6 things I (Julia) have learned so far in Mongu:
1. That using your brain
and knowledge are both extremely important, especially when in a healthcare
environment with limited resources. I have been challenged to change my healthcare
mind-set from very technology focused to critical thinking focused while being here,
because often times the equipment you need is not available. Because what do
you do when you don’t have another ambu-bag and you need it? What do you do
when you don’t have an IV pump, or a tourniquet, or tape, or normal saline? You
need use your critical thinking skills, nursing knowledge, and a bit of
creativity in order to work with what you have. I have experienced these kinds
of situations many times here in Mongu.
2. That Zambia time is
much different then Canadian time. In Zambia the people revolve time around
their lives, whereas in Canada, we revolve our lives around time. They are all much
more relaxed about time here, and because of this people understand that
sometimes it is okay to be late, because if you are late it means you got
caught up doing something else important in your life. This is very different
for me, but I think us in Canada could all learn a thing or two from Zambia
time. I also learned that if you actually want a taxi to pick you up on time here,
you must specifically tell them “7:30am Canadian time.”
3. That it is acceptable
to swerve all over the road while driving to dodge all the massive pot holes,
people, and obstacles on the road. It is also acceptable for the cab driver to
blast cool gangster rap music in all situations, including when dropping us off
at the hospital in the morning.
4. That everyone needs to
dance a little bit more. Dancing is a big part of the culture here, and we have
all had many opportunities to dance while we were here. Whether it be spontaneous
dance parties with children on our road, or dancing with a group of nuns and
pastors at Liseli Lodge, or having the ladies at the Zambia Project teach us
their moves. That being said, I have also learned that Zambian people are great
dancers, and that they definitely have a thing or two to teach to us “mukuas” about
dancing.
5. That it is very possible
to carry large and heavy objects on your head and walk far distances while
balancing them. Many women here carry VERY large objects on their heads, all
the while having to also carry their baby at the same time. I am continuously impressed
and amazed at how these women manage to do this.
6. That the same place
can be heartbreaking, but also beautiful at the same time. I have seen many
difficult things here, things that I have heard about but have never
experienced before I arrived in Zambia. For example, one of the hardest things
I have seen are the ill children – many who are small and hungry and have
swollen bellies, many with serious illnesses, and many with torn clothing and
rotten teeth. These children have broken my heart. But I have also seen the
passion and dedication of certain individuals, healthcare workers and
organizations that are trying to help these children. I have seen their successes
and the differences they are making. I have seen the beauty in the people who
are trying to make a change, and the beauty in the children who are growing and
healing and recovering. I have found that many of my experiences here in Mongu
have also had this same contrast.
- Julia Roth
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