Contrasts

Constantly throughout my time here I feel like I am from 2 different worlds.  The contrast between what I have grown up with, what I as a Western person accept as 'normal' or 'appropriate' compared to this, in the scheme of things, small immersion into Malawian culture and the way of life here even for an expat.

I constantly question why I am here, what am I achieving, what selfishly am I getting out of this experience and is it normal on some days to crave the wine bar and cheese platters (I'm not an alcoholic!).

There are some days I sit in my 'big' office as the 'bwana' and realise that my life is so different from everyone around me both in this 'world' and at home. I often need to step away from the desk and interact and acknowledge to my staff and to our clients that I am just like them human and approachable.  Connecting with them on any level rather than a white person in power is so very important for them and for me!  Someone said to me recently regardless of our skin, our religion, our political preference we all have the same colored blood and we need to remember that.  So very true.  Breaking those barriers or perceptions is an interesting, challenging and never ending battle.  Even within the expat community we have perceived ideas of Brits verse Americans compared to the South Africans and then us strange Aussies.

I then head to the lake where I am done with the backpacker scene but stay in a nice lodge over looking the lake with a sundowner and think this Malawi caper...not such a hard life after all.  The children on the beach are much happier and interactive than the Lilongwe kids and is this just typical of beach life anywhere in the world. I feel that I should sometimes be having a more local experience and admire those that immerse themselves within a village and live the local life. So very challenging.  Someone did however say to me that my experience here is so very different to my 'normal' life and creating that normality once in a while is ok.  I think I've convinced myself that Cape Mac and its lodges is ok once a month :-)

Attached in this blog are some of the contrasts of the recent week.  Cape Maclear, beach children and our gold star client who is back on the motorbike with his new arm.  The other picture is of a Malwian saying that says we must be like chameleons with one eye observing the past and one eye on the future.

All good contrasts this week!

Multitude of emotions!

Where does one begin to tell you all about the last few weeks?!  So many new experiences, so many emotions, so much to say!

So the last few weeks have been exceptionally hectic with an increase in double the amount of patients we have seen since this time last year, as well as an absolutely fabulous visit from my Dad followed by an intense but amazing and encouraging visit from the director of 500 miles (www.500miles.org.uk).

Leading up to the weeks prior to Dad's visit I experienced my first chinkhonswe (traditional engagement party) as well as a modified Malawian hens party.  The chinchonswe involved lots of money throwing and getting up to accept gifts to then pay for the gifts to give the married couple a starting basis for their lives together. Much learning ensued about the cultural differences and nuances one must experience to understand!  The presentation of the chooks with the axe had me concerned but Hatty lived to see another day!  The Malawain hens party however I care not to discuss but am exceptionally grateful that I come from a modern Australian society where some things just don't need to happen.  All I'm saying ladies is that next time I attend a hens party at home I will be sure to bring a candle, a string and a pin for some hysterical party games!

The visit with Dad was fantastic! To have some one from home come into the life that you have created here and it to feel semi normal was on some occasions an overwhelming experience for him and me!  The opening of my birthday gifts and other tidbits was like I was 5 years old and in a candy shop.  A little bit overwhelming in terms of 21st century products and Australian necessities (insert cherry ripes, milo & vegemite)!  Our trip included the best safari I have been on to South Luangua in Zambia where Dad & I braved the border crossing and came out alive to see all animals on our tick box! I think 2 of the best experiences were watching the leopards with their kill and then almost being able to touch another one as she hunted a pack of impalas.  This came close to my almost but not quite up close and personal with George the giraffe my aunt Mary would have been proud!

Dad also got to experience life in a Malawian school with much singing and dancing and somewhat interesting classes. We are both now well aware of leaf arrangements.  I think one of the special moments for me was Dad coming out on outreach with me to see what we do on a daily basis but to also see some of our old patients ecstatic with their progress.

We finished off the trip at the lake and a visit to one of the first Catholic missions in Malawi at Mua.  Definitely a cultural experience not to be missed by all regardless of your religious connotations. The lake as always was peaceful and a great end to a great trip!

The last week has been jammed pack with meetings for our Director's visit.  It has given me a new lease on life and motivation pushing the organisation to bigger and better things.  So much progress to be made but heading in the right direction!

Today was also complete by having a gorgeous boy come in who we'd seen 6 weeks prior for his first below knee prosthetic.  He is now walking without crutches and starting to play games with his friends. We are hoping to see him in October back playing football at school!

Below are a very very small selection of the last few weeks!  More adventures to come!

It's not all about me.....

