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.
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.
Far too much has been in happening in this country in a really short space of time.
In reverse:
Julius Malema (Juju) angrily kicks out a foreign journo from a press conference when he merely points out that Juju lives in Sandton after Juju condemned the Zimbabwe opposition for operating out of airconditioned offices in Sandton.
Spokesperson for the AWB storms out of an interview that was broadcasted live.
Eugene Terreblance (former AWB leader) gruesomely murdered on his farm by two of his workers who admitted to killing him.
Juju sings a struggle song at a University of Johannesburg campus where he addressed students 'Kill the boer, kill the farmer.'
Most rational South Africans think these events are interlinked despite there being denials from the people on top.
Juju claims a whole lot and then some and is largely non-sensical. All he does is cause public outcry; yet nothing visibly happens.
The singing of the struggle song - that's subsequently been banned - was condemned by many South Africans. Not just white South Africans, not just opposition parties; but by blacks and whites alike.
What happened - nothing? He wasn't silenced by either the ruling party and of course the youth league will support him in all he does.
I've been reading numerous opinions - some people support him. A lot don't. There's a whole lot else surrounding Juju and many people are of the opinion that singing struggles songs and visiting Zimbabwe and all the other inexplicable things he does is merely diversionary tactics.
Unfortunately, it's working.
What upsets me most is that Juju firstly gets way too much air time. Secondly - he insights violence, denies insighting it, attempts to portray that he's one with the poor people (there've been violent service delivery protests in parts of South Africa) and the people believe him.
Why? I can merely speculate.
A month or so after the song was sung a well-known white supremacist gets murdered.
Violence never has been the answer. More so when it would appear a man was killed without being able to defend himself (he had been asleep and it's been reported that his house was broken in to and he was woken by the two workers who've been arrested for his murder. One a minor, another in his twenties).
I am in my twenties. It's surreal to think that I was born and was raised when Apartheid was still very real.
It's surreal because at the age of 8 I went to a private school, with people of mixed race and can state that I experienced no discrimination based on the colour of my skin.
I am fortunate. More fortunate than most as many people couldn't afford private schools (and still can't).
I went on to attend a mixed race high school where black, white, coloured all got along. I attended university and we all got along.
Race is a big thing in South Africa. It has been and it will continue to be for a long, long time to come.
We now all (mostly) live in the same areas, frequent the same malls, and live together in relative calm.
This was of course until the underlying racial tension that we as a country have never been rid of was so thoroughly exposed.
A fair percentage of South Africans don't look at skin colour. People are people and this has been recognised.
However, there's the minority (and possibly a hidden part of the majority) for whom race is still a huge issue.
It's been said that what the killing of Terreblanche has done is expose that South Africans have not dealt with the past adequately.
This is not new information. Anyone who cares to look a little deeper and merely observe interactions (or lack of) will have realised this.
Apartheid is rarely spoken about by local South Africans...except if yet another movie is made about it. No-one speaks of what happened during the time when so many people were wrongly accused just because of the colour of their skin.
Yes, we have the apartheid museum - how many South Africans have visited it? Yes, there are some memorials. Again, how many of us have visited them?
What about the man who lives out in a deep rural area, who knows someone who knows someone who was personally persecuted?
Yes, there's been escalating racial tension; more so in areas where there's still a definite divide between black and white.
But at the same time there are black and white South Africans alike who are condemning all that's been happening in the last two months or so. Many of us felt that Juju was trying to cause unnecessary trouble by singing a song calling for the death of farmers. There've been way too many farm murders without him inciting violence (yet denying it).
This racial tension that's been exposed (mere months before the kick-off of the soccer world cup) can be compared to a festering wound. A wound that's not been allowed to heal; the scab picked at and picked at, then covered in plaster with no further care.
Amidst this, and all else that's been happening in my beloved home country...is it still alive with possibilities?
I would like to think so. Cautious optimism. And the belief that there are enough sensible South Africans - of all races - who know better. South Africans who realise Juju should largely be left to his own devices and ignored. South Africans who know that being of a different skin tone doesn't mean they are any more (or less) human than the man next to him.
An example of this would be Juju and AWB spokesperson both lashing out at journalists who were merely doing their job.
What am I you might wonder?
I am a South African. Then I am female.
And if you must know, I am coloured (for the rest of the world that would be mixed race...with mixed race parents). Not that it matters.
So, the new year has come and gone. I've started a new job, and it already feels as though I've been working for ages and ages.
Initially I was quite ok with the job...now, I don't know. Working in government is interesting at best, frustrating at worst - and a whole lot of other things in between that's best not mentioned.
I've moved cities - Johannesburg really isn't the prettiest city in our country. But you're either of the hate it/love it school.
I don't hate it...but I don't completely love it either. Best described as a stop-gap; for me at least.
