The start of something

Wow. Five months sure goes by fast. It is hard to believe that my adventure is over and I am back in the states. It is definitely great to be home, but I find myself wishing that teleportation existed so I could go back and forth. That way, I’d be sure to have the best of both worlds!

My time in Africa has been the most insightful and transformative experience I’ve ever had. My personal leadership and interpersonal qualities have improved- giving me a greater confidence in myself and my ability to navigate the intricacies of the public health field. I have also gained a deeper appreciation for different people and different cultures. The relationships I formed have left a deep impact; I hope that I have imparted the same depth of friendship as I have received.

My public health education in South Africa and then my hands-on public health work in Ghana have confirmed that this is a field that I find great fulfillment in. It was such a privilege to wake up every morning and get to study/do what I love in a part of the world that fascinates me!

My previous blog post was titled “The beginning of the end.” Upon reflection, my experience in Africa has really just been the end of the beginning. I hope to be able to live and work there again someday, and am already making plans to go back sooner than later. This trip was the start of a new chapter in my life and a gateway to a future career in medicine and public health.

It isn’t often that one gets to experience something that resonates so deeply and leaves such a personal impact. I consider myself lucky to have had these adventures and to have been able to share them with you. Thank you for your love and support during my time abroad. It means the world to me! Until next time…

The beginning of the end

It is hard to believe that my remaining days in Ghana are rapidly winding down. Where has the time gone?!?! I have been so busy working on my research reports, hosting meetings to secure the partnership between GlobeMed and the H.O.P.E. Center, finalizing outreach programs, traveling, meeting new people, and creating memories to last a lifetime. Every day has brought something new that makes it harder and harder to want to leave this amazing place.

Yesterday at the Center, we had a “thank you for a great summer” party with the staff. It was such a neat time to reflect upon our time here and all that we’ve been able to accomplish. As a Bob Marley song came on the playlist (reggae is huge around here), everyone simultaneously broke out into song: “Don’t worry about a thing. Every little thing gonna be alright.”

I think that this song pretty much describes the average Ghanaian’s mentality. Never have I met people who have such a carefree, positive attitude about life. Personal relationships are held at the utmost importance; and the values of hard work, honesty, and integrity are the noblest qualities one can have. It has been such a joy to come to the Center everyday and get to know some pretty incredible people.

My time in Ghana has convinced me that our partnership between the H.O.P.E. Center and GlobeMed will continue to strengthen as we start looking into the upcoming academic year. I am so excited to make this relationship more tangible to our members as we advance communication avenues with our colleagues at the Center. Great things have already happened here, and more are looming on the horizon!

Working hard...or hardly working?

Late-night conversations around the dinner table with friends can bring about some powerful words of wisdom. During our most recent discussion about jobs and career paths, it was agreed that “if you love what you are doing, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

I think that this motto can basically summarize my time in Ghana thus far. While we’ve been busy working, our tasks have been so enjoyable that I don’t even know if I can call it “work.” Every day brings us a step closer to strengthening the partnership between the H.O.P.E. Center and GlobeMed (in fact, I just came back from a productive meeting with the regional health director to discuss these aspects), and making progress on the Center’s outreach programs. Along the way, I’ve had a chance to get to know some really amazing people whom I am honored to call my colleagues and my friends.

We’ve also experienced public health work in action through the child welfare clinic days, nutrition and sexual health outreach programs, and our daily experiences seeing patients at the Center. To top it all off, I just finished the last of my maternal health interviews and have started analyzing and interpreting the data. Yes, it’s true that I haven’t been working at all. More like getting to experience so many awesome things while doing what I love!

Last weekend was spent in Cape Coast, the only “tourist” area in Ghana (though nowhere near as “touristy” as one might expect in the states- it was basically a glorified version of Ho with beaches, an old slave fortress, and a really cool canopy walk 40 meters above the treetops- see above picture). I was able to meet up with a friend from high school who is spending her summer in Northern Ghana. It was so much fun to reconnect with her, and I have a lot of great stories from the weekend including: getting lost in a dilapidated taxi, becoming soaked by a giant ocean wave (clothes and all!), hunting giant spiders in our hostel, and many more!

This past week, Margaret took us to the area where they make kente cloth, a beautiful woven fabric that is hand-made in giant looms. It was fun to see them make it and we even put on a little fashion show, much to everyone’s amusement. Life is good in Ghana!

Baby backpacks

Babies were everywhere during HOPE Center’s monthly child welfare clinic day this past Tuesday. This is a time when mothers bring their children to get weighed and updated with their immunizations. When I wasn’t busy administering vitamin A droplets or recording medical data in the Center’s record books, I had the chance to play with some pretty cute kids.

For the majority of the day, I held three-month old Christopher on my back in an impromptu “backpack” made out of fabric (his twin brother, Carlos, meanwhile napped in my arms- see photo). This is the common way women hold children as young as 1 month and as old as 7-8 years. It was so much fun and their mothers definitely appreciated the break!

