Hey guys!
So I have had a blog all written up and ready to be posted since Friday! Unfortunately the internet has been down until today and, even still, it won't work when I plug the Ethernet cord into the computer so I can't even post the blog or my pictures, which are all ready to go.
I only have eleven more days here in Tamale :( But then Marielle and I get a four day vacation in southern Ghana visiting national parks and historical sights (and ending the whole trip with a day on a beautiful tropical beach!) before flying out of Accra on July 2nd. More to come on those details, but we are very grateful for the opportunity to experience more of Ghana!!
Check back soon to see my blog entries that I will post as soon as I can! Also, a whole bunch of new pictures!! I hope everyone is doing well. Love and miss you all!
Katherine
Elizabeth and Tom: Please tell Evie happy birthday from her Auntie in case I don't get back on the internet by her 2nd birthday! I'm a horrible auntie and didn't put anything in the mail to her before leaving! When I get home, though!
Stef: Happy birthday!!
Gina: I have a FIVE PAGE e-mail all typed up and ready to send!! (I know, ridiculously long.) I can't get it off my computer, though, so you will just have to wait. Sorry!
Faith: I hope Portland is rocking your world! Let me know how it is going. I am calling you as soon as I am back in the states!
Everyone in SLC: I've been thinking of you guys a LOT! I hope all is well. Take care and give Maxwell extra lovings from me! Has he forgotten about me yet?? :(
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Surgery in Yendi
Hey there!
Yesterday I traveled to Yendi with Dr. Wanye, Nurse Maggie, and CuRi to do seventeen cataract surgeries. The hour drive out to Yendi was a scary one because it was storming like crazy and our driver was driving way too fast! Apparently our car doesn't have a windshield defrost and I don't know how the drive could see anything. Even if it weren't all foggy, the solid sheet of rain alone made visibility next to none. There was another health care provider sitting in the passenger seat and CuRi and I in the backseat. After trying to watch the road for the first ten minutes I decided I ought to just close my eyes and go to sleep because it was scaring me wicked. I heard the passenger say every now and again, “child!” or “goat!” or “turn!”. I figured if I were asleep, at least I would be limp in the case of an accident :) We did finally make it to the hospital, which is a beautiful facility with running water and an operating “theater” at least twice the size of ours at the eye clinic. It was lots of fun because it was only us four in the operating room so CuRi and I got to help a lot and we all had a fun enjoying one anothers company. CuRi and my main job was to keep a sterile environment and clean the operating utensils. The last surgeries I watched were conducted at our clinic here in Tamale, so it was interested to see how they maintain (to the best of their ability) a sterile enviroment while traveling.
First and foremost, Dr. Wanye and Nurse Maggie are the sterile people and are not able to touch anything that is not sterile. The clinic has a huge duffel bag that is packed in advanced with all equipment needed. Every gauze, cotton swab, eye cloth, tool kit, gown, etc. is individually wrapped in clean wrapping paper with it's contents written on the outside. Upon arrival, CuRi and I disinfected two stainless steel table tops with alcohol. These were to be the two sterile surfaces that we were not allowed to touch from that point on with ANYTHING. Below each table top was another shelf where we were able to store extra supplies so we could unwrap them as needed throughout the day, and these were not considered sterile zones. To set up the stations, CuRi and I were in charge of unwrapping the marked packages in a certain order WITHOUT TOUCHING the actual contents (I messed this up the first time) while Nurse Maggie, all scrubbed in and gloved up, would take it out and place it where it was needed. After the stations were organized, we had to unwrap seventeen pairs of gloves with care. We were allowed to touch only the outermost wrapping, but nothing beyond that. To accomplish this, we pulled the tabs at the top and had to turn the envelope sideways, taking care not to let the outer paper touch the table top, and let the gloves fall onto the table top. Again, I messed this up the first time and accidentally let the packaging touch two of the sterile eye clothes so Nurse Maggie had to put those clothes in the laundry and we unwrapped two more.... oops! After the operating room was all set up, the surgeries began. After each surgery, CuRi and I traded off the task of taking the tools into the wash room to wash them with antibacterial soap, soak them in alcohol, then soak them in saline. Relatively speaking, it's a clean procedure. However, at the end of the day when we cleaned everything, my heart dropped to see Nurse Maggie had put the syringes and hollow needles in the bin to be cleaned. Clearly written on these objects is, “Discard after one use.” I realized not only had the few we have been reused through the patients of the day, but we were going to use them for at least one more day of surgeries ,and I have to assume many times beyond that. Of course, they have no choice about it. Ideally they would have new needles for each patient and throw them away, but it just isn't and option to them. They aren't giving the funds or availability to buy them. Despite this, Dr. Wanye said it is very, very rare to have anyone suffer from complications of infections and they do administer a heafty dose of antibiotics directy into the eye before bandaging. Still, I couldn't help but be saddened by the realization.
Every surgery yesterday was a difficult one, Dr. Wanye said. Because of this, each one last closer to 20-25 minutes, making for a long day. Dr. Wanye started a little before eleven and went straight through to 6:30 with a ten minute break to eat some banku. (He's a rockstar.) He loves to joke about how we should give him a break and take over for a while. CuRi and I enjoy playing into this game and say how it doesn't look too hard, anyway, we can handle it. A simple cut into the eye and *pop* the lens comes out. I am amazed out how the lens does seem to just pop right out after he scoops around for a little while, making sure it is fully detached, and scoops it out through the little incision. He thought it was hilarious that I say it just “pops out” and now uses this term to explain that what he does isn't too difficult. I got a perfect video of exactly what I am talking about and hope to load it onto my blog today we'll see how it goes. (Daddy, don't watch this. Mummy, enjoy it, it's wicked cool!!)
I did see two really neat cases in the day of surgery. First, a woman with no left eye ball! After completing the surgery, Dr. Wanye made a quick comment of how she had no eye. Her eyelids had been shut tightly since coming into the room, but I didn't think much of it. In disbelief, I asked him to clarify, “You mean NO eyeball in the socket?? Nothing there??” He smiled at my amazement and said, no, nothing there and then pulled open her eye lids. She didn't have an eyeball!! I never really thought of what a socket with no eye would look like, but if I had to guess it wasn't actually as gross as I would've thought. It looked like two little pillows the same texture as the inside of the eyelid with a small button pinching it in the middle (the remains of the optic nerve). I then realized that this woman must have been completely blind for quite some time, due to the mature cataract in her one eye. Dr. Wanye said he guesses she has had no vision for at least five years, based on the maturity of the cataract. Today (the day after her surgery), when she goes to her post-op visit, they will take off her bandage and she will have nearly perfect vision! It's amazing! A woman who has been completely blind for years upon years has been given back the gift of her sight. It was a pretty moving story and a really cool sight. Second, I saw the doctor fix a case of pterigiym. This is a case unique to the tropics where UV damage cases intense scaring of the cornea, starting from the corner of the eye and moving inward. Once the scaring covers the pupil, sight is affected and eventually lost. To fix this, the doctor simply used his scalpel to cut the scar tissue loose from the cornea and then cut it off. So simple! So neat!
After our day of surgery, the ride home was fun. Dr. Wanye asked CuRi and I about our views of our politics which, honestly, I hate to get into because I could go on forever. This one was a good one, though! He said he found it interesting that Bush has ended up being one of the most notorious presidents and I explained why I thought it made pretty perfect sense. It was funny to hear Dr. Wanye speak so eloquently about US politics and I realized he undoubtedly knew significantly more than most all US citizens, myself included. The real kicker was when he asked what we thought about Hillary being out... oh my gosh I am so embarrassed to say we didn't know she was out of the runnings!!!! We don't have tv, haven't come across a paper yet, and the internet is so slow I am on just long enough to check my blog, Tom and Liz's blog, and my e-mail if I'm lucky! Later that night we were hanging out with the Canadians and I was even more embaressed to find that they have all known for well over a week! They asked how they could have all known without us knowing and I told them they seem more interested in our politics than us, anyway, probably because it's a form of entertainment and they don't actually have to live with it to the extent that we do. Oh gosh, soooo embarrassing!
That's about all for my day of surgeries. Lots of fun, new exciting cases, always a fun time with such a fun crew. Now we are on our way to go to an open mic pool party just outside of town, yay! Before I go, I have two quick little stories I find really funny: 1) We were at a community the other day and there were tons of little tykes all around. After a while of “being in the way” they were all put into one room near our screening stations, kind of like a daycare. All of a sudden, they all starting screaming REALLY LOUDLY, crying and running away. Turned out Ali, one of our coworkers, had told them that they were all getting injections that day, so they freaked out. It was pretty humerus, but a little mean of him :) 2) Jessica, a fellow volunteer, had something huge click in her head the other day. She actually saw a yam for the first time ever and was SHOCKED to see it was a root! She thought yams were an animal!! Mind you, we eat yams at nearly every meal here. For the past three weeks, she thought she was eating animal and was really confused as to why Yue, a vegetarian, would eat them. Wicked funny, she will never live that one down!
Ok, I didn't get around to uploading the pictures and video onto CuRi's computer yet, so I'll do that tomorrow and get them up onto WebShots early next week! Sorry, Dad, I know you're excited to see them.
Everyone take care and I hope you are all doing well!! Lots of love and missing!!
Katherine
P.S. Can anyone explain to me why the children have extremely swollen, enlarged bellybuttons? I am assuming it has to do with malnutrition, but why does it seem to cure itself? (The adults do have these kind of belly buttons.) Also, why do the bellies get swollen? We have all been sharing theories, but none of us can remember the actually cause.
