Fourth entry
Trip Start
Mar 13, 2005
1
3
4
Trip End
Apr 14, 2005
Antsirabe, Madagascar
Friday, April 8, 2005
Earlier in the week I got bit by something poisonous and it got infected. Almost two years in peace corps and no problems and now when I'm here without the peace corps safety net I get an infection! So... I got to experience the malagasy health care system. Very different than in the states! I was a little nervous to head to the doctor here but it proved to be a good thing because as I talked with the doctor about my work, she gave me more contacts. My hand is fine now and I've gotten in touch with so many places I wouldn't have otherwise known about! For example, I never knew there is a rehabilitation hospital here. Going to visit there was quite an experience! First I should explain that part of Malagasy culture is that there is really no such thing as time, or being on time I should say. Usually that works well for me but yesterday, when I went to see the director of the hospital, I waited two hours for him to arrive. All the while his secretary kept saying, "any minute he'll be here, just a few more minutes...". I'm always surpried how patient the malagasy are- even if someone is hours late they rarely complain. While I waited, I happen to be sitting across from a large therapy room. I felt like I was observing what physical therapy may have looked like in the 1950's. It was almost painful to watch and it was then I knew I'd have to come back and next time bring beth (my boss and mentor)! The staff is very nice and I know doing the best they can with the training they have- that said, it's clear that additional training and resources would be a good thing! For example, I met one child who was on his way for reconstructive surgery on his hand. Years ago he was badly burned by oil while his mom was cooking and his hand is badly deformed. I asked if he would be splinted following surgery (common practice in the states) and the doctor said they would try but they run very low on the needed material.
Tomorrow the rocking chairs will finally be finished- I'm still very curious to see how the malagasy carpenter interperets my description of what a rocking chair is! I am meeting with the head nun to go over some recommendations with her for the orphanage but truthfully I've become very frustrated there. It is so hard to see children in an environment that you know could improve but that the staff doesn't see a problem with. One good thing is that the peace corps volunteers are going to continue working with the children and staff after I go. The volunteers in the area have been so great!!
I got in touch with another orphanage outside town which is completly malagasy run, and have also worked with them a few times. As soon as I saw this other place, I though, "wow, this is the ideal environment!" There are 120 children living in 12 different houses. Every house has an "mother" and an "aunt" who serve as the primary caregivers and these people never change so that the children have stability and consistency. They are malagasy women who must be unmarried. Most of them are women who either never married, divorced or were widowed. Before caring for the children they go through extensive training. There are also two male social workers which I thought was fantastic!
In any case I'm learning a lot and have had an amazing (though challenging!) experience. Less than one week to go- I can almost taste the starbucks coffee!!!
