registered nurse complete the training. There were 10 doctors from Mongu (all the doctors who work at the hospital) and 13 others from surrounding rural towns in Western Province. The group gathered everyday around 9 o’clock (think 'African time')and finished the day around 5 pm. The group completed hands on teaching done in 4 stations each day.The strongest piece to the ESS course was how it required the students to learn by doing hands on practical skills. This is a concept that is very different to the traditional lecture-stlye teaching that most Zambians are used to, but very well received by all of our participants. There was a break for coffee and a catered lunch by the best caterer in Mongu, Rueben.

Bob teaching the art of 'knot-tying'


Gary teaching venous cut-downs

By the end of the week the health professionals were laughing and enjoying themselves while basking in a wealth of knowledge. Bill’s blog describes the recipients reactions beautifully.

What was our roll in all of this? Jessica and I helped facilitate the course. What does this mean…we really didn’t know what to expect at first. We knew we had a pretty good idea of where most things could be found in town and if we were unsure we knew who to ask. This skill was very useful. Part of our duties as facilitators included:

-getting pig legs, pig chest walls, intestines, and beef hearts from the local butcher (to use as teaching tools for the course)

-ensuring the caterer had all the food he needed for the next day (usually a trip to the market, harbour, and daily Shoprite runs)
- making budgets
- attending dance lessons from our nursing students

- to get 80+ liters of fuel in the 4 hour petrol line-up...when they are only handing out 10 Liters at a time
- ordering a tire from Lusaka for the vehicle
- making sure each team member had an I Heart Zambia Shirt

- serving lunch
- making sure all of the men ate (that even meant buying groceries for our doctor’s for dinner)
- looking after extra-curricular activities such as road trips to Senanga, and play dates with the children at the orphanage
- planning a thank-you dinner for 200 people
- reconnecting with all of our old friends and colleagues in Mongu, and making new friends

These and many more activities were part of the role as facilitator. We also joined in every morning and took part in the learning and teaching. In the afternoons we ran a 2 hour in-service for the matrons/sisters in charge of the wards at Lewanika Hospital. We discussed topics such as chest tubes (thank goodness for the fish spear accident), catheter care, NG tubes, post operative care, peri-operative care, cast care, and surgical wound management. After the discussion we brought the nurses to the ward where we would do a “case study” with one of the patient’s and discuss the appropriate nursing care for that patient. In total 10 nurses were educated with the hopes that the information would be disseminated to the rest of the ward nurses. We distributed handouts and posters to all the wards and included nursing students in our ward discussions.

The 'Fish Spear' patient allowed for great teaching on the ward


Jess and Lianne with all the charge nurses who attended our in-services

Overall, both the nursing and medical components were extremely effective. It was very rewarding to see the changes that had occurred in such a short timeframe. There was widespread acceptance of knowledge and practice. The course was very rewarding as we saw professional growth as well as intersectoral collaboration. One day we even brought the our nurses to the CNIS course, and had them observe a chest tube insertion. It was fantastic to see the nurses and doctors alongside each other, and also promoting OkaZHI's philosophy of intersectoral collaboration. This was the first time a CNIS course has ever had a nursing component complement its content. The general consensus was how very important it was to have nursing education delivered, that would compliment the surgical skills the doctors learned.

Good work team!

Something old and something new.....

Our time back in Mongu has confirmed a few things for us. Some things are new, but other things always just stay the same….and we are very thankful for that!

Things that have not changed:
•The children yelling “Makuwa” as we pass by
•People asking Jessica if her hair is real
•People asking Lianne if she is the older sister because she is taller
•The village children waiting by the gate every morning for us….and are still there when we get back!
Oasis, the only restaurant/club/meeting spot for all expats
•Lewanika School of Nursing continues to have no internet (who keeps forgetting to pay those bills!)
•Sister Christina still taking charge at the convent
•We get the royal treatment while staying at the convent…fresh fruit, home made jam, fresh bread etc.
•Falling asleep at night to the familiar sound of barking dogs, cats in heat, African drumming, and the occasional Shoprite alarm
•Glorious sunsets over the Zambezi floodplains at Lyambai Hotel



•Our students can still shake those African hips
•A minibus to Shoprite is still two-five
•Power outages….Zesco!!! Need we say more?
•Mosi is still very refreshing….and truly Zambian
•We are still so comfortable driving on the left side of the road, we not afraid to use our hazards, and say a friendly hello when we honk our horn!

Things that are new:

The Mongu Shopping Center has a couple of new additions!! Barbershop...AND Bar!

•I-spot Internet Café….fast and only 9 000K per hour!!
•Road to Senanga…..used to take 3 hours with many potholes and now only 1 hour of smooth sailing
•A presence of police in and around Mongu…including photo radar and ticketing for talking on cell phones….What?!!? I thought this was Africa?
•Shoprite having vegetarian ground round, wieners, sausages, and burgers!
•Jessica and Lianne now best friends with the Shoprite Assistant Manager (he even asked us to deliver his baby) and are now masters of the fruit and veggie scale
•Lianne and Jessica’s “muscle memory” and ability to shake their hips (our students even said we were better than some of the 1st years!!)
•We have discovered a different Zambian beer…Eagle (it is made of Sorgum and gluten free – shout outs to Ma Barker)
•New additions to certain shops around town (including a Humble Sheep 2 Barber Shop)