Waving not drowning

Since arriving back in Malawi I have hit the ground running.  Waving not drowning at present.  Is it time for a holiday yet?

The clinic has been exceptionally busy with our record number of patients and devices being made in August with September not far behind!  We have seen some amazing and heart breaking stories these last few weeks. Stories of refugees who have been kind enough to reveal their plight from their homeland to Malawi and how they have come to obtain their disabilities or inabilities.  A few gangrenous feet that I'd care not to discuss and finally a group of people who have suffered from leprosy and are finally obtaining appropriate shoes.  The smiles for this group in particular could not be wiped off their face.  Our staff have done an amazing job with producing devices with minimal equipment.  So very proud!

It hasn't all been work and no play though.  I was lucky enough to see Lady Blacksmith Mombazo the first weekend I arrived back in Malawi.  Absolutely talented group of men.  My childhood came rushing back to me with visions of Saturday morning house cleaning day and dancing to the record of Graceland with Lady Blacksmith supporting Paul Simon (kids these days records are large CDs).

I also ran in a triathlon at the beautiful location of Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear.  Great weekend despite running in 32deg heat.  This body is not made for running and anyone who knows my history of outdoor adventure races don't worry I came back unscathed!  Apparently some charming people (they claim to be friends) are signing me up for the 2017 Hawaii Marathon.  Tell them they're dreaming!

The next few weeks continue to be busy in the clinic and some fun outreaches are coming up again.  It's always great to see people again and see the progression of the devices.  Hopefully a few more success and smile stories as opposed to elephant's head in the sand stories! 

Malawi Day

People ask me 'What do you mean when you say a typical Malawi day?' Right here it is, the 30th of August 2015.

I arrived back from the UK to a power cut and mains water being off no worries I can sort stuff out tomorrow the 30th of August. Hahahaha 1 to Malawi 0 to Beth.

Woke up at 615am to realise there was no power. No worries I'll head back to sleep, it'll be back on. Woke up at 9am. Still no power, milk in fridge is now off, gas burner has been borrowed for a camping expedition so no ability to boil water. So many dishes from weekend, no water to wash up. So many clothes from holidays that need washing oh no wait no electricity & no water. How many times is it ok to wear your underwear again?!

Right nae bother I will do some study. Oh no wait the documents are on the uni server, I'll research some on line, oh but wait phone dies, Internet dongle not topped up and laptop hasn't been charged.

Ok not a problem I can have a shower. No hot water and no pressure. Lovely. Refreshing you say as the weather starts to heat up.

Ok let's have lunch. Ah wait all products in fridge need cooking and you can only eat so much cheese and crackers in a 3 week space. Ok I'll go shopping. We need some basics like butter, cereal etc.

Ah yes but the shop has no normal butter unless you want to spend the equivalent of $15AUD and no real cereal except cornflakes and milo crispies. No problem I will get eggs. Didn't think that through did you Beth - you have no power!!!!!!

Right return home. Still no power. I'll call friends to go for lunch. Well you would Beth if your phone was charged. Right. Let's do some yoga for deep breaths! There's only so many sun salutations one can do! Right lets read. Ah yes now we're down to candle light. Ok don't burn the pages Beth!  Cheese and pickles and rice crackers for dinner because you bought uncooked chicken for dinner! iPod is dying .... How ok is it to do interpretive dance until you're tired?! 

Neighbour comes to the rescue....they have a generator!! Charge phone for some contact to outside world. Apparently no one needed me during the last 15hours of no power. Home to try not to burn myself reading again. Power is back!!!!! Right load of clothes on, washing up done, chicken cooked for next 2 days, all appliances in every charging spot possible. Opened fridge....hmmm the smells will need to be dealt with tomorrow. Oh wait tomorrow is only Monday and there will be daily power cuts til Christmas?! Hibernation ensues.

Posted this blog.... Then the power went out. Malawi.

Emotions, privileges and bits in between

The 2 weeks prior to my annual holiday were filled with complex, challenging and emotional cases. The cases that make you realise how privileged we are but also how the small things we in the P&O world can impact people's lives in a multitude of ways.

One case we were asked to cast for a spinal brace for a man who had TB of the spine and HIV. The conditions we cast in were not ideal, outside, in the sun, smoke and wind. Our simple hope is that the spinal brace will assist somewhat with reducing the pain and discomfort whilst doing bed transfers. Acknowledging the realistic outcome was and is emotionally challenging for all involved.

A case of neglect has stolen my heart with these children being the first I ever saw for an assessment when I first started going to Malawi in 2010. The internal struggle of realising that none of our interventions have been successful and that the parents have left them in the care of an elderly grandparent. Who knows when they have last been cleaned, fed or simply talked to. The realisation that from our organisation and from the partner who is monitoring them we have done all that our organisations can possibly do but where to from here? The next journey for these children is still unknown.

Finally 2 days at a refugee camp ended the culmination of an intense 2 weeks. The stories that unfurled saw me needing to turn away and compose myself to realise this is not about me and how I react and nothing can change what happened to these people but what happens moving forward is so important. This rationalisation may sound callous yet if we as clinicians let each individual touch us too deeply our emotions would unravel before us and the clients, which would be counter productive to obtaining a rational and realistic treatment approach.  What I have realised is that I am in a privileged position to be able to provide some potential advice and whilst it may not be the initial answer I can hopefully point them in the right direction to hopefully one day find something that works for them. 

At the end of the 2 weeks I was emotionally spent. Ready to embrace my 3 weeks holiday in the UK and Prague. An extreme contrast to the last 9 months. The challenges were different. The inner turmoil of spending ££ verse Kwacha. The understanding however and immense joy when I realised that my life is very exciting. The challenges of living in a developing country yet acknowledging that I come from a developed country and that my experiences and my 'normal' life is ok.   The contrast of my past & present does assist in helping me move forward into an exciting future that can understand and accept both. That each have their challenges yet each help create who I am today.

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!