Gift of the Givers is a South African aid organisation. The organisation has been offering aid across the globe for the past 19 years.
I was fortunate to be chosen as one of six dieticians to go with Gotg on their second relief mission to Somalia (September 2011).
The opportunity presented itself when one of the doctors at the hospital I'm based in came to our department and spoke to my boss. I was busy with group patient education at the time. As soon as I'd finished my boss asked me if my passport was valid and I replied in the affirmative and asked why.
Reason: the opportunity to go with Gift of the Givers to Somalia on their second relief mission.
There wasn't a doubt in my mind. I was already in.I contacted my loved ones - parents, boyfriend, sibling,cousin - all who responded with overwhelming support. No question about my safety just agreeing with me that it was the opportunity of a lifetime and my parents (both, separately!) telling me to take the necessary medication prior to the trip and my mom added not to forget imodium (it was useful, if anyone wondered).
The necessary permissions from work - special leave - was organised and then confirmation from Gotg was finally obtained with a few date changes thrown in. It all felt 'need to know' which was a bit frustrating when it came to planning but is to be expected since relief missions can't be planned months in advance. Within a two week period vaccinations, travel insurance and leave was sorted. All that needed to happen was the actual trip Mogadishu, Somalia.
We were given numerous opportunities to back out of going but this never crossed my mind. Going on a relief mission, as dietician, is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one I had no intention of missing out on.
I had no doubts about going. There wasn't a decision to be made. It was already made. I had a skill to offer and I was going if they wanted me. Which Gotg did.
The support from my loved ones was an added bonus.
The day we left, 6 Sept, was a slow one. We were told me to meet in the international area of OR Tambo International Airport.
We were easily identified by the people who looked a little unsure of what was going to happen next since we didn't have any details aside from where to meet!
Stop-over: Lilongwe, Malawi.
(It's shocking how little I know of my continent...but that's not for this post. And something that needs to be remedied!)
We overnighted in Lilongwe, after a press conference with a Scottish organisation, Mary's Meals, who had donated 300 000 USD to Gotg, the Malawian Government, RSA representative, media and of course the Gotg team headed to Somalia we supped and headed to bed for an early start on the 7th.
The flight to Somalia was not direct as the plane we were in needed sufficient fuel to leave Mogadishu - fuel stop, Mombasa, Kenya, before our final destination, Mogadishu, Somalia.
Arrival was around 1pm, local time.
As we all exited the aircraft on went the head scarves for the ladies; Somalia being an Islamic country this was required.
Somalia is of course on the African continent and in Africa there is a whole lot of hurrying up and waiting. Reasons are numerous but it's definitely part of the way of life on this continent (one that can be mighty frustrating at times, but was met with more patience by most of us in Somalia).
At the airport we checked our luggage was all there, handed in our passports for visas and waited until they said we could go. The team was about 50 in total, of which 29 were medical and the remainder media.
The airport in Mogadishu is under the protection of the African Union (AU) and the soldiers are very visible. On exiting the airport we left in convoy with an armed protection detail that was with us wherever we went the entire mission. One of the journalists who had been on the first mission pointed out how an AU guard moved a cement barricade by forklift to allow us to exit the airport (the barricade being in front of the tall gate).
I can't recall what my first thoughts were when I saw the city. It didn't appear overly populated and all the buildings we drove past had high walls. The only identifying feature of the United Nations head quarters was the flag flying well above the high walls. This was pointed out to us by our driver who spoke very little English. All the buildings we drove past was in an obvious state of disrepair - unsurprising considering the country has been experiencing civil war for over two decades.
Our first stop was Banadir Hospital. This is reported as one of the largest hospitals in Mogadishu. The aim behind this visit was to give us an idea of what was going on in the hospital. Gotg had been given permission to work out of the hospital prior to our arrival.
Describing what was observed is impossible. Words and pictures only tell so much of the story. The rest needs to be experienced in person. The wards were overflowing with patients, the operating theatres were in a state very few surgeons would be able to work in - nevermind want to attempt to operate in. Our surgeons did. Successfully.
We were only at the hospital for a short while before heading to the compound we were based at for the duration of our time there. The compound, an ex-minister's house - housed all 50 of us! In relative comfort. It was much better than what I expected, although what I expected I really can't tell you but what we got was definitely not it.
Room allocation - well, finding a space and setting down your belongings - and then a late lunch was served. This was followed by a briefing.
The rest of the day was our own and we spent time getting acquainted and settling in.
The first full day was spent at Banadir hospital. The initial plan was to separate into our various disciplines, do an assessment and then report back. We had separated into paediatrics (paediatricians and dieticians), surgeons, adults and pharmacy. The paediatricians started in paediatric outpatients and saw patients there while the dieticians assessed the paediatric wards and spoke to of the local doctors about where we would possibly be needed. It turned out that we weren't the only foreign aid at Banadir Hospital - there were Germans, Egyptians an Turkish too (possibly a few more countries I'm unaware of). The paediatric wards certainly had the benefit of foreign aid compared to the adult wards.
