Blogs from Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, Africa

On christmas day we walked into a packed full trauma casualty. Instead of going to morning rounds, and without discussion between us, we began to see patients who were waiting. It was a crap morning but at least it seemed that some things were in our favor, like the suturing kits that usualy are in short supply, meaning patients have to sit arround with their faces hanging open, were in steady supply. My mistake occured while suturing a man who had deep lacerations across his face, after re-anethetising the last layer of the wound i turned to put the needle back on my tray and pricked myself in the finger. At this point we had been working strait for 9 hours. I told an intern who I was working with and she asked if the man ... read more

Over the first few days in south africa, we were consistantly warned about the guy who runs the trauma unit at bara. He was always described using advoident words like interesting. On wednesday morning rounds finished up in the boad room with everyone sitting in rank when the guy who calls himself prof arrived. He is a balding, small, feirce looking person who from the outsed did his best to not only intimidate but it seemed to embarass and hurt most anyone arround him. When there was laughter allong with one of the senior doctors misfortune in a case he mirthlessly yelled, "no! shutup stupid students! why are you smiling! dont smile, ok!" He went on making sure each person was identified to him by race, apparently using this to judge their character. Hy heart sunk ... read more

Thismorning began with an early drive back to the Bara. The working day began at 7am with a round of over 30 doctors and students all wearing the same blue scrubs strolling around the hospital. The hospital itself seems to get bigger every few steps. During the morning rounds, the nursing and ancillary staff in each ward join, singing loud choral African music. The sunny weather, echoes of singing and the friendliness of the doctors made for a joyful beginning. After rounds there was a bullet fast M and M meeting at which the staff sat around the table in rank order with the students sitting on a bench against the wall. Thankfully this was the only time during the day when our reception was anything but gracious. Andrew and I put up our hands to ... read more

I was truly exhausted last night and yet didn't actually fall asleep until about 3am. Maybe it's just being here, maybe it's jet lag. Regardless, morning came quickly. And despite my eagerness for the bike tour of Soweto, crawling out of bed was no small task. Strong, hot shower and strong, hot coffee, and I was good to go. We drove around the outskirts of Joburg (that's local speak for Johannesburg...that and "Jobi, I'm told) and eventually into the section of Soweto called "Orlando West" (nothing to do with Disney...named after someone...shoot, don't remember who he was...sorry). We found the Backpacker's Hostel, paid for the tour, and joined our fellow travelers in selecting and testing out bikes. After our guide, NK, did introductions and the safety thing, we headed off. We rode down the road - ... read more

Hey everyone!! sorry i havent written for a while havent had a chance to get on the net!! So much has been happening its unreal!!! Im now working back at Othandweni, the childrens home. half 5 starts! Beautiful!!! Our last few weeks at masi were AMAZING, didnt want to leave!! The kids put on a bit of a show for us, they are sooooo talented!! I actually need to go back and read through the things we've been upto its going so fast its really hard to remember everything!! Last weekend we went to the lion park!! Waking up to the sound of those bad boys, something I'll never forget! It was brilliant, and my pictures are uploading to facebook as we speak. Last week wa intense, and very hard. The early hours of wednesday morning ... read more

Well Well... I got a bad tummy the beginning of the week so I was off work for a day :( Where do I start this week!! Our fundraiser, we have a date!! Saturday 20th November so its all systems go now to organise it!! I can tell you now, It's going to be GREAT!! The Grannys day that I mentioned last week, Total success, they are so cute so nice to see how happy it made them. I did a whole day gardening this week, you should check the blisters!! I will upload the pictures at some point honest!! Was well proud of myself!! The people are still great!! Miss home but not the ignorance of some english people! you can walk down the street and you get spoken to by everybody!! It great!! I ... read more

Well Well, Where to begin!! I cant even remember what I wrote on my last blog!! Our group of 15 has been split into two groups, one stays at Othandweni home and their supervisor is Lloyd and the other go's to Masibambisane centre their supervisor being Lebo. I am in the group that are at Masi, The center has 219 children that pass through everyday, Its madness!!! You have alsorts of duties, we arrive at the center for 8.30, and everybody, even the creche children gather in either the halls or outside and have prayers and devotion, it's so nice to see and their voices... WOW! Then its cleaning and duties, there are many things to do at the center.beading, pc training for the other volunteers, kitchen duties, creche, gardening, home visits. Everybody is so helpful ... read more

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!! Havent got much time, but WOW!! This place is amazing!! The people are completely different to English its unreal!! The first couple of days were in a Hostel there were about 30 of us it was madness! but we got to see all the sights, hopefully I'll get chance to do pictures etc once Im used to the connections etc over here! The home is beautiful, the children are gorgeous and full of life, they want to learn everything, very intelligent kids. The babies and toddlers are all coming home with me!! I want them all!! We have met all the Mama's and Baba's, this is what we call them, our supervisors are great fun and reli helpful. We havent started the hard graft yet, the fun begins monday!!! So I will try ... read more

WELL!!! 3days and I will be flying of to SA!! Going to be a very long couple of days travelling BUT I cannot wait now!! I'm packed.. almost!! keep unpacking thinking I've forgotten something then packing again!! think Im loosing it!! I have been manically cleaning everything... again I think Im loosing it! I watched a film called Goodbye Bafana a couple of days ago... Highly recommend it! It's a film about Nelson Mandela, the ANC etc, Im also reading his book, A long walk to freedom. Really given me an insight as to how South Africa became. So this will probably be my last blog before I am in South Africa. So keep your eyes peeled!! Also if I havent yet told you I have a project on a site called givengain, the address is: ... read more