Pride and Optimism

Reading over what I wrote yesterday feels very sobering. Yet it paints part of a very important picture of what reality is here. Whilst the events described are dreadful and terribly sad in many ways, my strongest reaction is one of injustice. How life for this truly beautiful community has so much more fragility to contend with than that which we enjoy back home. Regardless of the complexities that could be discussed in making sense of this situation, it simply is not ‘right’. However you look at it.

I am struck with an incredibly powerful sense of pride that we have come here. For us as a family, it has been far from easy. But it has also been such an amazing adventure and fulfilling experience already. It is an incredible privilege to live and work here. The culture is rich and incredibly friendly. Smiles are everywhere, warm and genuine. Even the common greeting etiquette encourages a sense of optimism (almost every greeting is met with “nsuri sana, asante” – “very good, thank you”). It certainly lifts you in a way that “fine, thanks” seems a little lacklustre.

A view of the hospital from the front gates.

This week, for all its challenge, has been full of very rewarding moments. The 1month old baby who we drained an arm full of infection a few days ago is doing very well and a relook today revealed a healthy wound. It was a ridiculous amount of pus to be drained from such a tiny limb. But her sepsis is settling and she was starting to use the arm again – an incredibly positive sign. The very challenging laparotomy from last week has improved day on day and will hopefully be ready to go home on Monday (with no detrimental effects from her dabble with asphyxiation either). We have successfully performed three mesh hernia repairs, all of whom have done very well and are going home today. Hopefully they will remain well until we see them again for follow up in a fortnight.

One of the hernia cases was undertaken with my colleague as primary surgeon. I took on the role of trainer, guiding him through the repair as well as the correct use of diathermy. As those that have worked with me know, I am particularly passionate about education and training, and for me this case was especially rewarding. It is one thing to do something yourself, it is quite something else to enable another to take the first steps towards being able to do it too. It is perhaps still very early days, but I am optimistic that the work we are doing here as not only valuable, but also sustainable.

Tomorrow we head off to Tanga again, and I am looking forward to another weekend by the sea to recharge the batteries. And, perhaps, we might get a new cooker too!