Wow! I can't believe we are leaving here tomorrow! As I am very excited to be hone and to see everyone that I have missed so much I also don't really feel ready to leave. I feel like I could definitely be here for another 3 weeks at least.... But no worries, I will be coming home :)
Today was such a super hot day here- woah dang!!! We were laying by the pool and i felt like j was on fire lol but no worries just me cheeks got a little pink! Thank God for the pool.
On Monday morning we left to go on our up rive trip. We drove about an hour and a half to get to Bwiam, where we stopped to visit a rural hospital. It was interesting to see but was very similar to the hospitals we saw here in Banjul. It was super hot up river so we were all sweating our butts off! From there we began traveling on dirt roads to a place called Tendaba, about another hour and a half away. We stayed at a "mock village" type of place. It was really funny an a good experience. We had zlimited power, a double bed, a d a pink mosquito net! Good times. The next morning we headed to Kwinella, a village very close to Tendaba. Here we toured their health clinic and had a meeting with 5 traditional birth attendants- VERY interesting!
I was not feeling well for a few days- soar throat and stuffed up nose. We were starting to think it was maybe strep but thanks to a ton on EmergenC packets I am feeling so much better!! :)
tomorrow we leave Banjul at like 930 pm and then aerie in Brussels at 5 in the morning. I can't wait to be squeezing you all soon!
LOVE <3
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Mr. President
So I forgot to talk about the Presidents birthday! His bday was yesterday and we decided we were gonna go ink Banjul to participate in re festivities only to find out that his party is on Saturday, Lame! But the city was all lit up with signs and lights everywhere so that was cool at least! Oh the stories I have about this president, we were really looking forward to the bash haha Saturday evening we already have plans though.
Instead we went to a contemporary dance recital thing- it was hysterical and extremely awkward! Lol it was just 1 guy and there were times when we was like stripping and it was just so nerve raking and also so funny! Can't wait to fill you all in on more details about that! Haha
K that's all!
LOVE <3
Instead we went to a contemporary dance recital thing- it was hysterical and extremely awkward! Lol it was just 1 guy and there were times when we was like stripping and it was just so nerve raking and also so funny! Can't wait to fill you all in on more details about that! Haha
K that's all!
LOVE <3
Ay Bay Bay!
So the title for this post really has nothing to do with anything, I just wanted it to be something fun :)
Anyways, this has been a busy week and I just have not found time to update about anything yet! Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we worked at a clinic called Fajikunda Health Center. This was very interesting to see and was even really different compared to the hospital we were at last week. Here we did get to do some more actual stuff though! Nothing too crazy but we did give LOTS of immunization to babies and toddlers and also did a lot of weighing babies and toddlers. This is one area of health that The Gambia is really exceeding in, which is awesome for the people here! Their immunization percentages are very comparable to the US, if not better, so it was definitely cool to be a part of that!
Wednesday we wre with the staff of Fajikunda but traveled to a more rural area to a health post- they do this every week to being health care to this specific area of people. Here again we did lots of immunizations and weighing of babies- they are all soo precious :) I have decided I want to adopt an African baby as well as an Asian one :) hehe
Today we had some meetings. One with the Peace Corps and the other with MRC (Medical Research Council). It was a good day but was super hot here! I have noticed that sine days the heat just completely drains my energy, so this was kinda one of those days.
Tomorrow we are meeting with Malaria Control and then with a traditional healer in the afternoon which I think will be really interesting! We then have the weekend off which I'm pumped about- need to get my tan on!! ;)
it is hard to believe we already leave in 1 week. The time here though has been awesome and doesn't feel like it has flown by at all which I am super thankful for. I have loved being here and am just so blessed! Thank you Jesus!! How amazing he is!
Well that's all I got for now. I feel like it's nothing too exciting but you all better read it and enjoy it! I miss you all!
LOVE <3
Anyways, this has been a busy week and I just have not found time to update about anything yet! Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we worked at a clinic called Fajikunda Health Center. This was very interesting to see and was even really different compared to the hospital we were at last week. Here we did get to do some more actual stuff though! Nothing too crazy but we did give LOTS of immunization to babies and toddlers and also did a lot of weighing babies and toddlers. This is one area of health that The Gambia is really exceeding in, which is awesome for the people here! Their immunization percentages are very comparable to the US, if not better, so it was definitely cool to be a part of that!
Wednesday we wre with the staff of Fajikunda but traveled to a more rural area to a health post- they do this every week to being health care to this specific area of people. Here again we did lots of immunizations and weighing of babies- they are all soo precious :) I have decided I want to adopt an African baby as well as an Asian one :) hehe
Today we had some meetings. One with the Peace Corps and the other with MRC (Medical Research Council). It was a good day but was super hot here! I have noticed that sine days the heat just completely drains my energy, so this was kinda one of those days.
