Movivng On

I haven't done any blogging since I returned from South Africa.  It isn't for lack of thinking about it; rather I think that the merging of my reflections on my time in Africa, with my anxious planning for this fall, is creating an overload of thoughts and emotions that are better left in my head than on paper (err, cyberspace).  At least for now.  Nonetheless, I will say a few quick things about the aforementioned life events:

First, "Reflections on South Africa." Upon settling in back home, Shanley and I promptly and laboriously compiled our pictures and memorabilia from ZA into albums.  If you're interested in seeing the final product, complete with page-by-page commentary from yours truly, just let me know - I'm more than willing and enthusiastic about sharing my experience from abroad.

Second, "Anxious Planning for this Fall."  The word is out... I'm going back to school, and couldn't be more excited!  Before Shanley and I left for South Africa, we both submitted our applications for graduate schools.  As we prepared to leave Cape Town, Shanley received her acceptance to Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine. Then, while in Jo'Burg literally days before flying back to the States, I received my acceptance into Portland State University for a Masters in Public Health as part of the Oregon MPH Program.  We were elated then, and even now, for the academic adventures that begin this Fall, and for the fact that we will both be in Portland, OR!

So on that note, let me direct you to my new blog: www.pdxmoll.blogspot.com, where you can keep track of my progress over the next few years, in school and in life.  This blog will remain as it is: an experience that stands alone.  To that end, I hope you'll continue to enjoy the stories/pictures posted here, AND stick around to see what's next!

Across the Universe...

30+ hours of flying definitely feels like I traveled that far, but alas it was only a mere ten thousand miles or so: Jo'Burg to Cape Town to Amsterdam to Wash. DC to Denver to Seattle...

HOME AT LAST!

My time in South Africa was formative in so many ways personally and professionally. In particular, I have grown a deep respect for the country and its people; who have demonstrated courage in post-Apartheid years, learning to forgive and to never underestimate the power of one person in making a difference.  The poem Invictus (by William Ernest) was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela, and I have been impressed by the selection of words as I continually try to comprehend his legacy:

 Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my inconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Powerful words - powerful leader - and the power of one! 
[Note: "The Power of One" is also a great movie about South Africa during Apartheid years]

Hakuna Matata

Yes, I'm quoting the Lion King: "Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase, Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze. It means no worries for the rest of your days, It's our problem-free philosophy...Hakuna Matata!"

In any case, that's how Shanley and I spent our last days in South Africa... problem-free on safari. From Jo'Burg we flew into Hoedspruit, which boarders Kruger National Park. We booked the safari with a group called Africa on Foot, which interested us because it offered bush walks as well as game drives. Our four day experience was incredible: the serenity of the bush, awe-inspiring animals, African sunsets, and clear night skies exposing a galaxy of stars (and the Milky Way)!

Our daily schedule was something like this:
05h30 - wake up
06h00 - coffee/tea and rusks (biscuts)
06h30 - bush walk for 2 to 3 hours
10h00 - breakfast
LEISURE TIME
14h30 - lunch
15h00 - game drive for 3+ hours
19h00 - dinner
CAMPFIRE
22h00 - lights out (literally... the camp utilized a generator for only a couple hours each evening).

The bush walks were guided by Rangers from our camp, who were equipt with vast knowledge about African wildlife (AND rifles). The bush walks are intended mostly to explore smaller wildlife and to be able to do animal tracking on foot. On the flip side, the game drives are conducted in an open top Land Rover and are scheduled for the time of day where the afternoon progresses to dusk and then to night, whereby allowing us to experience the nocturnal life of the bush. The Land Rover also allowed us to do some off roading, trail blazing through the bush in careful pursuit of game animals.

Although we were only able to sight three of the "Big Five" animals: Elephants, Rhino, and Lions, we had numerous other encounters with wildlife including a unique showing of hippo. Several times I was literally stopped in my tracks, humbled by the magnitude of the African bush and wildlife.

Me & the Land Rover

Our humble abode with Africa on Foot

(Shanley and I shared this little round hut, which did include our own bathroom)

Elephants

(There were about two dozen or more elephants in the herd we encountered)

The BurgS

The original South African itinerary did not include Johannesburg, but because we had Friday free from clinic and had to get there by Sunday to meet our safari transfer, we improvised and here we are… in Jozi!