These last two weeks I have had people all over the world say to me what you are doing is amazing, you are truly inspirational. Friends, family, friends of friends, old clients etc.  I started to think is what I am doing really that amazing? Working in a job that has so much diversity, interacting with amazing clients, hearing and seeing new things and enjoying a new and challenging culture. Is it really that inspiring? Is it not just me having finally bit the bullet and not worried about finances, what the future holds and just grabbing an opportunity that had come knocking and run with it and enjoying life?  Then I said to myself 'Beth it's not all about you!'

This weekend I listened to a sermon that discussed this 'selfie' world we live In. Where we look for the best photo that week and filter it to suit what we want the world to perceive we are like instead of actually being who we are. We look for the number of 'likes' to see how popular we really are and how 'awesome' our status can be even though we've edited it a few times to get it just right.  It got me thinking this isn't about me at all. It is about the people on my journey. It's about the NGO work they are doing, the music they're creating, the projects they are calling awareness to. So I thought I'd share this time their links to their amazing journeys and so here are the links....

Landirani (African Vision Malawi) : www.africanvision.org.uk

Initially a family run NGO that now has multiple projects on the go within the Lilongwe region.

George Kalukusha Music (check him out on Facebook)

Born and bred Malawian with a great voice

Mizu Foundation (check on Facebook)

An organisation raising funds for other charities within Malawi

There is Hope (thereishopemalawi.org)

Organisation supporting the disabled with in the Dzaleka refugee camp 

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (lilongwewildlife.org)

Game reserve rescuing animals that are being poached or harmed

Flood Church let girls be girls campaign (www.floodchurch.com)

This list goes on without my selfies this time. Completely unedited.

Experiences...

Interesting cases and children with personality make my week each and every week I continue to live in Malawi.

These past few weeks have been no different.  I thought I would share a few of them with you as I acknowledge that I could never go back to a 'normal' clinical position again!

Firstly a young girl of 12 had Van Ness surgery or rotationplasty.  This surgery is usually performed when the individual has had a tumour of the lower leg. The ankle and foot are then reattached backwards so that there is a more functional knee joint.  My mind took a while to get around this one!

Another child comes in every 4-6months (sometimes earlier) for bilateral symes (through ankle) prosthetics.  He had the amputation as a toddler and is the most active little boy we have seen.  It is great to see his prosthetics getting so much use.

We have seen multiple burns these last few weeks too.  Some as a result of chintenji (or cloth) catching on fire whilst they are burning their maize, others from candles being left on in the house, others as a result of having epilepsy and falling in the fire.

Each day something new, interesting but most of all inspiring.  The challenges many of these individuals and their families face in their communities, we in the Western world can't even contemplate.

As I quickly approach my birthday this week I reflect on the opportunities I have had in these last 12 months.  I would never thought I would have this opportunity to do what I'm doing and I'm so very grateful.  This is definitely an experience I will be talking about til I take my last breath.  Even the small things like learning the language and the culture and being able to share these experiences with my very inquisitive nieces.  Sharing some basic greetings and food stories (some I'd like to forget about) gets me thinking about the life I have chosen to create and how many more experiences are yet to come and to share! Bring it on!

Seeing the rest of Malawi

I haven't posted for a few weeks as I had a glorious 10 days off over the Easter break.  Getting stuck in the city was not an option! It was time to escape and see the north.  Absolutely magical!  Best decision I'd made.

Living in the central region the novelty is to go the lake for the weekend yet logistically Salima/Senga Bay is the closest location.  Pay that extra fuel people and drive that extra distance as there is so much more to see as I soon discovered.

My first stop was Kuti which is just before the lake near Salima.  A small game reserve awaited and saw my first zebras up close and personal.  They came to eat the foliage surrounding our cottage.  Absolutely magical.  I am ready to take on the Serengeti and more after seeing them.  I want to see animals in abudance!  George the giraffe (later we found out it was Georgina) made a brief appearance at night.  Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with the camera before she hid behind the trees but her magestic walking speed was something to admire.

Whilst in Kuti I tackled a bike ride or 2.  Those that know my history with bikes will be pleased to know that there were no injuries (my first attempt at a run in a year however didn't end so well).  Even when encountering Mr & Mrs Camel and not knowing whether we should leg it out of there or stay and be spat on, I survived unscathed.  I'm even contemplating purchasing said vehicle.  One step at a time.