P.P.S. Marielle and I just found out we are encouraged to leave a day or two early to Accra and have the driver available to us to take us to a sight or two before taking off! We are so stoked because we didn't know we would have this opportunity and now are going to go to Cape Coast to see some amazing historical sights that date back to the 1600's and be able to spend a few relaxing days on the tropical beaches. More on that later!
Tony – Darling!! I keep thinking about you and thinking how you would love it here! I foolishly lost your e-mail address and haven't been able to send you a message. If you read this, please drop me an e-mail and let me know what's new in your life!! (At this point you could just as well wait until I'm back in the states...) katherine.hill@utah.edu
Beth – Thank you so much for your note! I would love to talk to you about your experience in Africa when I get back to the island. I am certaily staying safe but am being sure to take in every moment possible. Thanks for the birthday wishes and thoughtful note!
Yesterday I traveled to Yendi with Dr. Wanye, Nurse Maggie, and CuRi to do seventeen cataract surgeries. The hour drive out to Yendi was a scary one because it was storming like crazy and our driver was driving way too fast! Apparently our car doesn't have a windshield defrost and I don't know how the drive could see anything. Even if it weren't all foggy, the solid sheet of rain alone made visibility next to none. There was another health care provider sitting in the passenger seat and CuRi and I in the backseat. After trying to watch the road for the first ten minutes I decided I ought to just close my eyes and go to sleep because it was scaring me wicked. I heard the passenger say every now and again, “child!” or “goat!” or “turn!”. I figured if I were asleep, at least I would be limp in the case of an accident :) We did finally make it to the hospital, which is a beautiful facility with running water and an operating “theater” at least twice the size of ours at the eye clinic. It was lots of fun because it was only us four in the operating room so CuRi and I got to help a lot and we all had a fun enjoying one anothers company. CuRi and my main job was to keep a sterile environment and clean the operating utensils. The last surgeries I watched were conducted at our clinic here in Tamale, so it was interested to see how they maintain (to the best of their ability) a sterile enviroment while traveling.
First and foremost, Dr. Wanye and Nurse Maggie are the sterile people and are not able to touch anything that is not sterile. The clinic has a huge duffel bag that is packed in advanced with all equipment needed. Every gauze, cotton swab, eye cloth, tool kit, gown, etc. is individually wrapped in clean wrapping paper with it's contents written on the outside. Upon arrival, CuRi and I disinfected two stainless steel table tops with alcohol. These were to be the two sterile surfaces that we were not allowed to touch from that point on with ANYTHING. Below each table top was another shelf where we were able to store extra supplies so we could unwrap them as needed throughout the day, and these were not considered sterile zones. To set up the stations, CuRi and I were in charge of unwrapping the marked packages in a certain order WITHOUT TOUCHING the actual contents (I messed this up the first time) while Nurse Maggie, all scrubbed in and gloved up, would take it out and place it where it was needed. After the stations were organized, we had to unwrap seventeen pairs of gloves with care. We were allowed to touch only the outermost wrapping, but nothing beyond that. To accomplish this, we pulled the tabs at the top and had to turn the envelope sideways, taking care not to let the outer paper touch the table top, and let the gloves fall onto the table top. Again, I messed this up the first time and accidentally let the packaging touch two of the sterile eye clothes so Nurse Maggie had to put those clothes in the laundry and we unwrapped two more.... oops! After the operating room was all set up, the surgeries began. After each surgery, CuRi and I traded off the task of taking the tools into the wash room to wash them with antibacterial soap, soak them in alcohol, then soak them in saline. Relatively speaking, it's a clean procedure. However, at the end of the day when we cleaned everything, my heart dropped to see Nurse Maggie had put the syringes and hollow needles in the bin to be cleaned. Clearly written on these objects is, “Discard after one use.” I realized not only had the few we have been reused through the patients of the day, but we were going to use them for at least one more day of surgeries ,and I have to assume many times beyond that. Of course, they have no choice about it. Ideally they would have new needles for each patient and throw them away, but it just isn't and option to them. They aren't giving the funds or availability to buy them. Despite this, Dr. Wanye said it is very, very rare to have anyone suffer from complications of infections and they do administer a heafty dose of antibiotics directy into the eye before bandaging. Still, I couldn't help but be saddened by the realization.
Every surgery yesterday was a difficult one, Dr. Wanye said. Because of this, each one last closer to 20-25 minutes, making for a long day. Dr. Wanye started a little before eleven and went straight through to 6:30 with a ten minute break to eat some banku. (He's a rockstar.) He loves to joke about how we should give him a break and take over for a while. CuRi and I enjoy playing into this game and say how it doesn't look too hard, anyway, we can handle it. A simple cut into the eye and *pop* the lens comes out. I am amazed out how the lens does seem to just pop right out after he scoops around for a little while, making sure it is fully detached, and scoops it out through the little incision. He thought it was hilarious that I say it just “pops out” and now uses this term to explain that what he does isn't too difficult. I got a perfect video of exactly what I am talking about and hope to load it onto my blog today we'll see how it goes. (Daddy, don't watch this. Mummy, enjoy it, it's wicked cool!!)
I did see two really neat cases in the day of surgery. First, a woman with no left eye ball! After completing the surgery, Dr. Wanye made a quick comment of how she had no eye. Her eyelids had been shut tightly since coming into the room, but I didn't think much of it. In disbelief, I asked him to clarify, “You mean NO eyeball in the socket?? Nothing there??” He smiled at my amazement and said, no, nothing there and then pulled open her eye lids. She didn't have an eyeball!! I never really thought of what a socket with no eye would look like, but if I had to guess it wasn't actually as gross as I would've thought. It looked like two little pillows the same texture as the inside of the eyelid with a small button pinching it in the middle (the remains of the optic nerve). I then realized that this woman must have been completely blind for quite some time, due to the mature cataract in her one eye. Dr. Wanye said he guesses she has had no vision for at least five years, based on the maturity of the cataract. Today (the day after her surgery), when she goes to her post-op visit, they will take off her bandage and she will have nearly perfect vision! It's amazing! A woman who has been completely blind for years upon years has been given back the gift of her sight. It was a pretty moving story and a really cool sight. Second, I saw the doctor fix a case of pterigiym. This is a case unique to the tropics where UV damage cases intense scaring of the cornea, starting from the corner of the eye and moving inward. Once the scaring covers the pupil, sight is affected and eventually lost. To fix this, the doctor simply used his scalpel to cut the scar tissue loose from the cornea and then cut it off. So simple! So neat!
After our day of surgery, the ride home was fun. Dr. Wanye asked CuRi and I about our views of our politics which, honestly, I hate to get into because I could go on forever. This one was a good one, though! He said he found it interesting that Bush has ended up being one of the most notorious presidents and I explained why I thought it made pretty perfect sense. It was funny to hear Dr. Wanye speak so eloquently about US politics and I realized he undoubtedly knew significantly more than most all US citizens, myself included. The real kicker was when he asked what we thought about Hillary being out... oh my gosh I am so embarrassed to say we didn't know she was out of the runnings!!!! We don't have tv, haven't come across a paper yet, and the internet is so slow I am on just long enough to check my blog, Tom and Liz's blog, and my e-mail if I'm lucky! Later that night we were hanging out with the Canadians and I was even more embaressed to find that they have all known for well over a week! They asked how they could have all known without us knowing and I told them they seem more interested in our politics than us, anyway, probably because it's a form of entertainment and they don't actually have to live with it to the extent that we do. Oh gosh, soooo embarrassing!
That's about all for my day of surgeries. Lots of fun, new exciting cases, always a fun time with such a fun crew. Now we are on our way to go to an open mic pool party just outside of town, yay! Before I go, I have two quick little stories I find really funny: 1) We were at a community the other day and there were tons of little tykes all around. After a while of “being in the way” they were all put into one room near our screening stations, kind of like a daycare. All of a sudden, they all starting screaming REALLY LOUDLY, crying and running away. Turned out Ali, one of our coworkers, had told them that they were all getting injections that day, so they freaked out. It was pretty humerus, but a little mean of him :) 2) Jessica, a fellow volunteer, had something huge click in her head the other day. She actually saw a yam for the first time ever and was SHOCKED to see it was a root! She thought yams were an animal!! Mind you, we eat yams at nearly every meal here. For the past three weeks, she thought she was eating animal and was really confused as to why Yue, a vegetarian, would eat them. Wicked funny, she will never live that one down!
Ok, I didn't get around to uploading the pictures and video onto CuRi's computer yet, so I'll do that tomorrow and get them up onto WebShots early next week! Sorry, Dad, I know you're excited to see them.
Everyone take care and I hope you are all doing well!! Lots of love and missing!!
Katherine
P.S. Can anyone explain to me why the children have extremely swollen, enlarged bellybuttons? I am assuming it has to do with malnutrition, but why does it seem to cure itself? (The adults do have these kind of belly buttons.) Also, why do the bellies get swollen? We have all been sharing theories, but none of us can remember the actually cause.
P.P.S. Marielle and I just found out we are encouraged to leave a day or two early to Accra and have the driver available to us to take us to a sight or two before taking off! We are so stoked because we didn't know we would have this opportunity and now are going to go to Cape Coast to see some amazing historical sights that date back to the 1600's and be able to spend a few relaxing days on the tropical beaches. More on that later!