Tomorrow we are meeting with Malaria Control and then with a traditional healer in the afternoon which I think will be really interesting! We then have the weekend off which I'm pumped about- need to get my tan on!! ;)
it is hard to believe we already leave in 1 week. The time here though has been awesome and doesn't feel like it has flown by at all which I am super thankful for. I have loved being here and am just so blessed! Thank you Jesus!! How amazing he is!
Well that's all I got for now. I feel like it's nothing too exciting but you all better read it and enjoy it! I miss you all!
LOVE <3
Sunday, May 22, 2011
What a weekend!
Wow, we just had an amazing weekend!!!!
Friday we had our last day at Serekunda Hospital which again was very interesting and enjoyable! I got to watch an operation on Friday and that was really cool- something I would never be able to see back home. The staff and nurses at the hospital were so welcoming and so nice, we were really blessed. Tomorrow we start at Fajikunda Health Center (a clinic) so hopefully that goes good as well.
We also went to a really good pizza restaurant Friday called Allibaba's for lunch and it was so good! Then to the local market where I have been buying lots of fun African souveniors!
Saturday we took Our upriver trip to the islands of Albureda/Juffureh and then James Island. The boat trip was about 2 hours long both ways. It was very hot but we did get some sun tanning in and the staff treated us awesome! It was so nice. We also saw tons of dolphins on our way and it was sweet- they are so cute! Both of the islands were really interesting and are all about history on the slave trade that took place here in Gambia. I took lots of pics! When we got back to our hotel around 530 we were all so wiped out from the lo g day in the sun and HEAT!
Today was a relaxing day which was great! I did some laundry, which is a pretty funny process and sat by the pool and read. This afternoon we went horseback riding on the beach which was fun and hysterical!! My horses name was Queen, very appropriate I do believe : )
I hope everyone at home is doing great and isn't missing me too much that they are having any difficulties sleeping or eating, but I really couldn't blame you if you were :)
I will try to update again in a few days. This WednesdY is the presidents birthday here so that should be really interesting. They have a big party for him in Banjul and I think we are gonna try to go! Ha I bet we won't stick out at all...... All the kids yell "tubab" when they see us, it just means white person but isn't derogatory apparently. So there might be some tubabs at the presidents bday bash :)
LOVE <3
Friday we had our last day at Serekunda Hospital which again was very interesting and enjoyable! I got to watch an operation on Friday and that was really cool- something I would never be able to see back home. The staff and nurses at the hospital were so welcoming and so nice, we were really blessed. Tomorrow we start at Fajikunda Health Center (a clinic) so hopefully that goes good as well.
We also went to a really good pizza restaurant Friday called Allibaba's for lunch and it was so good! Then to the local market where I have been buying lots of fun African souveniors!
Saturday we took Our upriver trip to the islands of Albureda/Juffureh and then James Island. The boat trip was about 2 hours long both ways. It was very hot but we did get some sun tanning in and the staff treated us awesome! It was so nice. We also saw tons of dolphins on our way and it was sweet- they are so cute! Both of the islands were really interesting and are all about history on the slave trade that took place here in Gambia. I took lots of pics! When we got back to our hotel around 530 we were all so wiped out from the lo g day in the sun and HEAT!
Today was a relaxing day which was great! I did some laundry, which is a pretty funny process and sat by the pool and read. This afternoon we went horseback riding on the beach which was fun and hysterical!! My horses name was Queen, very appropriate I do believe : )
I hope everyone at home is doing great and isn't missing me too much that they are having any difficulties sleeping or eating, but I really couldn't blame you if you were :)
I will try to update again in a few days. This WednesdY is the presidents birthday here so that should be really interesting. They have a big party for him in Banjul and I think we are gonna try to go! Ha I bet we won't stick out at all...... All the kids yell "tubab" when they see us, it just means white person but isn't derogatory apparently. So there might be some tubabs at the presidents bday bash :)
LOVE <3
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Binta!
Well I have officially been given the Gambian name Binta by one of the staff members at the hotel. I asked him what it meant and apparently here it has no meaning, it is just a popular woman name. This same staff member seems to have a crush on me, it is quite funny. Sometimes the girls will joke and ask me how I like being engaged ha.
