Day 2
Karibu!
After a nice 12 hour sleep we woke up bright and breezy ready to start the day. After a delicious breakfast of fresh fruits, pancakes and eggs we waited for Mo to start our orientation day at the hospital and around the local area. The pick up time came and went and another hour passed by, then Mo arrived with a big smile on his face excited for us to start the day ahead. We’ve quickly realised everything is very hakuna matata here and ‘polepole’ (slowly), something we should all learn for a less stressful life!
We arrived at the hospital and Mo showed us around the various different departments as everyone in the house has different specialties. The hospital is huge, much bigger than we were expecting. We’re the only two Paramedic students so we’re based in the Emergency Department, but we’re also free to move around different departments to gain experience. Upon leaving the hospital there were lots of families outside with pots of delicious smelling foods to take in to their loved ones in the hospital, as it is the family’s responsibility to feed and bathe them and not the healthcare staff.
After our orientation we headed back to Masaki House for lunch. Around 3pm we headed out with Mariam, another brilliant Work the World team member, to explore the local shops, ice cream parlours, a bank to change our money and to get our African SIM cards.
On our return, we had our first Swahili lesson with Mwalimu Jacob (Teacher Jacob), to learn greetings and the basics to help us communicate in the hospital and with the locals. So if we accidentally slip in some words into the blog, we apologise it’s all part of our practice!
Tomorrow is our first shift in the hospital. We can’t wait to get stuck in, meet the team and see how the Emergency Department differs from home.
Asante sana for reading.
Jennie & Laura x
Me too! Looks ace! Xx
Loving the blogs. Keep them coming