I was welcomed by the hospital staff, who were gearing up for a holiday party. Everyone was extremely welcoming and made me feel right at home. I was able to move my belongings into my house, pictured below, but have yet to unpack. My days have been fairly busy since arriving; spending most of my time orienting myself to the hospital grounds and introducing myself to the staff.
Friday, December 26th was my first day of work. I spent most of the day in the maternity/pediatric ward where I helped with vaccinations and weighing babies. It is with these staff members that I will work twice a week, traveling out to villages in the greater Lambarene area. These visits will consist of pediatric consultations, vaccinations and well child checks. The remainder of the week will be spent developing long term public health projects. Some potential projects include investigating infant mortality rates and associated risk factors, family planning, pediatric HIV, and establishing and centralizing vaccination records for children in the Lambarene area.
View from my front porch: 
Home sweet home:
Home sweet home:
Overlooking the old Albert Schweitzer Hospital:
Ooguee River: 
Small, small, small world! I was reading your blog while I was still in undergrad at JMU (2009). I was looking to travel to Africa for public health work (my major at the time). Sadly, I couldn't convince my parents so I'm still waiting to take my trip to Africa.
ReplyDeleteLast night when I was working in the EC...during an LP, I thought you looked familiar but I couldn't place your face. I knew we hadn't worked together at TCH but I was still annoyed because I couldn't figure it out. Then it hit me. I read your blog about your trip to Africa ages ago! Today the world feels so tiny.
Lura