Jenny’s Blog

Akwaaba, Nalerigu

Well, I just completed my first full day of working at the Baptist Medical Center in Nalerigu, Ghana.  But it’s been a couple days, so I’ll back-track to bring this blog up to date.

I eventually landed in Accra, Ghana Friday, July 3rd.  I stayed at the Baptist Mission guesthouse not too far from the airport.  Even though it was technically three am Missouri-time, I couldn’t help but start exploring the city.  Besides, I had a trusty Ghana guidebook, and some great resources at the guesthouse to point me in the right direction.  I went to Osu, a happenin’ tourist area of Accra just a mile or so down the road.  I finally got to exchange some money, and wander through the vendors along the street selling anything you could ever want.  But a little bit of that goes a long way, you know.  The biggest craze though is Obama is coming to Accra July 10-11…pretty big deal.  So instead of buying trinkets that wouldn’t fit in my already stuffed bags, I decided to leave more Accra exploration to my last 24 hours at the end of the month.

On July 4th, I made the journey to Nalerigu.  I took the one hour flight instead of the fourteen hour bus ride…it was a really tough decision.  The mechanic who works at the BMC picked me up immediately from the airport, and we made the long haul down the red dirt road.  We made as much small-talk as possible, considering the language barrier.  We got the basics though- family, food, religion, politics.  It was a two and a half hour car ride after all.  He was gracious enough to buy some fried yams with a ground peanut  topping to share along the way.  We got along great.  One of the biggest surprises when I was just staring out the window was the sight of a donkey.  And not just any donkey…it was Miniature!!  And even my new friend thought I was crazy when I told him we own about 26 of those things back in Missouri.  But, I’m used to that reaction by now.

I had no idea what to expect when I got to the Baptist Medical Center and the guesthouses.  But to be completely honest, it really is a home away from home.  The accommodations surpass everything I have thought possible in the middle of nowhere.  Sure there are things that keep me on my toes, like a lizard that decided to hang out in my closet last night, but it’s really more than I could have asked for.  We had a 4th of July celebration including all of America’s favorites– burgers, kabobs, baked beans, apple pie, sweet tea, and baseball.  I think I had the most culture shock in those first ten hours, because I thought I was supposed to be in Africa!!  j/k.  It was great to meet everyone who lives here along with the missionaries from the surrounding villages.  I also met my roommate for the next thirty days.  Her name is Tiffany, a fourth year med student from the great midwest.  She was here two years ago, so it’s nice to have someone who knows what is actually going on.  She’s great.

Sunday, July 5th was Father’s Day and we all went to the First Baptist Church for mass that morning.  I have never been to a Baptist service before, much less two and a half hours of Mampruli.  But it was just so exciting– the singing, dancing, clapping, Alleluias…it was a great experience. 

I had a kind of a bet with someone that I could run in Ghana just like I do at home.  So I talked to some people who pointed me in the right diection, and I was on my way.  (keep in mind, Nalerigu has to be one of the safest places I have ever visited)  The look of surprise on the people’s faces when I ran passed them on the main road, was an experience alone.  I got lots of laughs, waves, and a boy who just started running with me.  Running to the TB village, past Public Health, to the main road, and back through the BMC gates was my route.  I felt like I was in a movie.

Today, July 6th, was my first day really in the hospital.  Yesterday I went to rounds and got a tour, but this was a full blown clinic day.  I heard stories of how tons of people travel forever to wait outside all day to be seen, but it is a sight to behold.  Today I worked with Dr. Dickens, an ob/gyn who has been living in Nalerigu for the last 8 months or so.  He basically has his own women’s clinic.  We probably saw about 40-50 patients today, but it flew by.  Since most of the patients speak Mampruli, a nurse sits at the desk with us and works as a translator too.  It was great how the visits are direct and to the point, especially after seeing the crowds of people outside.  But I have to say, there is a missing piece to patient interaction with a language barrier this huge.  But, you try to do little things like help a woman down from the table or just make eye contact to at least try and make a connection with people.  I saw two cases of cervical cancer today.  Dr. Dickens let me do all of the examining while he filled out the paperwork.  It’s quite a feeling that drops in your stomach when you feel cancer like that.  And then you realize there is not a treatment available…that makes the news easier to take.  Besides that, I’m really looking forward to the experience in the hospital.  I have a lot of days ahead, so there’s no telling who will come in.