Today we are right underneath a massive tropical storm which is both frightening and awesome at the same time. It has gone completely dark outside and the sun hasn’t even gone down yet. Before the sun went down, it became overcast and an unearthly yellowy-orange descended on the Comboni compound.
Weather aside, the Link is aging well in Juba, like a fine wine. After 9 weeks, a firm trust has developed between the hospital staff and ourselves. So I thought that instead of talking about us, I would let them do the talking. What follows is a selection of quotes from our teaching evaluations and one or two awesome quotes that will always be remembered. Although English is their second language, they can make very heartfelt and poignant remarks:
“Excellent presentations.”
“Excellent presentations.”
- Medical Officer, JTH
“These steps are very useful. It won’t be forgotten.”
“These steps are very useful. It won’t be forgotten.”
- House Officer, JTH
“More presentations please in other topics.”
“More presentations please in other topics.”
- House Officer, JTH
“I realised working in Traumatology without ABCDE in mind is completely rubbish. The course is completely very very useful. Thank you so much!!!"
- House Officer, JTH
“Try to keep talks under two hours!”
“Try to keep talks under two hours!”
- Registrar, JTH
“I had no knowledge of ABCDE and recognising a sick patient before I met you guys. Now I have the knowledge and I will be able to pass this on so that others learn.”
“I had no knowledge of ABCDE and recognising a sick patient before I met you guys. Now I have the knowledge and I will be able to pass this on so that others learn.”
- House Officer, JTH
“This is the first bit of training I have had in years. I will remember this forever and it will really help my patients. Thank you so much.”
- Translated into English from a certificate nurse who only speaks Arabic
“The Western world keeps asking us if we need equipment. We do not need equipment. We need trainers!”
“The Western world keeps asking us if we need equipment. We do not need equipment. We need trainers!”
- Consultant, JTH
“I want to thank David and James of the St Mary’s Juba Link for giving up their time and giving up their lives to come to Juba to teach. They do not have to be here. They are far away from their loved ones. Yet they are here and they spend a lot of time and effort designing these presentations. This is a completely new style of presentation and we are very lucky. Even Khartoum does not have this where hard concepts are taught simply.”
- Registrar, JTH
Attitudes amongst the staff in JTH are changing. Ward sisters want to learn how to teach their juniors. Consultants are coming up with novel research projects. New ideas are being thrown around. New plans are being laid out. We sense a resurgence of hope in this corner of the world as people dare to believe that Juba Teaching Hospital could become great.
So many things have come to pass in 9 weeks. However, the greatest achievement has been the creation of a lasting friendship and trust between our hospitals. We no longer feel like a charity: we are a partnership campaigning for a better world.
David xx
So many things have come to pass in 9 weeks. However, the greatest achievement has been the creation of a lasting friendship and trust between our hospitals. We no longer feel like a charity: we are a partnership campaigning for a better world.
David xx
I just heard on the wireless that an asteroid is headed your way. It's only small, few metres across, but it should make it through the atmosphere and make a reasonable crater. It's expected to land in Sudan. Hopefully it won't hit you.
ReplyDeleteThough if your in the middle of a storm then you'll not likely see anything. But if you hear a loud bang in the night, that will be it.
If you hear anything on the local news I'd love to know.
Nick