Next stop was Nkhotakota followed by some well needed R&R at Kande beach.  Absoloutely picturesque.  A definite must stop.  Charlie & Ewan (Long Way Down) had stayed here and camped.  I don't think they had quite the same experience as us in the thunder and lightening stop where we feared for our lives and subsequently found out that the tent and car both leak profusely but hey what's a camping trip without some adventure!  We'd hoped to ride the horses whilst there but one of my travelling companions is severely allergic - epipen and all.  Despite my love of horses and desire to get back on one I wasn't prepared to have to do CPR all the way to the closest medical facility which was some time away.  Whilst at Kande we were privy to a gospel music video being made.  All I'm going to say is watch the music videos coming out of Malawi this year.  I may have made an appearance is all I'm saying!

Next stop was Nkhata Bay.  So very different to Kande but equally gorgeous.  We had lunch at a backpacker lodge that was set in the cliff face of the bay.  A definite must and bring the togs and snorkel next time!

Final destination was Mzuzu.  A small town in the hills in northern region of Malawi.  On the way we drove through a rubber plantation.  Absolutely fascinating.  I am so naive when it comes to such things.  I'm not sure how or where my tyres, erasers etc came from but definitely a place well worth a walk.

Mzuzu was much less hustle bustle than Lilongwe and good to see a different way of life.  Instead of driving back along the coastal road we decided to venture on the more direct route and the views through the mountain ranges definitely didn't disappoint.  Sunflower fields helped to keep us happy without thinking about returning to reality!

For those contemplating a trip to Malawi....DO IT! You will not be disappointed!

AEP to Sport Scientist….

Well ex-pats in Malawi certainly know how to put on a good show for St Patrick's day.  I was not expecting to see some excellent Irish craic in the middle of Lilongwe!  A tent packed with at least 1000 mzungus.  Who knew that there were that many of us here! Some flash mob appearances of 'Boyzone-reincarnated' kept us entertained whilst I reminisced of an interesting St Patrick's day in Dublin 9 years ago!

From a clinical perspective every week the tenacity and determination of the clients that we see continues to astound me.  From mothers who continue to carry their 12-14 year old boys with CP, to cancerous limbs that one should not ever discuss again, to burns contractures which could have been prevented had they had treatment post burn to those that have been 'treated' by traditional doctors with scars, blindness and other interesting 'cures'.  No 2 days are the same.  CP kids still win the day with me.  One small look has me entertaining them all day.  A pipe dream would be to set up a CP clinic in the villages.  Any willing benefactors and potential rehab staff willing to volunteer get in touch!!!

On a slight change in career path here I was approached by one of the top Malawian teams to assist with rehab, fitness, strength, flexibility and who knows what else!!!  Who knows FIFA may see me yet!  You may make a sports scientist out of me yet (I say that very loosely old colleagues of mine).

2 weeks before Easter and I'm looking forward to the new cases potentially coming through but also a week off to explore some of Malawi! Stay tuned!

Lake, complex clients, CP fun and melting..in a good way

It has been a full couple of weeks.

Finally got to see some of the scenery of Malawi the last couple of weeks managing to spend some quality days with amazing friends at Salima, Senga Bay and Dedza.  Malawi is truly beautiful in the rainy season.  Having a couple of days at the lake, although over cast, was great to sit and watch the world go buy and have a sneaky G&T or 2.  Sunsets in Malawi are like no other!  You can see why African sunsets has such meaning!

My social life also took me to the Malawian Music Awards.  That was indeed an interesting experience.  I lasted a few hours but did not witness much music!

Another week of interesting cases with CP kids winning my heart again!  A young boy with significantly mobile knee has been an exceptionally puzzling case for all clinicians this week.  The royal 'we' are trying to come up with an interesting knee brace to serve some purpose while we await a surgical review.  He is exceptionally bright and has been home schooled by his dedicated father.  When the boy asked if I would teach him daily my heart melted.  We are hoping to find a children's centre near his village so he can at least get some education.

We had an outreach with a new partner this week and all clients were children with CP or spina bifida.  All children were under the age of 6 and of varying severity.  Whilst I love being a fascination and them playing with my hair, skin and earrings, I'm not so keen on the face slap or vomit!  My heart did melt when a gorgeous young girl with spina bifida said in English to me 'see you tomorrow'.  I tell you I am just a melting pot these last few weeks!

We have however seen some excessively confronting clients this week too.  Some include neck burns, leg burns and a cancer of the heel that I do not want to discuss or see again.  Some things are better not said!

The next couple of weeks we have some more outreaches and we're hoping to see more interesting clients come through.  Whilst some days are particularly Malawian (eg being in the bank for 2.5hrs for them to produce a form for me to sign) other days like outreach days consolidate why I'm here.