Ottey and Bolt (less)

Last Saturday was a special day at Little Js School as it was their 2nd Annual Sports Meeting.. Sadly for us, she resolutely refused to take part in any activity whatsoever. Not even incentives or cajoling would make her change her mind. Sorry all Jamaicans – but not another Merlin Ottey or female version of the ‘Bolt’ here. Maybe she’s reserving it all for the big days ahead – we can only but dream. Despite it all we had a thoroughly wonderful day. I think Little J’s house won.......

Pupils about to start a balloon 'bursting' race. Yes you sit on it till it bursts before you start running.

A Sweet Experience.............

Mango – sweet, juicy wonderful. Yes, once again we are in the mango season – and what a season!!!!!!! Every available tree is ‘bedecked’ with yellowish/red juicy succulent fruits – that invitingly cries to be picked by all who pass by. This is more so because when their cries are ignored there may be one about to land squarely on your head – especially on strong windy days. Okay – a bit of poetic license here but I hope the point is made. The succulent things are in abundance but sadly not many people eat them, something that baffles me considering the number of malnourished children who attend the hospital daily. Mangoes are – I am told - rich in vitamins, easy to eat and (here in Segbwema) relatively easy to get – especially this time of the year. Why not many are being eaten baffles us a great deal. Countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica,- just to name a few - have realised both the economic and nutritional importance of mangoes and have made profitable industry of bottling and canning them. Our desire – to help the mothers attending the clinics realise the nutritional value of this fruit – oh sweet sweet mango – hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Good friends and friendship ...........

Friend - Someone who cares enough to make your problems or concerns, no matter how irrelevant or big, their problem or concern. Some friendships we initiate and work hard to maintain them, others are entrusted upon us, and again there may be some that we absolutely wish we never had made. The fact of the matter is that friendships are an integral part of human relationships.


We have undoubtedly made many friends here, but Little J has formed a friendship stronger than all the others with one particular girl – a girl slightly older than her. Their friendship started about a year ago when Fema could barely speak English and Little J had little or no knowledge of Mende or Creole. But over time their friendship has grown at such a pace, all our family and friends know about ‘our famous Fema’ that they all want to meet her some day. Our hearts warm with the knowledge that lifelong friendships can begin at such an early age and then we remember our own dear lifelong friends and smile – because these are friendships we have made since the cradle. We thank God for these jewels in our lives as we cherish the memories.

Teaching to fish.

My latest task has reminded me of the reasons for us to be taught how to fish instead of being given a fish. Having visited 14 ( deep rural) villages in 2 days (in order to put in place arrangements needed for 52 students’ practical placement), has reminded me of the importance of helping to enhance and encourage the students to work in the rural area of the country.


Many of the Peripheral Health units ( PHU) are manned by young professionally trained health personnel with different levels of experience. They depend on each other (and the efficiency of the referral system) as they strive to improve the health status of their community members – many of whom are not only financially impoverished but also lacking the correct information to make the best choices. At one PHU we met a Maternal and Child Health Aide (MCH Aide) and a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) attempting to carry out antenatal duties on more than 40 women. She tried to make it enticing, by not only educating in the traditional way but turning it into a mini – party by providing food, drinks, dancing and singing. She was not more than 30 years old. Her team (including the TBA, a Vaccinator and a Community Health Officer – CHO) was responsible for a community of over 1000 people and answerable to the District Medical Officer and the community leaders. It is imperative their leadership and interpersonal skills are at their best, as the prevailing culture demands that before a decision on an issue is made, it has to be introduced to specific groups: the Paramount Chief; The Section Chief; The Town Chief; The Chairmen of the Village Community; The Ward Counsellors – and if it is medically driven – the District Medical Officer; the community medical team and the TBAs. All have to be adequately informed and agree on the same solution before the issue can be resolved. Now there's a dose of bureaucracy if we ever saw one..................



The health personnel in a PHU needs to be knowledgable, motivating, enhancing and encouraging. Community development is an imperative part of the job as many rely on the health personnel to teach them to improve their health practices, and so better their lives. With the improvement in health comes (on many occasions) an increase in prosperity as people are better able to earn a living. With exposure and encouragement, they will hopefully allow their children to take up the offer of an education thus creating the opportunity of a better future.

In another village there was a MCH Aide – (about to retire) - being shadowed by a younger colleague, and yet another village the CHO who had wanted to retire for the past few years, could actually do so. We were told the student population of all levels of health personnel ( MCH Aides, SECHNs and Paramedical students ) had increased, and the training institutions were sending the students on their practical placements in PHUs which were once considered 'too far'. The message is clear – people are choosing to be trained (many at their own expense) and are taking up positions that were initially not filled.

This is what we try to impart to our students. Many have never lived in a small village and their practical placements in the village setting will be the first opportunity many will have living in small, close knit communities. It is imperative they have a positive first hand experience as community nurses, reassuring them it is possible to survive in a village setting.

We are very encouraged by the last set of students (who are preparing to sit their final exams in May). At the end of their village experience, they were open to the idea of finding employment in a PHU when they qualify. We will continue to reassure and encourage them and will assess the actual numbers who take up their duty in a rural community.

We're encouraged.......there is hope for this our beloved country.