Week of September 14-12, 2014

I think what strikes me most about this group of young ladies is their love for others.  I see it in how they interact with each other and the Zambians they meet.  They scooped up the barely dressed babies, dance with the people in the market, and attempt to comfort those in pain.  I have never seen a short-term team connect so quickly with the local people.  It is encouraging and challenging. Nevertheless, the newness and excitement of Zambia is beginning to wear off.  The students are starting to express feeling overwhelmed with homework, classes, and clinicals, but their attitude and response has been “Buck up. We can do this.”   These sixteen girls all have beautiful hearts. 

Playing with children at the orphanage

This week has brought on a new level of busyness as we started rotations at Choma General Hospital.  Like everything else, the students have jumped in.  They have begun rotating through cervical cancer screening/male circumcision clinic, pediatrics, med-surgical wards, surgery, maternity, mental health, and the anti-retroviral clinic.  Some have already gotten to participate in surgeries, scrubbing in and assisting the doctors.  Others have helped delivered babies.  Most have taken the time to learn from the Zambian nurses about the system and are processing how this will change how they view healthcare.  The severe acuity of the patients, the number of those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and the severe shortage of staff and supplies is now a reality to them.

First Day of Clinicals

Visiting a community initiative school and a special needs school were other experiences that opened their minds, building awareness about how Zambia is coping to help those with disabilities and challenging preconceived ideas.  We were all asked to consider the question: Is education a right or a privilege?

Lindsey with community school students

Marcie at the community school with a student

The community initiative school has more than 700 students from pre-k to grade 7.   When the government was unable to provide a school in the area, the community managed to provide an area for a school and started off with an untrained teacher.  Eventually trained teachers were sent and international support has grown their complex, but that task that remains is great.  The children shared several songs with us.  In true form, these loving girls had trouble saying goodbye...

Next up was the mission school for the deaf, blind, and mentally impaired.  This boarding school is the only school in all of Zambia to house teachers to meet all three impairments.  Teachers are critically short and special needs teachers even more so.  Many of the teachers at this school also suffered from a level of deafness or blindness, but their heart and love for this vulnerable population is palpable.  Despite limited resourced, children are taken in and taught hoping that an education with bring them greater hope and success in the future.  

Andria, Katie, Ashley, Melissa, Alesha, & Joy with No More Whispering girls

Sunday after church, we traveled to Zimba and are just settling in.  More memories to come…

Anna Mangimela (Clinical Instructor)