Anyways we have now been at Serekunda Hospital for 2 days now. We have mostly just been observing but it has been really interesting seeing how they operate in their facility. Today was more exciting than yesterday though-lots of babies being born!!! That was very exciting. They were all so cute! There was even a delivery of surprise twins, woah dang! :)
Other than that things have been really good- I am so enjoying my time here! Today we met with the American Ambassador at the American Embassy and that was interesting and informative for sure. I felt important! Lol
This weekend on Saturdau we are taking an up river day trip and visiting a rural village which should be good and then will be back to Banjul in the evening. I will most likely post again Sunday so i can fill all of you in on that adventure! I love you all and miss you lots! The Lord has been putting ou all on my heart to be praying for and it is such an honor and pleasure to be praying for all you wonderful peeps in my life! I am so incredible thankful!
LOVE <3
Anyways we have now been at Serekunda Hospital for 2 days now. We have mostly just been observing but it has been really interesting seeing how they operate in their facility. Today was more exciting than yesterday though-lots of babies being born!!! That was very exciting. They were all so cute! There was even a delivery of surprise twins, woah dang! :)
Other than that things have been really good- I am so enjoying my time here! Today we met with the American Ambassador at the American Embassy and that was interesting and informative for sure. I felt important! Lol
This weekend on Saturdau we are taking an up river day trip and visiting a rural village which should be good and then will be back to Banjul in the evening. I will most likely post again Sunday so i can fill all of you in on that adventure! I love you all and miss you lots! The Lord has been putting ou all on my heart to be praying for and it is such an honor and pleasure to be praying for all you wonderful peeps in my life! I am so incredible thankful!
LOVE <3
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monkey Park!
Wow! So many things have happened in the past couple days, I am looking through my journal and there are some definite highlights I wanna share with you all! Yesterday afternoon we went to a monkey park!!! Most of you know I love monkeys and this was so fun and so funny! It is like a forest reservation type of place with a trail and lots of monkeys but the only cometo you if you smuggle in peanuts which they love to eat! One of the staff members of our hotel took us and snuck in our peanuts so there were monkeys everywhere! The best part was when one leaped onto my back from an overhead tree wanting some peanuts! SO FUNNY!I wish I could upload some pics but I have many to show of this when I return!
I am also getting a pretty good tan going on and no burns for all who are interested : )
On Saturday we visited a fishing village that is nearby.... Let me just say there were more close calls of me vomiting than I was anticipating! Haha the smell I'm pretty sure will never leave my memory and has decided to linger on some of my clothing as well, how lucky am I?!?
I am loving the letters people sent with me so much! They have been so encouraging and I just love reading them every day! The Lord is doing so much with my heart here about stuff back at home-- it is so awesome and so amazing! I'm lovin' it!!
I am learning so much about this tiny little country that I am in and I love it so much! I am very much looking forward to our clinical experiences that begin on Wednesday this week, hollllla! I am also getting close with all the girls and there have already been some great late night (and by late I mean like 9pm cause I go to bed by 11 every night) laughing parties! My fav!
Okay well that is all for now! Love you all and miss you! I pray that the lord I loving on all of you so much! : )
LOVE <3
I am also getting a pretty good tan going on and no burns for all who are interested : )
On Saturday we visited a fishing village that is nearby.... Let me just say there were more close calls of me vomiting than I was anticipating! Haha the smell I'm pretty sure will never leave my memory and has decided to linger on some of my clothing as well, how lucky am I?!?
I am loving the letters people sent with me so much! They have been so encouraging and I just love reading them every day! The Lord is doing so much with my heart here about stuff back at home-- it is so awesome and so amazing! I'm lovin' it!!
I am learning so much about this tiny little country that I am in and I love it so much! I am very much looking forward to our clinical experiences that begin on Wednesday this week, hollllla! I am also getting close with all the girls and there have already been some great late night (and by late I mean like 9pm cause I go to bed by 11 every night) laughing parties! My fav!
Okay well that is all for now! Love you all and miss you! I pray that the lord I loving on all of you so much! : )
LOVE <3
Friday, May 13, 2011
I'm here!!
So we just had our first full day here in Gambia! Today was a very good day and the weather
was awesome! First thing in the morning we met with the chief nursing officer and then visited
two of the hospital/clinic locations we will be working in starting next week. It is of course very different from any medical center in the states bu I am really looking forward to what we will be doing and helping! We had lunch at a restaurant on the beach and it was vey pretty. The water was warm and nice! Tomorrow we have a free day and I think the plan is to walk on the beach in the morning and pool during the day! Fun times!
Well I will update more in a few days!
LOVE : )
was awesome! First thing in the morning we met with the chief nursing officer and then visited
two of the hospital/clinic locations we will be working in starting next week. It is of course very different from any medical center in the states bu I am really looking forward to what we will be doing and helping! We had lunch at a restaurant on the beach and it was vey pretty. The water was warm and nice! Tomorrow we have a free day and I think the plan is to walk on the beach in the morning and pool during the day! Fun times!
Well I will update more in a few days!
LOVE : )
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