Karibu

Karibu and Habari za asabuhi /  za mchana / za jioni are phrases that we hear constantly. Welcome - Welcome to Tanzania - Good morning / afternoon / evening. Everyone has been incredibly friendly.  My Swahili is improving slightly but as soon the conversation gets faster I get absolutely lost. However any effort to speak the language seems to be welcomed by the locals. 
 

I am amazed how quickly my first week has passed.  I joined in a course that was about to start their clinical practice, but because of unforseen circumstances didn't get the opportunity to join them there. Friday was the wrap up of the first course. We asked the participants what their take home messages were and what they were going to put into practice.  Each of them was quick to tell us what they were going to do, which made us elated.

 

Shida accepting her gift

 

We had a small presentation of certificates and gifts, followed by an afternoon tea and the participants gave us a katengi each.  Half of the midwives in this first group were from Armana Hospital and half from Temeke. At least now I should see a few familiar faces when I next visit those hospitals and hope when we see them again the changes.

 

Entrance to Armana Hospital

 

This week is about orientation to the hospitals especially Muhumbili where the next course is running, and the clinical areas, preparation of class time, sorting out the equipment and perhaps doing some inservice at the various sites,  I will be guided by those that have been here for a little longer than me.  I am very thankful for them, and for Bright and Semmy who are quite protective of us and sort out any issues that may occur.

Orzanna has been awesome.  She has made sure that I have been outside of the protective walls of the house to see a little of the real Dar es Salaam.  She loves to power walk but in deference to my age and general lack of fitness, she has been kind enough to make these a stroll.  Ha!  She "strolls" faster than I can run!  It's hilarious to see this very fit young woman leading a rather red, puffing, sweating mama with rather short legs trying desperately trying to keep up.

We've been out a fair bit. Less than a kilometer up the road in either direction are failry decent restaurants.  Particulrly nice is a restaurant / bar that many of the expats seem to frequent, called the Waterfront.  It is lovely to sit and watch the sun go down with a nice cold drink.
 

Orzanna and student midwives (direct entry) from the UK and NZ