I've discovered a few places I like, and a few more I've yet to visit, so it ain't all bad.
Street performers remain a favourite - and a I came across an acrobatic troupe at one of the (numerous) malls in the area.
Soccer fever has grabbed the country (well, it's intensified); with the world cup kicking off in just over 100 days!
Johannesburg isn't as green as other places...can't really expect much from the busiest city in SA can you? But if you look long, and hard enough there are mini-retreats.
Like the zoo...not a big fan of zoos, but they have their uses. And a break away is one of them!
I'm mostly coping with changes. At times I'm most frustrated and this past week has been one of the worst. But it is now done! And I'm happier for it.
Right now I'm thinking of a plan, need to put it in to action.
In the meantime... I remain in the pursuit of happiness
20sb posted a challenge for December; I'm not going to take part in the entire challenge, just a few that has some meaning to me in the past year (and it's going to be 3 posts in one).
25 December: Gift - What's a gift you gave yourself that has kept on giving?
This one's easy!
And it links to a self-gift from 2008. My slr!
I absolutely love my slr, and the more I take photographs the more I want to continue taking photographs.
I bought my slr as an early Christmas gift to myself a year ago. Within the last year I've done three photography courses - two on the basics, and one on post-production. Of course, they don't come cheaply! Half the time (when I'm not going on ad nauseum to some poor soul who dares ask me about photography) I want to hit my head against the wall...why oh why did I have to fall in love with such an expensive hobby!
The equipment! The courses! The printing!
Do I regret any of the money spent? Of course not.
How this gift - of learning more about photography - has kept on giving; I looked into doing a full time course in photography, and possibly changing careers (another story for another day!), and one meeting where I just wanted advice regarding how to approach things I was offered provisional acceptance.
Now, I know it's not an actual acceptance, but the offer of provisional acceptance, based on a handful of photographs, from a meeting where all I was expecting was advice...an amazing feeling!
And a sign, if you wish, that perhaps I'm not living in my own world.
That perhaps my photographs are actually that good.
That I could possibly change careers...with a lot of determination, a little faith, and plenty of stubbornness.
Of course, there's SO much I don't know yet, and so much I still need to figure out.
But one thing it is...a gift that has kept on giving - not just for me as a person, but to the those I capture on camera (at least, that's one of my aims)
26 December: Insight or A-ha moment - What was your epiphany of the year?
One thing I've more or less kept blogging about... aside from travel of course.
Change!
Change is a constant.
No matter how much I want to fight it, or ignore it.
It's not always easy, and trying to run away from it is pointless.
The amount of change I've undergone in the past year is crazy. Not only work-wise or my wee bit of travel experience, but personally too.
A fairly huge epiphany for me: I know more about more myself than I think I do. I'm capable of more than I think I am.
My decisions have not yet failed me, I'd like to keep it that way. I should believe in myself for than I do.
Family and friends - priceless!
27 December: Social Web Moment - Did you meet someone you used to only know from her blog? Did you discover Twitter?
Nope, did not discover Twitter. Micro-blogging, not really my thing. Facebook is more than sufficient. People really do not need to know what I'm doing or thinking every second of every day.
I've not met anyone who keeps a blog, but I've met a few great people off a social networking site/forum. Interacting over the net and finally meeting up irl - fabulous. They've all added to my year.
One in particular deserves mention - I don't tend to blog about personal things, but meeting someone via the interwebz who you get along with online and in the real world, who becomes a best friend! Fabulous.
Here's to interweb friendships becoming real life friendships and continuing from strength to strength!
Some may say online friends aren't 'real friends'; I beg to differ, because sometimes your online friends know more about you than your 'real friends'. If only because they're there when you are having a bad day and are arbing online hiding from the world.
Of course, most things online should be taken with a pinch of salt, but not everyone's a troll...and those who you get to meet in person - and they're as great and true in reality. Worth treasuring, and definitely a real friend!
It's been a while... transitions ain't easy, but I've settled in to it (and one can't really get up to much when searching for employment).
Just for more change to occur (and I shouldn't be surprised!).
I now have a vehicle (yay) and a job starting in the new year (yay) that requires me to move...not so yay but required.
A couple of weeks ago finally made my way down to the Cape. The first time in nearly two years, and of course the first opportunity I've had since I've been back in SA.
Cape Town is by far my favourite city! (although I think one day I'll have to have a fav city per continent...for now I'll just stick to CT being my fav).
The occasion - my sibling's graduation!
Graduating is always quite momentous despite the actual event being bum-numbing.
(It was also a not-so-subtle that I really am getting older despite not feeling like I'm in my mid-twenties; and then next month I officially enter my late twenties! eek...I think)
The Cape was glorious for the two week period I was there. I have missed my mountain
Our time in the Cape was spread between Stellenbosch, the Strand, Gordon's Bay, Genadendal and of course Cape Town itself.
