The road we should not have taken.

            Today as usual, the group split into two.  My group went to a rural government health center. The trip to the health center was an experience to say the least. It took us an hour and a half (instead of the usual 30 minutes) due to the fact that the traffic was horrendous. The “simbas” (police) were out early today to start their daily car inspections. Thankfully we did not get pulled over. However, this did not speed up the process as cars, trucks, piki piki (motorcycle) and dalla dallas (public transportations) were going every which way with no sense of direction. Once we got off the main road the adventure continued, the road to the health center was a bumpy ride. I do not usually get carsick but this was a first, I needed to close my eyes and not look at the road. It was a relief to finally arrive at the health center.  Once we got there we found out that due to a lack of equipment this health center is being run as a dispensary.  A dispensary deals with basic needs, similar to a primary care center we would have in Canada. The doctor and clinical officer were really educational. We participated in rounds and were quizzed on our knowledge and application.  During our tour of the place we were told that the clinic is in dire need of a new water supply system, as the well is no longer filling with water. This well also is the water supply for the town.  It is sad to think that the government could do something about it but they do not.  It is always nice to feel welcomed when we go to the clinics. We always learn a lot and gain new knowledge about the Tanzanian health care system.

Cheers!!!

Alix 

"Hashtag" Adorable African Babies

For those of you who may not be social media users, the above title is in reference to Twitter.  It came up in conversation this morning at breakfast and we briefly considered doing an entire blog post using hash-tags (#) but figured this may be slightly confusing for those not familiar with this form of communication....

Today we had the chance to go visit an orphanage that is strictly for children under the age of three.  There are not many orphanages in Arusha which take babies because they are expensive to care for.  This orphanage was started about a year and a half ago by a retired American couple.  They take in abandoned children and their goal is either to return the children to extended family members or adopt them out.  In stark contrast to many of the orphanages we have seen, this one was in a very affluent area of Arusha.  When we arrived, the youngest toddlers were napping so we said a quick hello to the babies who were awake and then went into the large backyard to see some of the older toddlers.  There were several nannies and a few volunteers in the backyard.  It is clear that the children are well bonded with their nannies as they ran to them for comfort when they saw strangers (us).  It took them a bit to warm up to us but eventually they started interacting with us.  Soon the younger toddlers joined us in the backyard so we all had one to hold onto.  One of the guys who is living with us came along and initially he was nervous about going to the orphanage but even he found a toddler that he just couldn't put down.  They were all so cute!  One little guy had the chubbiest little cheeks and although we knew his real name we just couldn't help calling him "Cheeks".  He was quite the little charmer, crawling around from lap to lap, babbling and smiling away. 

We stayed and helped feed the children (although it was tricky because some of them weren't sure about taking food from strangers).  After lunch, a lot of the toddlers just wanted to cuddle up in a lap, especially since some of them were sick.  We were starting to feel like we were ready for a nap when the nannies told us it was time for the toddlers to go nap.  We helped with a mass diaper change and then it was off to bed for the children. While we waited for our ride back home, we spent time in the baby room cuddling those who were awake.  I don't think I'd be lying if I said several people in our group really wanted to go home with a baby. 

After we got back from the orphanage, some of us went to get measured to get clothing made out of African-print fabric that we bought.  Can't wait to show off our new threads when we get back home!

 

Karen

Short but Sweet

Today was an easier day, after a fun night out of karaoke and “chaza, chaza” (dancing).  We went to an organization that provides food for meal programs at schools in Arusha and the surrounding areas.  It was interesting to find out that kids are more likely to go to school here if they are given food.  As the conversation went on, we found out that the program will be ending and the Arusha office will be closing due to lack of funding. Part of our discussion was geared towards how they can get more funding so that the program can continue to run.  After that, we went to the Red Cross office; they are working with the community educating the population on safety and first aid. We were only there a short time as the organization members had a meeting to attend.

Later in the afternoon we made our way to the maasai market where we tried out our bargaining skills. It was quite a cultural experience but in the end we all faired out pretty well in the purchases we made.

We ended the evening with homemade pizza and coconut ("nazi", don't be alarmed it's pronounced differently) cream pie :) 

Alix 

Government Clinic and Home Visits!

 

 

This morning after breakfast we had another one of our Swahili classes! Today we learned about connecting words like: for example (kwa mafano), however (Hata hivyo), and (na), or (au) and except (ila). Shortly after breakfast we went off into our groups for two very different experiences. Our group of three went to one of the government clinics. It was immunization day so there were lots of infants/toddlers needing to be weighed. We also learned how to document the weights and give oral medications (Polio, Vitamin A and Rotavir). One lady came to the clinic to get a birth control implant inserted in her arm (Norplant). Her blood pressure needed to be taken before it was inserted and it ended up being 220/110! After this result, they referred her to the hospital, but she did not get any medication for her high blood pressure. We were told she would get the IUD (intrauterine device) instead.