Tony – Darling!! I keep thinking about you and thinking how you would love it here! I foolishly lost your e-mail address and haven't been able to send you a message. If you read this, please drop me an e-mail and let me know what's new in your life!! (At this point you could just as well wait until I'm back in the states...) katherine.hill@utah.edu
Beth – Thank you so much for your note! I would love to talk to you about your experience in Africa when I get back to the island. I am certaily staying safe but am being sure to take in every moment possible. Thanks for the birthday wishes and thoughtful note!
Hello everybody!!
I only have a few minutes and didn't do the usual thing of typing the blog at home and cutting and pasting it in, so this one won't be as long but I'm sure I'll make up for it later :)
Monday night was a wonderful birthday evening. After dinner, my roommates and I went to the Jungle Bar and met up with the Canadians we met over the weekend at Mole NP. It was really enjoyable and we all had a good time drinking a beer and sharing stories. The Canadians bought me a box of red wine for my birthday like I had never seen before. It is in a carton like you would buy milk! It's funny. Certainly not the best wine, but not as bad as you may imagine.
Two days ago we went to a local school to perform screenings. Up to that point we have screened approximately 1,100 people in our 2.5 weeks of work. That day, alone, we screened over 500! It was a wicked crazy busy day, but always fun. It was really cute because the kids do a little bow as they come up to hand you their form. It was so sweet!! I have NEVER had anybody bow to me before! Also, where we put "age" and "sex" a lot of the children wrote in full sentences, "I am a female" or "I am eleven years old." It was really precious. I fully enjoyed the children!
Today we went back to the school because, surprisingly, there were still a lot of children to screen. Two hours into our work a HUGE storm blew in! As the wind was picking up and the sand was flying around I kept saying it was just a matter of time. When the rain finally hit, we all took shelter in a classroom. This was the first time I have been inside of one. On the chalk board was the Ghana National Anthem, which the children sung for us. I thought it was a beautiful song and wrote down the lyrics:
God Bless our homeland, Ghana.
And make our nation great and strong.
Bold to defend forever,
the cause of freedom and of right.
Fill our hearts with true humility,
make us cherish, fearless, honest.
And help us to resist oppressor's
rule with all our will and might.
Forevermore.
The storm has yet to let up. "When it rains it pours" REALLY applies to this country during the rainy season! This is really the first real rainy day we have had because it usually passes within an hour, if not sooner. I actually got goosebumps today! I definite first here in Africa. It is quite a nice break from the incessant sweating though, I must admit. I'm even wearing a long sleeved shirt!
And, on that note, I am out of time! I am traveling to Yendi tomorrow with Yue to help with surgeries. Yendi is about an hour east of Tamale and is currently experiencing an intense water crisis. I am excited for the experience.
I'll be in touch! Much love to everyone! Take care!
Katherine
P.S. Oh yea!! I started interviewing patients for my research project (more on that later) but an interesting one was a 70 year old woman with cataracts who believes the cause of her condition is a toothache she had a while ago and let go untreated. I'm excited to gather more interviews, for sure.
Gina- I keep meaning to e-mail you!! You will have an e-mail coming from me shortly. Sorry for the long wait, I've been thinking of you tons!!!
I only have a few minutes and didn't do the usual thing of typing the blog at home and cutting and pasting it in, so this one won't be as long but I'm sure I'll make up for it later :)
Monday night was a wonderful birthday evening. After dinner, my roommates and I went to the Jungle Bar and met up with the Canadians we met over the weekend at Mole NP. It was really enjoyable and we all had a good time drinking a beer and sharing stories. The Canadians bought me a box of red wine for my birthday like I had never seen before. It is in a carton like you would buy milk! It's funny. Certainly not the best wine, but not as bad as you may imagine.
Two days ago we went to a local school to perform screenings. Up to that point we have screened approximately 1,100 people in our 2.5 weeks of work. That day, alone, we screened over 500! It was a wicked crazy busy day, but always fun. It was really cute because the kids do a little bow as they come up to hand you their form. It was so sweet!! I have NEVER had anybody bow to me before! Also, where we put "age" and "sex" a lot of the children wrote in full sentences, "I am a female" or "I am eleven years old." It was really precious. I fully enjoyed the children!
Today we went back to the school because, surprisingly, there were still a lot of children to screen. Two hours into our work a HUGE storm blew in! As the wind was picking up and the sand was flying around I kept saying it was just a matter of time. When the rain finally hit, we all took shelter in a classroom. This was the first time I have been inside of one. On the chalk board was the Ghana National Anthem, which the children sung for us. I thought it was a beautiful song and wrote down the lyrics:
God Bless our homeland, Ghana.
And make our nation great and strong.
Bold to defend forever,
the cause of freedom and of right.
Fill our hearts with true humility,
make us cherish, fearless, honest.
And help us to resist oppressor's
rule with all our will and might.
Forevermore.
The storm has yet to let up. "When it rains it pours" REALLY applies to this country during the rainy season! This is really the first real rainy day we have had because it usually passes within an hour, if not sooner. I actually got goosebumps today! I definite first here in Africa. It is quite a nice break from the incessant sweating though, I must admit. I'm even wearing a long sleeved shirt!
And, on that note, I am out of time! I am traveling to Yendi tomorrow with Yue to help with surgeries. Yendi is about an hour east of Tamale and is currently experiencing an intense water crisis. I am excited for the experience.
I'll be in touch! Much love to everyone! Take care!
Katherine
P.S. Oh yea!! I started interviewing patients for my research project (more on that later) but an interesting one was a 70 year old woman with cataracts who believes the cause of her condition is a toothache she had a while ago and let go untreated. I'm excited to gather more interviews, for sure.
Gina- I keep meaning to e-mail you!! You will have an e-mail coming from me shortly. Sorry for the long wait, I've been thinking of you tons!!!
Monday, June 9, 2008
My Perfect Birthday Weekend!!!
I just experienced the most epic birthday weekend of my life!! I wouldn't be surprised if I never top this one and I also wouldn't be disappointed. (Fair warning, I'm sure this entry is far too long with too much detail but it's animals! In the wild!! I can't help but write it this way!)
We just arrived back from Mole National Park. This park is said to be one of the best parks in Western Africa. The park is a rather large area set aside and controlled by the government to preserve the natural beauty and wild animals. Aside from that, it is like no national park I have ever visited. There are few roads that actually go through much of the park, leaving much of it unused. Unfortunately, this results in high rates of poaching. There is one place available to spend the night and it is strongly aimed towards tourists. It's a rather nice motel set on a cliff overlooking the watering holes frequented by elephants and crocodiles. There is a resturant, a pool, and a landing also overlooking the cliff. It is surprisingly not crowded and your proximity to the wildlife is insane!
We left for the park wicked early on Friday morning, arriving to the motel around 9am. We spent the day lounging by the pool and watching the elephants from afar. We took tons of pictures from far away, not realizing what the next day would deliver. It was an amazingly relaxing day, though rather uneventful, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Saturday was the day of all things new! At the pool, we recognized a few people we've been seeing around Tamale (believe it or not, light skinned people stick out like sore thumbs!) and we were able to make friends with them. They are really nice student from Canada who are working on development projects around Northern Ghana. They actually live at the guests house above the bar where we are celebrating my birthday tomorrow, so they will be joining us for dinner and a drink :)
Saturday morning we got up at 6am to do a walking safari. The only way to get close to the wildlife is to hike around the park, though you are required to be lead by an armed ranger. Getting up we opened up the curtains of our room to see a HUGE elephant walking through out backyard!! We couldn't believe it!! We went out on our balcony and he was honestly no more than ten yards away, ambling about with a lazy stride. Shortly after passing our room he headed down the steep hillside to go to the watering hole. We knew from this moment the day would be incredible. On our way out, we opened the front door to be greeted by numerous warthogs chilling on the trampled grass, picking up anything they considered edible. Warthogs! Like Pumba! These things are so funny looking and I found them really cute (surprise) but was considered to be loony for it. After meeting up with the ranger, he briefly explained the history of the park. It was established the 1957, the year Ghana became it's own nation, the first independent nation in Africa. It originally allowed hunting but this was banned by the early 80s. He said there were 94 species of mammals, and a huge variety of both butterflies and birds. (Ghana is said to be home to an estimated 1,000 butterfly species compared to roughly 650 in the whole of North America.)
The safari started walking up to an overlook and then we dropped down into the basin where the waterholes are. The first animals we came across were lots of warthogs. As already said, I thought these little guys were so cute! They are grey in color and have a very thin covering of hairs, most found along the spine. They have wart-like bumps on the face and rather large, upward-curving tusks. They are surprisingly muscular and usually seen in groups. And, surprise!, the babies were soooo cute!! I thought they were really comical because they can't reach the ground while standing so they bend their front legs so they are crawling around on their elbows while cleaning up their food. We walked through dense trees and came out to a large field with lots and lots of antelope! The antelope travel in either huge herds of females and two or three males (the strongest ones) or in groups of only males. The one we saw the most were the kobs. This red-gold antelope has a white throat and is amazingly long and slender and very graceful. We also had the pleasure of seeing a bushbuck, which was my favorite because of the coloring. It's smaller than the kob and is a deep chestnut color with lots of really beautiful white lines patterned over the whole boy. The last antelope we saw was the water buck. this was the largest antelope we say and has a shaggy brown coat and white bum. The horns are much bigger than the others and lyre-shaped.