There really is nothing like the South African sunshine, and we had plenty of it.
How does one begin to describe Cape Town?
For some, it's just a place to visit.
For others, it captures your heart and it's where you want to live.
Three guesses under which category I fall and the first two don't count.
The Cape has mountains, the ocean and winelands...a rare combination to be found in one place don't you think?
The best way I know to describe anything is of course via pictures
Freshly caught fish...and then of course one has to have SNOEK!
A trip to the Cape is not complete without having this yummy fish at least one (I really have NO idea what the English name is).
The Strand has a beautiful beach (and it's also a whole lot warmer than the beaches found in Cape Town like Camp's Bay & Clifton.
Fishermen at Sunset.
Stellenbosch is a town in the Winelands, and of course a student town (and where my sibling graduated from the University of Stellenbosch)
Onward to Genadendal - the first missionary in South Africa. It's a historical town, and the missionary station established there was Moravian. The Church is still there and there's a museum with the history of the town.
Gordon's Bay and the Strand are so close one may be forgiven for thinking they're the same place. The beach is not as great as the Strand, but being right on the beach front is always awesome.
Had some great finds...
Then there's Cape Town...
From the District Six Museum ( a must! www.districtsix.co.za) to the Cape Coons (also known as the Cape Minstrels)
And let's not forget Simon's Town (with Boulder's Beach and it's penguin's although I didn't go this visit) That, more or less covers my wee cape visit (for more find me on flickr; I've embarked upon a 365 project - some days I have inspiration, others not so much, but I'm beyond Day 100 so it's all good).
My parting photographic gift: panoramic of Cape Town, as viewed from Silver Mines Nature Reserve
Being home, and still not having things sorted out is of the most frustrating things I've undergone recently. And it is not for lack of trying!
How is one to find a job when there are none advertised? And then getting around...let's not even go there.
At a time, as little as a week ago, it seemed as though things were looking up, at least a little bit. But alas, things don't always go the way you want them to....so it's back to waiting.
Many people I've spoken to have said once you go back home after having been abroad it will never be the same and of course, it's not.
Not only because I've never really lived at home for the last however long, or because everyone is already sorted out and I am presently where they where a few years ago, but because I now have to get used to a whole new system.
Who would've thought that coming home will take getting used to - but it does.
I've been told so many things by friends and family, but I really don't think anyone realises how tough it truly is. Most of what's been told to me I already know and have already done and my hands are tied until something happens in response....response time is s.l.o.w!
Too slow!
And I need plenty of patience to deal with this transition period that looks like it's going to be last a whole lot longer than I hoped or expected!
(and let's not talk about the itchy feet to get up and go somewhere and do something...but, really can't afford to at present! frustrating!)
After eighteen months, surviving shitty weather, awesome travel experiences and gaining new interests I am headed back home.
Change is never easy, despite it being constant. And I've experienced many changes of the past eighteen months. Least of all, growing as an individual.
I've been asked a number times now what I think of the UK - the time to leave it fast approaching (the time being tomorrow!).
My reply has been:
I don't like the weather. Because I don't! It's iffy at best...and just about mildly warm in summer. Right now, it's raining. And cold. And the same temperatures as it is back home where it's winter. But back home...there is sunshine! The Brits cannot deal with temperature extremes. Apparently 25 centigrade is a heat wave (summer, as those in the Southern Hemisphere would call it, lasting all of about 2 weeks this year) and when it snows, London comes to a standstill. Case in point: London in February this year when the UK had their heaviest snowfall in however many years it was. No buses, no tube, no train, major delays at the airports... ridiculous really.
I made the decision months ago that I'll be headed home. And I'm happy I've made it. As much as there's plenty of opportunities here in the UK - like going to Paris for a weekend if you so wish - it's not all about earning pounds. Although money does make the world plod along, there's more to life than just that.
Back to what I think of the UK...
It's been good. I've learned lots and successfully accomplished my goals upon entering the country a year and a half ago - gain work experience and travel.
I've more than successfully accomplished them! And I've gained two new loves :)
[side note: you know it's time to return home when you start complaining about a public transport that works...when your country of origin barely has one that functions. Bring on a car...I miss driving!]
How I feel about returning home...excitement and dread.
Starting from scratch is not something I relish (nor is living at home again, even if interim), but it is something that needs doing. All part of my choice and right now I have no idea how things are going to work out, but I trust that they will.
More change.
My one constant.
I've mentioned time and again - the travel bug, it's bitten. And I have the opportunity I've had to live and work in the UK to thank for that. This experience has just filled my mind with 'travel goals'... now, just to figure out how to get the goals out of my head, and into reality.
