AKWAADA! Welcome!

Hi all!

So much to write so little time!

After 2 flights and 3 airports later, I arrived and breezed through customs.

For all those that didn't know I had been in contact with an amazing company based in Leicester www.intercare.org.uk (that had let me supermarket sweep style) pick drugs and medical supplies off their shelves, so I had been a little worried that I may be stopped and have them confiscated.

However, in the UK & Amsterdam I was stoppped at the X-ray machines as I had an opthalmascope in my bag, an old metal one that comes away in pieces and must have looked like a GRENADE or something!

Anyway, enough about airports and flights, I got picked up at the airport and taken to the Manna Mission. Everytime you stop in the car people at the side of the road come and try and sell you stuff, from water to loo roll!
Exhausted, I made it to Manna House, where the accommodation is, just 5 minutes walk from the Hospital and the Academy (school).

Vieda the housekeeper was there to greet me and I was given a plate of watermelon and biscuits. No-one else is staying at the moment, however, there is an American couple who are staying for a year and are due back from a Christmas break any day. Then I was showed my room, and the bathroom, in the DARK, as the lighting wasn't working. Thank Jess and (the best sister in the world) Rosie for sorting me out with a torch!

So locking myself in the house, like in an old horror film, a big plank of wood over the doors from the inside, I got into bed and slept alright.

My First Day
Monday - I got up early and headed towards the hospital. I met a load of people their names I can't all remember! I gave over the supplies I had brought them, for which they were really grateful. I was then taken shopping to a supermarket near to the city for food and much needed water. I was also given a tour of the complex.

After this I went into clinic, its a drop-in basis every day of the week, with ante-natal clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. The consulting rooms are tiny and so hot! I saw a few patients with a locum doctor and then I was sent to my own room. I have never seen so many patients before. Taking the best histories I could, especially with the language barrier, and examining them I was checking with the locum and then diagnosing nearly everyone with Malaria and prescribing drugs. In the clinic people don't give you a minute and as soon as one patient is opening the door to leave, another one is coming in and sitting down!

Before, I knew it, it was 8.30pm and starving! The clinic had a few people left, but the night Doctor was taking over. I headed back to the house, now dark, and scared myself at some noises in the distance, to find out it was some nearby very skinny goats grazing! Had something to eat, however, I still haven't managed how to work the cooker or kettle yet. Althought, I am on my won there are plenty of creepy crawlies to keep me company!!
Went to the bedroom, to do some work (the lights now on again) to read and fell asleep!

Day 2
Had to be up again early, so had a cold shower (haven't managed to work the hot water in the shower) and headed towards to hospital. Helped out in the ante-natal clinic this morning and in this clinic there are a few patients at a time being seen by 1 or 2 people! Taking brief histories as well are quite shocking when they tell you how many children they have and how many are alive now. I nearly passed out from the heat and lack of food and so had to leave mid-afternoon to get some food. I've just quickly had some and am heading back in to the Hospital, but knowing the computer is only able to be used from 9-4, I thought I'd take my chances and write to you all. I have just met the American couple briefly too, they are called Steve and Becky and they've just been telling me a bit more about the place and how they'll get the hot water and cooker working for me.

Well, got to go, fingers crossed it works!

Lots of love

Lucy x x x