BazBus is a recommended, affordable method of transport for backpackers and tourists in South Africa; and to that end, they conveniently had a route from Durban to Jo’Burg. We spent ten hours in total on a bus, but the route took us through the Drakensburg, which was a scenic way to go. We also had good sightings of Soweto (the largest township in South Africa) and the Jo’Burg skyline.

Jo’Burg does not have a high record on safety, in fact all of our tour books adamantly advised against going anywhere on foot. So to err on the side of caution and appease worried parents, we stayed near our lodging and only ventured to a flea market (South Africa’s largest, at that), where we bargained for some final souvenirs.

Week Eight

Our final week in Durban started at Malagasi Clinic, which is located in the township, Umlazi. At this clinic we had a new experience: participating in child immunizations and planning visits. All children in South Africa have a “Road to Health” card, which outlines when they need to be seen at a clinic for check-ups and immunizations. When the child is brought in we collected their weight and measurements to plot on the card. Then we would see what visit they were there for and if immunizations were needed, we would prepare and administer the drops/shots. Similarly, women from the township come to the clinic with their “Family Planning” card. Like the “Road to Health” card, this card keeps track of what method of birth control they are using and when they are due for the next injection or set of pills (We also prepared and administered the shots for these women). The card system may seem primitive, but in this setting where patients do not necessarily have a PCP, it is effective in recording the patient’s pertinent history and also a record that the patient keeps to remind them of important health details.

After the immunization and family planning visits, the clinic switched back to regular primary care. The clinic is entirely run by Sisters (nurses) and so they were relieved to have our help for the day. As a result, we were allowed to assist the Sisters and serve a more active role in the visits – often biting our tongue and remembering to be respectful of cultural differences.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week unfolded as a frustrating series of events at our clinic sites – so I’m not even going to blog about it! But in the end, we completed the program on Thursday and enjoyed that evening with our host family, who put together a braai (BBQ) for our last night.

Learners' WeekEND

The red trumpet looking thing is a vuvuzela - it is especially popular with the World Cup just around the corner!

The highlight of this weekend was visiting the primary school where our host mom, Zodwa, is the principal.  The school is located about 40minutes drive from the Durban suburbs, in a more rural area.  It accommodates grades R (kindergarten) to grade 3 and there are over 1100 learners who attend her school!  Oh, “learner” is the term that is used in South Africa for “student.”

On Saturday, Zodwa and some other administrators had organized an optional fun day for the students, including football (soccer-boys) and netball (basketball –girls) against another primary school.  When we arrived at the school before 09h00 (on a Saturday, mind you!) the learners were already waiting for us, in their uniforms and with their vuvuzelas.  There was lots of singing, hooting of the vuvuzelas, and general enthusiasm about the special day.  Not all of the students were able to participate in the sports, but Zodwa explained that one reason they came was for the free meal that is provided; often students will stash some of it to take home to help feed their families.

In general though, the learners demonstrated a spirit of resilience and hope: they played hard, cheered for their teammates and indulged me with hugs & smiles!

Week Seven

Special surgical scrubs again, this time I felt like Kermit the frog... 

"It's not easy being green!"

Another week at King Edward Hospital, and another rotation in theater!  Surgery at King Edward is much different than GF Jooste because it has seven theaters versus only two.  That means that there are a handful of surgical teams that get slated for specific days of the week and there is always a variety of things to see.  Here's the short list of the most memorable things we saw:

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (Gyn.)

Zygomatic Lift & Debridement (ENT)

Pediatric Cleft Foot Repair & Soft Tissue Release (Ortho)

Genital Warts Cauterization (Gyn.)

Scapular Open Reduction Internal Fixation (Ortho)

Femoral Open Reduction Internal Fixation (Ortho)

Mastectomy (Gen.Surg.)

Emergency Laporatomy & Thoracotomy (Gen.Surg.)

Because we weren't attached to any particular surgical team, we had the opportunity to interact and learn from them all.  Most of the surgeons and anesthetists were extremely communicative and made sure we understood the procedure; talking through each step and quizzing us along the way. This was our last week at King Edward and it was certainly an exciting way to make our exit!