I just read over my blogs and I hope it wasn't too heavy, I'm sorry if it was. I guess writing is my debrief so didn't quite realise how heavy it got.

Okay so to be more cheery, I have to tell you all that despite it all I am very happy. I feel I have found a piece of my soul in Africa and I'm quite at home here.

Today was much better at the hospital aswell. I felt worried that the baby I delivered yesterday may have died over night, so I went to the ward to find out. I can't tell you how happy I was when I saw this young mother holding her very healthy baby! I met someone who could interpret for us; the mother told me how completely aware she was of what went on and how grateful she was for my care, she told me she could not have done it without me and that her baby would not be alive now. She also told me that she was naming her baby after me, this time my gambian name, my moona.

So I did make a difference, and we can help without destroying a culture!

I arrived at the labour ward and was greeted very differently, it took a minute to work out, but I think I earned some respect yesterday and the staff were keen to learn from me. So I started teaching, changing very simple things, but things that make the difference between life and death.

Later in the day I got a visit from the consultant who asked me if I would teach the medical students, so this afternoon I did and it went pretty well...... well it was good enough that I now have a regular slot teaching them.

So I'm feeling a lot more positive, it's still horrendous, and that's not going to change over night, but I have a small oportunity to make a small difference, so when there is hope I'm still going to try!

I hope you're all well, I do think of you all so much and I love you all loads. Until next time, lots of love kate xxx