Then we came to the baboons. WOW the baboons! I didn't realize how big they are!! And they can be freaky, too. Apparently, the first three weeks of an antelope's life are dangerous because they can't walk and have to be hidden deep in the bushes. During this time, baboons seek them out and eat baby antelope! The ones we saw on the safari weren't too interesting, it was later in the day that they gave us a unique experience! I'll get back to that later.
Before dropping down into the basin, the ranger brought us to a HUGE termite mansion! Way, way taller than I am. I had seen these structures on the drive up to the park, but I didn't realize what they were. Apparently a whole colony will make their home and, when the queen dies, they must relocate, determine a new queen, and build a house all over again. You can tell when the termites have abandoned the home when there are holes in it. At this point snakes, mongoose, and other dwelling animals will take over. I was amazed by the huge structure those little insects can create in an alarmingly sort period of time.
Once at the watering holes, we spent some time in a treehouse built to overlook them. The birds sounded lovely and the view was unbeatable. We actually saw a crocodile in the water, but it was just it's form and wasn't worth a picture. We then walked around to the second watering hole and sat on the ledge where there were about ten elephants cooling off a mere fifty yards away. This part was AMAZING! They are so huge and playful! There were two babies in the group who were incredible neat to watch because they would rough house with the other elephants who usually responded by pushing them under the water, their trunk sticking out like a snorkel. Occasionally, one or two would go off to swim for a bit and I wish I could've seen them below the water, I bet it looks cool! I captured the most perfect video of the elephants and I really hope I am able to post it! It was really neat to see them hose themselves off and see how they move those funny, huge trunks of their! I'm sure this is an obvious one, but a zoo just can't do them justice. In the wild they were so animated and incredible to watch – I could've stayed there for hours upon hours. The head elephant signaled to the reset of his troop that was time to leave and they all lined up and marched out of the pool. (It totally reminded me of the marching scene in the Jungle Book when Mogali is trying to pass as an elephant.) We walked over to get a better look and watched them mud themselves up to stay cool in the hot sun. They put their butts together and formed a circle and they all filled their trunks with mud and sprayed in behind their heads. It was genius because any misdirected mud still managed to land on an elephant. It was crazy to see how huge they are out of the water. According to our ranger, they are the second fastest mammal on land, but I find that hard to believe – they are HUGE (the largest land animal in the world)!
The safari was amazing with crazy close proximity to many animals. Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to see any hippos, lions, leopards or hyenas. Dr. Wanye was so excited to see how much fun we had that he has already planned to take us up to Paga, on the border of Ghana and Burkina Faso, to see the crocodile sanctuary.
We finished the safari after 2.5 hours or so and went to a little “restaurant” near the information center. It was an odd place and the service was strange and, overall, we were unsatisfied because we were overcharged. The way we saw it, though, was it gave us a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ghana is considered to be the safest country in Africa and the crime is said to be nearly non-existent, especially up north. Well, we encountered our first theft – by a baboon!!! Our food had just been brought out to us and we were all picking at the odd colored rice and mystrey meat deciding if we would eat it, our heads down. My head shot up when I heard Yue scream, Marielle follow, and both of them try to run from their chairs but end up on the ground, chairs broken. I had no time to react, just laugh hysterically. A very large baboon had walked right up to our table and grabbed rice right off Yue's plate! Once the girls started screaming he did a little jump up and ran away. There was another one perched on the fence close by, seemingly scoping out the situation to see how the attempt would pan out. Apparently CuRi had noticed the hand reach up and first thought it was a kid, quickly concluded it was too hairy and was probably a dog, and then finally realized it was a baboon. Yue, also, first thought it was a kid and then decided the hand was too hairy and looked up to see his face. Oh man! The episode was so perfect! While waiting to settle the bill we walked around the little patio and realized the baboons were everywhere! There were at least twenty baboons, ranging in all sizes, circling around the building and figuring out how to get food. Some were jumping onto the roof to eat leaves. Others were climbing fence posts and eating flowers. Some were snapping branches off trees to chew on. Bottom line, though, they were all just waiting for their opportunity to snag some yummy human food. Marielle is extremely scared of the baboons and literally had rocks in her hand on the walk back to the room just in case one decided one of us looked tasty.
(It's not uncommon for the baboons to help themselves to whatever human luxury they want. There were three girls staying a few rooms down from us who were all taking an afternoon nap and decided the leave the door open for a better breeze (stupid!). They woke up to three baboons in their room. Two girls ran out but the third girl ended up locking herself in the bathroom and spent the next twenty minutes or so waiting for the baboons to leave, listening to the tear the room to pieces in the meantime. Crazy!)
Apparently, Saturday is the day the monkeys and baboons come out to play. After our exciting lunch, still laughing and in disbelief, we went to spend the rest of the day by the pool. There were baboon all over the grounds and, after a little while, the monkeys came out to play, too. The patas or red monkey was running around the grounds reeking havoc. These monkeys are pretty large for a monkey (but no where near as big and intimidating as a baboon) and has a wicked long tail. It is a yellow-orange with a black forehead. They first made their appearance when they poked their head out from behind the bathroom building to see if the coast was clear. It was about 10:30 and there weren't many people eating or swimming. Two monkeys then slinked out to the front of the building and threw a trash can over. The loud crash made an employee run over to yell and throw objects at the monkeys. They sqeeled and ran away, but only for a moment. Next they came from the other end of the building and stealthily made their way across the roof of the restaurant and down the other side. It made a quick dart for a piece of toast and, again, was scared away. This whole time I was sitting by the pool watching the scheme around. It was so funny because it finally dawned on me why people use the term “monkey business.” More and more monkeys came to the area and all camped out in a tree next to the pool, waiting for opportune moments. Occasionally, a monkey or a baboon would run through the pool area and the restaurant patio and I'm convinced they were only doing it to laugh at the squeals and jumps of nearby visitors. At one point, a baboon jumped onto a table where one woman was eating her breakfast and slapped a Fanta bottle to the ground. Another time, one of the monkeys got freakishly close to a tourist eating her lunch. He walked around her chair and poked up beneath her arm, she rather calmly shooed him away. He darted to the other side of her chair and straight up punched her arm!! Not as calm this time around, the lay threw her bag at him. He ran around the table, jumped on top, ran over and took her mango off her plate, put it in his mouth, gave a funny little snicker while looking at her, and ran away. It was hilariously inappropriate!!
Without a doubt, my weekend was spectacular!! Seeing animals in the wild is my favorite hobby, if you can call it that. To see such unique and rare animals in their habitat – it was unreal! We had monkeys, elephants, and antelope chilling outside our balcony to greet us in the morning. We had a wonderfully relaxing time by the pool, birdwatching. It was perfect. The icing on the cake was that it was my birthday weekend. I couldn't have made it more ideal! I'll be posting pictures of the weekend on my website soon enough. I'll let you know when I do so!
This morning we woke up to a gloomy sky. If it storms in the morning, we don't work. We were all selfishly hoping this may be the case because we have a lot of statistics work to do with our screening data, not to mention a lot of laundry and errands to run. When we were all waiting for our driver, a huge clap in the sky was followed by INTENSE rain fall! It was sweet!!! It stormed wicked hard for a good two hours and we got to play in the rain and enjoy the wind. Dr. Wanye called to tell us not to go to work, just get our data entry done at home and enjoy my birthday! No doubt, this has been the sweetest birthday to date. Maybe even forever.
That's it for now (as if that's not enough). I'll be in touch soon! Everyone back home, please take care. I love and miss you all :)
Katherine
Aunt Bev, Vu and Wetzle (if you've been reading the blog) - You would LOVE all the birds out here! They have fire finches that are barely bigger than humming birds but fly forward! They have so many birds ranging from really big to really small. At the park I saw lots of different kind of kingfishers, oriole arblers, sunbirds, starlings, parakeets, canarys, partridges, and pin-tailed and long-tailed paradise-whydah – and that's just what I was able to identify with my little chart! We also heard a lot of parrots, but weren't able to actually see them. I kept thinking of you three when the guide kept pointing out birds.
We just arrived back from Mole National Park. This park is said to be one of the best parks in Western Africa. The park is a rather large area set aside and controlled by the government to preserve the natural beauty and wild animals. Aside from that, it is like no national park I have ever visited. There are few roads that actually go through much of the park, leaving much of it unused. Unfortunately, this results in high rates of poaching. There is one place available to spend the night and it is strongly aimed towards tourists. It's a rather nice motel set on a cliff overlooking the watering holes frequented by elephants and crocodiles. There is a resturant, a pool, and a landing also overlooking the cliff. It is surprisingly not crowded and your proximity to the wildlife is insane!
