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Im not sure where to begin, maybe just to let you all know that I arrived safely and that I'm well. I had a slightly rocky start in that I was so overwhelmed by everything. It is so very different here and I felt I had been building up to it for such a long time, to be finally here was such a relief. Although I have experience of traveling, to actually live in a place like this is so different. I have had to adopt a completey new mindset.
I have only been here a few days but already I feel quite at home. I miss all my friends and family so dearly but in all honesty I really dont miss the way of life back in the UK at all. I have relaxed in to a state of mind I felt I was unable to achieve. I am learning so much every day and am feeling more and more comfortable with the African way of living. The people here are so friendly, at first when I was so obviously new to the country and being on my own, I attracted a little unwanted attention but I have learnt so quickly how to survive. Beginning to Learn the local language is certainly helping, just greet them like a local and the whole experince changes.
My clinic is like I expected, it needs a little work but I love it nonetheless!! Until now I have only been getting used to my surroundings and shaking hands with the important people, before I begin work properly. There are many tribes that come to the clinic and people who have come from afar. I have alot of work to do but I feel ready to embrace the challenge. I am learning to speak Mandika which is one of the many local languages spoken here. Many of the village women don't speak English so it's important I can communicate with them. I have also met a local man from the Wolof tribe who will translate for me when I'm working.
This country is quite remarkable, there are people living together in such harmony from all different tribes and countries with different religions, everyone is accepted and treated with complete respect. Wherever you walk people are singing and dancing, there is so much poverty but the people are the happiest I have ever seen.
Today I was sad, I met a young man in his twentys, infact we are the same age. What was amazing was how different our lives have been, we have no understanding of how lucky we are. He had been a child solider in Sierra Leone and had been rehabilitated and brought to The Gambia, he was telling me stories I could never begin to repeat. I have read books on child soliders and so felt I had a small insight but it seems I knew nothing. He had scars on his temples caused by the rebels injecting a mixture of gun powder and cocaine in to him. We can now begin to imagine....
I get invited to peoples homes every day to eat, we sit on the floor, eating from the same bowl and all the extented family are there, it's beautiful.
So I will write again soon. I hope all is well at home, I miss you all very much. With all my love in the world,
pasama xxxx
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