Blogs from Togo, Africa - page 3

Wednesday May 30 We arrived at the border with Togo nearing dusk and once we cleared Ghana, filled in paperwork and presented ourselves to Togolese officials. Visas are issued on the spot and after changing money we were on our way, heading towards Lomé with the coast on our right-hand side. Nearing the port we came across what seemed like over one hundred trucks, parked along the road waiting for their turn. This meant traffic was now only one lane and it was almost impossible for our truck to get around corners. Nico jumped out to help navigate in the dark and nearly got hit by one of the many motorbikes who had squeezed through a two foot gap rather than wait for us to move. We made it around the roundabout and once again organised ... read more

Wednesday, I went with a group to Palime to visit the Missionary Sisters of Charity. They care for children and adults with HIV, TB, other illnesses and palliative care. There were four sisters and some lay workers. The sisters spoke English. One said she was from Bangladesh. The others were also dark skinned, but I don’t know where they were from. They will stay in Palime for about four years, but can also be reassigned at any time. They were gracious and fun loving. This is the order of sisters started by Mother Theresa. They wear the traditional habit of the Sisters of Charity. There were about 25 men and women patients when we visited. There were many more during the last visit, but many were well enough to go home before this visit. A doctor ... read more

This morning I worked at the Africa Mercy Ship Eye Clinic. There was a dancing and singing celebration. Previously, about 25 men and women received cataract surgery. On this post-op visit, they had their vision tested and were given reading glasses, if needed. They received three kinds of eye drops and other exams. The patients all carried a blue Mercy bag pouch with eye supplies in them. The clinic was held in a large tube like tent on the dock. My main jobs was to escort patients as they came out of the other end of the tent back to the waiting area where they sat on benches under a canvas covering. They were given cookies and water. Two interpreters then gave them instructions. They were told to always wear sun glasses outside. They were told ... read more

This is my first long weekend on duty. Let me tell you about the dining room duty. It seems like a boring read to me, but you may be interested. Friday has a regular meal schedule. The Saturday and Sunday morning and evening shifts are longer, but we have one long break of several hours in between. The dining room is on deck five. When boarding ship we climb up the gangway to deck five. We take turns washing dishes now, no more paper plates and cups. Lome was working on the streets which caused a loss of water for a while. However, we still need to conserve. The major change is washing dishes and being able to do a load of laundry a week. In the dinning room there are two small “back rooms” for ... read more

There is still a water problem. We get updates from the Captain at meal times. We were told yesterday that we could do one load of laundry a week and to continue to take two minute showers. Those two minutes are wonderful. I haven't always been able to get one in my travels. We are using paper products in the dinning room - which means no washing dishes. So we are finishing a little early each meal. Broccoli is the most popular vegetable with the crew. They eat five pans to every two of other kinds except the mash potatoes which also are popular. There is a chapel service for everyone not on duty at 1930 every Thursday. Last night's message was on "strength". After chapel last evening, the firemen on board served us ice cream ... read more