The other group of girls went on home visits to individuals/families who struggle with being HIV positive. They bought a single mattress and provided a wheel chair for a young child with a disability. They also took laundry soap, as well as food (beans and rice) to the visits.

We all successfully bought fabric last night and are awaiting a time to get measured for our dresses/pants!

Courtney-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mambo Mambo VP!

To start off the day we enjoyed a lovely pancake breakfast! Our group was then divided into two once again. My group had the opportunity to visit a government hospital and assist with child immunizations. The Nurses were great and taught us how to weigh infants, immunize and chart. Not to mention they taught us various different phrases in Swahili!!The second group was at a small clinic. They were able to observe various different procedures being done. A lot of procedures in Africa are done much different then in Canada, but they provide for an excellent learning experience. 


As part of our cultural experience we have all decided to get African dresses made (photo to come). Our tailor took us on an adventure to the downtown market in search for the perfect patterned fabric. We ventured into about 3 different stores which had so many options, it was almost overwhelming. Just walking to these stores was an adventure in itself. Merchants were constantly trying to convince us to enter their stores, saying their products were better then the next. Experiencing a market in Tanzania is a must! Be prepared to be tempted in every which direction and to barter for the best deal! After about an hour we all found the perfect fabric for our dresses. Let the designing begin!

Raquel

Living Positively

Today started off bright and early at 7:00am, for some, to make a hearty breakfast to start the day off right! After breakfast we were privy to our third Swahili lesson. In today’s lesson we learnt relationship language. For instance, nawapenda familia yangu (I love my family), this is from all of us here in Tanzania!

We were once again split into our two fabulous groups. The one group took off to a local government hospital. At the hospital we observed two pediatric appointments. We saw our first case of pneumonia, which according to statistics is within the top 5 childhood illnesses in Tanzania due to the inability to cope with the  cold temperatures in combination with substandard living conditions. I understand if some of you (specifically the Canadians) are surprised by the cold temperatures part, so were we. The mortality rate for children under five due to pneumonia accounts for 16% of deaths. Recently, in 2012, Tanzania introduced the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) as a routine immunization for children under the age of five. They receive their PCV at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, and the final dose at 14 weeks; the goal is to decrease the incidence and mortality of pneumonia cases in children under five. The vaccine is given alongside tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, influenza B, and measles.

The remainder of our time at the clinic was spent observing and assisting with antenatal (pregnant women) assessments. These assessments include measuring the woman’s weight, blood pressure, fundal height (height of baby bump), and listening to the fetal heart rate. Note, the fetal heart rate is heard through a wooden tool over the fetus’ back. We we were quickly informed that these odd looking tools only recently disappeared from Canadian obstetric wards. I guess we’re a bunch of young pups.  

The other girls attended a support group meeting for HIV positive people ran by a local organization. Here, they were able to observe HIV positive people supporting other HIV positive people. The goal of the organization is to offer a safe nonjudgmental environment for affected individuals to congregate. At this particular location the organization also offers HIV testing, counseling, as well as prevention and general HIV education. The girls were astonished as member’s relayed personal stories of what it’s like to live as an HIV positive person.

The realities here in Tanzania are harsh but real. It takes a great deal of grit to realize that you, as an individual, cannot help or fix everyone or anything, but the little bit you do contribute will add up to develop a bigger picture; a picture of health, hope, and happiness. 

- Samantha

A Pleasant Surprise

Wow. This is the best word to describe today. Our group split into two. The one I was in went to a government maternal health clinic. We had never been to this place before so we were not sure on what to expect. We were brought to a room that had a lady lying sideways on a bed. When we asked what was wrong with the lady, they said she was in false labour.  Well next thing we know the lady’s water broke and they transferred her to the birthing table. The midwife went to check how dilated she was, but when she did, the head was already starting to come out. The lady pushed a couple times and the baby was out. Immediately, the baby was put on the mother while they stimulated the child to cry. The whole delivery seemed to only take minutes.

It is amazing to take a step back and think about the differences between having a baby in Canada versus the baby we saw here. The birthing room was very rudimentary. There was no oxygen, no suction or fetal heart monitor. When I think about it, not much of any devices we rely on heavily in Canada. The mother had no pain medication for the birth, only a bit of lidocaine for when the midwife stitched the first degree tear. Than like nothing happened, the mother got up and was walking. We were also told that within 24 hours the mother and baby would be going home.

This experience left us with a flood of emotion. By seeing the dawning of a new life and shows us  just how beautiful life is. It also made us appreciate how we take for granted all things that we have in Canada. Let us not forget this when we go home.

-Stefany