The Final Countdown...

Another week – our final full week – has come and gone. In many ways the pinnacle of our time here, this week has certainly been bitter-sweet. Goodbyes are looming and, for the majority of us, this quaint African farm has come to be so much a home that we are dreading the oh-so-near-future when it will be time to leave.
Bright and early Monday morning, the Geckos taught their final first aid class on “Wound Care, Burns, and Broken Bones”. Bulking tradition, they were able to complete the lesson in just over two hours. As per usual, the students were fascinated by the content, asking many practical questions as they sought to apply their newly gained knowledge to real-life realities. One fascinating aspect of teaching cross-culturally is learning of and either encouraging or dispelling traditional healing practices. For example, local tradition teaches that one home remedy for treating burns is to cover the wound with the fat of a python. Medically, the use of fat to cover a burn would serve only to trap in the heat – potentially causing greater pain and damage. Thus, this was a myth that the Gecko were able to dispel. Another remedy voiced was to cover the wound with a cool egg white and yolk to soothe the pain. While the Geckos reinforced that cool water was the “gold standard” of basic care, they did not completely discourage this practice. After all, egg yolk/whites are both cool and ‘clean’, thus a far better option than many other substances that may be applied to open wounds.

On Tuesday, the Geckos spent the day teaching at the school. In the morning, they tackled sexual health – a much anticipated topic - with the grade five class. A week prior they had introduced the topic to the class to ascertain what information the students were most confused and/or curious about. AIDS, locally known a SIDA, was flagged as the topic of most concern. With that in mind, the Geckos prepared an informative yet interactive class that briefly touched on “What is Sex?”; “What are Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and HOW exactly are they transmitted?”; and “What are the major signs and symptoms of STIs?” … before delving into a comparatively lengthy discussion about AIDS, prevention of STIs, and overall sexual health. Shortly before this particular class, the Geckos spoke directly with the teachers to understand how knowledgeable the students were about sex, sexually transmitted infections, and AIDS; if they were sexually active; and how to best broach this “uncomfortable” topic. Their answers and suggestions proved invaluable. Needless to say, the students were attentive, engaged, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing their understanding of STIs/AIDS. It was incredibly fulfilling to see the students make connections with the content and with their teachers (the Geckos)… for in that hour it seemed as though cultural barriers crumbled and that classroom became a safe, non-judgemental arena to educate about sexual health. The afternoon was also special in that the team organized an outdoor “story time” where LeeAnne read to the grade one and two class about how to help someone who has a fever. ….

Wednesday the Geckos had the opportunity to aid two nurses from the Vanduzi hospital during a community immunization blitz in nearby Selva. After arriving in style just after 10am in ASAMs big ol’ grain truck, the team set up the clinic under a beautiful, shady tree and waited. Within the hour a substantial number of women and children had arrived with “Cartaos” (immunization records) in hand. Each team member took a turn processing the cartaos and determining which immunizations were indicated for either mom or baby, drawing up the vaccinations, and administering the vaccinations. Working alongside the local nurses was mutually benefical, with each team sharing their knowledge and expertise. Before long, the local nurses left the Geckos to “run” the clinic with only Celestino (our translator) to bridge the language gap. Not only did the team competently and confidently organize and deliver the appropriate vaccinations to these women and their babies, but they also all gained insight into how much they’ve progressed, from a cultural perspective, in only a few short weeks. At the beginning of this practicum, no one would have felt adequately prepared to independently (i.e. without Lynn or Joanne) attend to, let alone lead, the delivery of nursing care. Yet as time has passed in this context, each team member has grown tremendously in their ability to relate to and partner with the people… to comfortably work with and through translators… and to be ever cognizant of non-verbal communication to demonstrate their care and concern…

The Bush Babies had another busy week, spending several afternoons at the clinic with Ernesto and Celestino. They continued to share experiences (and many laughs) with the soccaristas while caring for the health needs of the community. It was encouraging to see the soccaristas implement some of the information they have been learning in their first aid course and from teachable moments with us. Tuesday the Bush Babies were part of the Selva school immunization blitz. Along with Ernesto and two nurses from Vanduzi, they provided tetanus vaccinations to well over a hundred school children. The younger students were vaccinated followed by the girls over fourteen, who are at greater risk because of unsterile tools used during childbirth. Wednesday afternoon, they were able to go on a home visit with Lynn to see Fred, a former employee of the farm. Part of Fred’s “retirement package” from the farm includes frequent home visits to ensure he has his medications and is in good health. Thursday morning the team went to Nhamondimo to provide health teaching to a newly formed women’s group. The women really challenged the team to tailor the information to their learning needs and also to dispel many myths surrounding traditional yet potentially dangerous treatments.

Thursday afternoon was a highlight for both the Geckos and the Bush Babies as they combined the first aid students for the final class and graduation ceremony. They piled the students from the group at the farm into ASAM’s “school buses” (aka, a grain truck and the van) and headed up to the school to meet with the Interior group. At the school, they set up the final class and gave each of the twenty-one students their own first aid kit. Before departure to Mozambique, Lark’s mom made twenty-two first aid bags (complete with Canadian flag zipper ties!) to hold the assortment of supplies (THANK YOU!!). The team reviewed the contents of the bags with the students, explaining and demonstrating the use of: gauze, bandage pads, antiseptic liquid, chlorine for water purification, paracetamol (Tylenol), soap, a rehydration mix, tetracycline ointment, and bandage scissors. Many of the contents in the bags were purchased locally, thus contributing to the local economy and providing a first aid kit that the students would have an easier time re-stocking.

Following the first aid kit unveiling, they began an innocent game of first aid “Jeopardy” to test the students on the teaching they had received over the last three weeks. The game incorporated some questions that required the demonstration of the skills they had been taught along the way (ie. handwashing, splinting). Shortly into the game, as the intensity grew, there were team huddles, women and men jumping to their feet to shout out answers and naturally, some trademark celebratory dance moves. The class was split into two teams, the Geckos and the Bush Babies (okay, so maybe the team was also a little competitive) and they were neck and neck the entire game. Everyone had a blast, watching our students recall an incredible amount of information and provide some stellar first aid to our mock injuries.

The afternoon ended by handing out a Certificate of Completion to each individual student, taking pictures and sharing some snacks and juice. Both the students and ‘teachers’ took time to say thank you, and share how they had been impacted and blessed by the other. The class taught the team so much this past month, such that every member truly looked forward to each first aid class, their questions, sense of humor, and eagerness to learn. To round out a wonderful afternoon, everyone piled back into the van for the long ride home. Not speaking the same language did not prevent the two groups from communicating through song and laughter as the sun set behind the mountains.
Friday afternoon, the team got together with Lynn to debrief the week’s events and to discuss “disengagement” from this experience. This was a useful time to share concerns, express the challenges that each team member may face upon “re-entry” to Canada, and discuss how we will implement what we have learned and gained from this experience into personal and professional life at home.