We left for the park wicked early on Friday morning, arriving to the motel around 9am. We spent the day lounging by the pool and watching the elephants from afar. We took tons of pictures from far away, not realizing what the next day would deliver. It was an amazingly relaxing day, though rather uneventful, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Saturday was the day of all things new! At the pool, we recognized a few people we've been seeing around Tamale (believe it or not, light skinned people stick out like sore thumbs!) and we were able to make friends with them. They are really nice student from Canada who are working on development projects around Northern Ghana. They actually live at the guests house above the bar where we are celebrating my birthday tomorrow, so they will be joining us for dinner and a drink :)
Saturday morning we got up at 6am to do a walking safari. The only way to get close to the wildlife is to hike around the park, though you are required to be lead by an armed ranger. Getting up we opened up the curtains of our room to see a HUGE elephant walking through out backyard!! We couldn't believe it!! We went out on our balcony and he was honestly no more than ten yards away, ambling about with a lazy stride. Shortly after passing our room he headed down the steep hillside to go to the watering hole. We knew from this moment the day would be incredible. On our way out, we opened the front door to be greeted by numerous warthogs chilling on the trampled grass, picking up anything they considered edible. Warthogs! Like Pumba! These things are so funny looking and I found them really cute (surprise) but was considered to be loony for it. After meeting up with the ranger, he briefly explained the history of the park. It was established the 1957, the year Ghana became it's own nation, the first independent nation in Africa. It originally allowed hunting but this was banned by the early 80s. He said there were 94 species of mammals, and a huge variety of both butterflies and birds. (Ghana is said to be home to an estimated 1,000 butterfly species compared to roughly 650 in the whole of North America.)
The safari started walking up to an overlook and then we dropped down into the basin where the waterholes are. The first animals we came across were lots of warthogs. As already said, I thought these little guys were so cute! They are grey in color and have a very thin covering of hairs, most found along the spine. They have wart-like bumps on the face and rather large, upward-curving tusks. They are surprisingly muscular and usually seen in groups. And, surprise!, the babies were soooo cute!! I thought they were really comical because they can't reach the ground while standing so they bend their front legs so they are crawling around on their elbows while cleaning up their food. We walked through dense trees and came out to a large field with lots and lots of antelope! The antelope travel in either huge herds of females and two or three males (the strongest ones) or in groups of only males. The one we saw the most were the kobs. This red-gold antelope has a white throat and is amazingly long and slender and very graceful. We also had the pleasure of seeing a bushbuck, which was my favorite because of the coloring. It's smaller than the kob and is a deep chestnut color with lots of really beautiful white lines patterned over the whole boy. The last antelope we saw was the water buck. this was the largest antelope we say and has a shaggy brown coat and white bum. The horns are much bigger than the others and lyre-shaped.
Then we came to the baboons. WOW the baboons! I didn't realize how big they are!! And they can be freaky, too. Apparently, the first three weeks of an antelope's life are dangerous because they can't walk and have to be hidden deep in the bushes. During this time, baboons seek them out and eat baby antelope! The ones we saw on the safari weren't too interesting, it was later in the day that they gave us a unique experience! I'll get back to that later.
Before dropping down into the basin, the ranger brought us to a HUGE termite mansion! Way, way taller than I am. I had seen these structures on the drive up to the park, but I didn't realize what they were. Apparently a whole colony will make their home and, when the queen dies, they must relocate, determine a new queen, and build a house all over again. You can tell when the termites have abandoned the home when there are holes in it. At this point snakes, mongoose, and other dwelling animals will take over. I was amazed by the huge structure those little insects can create in an alarmingly sort period of time.
Once at the watering holes, we spent some time in a treehouse built to overlook them. The birds sounded lovely and the view was unbeatable. We actually saw a crocodile in the water, but it was just it's form and wasn't worth a picture. We then walked around to the second watering hole and sat on the ledge where there were about ten elephants cooling off a mere fifty yards away. This part was AMAZING! They are so huge and playful! There were two babies in the group who were incredible neat to watch because they would rough house with the other elephants who usually responded by pushing them under the water, their trunk sticking out like a snorkel. Occasionally, one or two would go off to swim for a bit and I wish I could've seen them below the water, I bet it looks cool! I captured the most perfect video of the elephants and I really hope I am able to post it! It was really neat to see them hose themselves off and see how they move those funny, huge trunks of their! I'm sure this is an obvious one, but a zoo just can't do them justice. In the wild they were so animated and incredible to watch – I could've stayed there for hours upon hours. The head elephant signaled to the reset of his troop that was time to leave and they all lined up and marched out of the pool. (It totally reminded me of the marching scene in the Jungle Book when Mogali is trying to pass as an elephant.) We walked over to get a better look and watched them mud themselves up to stay cool in the hot sun. They put their butts together and formed a circle and they all filled their trunks with mud and sprayed in behind their heads. It was genius because any misdirected mud still managed to land on an elephant. It was crazy to see how huge they are out of the water. According to our ranger, they are the second fastest mammal on land, but I find that hard to believe – they are HUGE (the largest land animal in the world)!
The safari was amazing with crazy close proximity to many animals. Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to see any hippos, lions, leopards or hyenas. Dr. Wanye was so excited to see how much fun we had that he has already planned to take us up to Paga, on the border of Ghana and Burkina Faso, to see the crocodile sanctuary.
We finished the safari after 2.5 hours or so and went to a little “restaurant” near the information center. It was an odd place and the service was strange and, overall, we were unsatisfied because we were overcharged. The way we saw it, though, was it gave us a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ghana is considered to be the safest country in Africa and the crime is said to be nearly non-existent, especially up north. Well, we encountered our first theft – by a baboon!!! Our food had just been brought out to us and we were all picking at the odd colored rice and mystrey meat deciding if we would eat it, our heads down. My head shot up when I heard Yue scream, Marielle follow, and both of them try to run from their chairs but end up on the ground, chairs broken. I had no time to react, just laugh hysterically. A very large baboon had walked right up to our table and grabbed rice right off Yue's plate! Once the girls started screaming he did a little jump up and ran away. There was another one perched on the fence close by, seemingly scoping out the situation to see how the attempt would pan out. Apparently CuRi had noticed the hand reach up and first thought it was a kid, quickly concluded it was too hairy and was probably a dog, and then finally realized it was a baboon. Yue, also, first thought it was a kid and then decided the hand was too hairy and looked up to see his face. Oh man! The episode was so perfect! While waiting to settle the bill we walked around the little patio and realized the baboons were everywhere! There were at least twenty baboons, ranging in all sizes, circling around the building and figuring out how to get food. Some were jumping onto the roof to eat leaves. Others were climbing fence posts and eating flowers. Some were snapping branches off trees to chew on. Bottom line, though, they were all just waiting for their opportunity to snag some yummy human food. Marielle is extremely scared of the baboons and literally had rocks in her hand on the walk back to the room just in case one decided one of us looked tasty.
(It's not uncommon for the baboons to help themselves to whatever human luxury they want. There were three girls staying a few rooms down from us who were all taking an afternoon nap and decided the leave the door open for a better breeze (stupid!). They woke up to three baboons in their room. Two girls ran out but the third girl ended up locking herself in the bathroom and spent the next twenty minutes or so waiting for the baboons to leave, listening to the tear the room to pieces in the meantime. Crazy!)
Apparently, Saturday is the day the monkeys and baboons come out to play. After our exciting lunch, still laughing and in disbelief, we went to spend the rest of the day by the pool. There were baboon all over the grounds and, after a little while, the monkeys came out to play, too. The patas or red monkey was running around the grounds reeking havoc. These monkeys are pretty large for a monkey (but no where near as big and intimidating as a baboon) and has a wicked long tail. It is a yellow-orange with a black forehead. They first made their appearance when they poked their head out from behind the bathroom building to see if the coast was clear. It was about 10:30 and there weren't many people eating or swimming. Two monkeys then slinked out to the front of the building and threw a trash can over. The loud crash made an employee run over to yell and throw objects at the monkeys. They sqeeled and ran away, but only for a moment. Next they came from the other end of the building and stealthily made their way across the roof of the restaurant and down the other side. It made a quick dart for a piece of toast and, again, was scared away. This whole time I was sitting by the pool watching the scheme around. It was so funny because it finally dawned on me why people use the term “monkey business.” More and more monkeys came to the area and all camped out in a tree next to the pool, waiting for opportune moments. Occasionally, a monkey or a baboon would run through the pool area and the restaurant patio and I'm convinced they were only doing it to laugh at the squeals and jumps of nearby visitors. At one point, a baboon jumped onto a table where one woman was eating her breakfast and slapped a Fanta bottle to the ground. Another time, one of the monkeys got freakishly close to a tourist eating her lunch. He walked around her chair and poked up beneath her arm, she rather calmly shooed him away. He darted to the other side of her chair and straight up punched her arm!! Not as calm this time around, the lay threw her bag at him. He ran around the table, jumped on top, ran over and took her mango off her plate, put it in his mouth, gave a funny little snicker while looking at her, and ran away. It was hilariously inappropriate!!
Without a doubt, my weekend was spectacular!! Seeing animals in the wild is my favorite hobby, if you can call it that. To see such unique and rare animals in their habitat – it was unreal! We had monkeys, elephants, and antelope chilling outside our balcony to greet us in the morning. We had a wonderfully relaxing time by the pool, birdwatching. It was perfect. The icing on the cake was that it was my birthday weekend. I couldn't have made it more ideal! I'll be posting pictures of the weekend on my website soon enough. I'll let you know when I do so!
This morning we woke up to a gloomy sky. If it storms in the morning, we don't work. We were all selfishly hoping this may be the case because we have a lot of statistics work to do with our screening data, not to mention a lot of laundry and errands to run. When we were all waiting for our driver, a huge clap in the sky was followed by INTENSE rain fall! It was sweet!!! It stormed wicked hard for a good two hours and we got to play in the rain and enjoy the wind. Dr. Wanye called to tell us not to go to work, just get our data entry done at home and enjoy my birthday! No doubt, this has been the sweetest birthday to date. Maybe even forever.
