A New Year begins

This is the first opportunity to update the blog since the New Year. Already the 'newness' of 2008 has begun to wear a bit thin and we have now settled nicely into a routine here in Segbwema. Joey started teaching nursing to the second year nursing students at the beginning of January. In addition, she has had to assist in marking exam papers for the first year students - 54 in all. The year started on a very positive note for the nursing school. A non-governmental agency (NGO) has awarded full tuition scholarships to 10 students - a very welcome gift considering students struggle to pay their fees.

With regards to the hospital, we have initiated plans to start a mobile clinic to a few of the surrounding villages in order to increase access to health services to a greater percentage of the population. These are really exciting times for the hospital because it marks another important stage in our vision to make health services accessible and affordable to as many as possible. During the initial visit to the first village, we had the privilege of sharing the health concerns with the villagers who were very clear in their minds of what they expected from the hospital. It was pleasing to notice that the village and its surroundings not only had a feel of home (Ghana) about it but also had a number of breadfruit trees - so it could have passed for a setting in Jamaica.

As a family, we have now settled into a routine with the help of our neighbours, friends and house helps. Little J is still struggling to come to terms with both her parents leaving home at 7.30am - first for morning devotion and then to our duties ( whether teaching or overseeing). This is a huge change for her as she was used to spending most of the day with her mum and now she has to contend with a child minder. Despite the changes she is getting on very well, enjoying her friends, the weather and the atmosphere. Our prayer is that this experience would enrich her life for many more years to come.

Joanna has found teaching a challenge - with long teaching sessions and a mixture of Sierra Leoneon and Jamaican. Considering however that the classroom is only a few walking distance from the house, one cannot really complain. There are 40 students per class and they are taught in 2 groups, so the same topic is taught two weeks in a row - which in some way is a blessing. It affords the opportunity to rectify any mistakes or misunderstandings during the second week, and makes for a richer more detailed information to be provided on the hand outs given to all.

For those of us who love football, this month of January is a feast - with the African Nations cup in Ghana. I was very delighted and overjoyed when Ghana won their opening match. I wish I was in Ghana then but managed to savour the atmosphere in Ghana by watching the game live. People in Sierra Leone are very passionate about their football and enthusiasm for the games have not waned a bit even though SL is not represented in the games. Most of them support Ghana, which is great for Michael.

That brings me to the issue of the weather and football. Listening to the BBC world service's commentary on football matches in England gives you the impression that we are not doing badly here at all. Presently the weather is very dry during the day with the harmattan winds from the Sahara but the nights are really cool, even cold sometimes and which makes for a good night's sleep. The understanding is that this is the best part of the year in S/L then it gets really hot during match before the rains set in from March ending to late August so we are enjoying this change very much.
To end we just would like to say we are very grateful to God for all that He has been doing here at Nixon and in our lives. Changes are taking place albeit slowly but we can see progress in our respective work which is really down to the grace of God and for this we are grateful to all who are praying for us. Please continue your efforts and we are very grateful. God bless you all.

Yet More Pictures

On the beach at Lumley- Freetown
Hospital laboratory

Enjoying few moments of quiteness at the hotel in Elmina - Ghana

Pictures of Mum and daughter enjoying bonding time on the beach in Freetown.

Picture of the hospital laboratory. Desperately needs equipment to increase the utilisation rate - which is presently only about 25%.

More pictures at last!!!

Pictures showing different aspects of life in Sierra Leone. Top left is the remains of the old hospital theatre destroyed during the war.
Middle pictures show clouds gathering over Freetown bay. Other pictures show Dad and daughter on the beach in Freetown - just enjoying the sea.

Righton top of the world. This is not unique to SL - ery common in most African countries - including some parts of Ghana

pictures?

Despite numerous attempts to upload pictures I have been beaten by the system. Connectivity is so slow uploading pictures would require a whole day - at this rate. We live to fight another day. By the way the only picture that uploaded was that of the President of the Methodist Church Sierra Leone receiving the books that some of our friends in Britain donated to the Nursing School.

Pictures - as promised