Akwaaba, Welcome!

Akwaaba...Welcome to my journey in Ghana! I’m sorry it has taken so long to get this going but we’ve had outlet/adaptor problems, a sporadic wireless connection, and an extremely busy week!

We arrived safely last Sunday evening to incredible humidity and heat. I think it’s been around +35 all week, not including the humidity. The first few days were a little rough from the jet leg, heat, and strange foods! But we are quickly settling into the pace of life in Ghana, where there is definitely no rush...and no one is ever late! I think I will have no problem getting used to that!

This is the view from our hostel balcony! And below is the courtyard in ISH.

We are staying at the International Student Hostel on the University of Ghana campus. Our instructor gives it a rating of 0.75 of a star, though apparently an upgrade from the previous hostels students stayed in. I don’t find it too bad at all...though I’ve heard the water and power can go over for days at a time...so we will see!

Our placement is at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, (the capital of Ghana). The hospital is large and each unit is in its own building, with a walkway connecting each. It is so different as it is a military hospital and many of the nurses and staff have military uniforms on and are always saluting each other. At this point we are planning to spend about 3 weeks on a unit and then spend the following three weeks on a second unit. I’m starting on the maternity unit, which includes L&D and caesarian sections, antenatal, postnatal, etc. There is also a NICU located in the same building. When I was ‘dropped off’ at the unit, Sally, our contact, told me “look, you will get to see how we manufacture babies!” It should be quite a learning experience.

Check out the bats!! It's completely strange to get used to bats flying around in the middle of the day! This is right outside 37 Military Hospital and the entire area of the city is consumed with bats.

Our schedule is to work 0800 to 1400 Monday to Thursday. Fridays are designated as seminar days and for cultural experiences (aka field trips). At this point I have only spent a few hours of orientation on my unit. Our first full shift was on Thursday and I had to go to an in-service instead. So I am looking forward to getting started on Monday.

Other than the actual clinical, we have easily filled our time. Laurie, Erin and I went to a Bible study one night with a group of Americans and a few other Canadians. We also went to Alliance Francaise, where there are performances on Wednesday nights. After dinner we watched a group who played drums, sang and danced traditional Ghanaian songs. So much fun...we danced away and attempted our own African dancing! We spent an afternoon at the beach...sun tanning and boogie boarding! Absolutely beautiful! As well as gone to various markets and the Nkrumah Monument.

At La'Beach!

Something else to note is the transportation!! Apparently the number one cause of trauma in Ghana is car accidents...and I can see why!! Also, I have a newfound respect for emissions controls, as the pollution and smog is thick...there’s a lot of black smoke from vehicles (and it’s not from big diesel pickups Lee!). Most of the time we try to take tro-tro’s which are like 15 passenger cabover vans. It’s been crazy trying to learn the hand-signals and what words to say to catch one from the Ghanaians.

This morning we went to an NGO for orphans and vulnerable children. This NGO was set up by a University of Ghana Faculty of Nursing member. It is targeted specifically to those with HIV and most of the children that were there this morning were HIV positive. One Saturday a month, they gather and provide teaching to the women and children who come. This morning was focused on the prevention of HIV transmission and about hand washing. After this the children were weighed and supplies (from USAID) were distributed. It was a humbling experience to help hand out portions of bulgar wheat and vegetable oil to families, which was to last them for one month. How privileged we are in Canada!

Erin and Sarah playing 'Simon Says' with the kids!

I appreciate your and prayers!! If you have any questions or comments please write! I would love to hear from you all!!