That's it for now (as if that's not enough). I'll be in touch soon! Everyone back home, please take care. I love and miss you all :)
Katherine
Aunt Bev, Vu and Wetzle (if you've been reading the blog) - You would LOVE all the birds out here! They have fire finches that are barely bigger than humming birds but fly forward! They have so many birds ranging from really big to really small. At the park I saw lots of different kind of kingfishers, oriole arblers, sunbirds, starlings, parakeets, canarys, partridges, and pin-tailed and long-tailed paradise-whydah – and that's just what I was able to identify with my little chart! We also heard a lot of parrots, but weren't able to actually see them. I kept thinking of you three when the guide kept pointing out birds.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hey there!
I've been keeping a list with me that I add to when I want to remember something to put in the blog. I don't have much time today so I am just going to go through the list and explain each one. Sorry for the lack of flow :)
Driving to our outreach program today we say an interesting sight. Apparently the Minister of State was in Tamale so there was a HUGE police escort. Every police car in the area (about 30 cars) were following one another with their lights on. The point is that no one knows which on the Minister is in to avoid any attacks. It was interesting.
Marielle, Cu Ri and myself went out with someone we met the other night. We went to a bar downtown and it was crazy how dead it was. It made the poverty very apparent because the carts and shacks that are usually filled with colorful fruit and fabric and overwhelmed with the daily hustle and bustle were left barren. There was so much litter and you could see how delapitated the structures were. Most depressing, though, were the people sleeping on the streets or on little benches in front of the shops. Some of these were night guards and were being paid, but far too many were there because they had no other place to go. I asked if they were the owners and it was explained that it was more likely an uncle or other family member who wasn't doing well at the time and asked to crash there. It was sad to really see the poverty. Until now I have been under the impression that, while of course their standards are not what ours are in the States, people still seemed to be doing fine and taking care of themselves. I have also been more aware of the children's swollen bellys and protruding belly buttons, an obvious sign of undernourishment. It makes me sad to see.
A neat thing! One of the many things carried around on the women's heads are hug trays of hard boiled eggs. you buy one for a few Ghana peswas and they have a spoon to crack off the shell for you and you put the shells back on the tray and enjoy your complete protein :)
Dr. Wanye came over the other night and hung out for a bit. He told us the story of how the new eye clinic came to be and I thought it was neat, so I wanted to share the story. Four years ago the eye clinic was a single room with no AC and no fan. Dr. Wanye, still the only ophthalmologist, had only a pen light (which merely checks for constriction of pupils) and an ophthalmascope (which can only diagnose cataracts). The microscope he had was in horrible condition and he didn't have an area for sterile surgeries, anyway. The Swiss Red Cross stepped in and worked magic, along with a prestigious ophthalmologist from the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, Dr. Tabin. (I am actually hoping to get in touch with Dr. Tabin upon my return to SLC and try to work with him doing research or volunteering for his organization, the Himalayan Project, which brought him out here in the first place.) The Swiss Red Cross renovated the one room clinic into a beautiful office with a pre-op room, and operation room, a waiting room, Dr. Wanye's office, a room for the optometric nurses, and a pharmacy. There is air conditioning in most all of the rooms. They also helped gain the support for Alcon to donate the prosthetic lenses used in the surgeries. Dr. Tabin donated a plethora of wonderful tools and microscopes. The eye clinic was transformed into a modern clinic suitable for sterile surgeries, routine eye checks, and dispensing medication and glasses. It's really great and inspiring. Furthermore, we touched upon politics and being a group of liberal students an anti-Bush comment was inevitable. I was surprised and happy to hear Dr. Wanye to step up and explain that, while of course the man has done a number of crappy things, his administration has actually done a lot of great things for public health in Africa, ranging from addressing the HIV crisis to improving the eye care system. I was really happy to hear that he had this credited to him because at least he has made one improvement in his despicable eight years in office. At least he has helped the health care in Africa be improved, I can now give him that.
The majority of the people here in Tamale have scars on their cheeks. Most have just one vertical scar on each cheek beneath their eye, but some have two or three and some have additional at different angles. It took us a while to gain the courage to ask what these scars were for. We finally asked and got the answer that some are the scars from administering medication while the person was younger, but most is just a sign of their clan or village they come from. As babies, cuts are made in a certain pattern to show where they come from. The other day I saw a kid who had about eight scars radiating from her belly button, kind of like a sun. If you look closely in the picture of me with the kids on my photo album, you can see these scars.
Yue, Cu Ri, and myself went to a village the other day while the other three went to see surgeries. It was a small village with tons and tons of animals. Upon arrival we went to say hello to the chief and thank him for having us to his village. We took off our sandles upon entrance to his hut and, out of respect, bowed down and sat with our knees bent to stay lower than him. The chief thanked us for coming and then gave us all names, which was an honor. Yue's name is Wombi, Cu Ri's name is Nepari, and my name is Katumi. Lydia, the nurse who we travel with every day, now only calls us by these names. She either loves me or my name because she always makes a point of calling out “Katumi!! Dasiba!?” (How is the day) She now introduces us to the villages by these names and it must be impressive to have been given these names because the locals always seem impressed by them.
We went to an Islamic private school yesterday called Al-Saadi Senior High School. It was clear that these kids were better off than other people we have seen. It was fun and screening was easier because they were all literate and spoke English well. All the kids love my RayBan aviators and kept asking if they could have them. I had to tell them that, unfortunately, I loved my glasses more and was unable to part with them. I should've thought of this ahead of time and realized that people would want “cool” sunglasses. If I had thought of this, I would've brought a number of cheap glasses so I could give them away as I wanted. Oh well, next time. I also got my second marriage proposal at the school by a handsome man who is 22. I gave him two stipulations: 1) I will be the only wife, I do not accept multiple wives. 2) I'm not getting married for 10 years, so he'll have to wait. He laughed and said he could deal with just one wife if she were white (here, one way your wealth is shown is by how many wives you have) and said he, too, would like to wait for marriage so he can accomplish his “dreams and aspirations.” We had a good laugh and I said we'll meet back up next decade.
Today we went to another small village with more baby animals I have seen the whole trip (Marielle and I was obnoxiously “awww”ing at every animal). Again, upon arriving, we went to see the chief and give him the first screening. We couldn't understand what was being said because they were speaking Dogbani, but it was clear Lydia was very upset. When we left the chief's hut she explained what was happening. Apparently it is very common for deceiving “doctors” to visit villages and offer “cataract surgeries.” What they are actually doing is just scamming the people for money and, in the process, blinding them with a horrible procedure. They simply stick a pin, which is rarely sterile, through the cornea into the pupil and push the lens back into the anterior cavity. This permanently blinds the individual, not to mention causes a lot of pain, and there is nothing the clinic can do about it. While screening the eye, you can see the scar tissue on the cornea and there is no lens to be found, only a black pupil. It's a horrible sight to see and really, really sad. I was astonished to hear that there are people so heartless and greedy!
Well that's all for the day! Tomorrow morning we are being picked up at the prime hour of FIVE AM to do the three hour drive up to Mole National Park!!! Mark and Jessica will continue up to Wa with Dr. Wanye to see surgeries and Cu Ri, Yue, Marielle and I are staying in the park for the weekend. I'll take truly epic pictures and post them as soon as I can. I won't be back on until after my birthday, though, so everyone take care!!!!
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!!!!
Katherine
I've been keeping a list with me that I add to when I want to remember something to put in the blog. I don't have much time today so I am just going to go through the list and explain each one. Sorry for the lack of flow :)
Driving to our outreach program today we say an interesting sight. Apparently the Minister of State was in Tamale so there was a HUGE police escort. Every police car in the area (about 30 cars) were following one another with their lights on. The point is that no one knows which on the Minister is in to avoid any attacks. It was interesting.
Marielle, Cu Ri and myself went out with someone we met the other night. We went to a bar downtown and it was crazy how dead it was. It made the poverty very apparent because the carts and shacks that are usually filled with colorful fruit and fabric and overwhelmed with the daily hustle and bustle were left barren. There was so much litter and you could see how delapitated the structures were. Most depressing, though, were the people sleeping on the streets or on little benches in front of the shops. Some of these were night guards and were being paid, but far too many were there because they had no other place to go. I asked if they were the owners and it was explained that it was more likely an uncle or other family member who wasn't doing well at the time and asked to crash there. It was sad to really see the poverty. Until now I have been under the impression that, while of course their standards are not what ours are in the States, people still seemed to be doing fine and taking care of themselves. I have also been more aware of the children's swollen bellys and protruding belly buttons, an obvious sign of undernourishment. It makes me sad to see.
A neat thing! One of the many things carried around on the women's heads are hug trays of hard boiled eggs. you buy one for a few Ghana peswas and they have a spoon to crack off the shell for you and you put the shells back on the tray and enjoy your complete protein :)
Dr. Wanye came over the other night and hung out for a bit. He told us the story of how the new eye clinic came to be and I thought it was neat, so I wanted to share the story. Four years ago the eye clinic was a single room with no AC and no fan. Dr. Wanye, still the only ophthalmologist, had only a pen light (which merely checks for constriction of pupils) and an ophthalmascope (which can only diagnose cataracts). The microscope he had was in horrible condition and he didn't have an area for sterile surgeries, anyway. The Swiss Red Cross stepped in and worked magic, along with a prestigious ophthalmologist from the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City, Dr. Tabin. (I am actually hoping to get in touch with Dr. Tabin upon my return to SLC and try to work with him doing research or volunteering for his organization, the Himalayan Project, which brought him out here in the first place.) The Swiss Red Cross renovated the one room clinic into a beautiful office with a pre-op room, and operation room, a waiting room, Dr. Wanye's office, a room for the optometric nurses, and a pharmacy. There is air conditioning in most all of the rooms. They also helped gain the support for Alcon to donate the prosthetic lenses used in the surgeries. Dr. Tabin donated a plethora of wonderful tools and microscopes. The eye clinic was transformed into a modern clinic suitable for sterile surgeries, routine eye checks, and dispensing medication and glasses. It's really great and inspiring. Furthermore, we touched upon politics and being a group of liberal students an anti-Bush comment was inevitable. I was surprised and happy to hear Dr. Wanye to step up and explain that, while of course the man has done a number of crappy things, his administration has actually done a lot of great things for public health in Africa, ranging from addressing the HIV crisis to improving the eye care system. I was really happy to hear that he had this credited to him because at least he has made one improvement in his despicable eight years in office. At least he has helped the health care in Africa be improved, I can now give him that.