We had daily debrief meetings. Very useful and much appreciated - releasing frustrations and of course discussing the way forward despite numerous restrictions. The paediatric team felt that things were mostly under control (on the paediatric wards) and staying would just add more people and more confusion instead of helping. In lieu of this, the people behind the scenes did some research and found another hospital.
Forlanini hospital is in a previously Al Shabaab controlled area; Al Shabaab had evacuated the area two weeks prior to our arrival in Mogadishu.
Forlanini hospital was where we based ourselves for the duration of the trip. The remaining medical personnel joined us too although the surgeons were in four different hospitals, including Banadir and Forlanini.
Setting up Forlanini took a record three hours - from a hospital where very few of the buildings remained standing offering limited medical care sans medical supplies twice a week - to one including consulting rooms, IV room, nutrition room, overnight wards, gynaecologist's room, pharmacy, theatre and even a recovery room and storage area. This all in the one building that was most usable.
This alone was amazing. The team who went on this second mission was outstanding (personal opinion; I'm sure the first team was equally great). Everyone pitched in and helped - whether it was in your scope of practice and job description or not. Media and medics. This was the trend for the entire trip.
On the day the theatre team joined us they performed seven surgeries. Within the first two days approximately 1000 people had received medical care, and a similar number had received dry food rations.
We quickly sorted ourselves into the various areas, and helped where extra help was needed when we weren't excessively busy. The dieticians were split between the IV room, nutrition room, overnight wards and even pharmacy (the one pharmacist we had would've been overwhelmed otherwise...and still was in spite of extra hands being of assistance!)
Watching the team work was amazing. The founder of Gotg and his right hand man in Somalia made things happen - and it all happened so fast you would be excused for your jaw dropping to the floor and staying there. They are legends!
We had locals assisting us with translating and as the week progressed we let them do more of the work and provided guidance as needed. The reasoning behind this was to hand over skills for them to continue providing care for those who so desperately need it.
It was interesting to see how the people organised themselves. The first two days we saw very sick people - adults and children; and as the week progressed the people were less sick and basically just wanted to a doctor - to tell them they're fine if nothing else. Medical care being a luxury few have had for at least two decades.
I'm not sure whether the locals helping us organised the people this way or the people themselves because everyday it would women and children (infants) first and then older children and women without children and lastly men.
Most of our time was spent at the hospital and one of the journalists had asked if we could see one of the camps as we hadn't had the opportunity to. One morning we did this - we spent about a hour in the camps before heading back to the hospital.
To say this was an eye-opener would be an understatement. It made the work we were doing in the hospitals far more real than what it had been to this point. Seeing the internally displaced people, many who have sold their land, living in these dome shaped huts covered in clothes, plastic, canvas lying on mats in the sand... I don't really have words for what it was.
It was sad.
A wholly inadequate description.
But at the same time - seeing all the children run around and follow us as we walked through a very small part of a 30 000 strong camp as intrigued by us as we were by them was amazing.
The people of Somalia are resilient.
I don't know how they've survived what they have. Many have not survived.
Here is one heart wrenching story: Somalia through a mother's eyes
Graeme has told it far better than what I can.
This story is not the exception.
This story is the rule.
Can you imagine that?
I was there, and I can't.
I'm in awe of the Somali people. Their resilience. And despite having absolutely nothing, they have so much!
It puts the problems we experience - personal, global - into perspective. A perspective I hope I don't lose.
I say I hope I don't lose it because it's amazing how quickly we can become accustomed to anything. The short time in Somalia had me get used to things - like cold water showers and rice and pasta for supper every night (served together).
The cold showers weren't really a big deal - refreshing after a long, hot and humid day.
The copious amounts of starch we were all over by day 5, if not sooner. But this is mostly because we have the luxury of a greater variety back home. Did we complain about the food - no. There was no reason to. We were well fed and looked after. The food was well prepared. That said - it's week two back home and I've yet to have rice or pasta :)
Before I went on the trip people were almost in awe. Many asked if I wasn't scared.
Being scared wasn't something I thought about. The closer the departure day came, the more nervous I became but this soon settled once we entered Mogadishu. During the entire trip I never felt unsafe. In spite of hearing single gun shots go off in the evenings, sometimes more than one. Sometimes far in the distance. Sometimes not.
I am grateful that my loved ones supported me wholeheartedly. It meant a lot.
This opportunity came along and it was one that couldn't be ignored. Such opportunities don't come by often.
As Dr Sooliman put it - we're weren't doing this for the Somali people; we were doing it for our own souls.
The Somali people benefited.
I do not feel worthy of the Gift of the Givers slogan; would I do something like this again - in a heartbeat!
It truly was privilege and an honour to work with Gift of the Givers. To provide a small assistance to the Somali people.
More photos here
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