I wish I could say that the legions of young children that I have encountered during my time in Ghana are as cute and carefree as the little guys on my back. However, I have also met some pretty sick and malnourished children during my time here. One such incident that was particularly impactful was the young mother who came to the Center holding her 8 pound child. This would have been perfectly inconsequential had the child not already been a year old. What should have been a healthy, happy toddler looked instead like a sick, frail, and severely malnourished infant. As I rubbed his back, I couldn’t help but think that he weighs as much as I once did at birth.

I think that this experience gets to the core of public health: a critical examination of the socio-economic factors that create a system where one child thrives and another one suffers. There are many issues influencing this. Suffice to say, it has only served to strengthen my resolve to help find permanent, sustainable solutions that will equalize the health care playing field.

The childhood nutrition program that the HOPE Center runs is a good start. This program enables mothers with the knowledge and skills that they need to cook wholesome meals for their children. We have already made significant progress in developing the program to reach out to more people (hence, the focus of my research is to learn about pregnant women’s nutritional practices and find ways to tailor the project to them). We at the Center firmly believe that everyone has the right to the opportunity to live a long, healthy life. One precious child at a time.

Chasing waterfalls

In a span of less than three days, I have hiked the tallest mountain in Ghana and have been to two waterfalls, one of them being the largest in West Africa. Needless to say, I am in complete heaven. The views have been breathtaking (even including what I could see out of the small, dirty window of the rickety 15-passenger van that took us to these areas); and the hiking fabulous (you haven’t lived until you’ve literally had to rope swing across steep inclines while being covered in mud, sweat, and bug spray).

Along the way, I’ve had the chance to meet the most interesting, friendly people. It is always great to have a conversation about life with someone who comes from a totally different cultural background. This has continued during my workweek as well, as I’ve had the chance to get to know some pretty awesome people both at the H.O.P.E. Center and in the surrounding villages I’m researching in.

Every day brings something new- whether I am learning how to prepare local food over an open fire, balancing large bundles of wood on my head, or searching for the best bargain on market day. Ghana is such an amazing country and I am so lucky to be here!

Football fever

The cheering, dancing, and singing started as soon as Ghana knew it had won the World Cup soccer game against the United States last night (2-1). I was able to watch the game in a crowded bar/restaurant in Ho with about 200+ Ghanaians. The celebrations continued out on the street throughout the evening, as hordes of people swept past us singing, dancing, hugging, and cheering. To say that this win is a big deal would be a huge understatement.

I am literally living in a football fever. To see the start of the games in South Africa and then to experience them with a country who is representing the entire continent right now is incredible! I have had some great conversations with Ghanaians (and South Africans) about how much these games mean to them and to their nation. It is inspiring to witness how people come together, regardless of gender, race, and nationality. I can only hope that that this worldwide unity continues long after the games are finished.

In other news, three of my other GlobeMed members have just arrived. It has been so much fun introducing them to the HOPE Center’s staff, the nearby communities, and to show them around town. The partnership between GlobeMed and the HOPE Center continues to get stronger every day as friendships are formed and project progress made. Exciting things are happening here, and it is so neat to be a part of it all!

Healing and H.O.P.E.

I am in the company of fascinating, wonderful people. Since I’ve been in Ghana, there has been no shortage of men, women, and children coming to welcome me into the community. One of the neatest people that I’ve had the privilege to spend time with is the H.O.P.E. Center’s head nurse, Margaret. She and I have had many conversations about the Center and its partnership with GlobeMed over the last week. Everything from balancing the Center’s operating budget to designing the next phase of the childhood nutrition program to taking steps toward the design of a future maternity ward- we’ve already begun to lay out a solid plan for next year.

It is neat to learn from Margaret. She is a passionate, dedicated nurse who not only runs the H.O.P.E. Center but also her own non-profit designed to empower women throughout the country. Besides her hectic work schedule, she still manages to reach out to those that need her most. For instance, there is a young, HIV-positive mother in town. When her HIV status was accidentally revealed, many in her village forcefully kicked her out of her home and have been hostile to her ever since (the HIV stigma is terrible around here, in case you didn’t catch that). Margaret immediately saw the potential in this young woman (and fell in love with her 5-month old baby girl- see photo) and took her under her wing. She and I have been to visit village chiefs, landlords, artisans, and church leaders so that Margaret can negotiate a future for this girl. Margaret’s persistence is inspiring and her integrity honorable. To be working in the company of such a woman is amazing!

I have also begun to conduct my first interviews for my research! I went into the village of Kodzobi yesterday to talk to six pregnant women and I had four interviews in Ando today. They have gone well so far and I am already getting a lot of good information that we can use to improve and expand the H.O.P.E. Center’s programming. My time here convinces me more and more that this is a place of incredible healing and “H.O.P.E.”

Today’s most recent bug bite count: 47