The majority of the people here in Tamale have scars on their cheeks. Most have just one vertical scar on each cheek beneath their eye, but some have two or three and some have additional at different angles. It took us a while to gain the courage to ask what these scars were for. We finally asked and got the answer that some are the scars from administering medication while the person was younger, but most is just a sign of their clan or village they come from. As babies, cuts are made in a certain pattern to show where they come from. The other day I saw a kid who had about eight scars radiating from her belly button, kind of like a sun. If you look closely in the picture of me with the kids on my photo album, you can see these scars.
Yue, Cu Ri, and myself went to a village the other day while the other three went to see surgeries. It was a small village with tons and tons of animals. Upon arrival we went to say hello to the chief and thank him for having us to his village. We took off our sandles upon entrance to his hut and, out of respect, bowed down and sat with our knees bent to stay lower than him. The chief thanked us for coming and then gave us all names, which was an honor. Yue's name is Wombi, Cu Ri's name is Nepari, and my name is Katumi. Lydia, the nurse who we travel with every day, now only calls us by these names. She either loves me or my name because she always makes a point of calling out “Katumi!! Dasiba!?” (How is the day) She now introduces us to the villages by these names and it must be impressive to have been given these names because the locals always seem impressed by them.
We went to an Islamic private school yesterday called Al-Saadi Senior High School. It was clear that these kids were better off than other people we have seen. It was fun and screening was easier because they were all literate and spoke English well. All the kids love my RayBan aviators and kept asking if they could have them. I had to tell them that, unfortunately, I loved my glasses more and was unable to part with them. I should've thought of this ahead of time and realized that people would want “cool” sunglasses. If I had thought of this, I would've brought a number of cheap glasses so I could give them away as I wanted. Oh well, next time. I also got my second marriage proposal at the school by a handsome man who is 22. I gave him two stipulations: 1) I will be the only wife, I do not accept multiple wives. 2) I'm not getting married for 10 years, so he'll have to wait. He laughed and said he could deal with just one wife if she were white (here, one way your wealth is shown is by how many wives you have) and said he, too, would like to wait for marriage so he can accomplish his “dreams and aspirations.” We had a good laugh and I said we'll meet back up next decade.
Today we went to another small village with more baby animals I have seen the whole trip (Marielle and I was obnoxiously “awww”ing at every animal). Again, upon arriving, we went to see the chief and give him the first screening. We couldn't understand what was being said because they were speaking Dogbani, but it was clear Lydia was very upset. When we left the chief's hut she explained what was happening. Apparently it is very common for deceiving “doctors” to visit villages and offer “cataract surgeries.” What they are actually doing is just scamming the people for money and, in the process, blinding them with a horrible procedure. They simply stick a pin, which is rarely sterile, through the cornea into the pupil and push the lens back into the anterior cavity. This permanently blinds the individual, not to mention causes a lot of pain, and there is nothing the clinic can do about it. While screening the eye, you can see the scar tissue on the cornea and there is no lens to be found, only a black pupil. It's a horrible sight to see and really, really sad. I was astonished to hear that there are people so heartless and greedy!
Well that's all for the day! Tomorrow morning we are being picked up at the prime hour of FIVE AM to do the three hour drive up to Mole National Park!!! Mark and Jessica will continue up to Wa with Dr. Wanye to see surgeries and Cu Ri, Yue, Marielle and I are staying in the park for the weekend. I'll take truly epic pictures and post them as soon as I can. I won't be back on until after my birthday, though, so everyone take care!!!!
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!!!!
Katherine
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Another Week in Africa (ha!)
June 1st: (would've been posted years ago, but you know how it goes here....)
Hellllllo...
It's been a few days since I've been able to get to the internet cafe and I haven't done a great job of writing daily, so this one may be kind of long and sporadic. We've been really busy doing outreaches that have been going later into the afternoon than expected. It's crazy how much energy the sun drains out of you. When we get home we usually lounge beneath the fans, play cards, and wait for dinner to be ready. Yue taught us how to play spades and we are obsessed now!
So today we spent the day at the market. The market is in the center to Tamale and is set between three main roads. It is pretty overwhelming, It consists of (approximately) a million and five carts arranged in ways that provide small mazes of very skinny pathways. Some carts have roofs, of sorts, that make those paths particularly stuffy and cuttered. Large wagons carrying goods are pulled through the little paths in addition to huge baskets being carried on heads. You definitely have to be aware of what is going on and where you are going so you don't ruin someones day by knocking over their load. The carts carry anything and everything, really. Kitchen ware, fruit, grain, clothes, shoes, toys, fabric, and every kind of meat you can think of. We had to go through one portion that was nearly unbearable. It was the butcher's stretch. Lots and lots of different animal carcasses being hung, chopped, packaged... you name it. The smell was grossssss! It's ok though, always an experience. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the market was the fabrics and seamstresses. I am currently having a skirt and a dress being made with local, hand-dyed faric for a ridiculously good price. The seamstress takes your measurements on the spot, sketches out her pattern based on what you tell her, and given you the option to get it the same day for a little more money or tells you what day to come back and pick it up. I'm so excited for them! (Update on this, the woman BLEW IT!! The skirt goes to my ankles rather than below the knee, luckily it's a cute dress so I'm ok with it. But the dress!!! It took two girls to help me get it on because it is very fitted but has no zipper!!! Not to mention she didn't put the pattern diagonal like I asked for but horizontal - NOT FLATTERING! I took it to a woman on the corner near our house and she is fixing it into a pretty skirt for me. Sheesh! I was going to bring clothes home but I have no nixed that idea.)
On the way home from the market I saw a fabulous sight; two men on a motorbike, the back man holding two goats! Honestly, a sight you would NEVER see in the states! There are a lot of motorbikes here, but even more bicycles. They even have wide bike lanes here that are between the road and the sidewalk, which I think is really cool! Of course, walking around on the main road of Tamale is wicked hectic. I at least have some practice walking on roads with bike lanes because of Holland, but the other group members are new to it. I feel like Elizabeth sometimes, having to constantly grab their arms to pull them back onto the sidewalk and out of the way of fast cruising bikes. The kids love to mock me as they pass when this happens, “Bike!”
So, obviously, HIV is a huge pubic health issue here so there are lots and lots of billboards to inform/remind people how to stay healthy. Oddly, these give us some good laughs, as horrible as that sounds, because they put funny slants on their messages. Our favorites is, “AVOID WOMEN, SAVE YOUR LIFE!” Great message.
As I have mentioned, we have a guard outside our house 24 hours a day. We have a day guard and a night guard. The day guard speaks English a little better than our night guard and he is wicked adorable. He's an older man and so friendly. The best part, though, is his love for chickens. These chickens are his best friends!! He has three wicker baskets that he carries on his bike to our house everyday. I was so surprised to see the contents of them that first day. He placed them on the ground, unlatched the top and out walks a hen and lots and chicks from each basket! It's so cute! When he calls to them, they hustle on over to him. He doesn't even need to whistle or anything, just talk to them. They love him! He packs them up at the end of the day and brings them back home. The chicks are really, really cute. They are very little. They are crazy fearless, though. I was laying out reading my book the other day and they had no issue coming right up to me, even when I shooed them away. They still came right up and even pecked at my toe! It's ok, though, because they are so cute I let it slide.
The night guard is also very nice, but he isn't as outgoing and communication is difficult because he can't speak English very well. He is Moslim which has been really neat to see. While Christianity holds the majority for the country, Northern Ghana is predominately Moslim. There are mosques all over and it's all new to me. I have learned about the religion in high school, but it's so neat to actually see it. They pray five times a day, starting at sunrise and ending at sunset. The mosque plays music over huge loud speakers to alert of the time. After washing their feet, they go to their mat and face the sun. They chant prayers for about five minutes. My first night here I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to really loud yelling and music and was wicked confused. That morning at breakfast, Dr. Wanye asked if we had heard the chanting that morning and explained what it was. We are traveling to Larabanga, about two hours south of Tamale, in the next few weeks to do eye screenings and we will spend a night there because it's a really cool town. Apparently there are really beautiful mosques made of clay that are intricately painted. I am excited to see them.
On the note of traveling, we are going to Mole National Park next weekend!! I'm sure most of you remember my obnoxious non-stop talk about the park I wanted to visit. There are LOTS of HUGE-eared African elephants, hippos, many different monkeys, lots of butterflies, real buffalo, lions and crocodiles!! OH MY! I'm stoked!! Dr. Wanye is traveling with another ophthalmologist to an area a few hours beyond the park for the weekend to perform surgeries. He knew I was interested in going there and worked it out so they can drop me and whoever else is interested off at the park on their way up and pick us up on the way back down. It's said to be one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in West Africa and is the most economical to visit. We'll be taking a walking safari with an armed ranger for an unreal fifty cents per person per hour. I can't wait!!!
Mummy always told me, “Hear hooves, don't suspect zebras.” That's nearly impossible to get people to do here because of all the horror stories you hear. Every achy joint and lazy moment makes people think it's malaria. Two days ago I started coming down with a little something. I'm certainly not worried about it because it makes perfect sense that new germs are just giving me a little cold. Luckily I don't have headaches or stiffness to accompany my stuffy nose and sore throat or else I may be more worried than necessary. (Yes, Faith, I totally have the sexy bluesy voice going on!) (Update, back to good, just a gnarly cough but all is well.)
Oh! We had a lizard in our house today! It was about eight inches long and bright yellow and black. We showed him the way to the door and he left :)
So that's about all I can think of that's new. I'll stay in touch. As always, take care and I love and miss you all!! “bye-bye!” (Dogbani for bye... haha)
P.S. I started studying for the OATS... ewwwch. At least I got a solid month break from math and science. I've given myself three months and six days to study for the test, let's hope I can work it out.
P.P.S. The group is getting along so well, it's fun! I received the best compliment ever yesterday when Yue said, “What if when Katherine leaves all the fun goes with her!!”
New experience that happened on the way to the internet cafe (not a pleasant one): We were walking down or dirt road to the main road (four of us girls) when a man biked by us. He proceeded to pull over on the same side of the road we were walking on just a few yards in front of us, pull down his pants and defecate!! I couldn't help but let out a little yelp and dart to the other side of the road (I was closest to him) and Yue let out a loud, “Oh my GOD! Avert your eyes!” First time for everything...
Hellllllo...
It's been a few days since I've been able to get to the internet cafe and I haven't done a great job of writing daily, so this one may be kind of long and sporadic. We've been really busy doing outreaches that have been going later into the afternoon than expected. It's crazy how much energy the sun drains out of you. When we get home we usually lounge beneath the fans, play cards, and wait for dinner to be ready. Yue taught us how to play spades and we are obsessed now!
So today we spent the day at the market. The market is in the center to Tamale and is set between three main roads. It is pretty overwhelming, It consists of (approximately) a million and five carts arranged in ways that provide small mazes of very skinny pathways. Some carts have roofs, of sorts, that make those paths particularly stuffy and cuttered. Large wagons carrying goods are pulled through the little paths in addition to huge baskets being carried on heads. You definitely have to be aware of what is going on and where you are going so you don't ruin someones day by knocking over their load. The carts carry anything and everything, really. Kitchen ware, fruit, grain, clothes, shoes, toys, fabric, and every kind of meat you can think of. We had to go through one portion that was nearly unbearable. It was the butcher's stretch. Lots and lots of different animal carcasses being hung, chopped, packaged... you name it. The smell was grossssss! It's ok though, always an experience. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the market was the fabrics and seamstresses. I am currently having a skirt and a dress being made with local, hand-dyed faric for a ridiculously good price. The seamstress takes your measurements on the spot, sketches out her pattern based on what you tell her, and given you the option to get it the same day for a little more money or tells you what day to come back and pick it up. I'm so excited for them! (Update on this, the woman BLEW IT!! The skirt goes to my ankles rather than below the knee, luckily it's a cute dress so I'm ok with it. But the dress!!! It took two girls to help me get it on because it is very fitted but has no zipper!!! Not to mention she didn't put the pattern diagonal like I asked for but horizontal - NOT FLATTERING! I took it to a woman on the corner near our house and she is fixing it into a pretty skirt for me. Sheesh! I was going to bring clothes home but I have no nixed that idea.)
On the way home from the market I saw a fabulous sight; two men on a motorbike, the back man holding two goats! Honestly, a sight you would NEVER see in the states! There are a lot of motorbikes here, but even more bicycles. They even have wide bike lanes here that are between the road and the sidewalk, which I think is really cool! Of course, walking around on the main road of Tamale is wicked hectic. I at least have some practice walking on roads with bike lanes because of Holland, but the other group members are new to it. I feel like Elizabeth sometimes, having to constantly grab their arms to pull them back onto the sidewalk and out of the way of fast cruising bikes. The kids love to mock me as they pass when this happens, “Bike!”
So, obviously, HIV is a huge pubic health issue here so there are lots and lots of billboards to inform/remind people how to stay healthy. Oddly, these give us some good laughs, as horrible as that sounds, because they put funny slants on their messages. Our favorites is, “AVOID WOMEN, SAVE YOUR LIFE!” Great message.
As I have mentioned, we have a guard outside our house 24 hours a day. We have a day guard and a night guard. The day guard speaks English a little better than our night guard and he is wicked adorable. He's an older man and so friendly. The best part, though, is his love for chickens. These chickens are his best friends!! He has three wicker baskets that he carries on his bike to our house everyday. I was so surprised to see the contents of them that first day. He placed them on the ground, unlatched the top and out walks a hen and lots and chicks from each basket! It's so cute! When he calls to them, they hustle on over to him. He doesn't even need to whistle or anything, just talk to them. They love him! He packs them up at the end of the day and brings them back home. The chicks are really, really cute. They are very little. They are crazy fearless, though. I was laying out reading my book the other day and they had no issue coming right up to me, even when I shooed them away. They still came right up and even pecked at my toe! It's ok, though, because they are so cute I let it slide.
The night guard is also very nice, but he isn't as outgoing and communication is difficult because he can't speak English very well. He is Moslim which has been really neat to see. While Christianity holds the majority for the country, Northern Ghana is predominately Moslim. There are mosques all over and it's all new to me. I have learned about the religion in high school, but it's so neat to actually see it. They pray five times a day, starting at sunrise and ending at sunset. The mosque plays music over huge loud speakers to alert of the time. After washing their feet, they go to their mat and face the sun. They chant prayers for about five minutes. My first night here I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to really loud yelling and music and was wicked confused. That morning at breakfast, Dr. Wanye asked if we had heard the chanting that morning and explained what it was. We are traveling to Larabanga, about two hours south of Tamale, in the next few weeks to do eye screenings and we will spend a night there because it's a really cool town. Apparently there are really beautiful mosques made of clay that are intricately painted. I am excited to see them.
On the note of traveling, we are going to Mole National Park next weekend!! I'm sure most of you remember my obnoxious non-stop talk about the park I wanted to visit. There are LOTS of HUGE-eared African elephants, hippos, many different monkeys, lots of butterflies, real buffalo, lions and crocodiles!! OH MY! I'm stoked!! Dr. Wanye is traveling with another ophthalmologist to an area a few hours beyond the park for the weekend to perform surgeries. He knew I was interested in going there and worked it out so they can drop me and whoever else is interested off at the park on their way up and pick us up on the way back down. It's said to be one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in West Africa and is the most economical to visit. We'll be taking a walking safari with an armed ranger for an unreal fifty cents per person per hour. I can't wait!!!
Mummy always told me, “Hear hooves, don't suspect zebras.” That's nearly impossible to get people to do here because of all the horror stories you hear. Every achy joint and lazy moment makes people think it's malaria. Two days ago I started coming down with a little something. I'm certainly not worried about it because it makes perfect sense that new germs are just giving me a little cold. Luckily I don't have headaches or stiffness to accompany my stuffy nose and sore throat or else I may be more worried than necessary. (Yes, Faith, I totally have the sexy bluesy voice going on!) (Update, back to good, just a gnarly cough but all is well.)
Oh! We had a lizard in our house today! It was about eight inches long and bright yellow and black. We showed him the way to the door and he left :)
So that's about all I can think of that's new. I'll stay in touch. As always, take care and I love and miss you all!! “bye-bye!” (Dogbani for bye... haha)
P.S. I started studying for the OATS... ewwwch. At least I got a solid month break from math and science. I've given myself three months and six days to study for the test, let's hope I can work it out.
P.P.S. The group is getting along so well, it's fun! I received the best compliment ever yesterday when Yue said, “What if when Katherine leaves all the fun goes with her!!”
New experience that happened on the way to the internet cafe (not a pleasant one): We were walking down or dirt road to the main road (four of us girls) when a man biked by us. He proceeded to pull over on the same side of the road we were walking on just a few yards in front of us, pull down his pants and defecate!! I couldn't help but let out a little yelp and dart to the other side of the road (I was closest to him) and Yue let out a loud, “Oh my GOD! Avert your eyes!” First time for everything...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Ok, I blew it. First off, my post would've been up on Friday but the internet has been down allllll weekend and Monday so it was out of my control. Then I walked the hot 20 minute walk up here today only to find out my computer was not charged like I thought it was. I have my blog and e-mails all typed up on it but no power cord! I'll be back later tonight to post it all. In the meantime, I've been trying to post the pictures but this website is being a pain. Instead, I've made an online photo album on Webshots. Please check out the pictures!! My address is:
http://community.webshots.com/album/563682392YUmDGA (there must be a better address, but I don't know how to get it.)
Alright, be back soon to post what I actually meant to post. LOVE EVERYONE!!
http://community.webshots.com/album/563682392YUmDGA (there must be a better address, but I don't know how to get it.)
Alright, be back soon to post what I actually meant to post. LOVE EVERYONE!!
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