the neighborhood
4/16/09
The first thing that comes to mind when I typed that date was that our milk expires today. Down here when the carton says “4/16/09” It doesn’t mean, “BUY it by this day”. It doesn’t mean, “oh, a day or two later is fine”. It means, “Throw me away by midnight tonight!” So I will be doing that after I type this.
The hospital seemed very slow today, compared to yesterday. I only saw two kids in the treatment room, but I did a lot more bedside distraction and soothe-the-crying-babies activities. I blew bubbles for about 20 mins straight. Every time I stopped another baby would cry, so I kept going. I was moments away from hitting the floor when Jamie walked in. I held out my bubble jar with an, “Oh thank god; take over for a bit, please!” I also had my first “theatre” experience at RCCH. Theatre is what they call the operating room. I accompanied two patients to theatre. It actually wasn’t too different than the ORs I’m used to. Probably less strict and a bit more laid back, but I felt that children were safe and aptly cared for.
On the way to work today, I spotted the local fire station only a few blocks up from out apt building. After work I stopped by to introduce myself and inquire about burn prevention programs. The firefighters were extremely welcoming. They invited me in and we spoke for about 45 mins. They do a lot of the things one would assume the fire dept does with school aged children; visiting schools, hosting field trips, truck rides and fire prevention and education games. They work only with the younger children in the middle to upper class populations. They haven’t done anything with RCCH and very little in the townships. I have found that it is these populations who require the most education. My goal will be to try and reach this group. It will certainly be a challenge..especially to tackle in less than 3 months, but I’m going to get as far as I can. The fire dept gave me loads of resources, posters, phone numbers and contacts. They were so cooperative and enthusiastic to work together and learn from each other. I hope to take the base of their program and adapt it to one appropriate for the population I am aiming at. My program from back home won’t help me all that much, given that our laws and culture are very different. Smoke detectors are not a law here, and in many of the townships the children are EXPECTED to do many of the adult chores, such as cooking. I’ve got my work cut out, but I am excited to get in there!
We had our second weekly dinner party this evening. We chose to do a Mexican Themed dinner. Jamie, Cara and I went to “Pick n Pay” the local grocery to pick up the menu items. We got all the ingredients for tacos and Spanish rice. They have a sauce here called, Peri Peri sauce. It is the most delicious sauce I have ever tasted in my life and I want to put it on EVERYTHING. Dad, I thought of you because I think you would love it. It comes in super spicy too! I will try and smuggle a few jars home ;) We also had an array of desserts. I attempted some South African “biscuits” which are what they call cookies. This mix was a vanilla sugar cookie. They certainly had a biscuit-y taste and texture to them. Jamie made what I called a “Sprite Cake”. Apparently you can take any cake mixture and replace the oil and eggs with a can of carbonated soda. We chose a white cake and diet sprite. Get this: it was delicious!! And I would have never guessed anything was substituted. Tami received an Easter package from her parents and shared her chocolates with us (those who DIDN’T receive and Easter package haha ;), and Therese made Flan. We were all stuffed and Table Topic-ed by the end of the night. I am forming some wonderful friendships with these girls. Our apartment has officially become the main hangout and I love the in and out and company of these fabulous people! My motto for our apt (or flat as Lucy says) is “All Welcome All the Time”.
The first thing that comes to mind when I typed that date was that our milk expires today. Down here when the carton says “4/16/09” It doesn’t mean, “BUY it by this day”. It doesn’t mean, “oh, a day or two later is fine”. It means, “Throw me away by midnight tonight!” So I will be doing that after I type this.
The hospital seemed very slow today, compared to yesterday. I only saw two kids in the treatment room, but I did a lot more bedside distraction and soothe-the-crying-babies activities. I blew bubbles for about 20 mins straight. Every time I stopped another baby would cry, so I kept going. I was moments away from hitting the floor when Jamie walked in. I held out my bubble jar with an, “Oh thank god; take over for a bit, please!” I also had my first “theatre” experience at RCCH. Theatre is what they call the operating room. I accompanied two patients to theatre. It actually wasn’t too different than the ORs I’m used to. Probably less strict and a bit more laid back, but I felt that children were safe and aptly cared for.
On the way to work today, I spotted the local fire station only a few blocks up from out apt building. After work I stopped by to introduce myself and inquire about burn prevention programs. The firefighters were extremely welcoming. They invited me in and we spoke for about 45 mins. They do a lot of the things one would assume the fire dept does with school aged children; visiting schools, hosting field trips, truck rides and fire prevention and education games. They work only with the younger children in the middle to upper class populations. They haven’t done anything with RCCH and very little in the townships. I have found that it is these populations who require the most education. My goal will be to try and reach this group. It will certainly be a challenge..especially to tackle in less than 3 months, but I’m going to get as far as I can. The fire dept gave me loads of resources, posters, phone numbers and contacts. They were so cooperative and enthusiastic to work together and learn from each other. I hope to take the base of their program and adapt it to one appropriate for the population I am aiming at. My program from back home won’t help me all that much, given that our laws and culture are very different. Smoke detectors are not a law here, and in many of the townships the children are EXPECTED to do many of the adult chores, such as cooking. I’ve got my work cut out, but I am excited to get in there!
We had our second weekly dinner party this evening. We chose to do a Mexican Themed dinner. Jamie, Cara and I went to “Pick n Pay” the local grocery to pick up the menu items. We got all the ingredients for tacos and Spanish rice. They have a sauce here called, Peri Peri sauce. It is the most delicious sauce I have ever tasted in my life and I want to put it on EVERYTHING. Dad, I thought of you because I think you would love it. It comes in super spicy too! I will try and smuggle a few jars home ;) We also had an array of desserts. I attempted some South African “biscuits” which are what they call cookies. This mix was a vanilla sugar cookie. They certainly had a biscuit-y taste and texture to them. Jamie made what I called a “Sprite Cake”. Apparently you can take any cake mixture and replace the oil and eggs with a can of carbonated soda. We chose a white cake and diet sprite. Get this: it was delicious!! And I would have never guessed anything was substituted. Tami received an Easter package from her parents and shared her chocolates with us (those who DIDN’T receive and Easter package haha ;), and Therese made Flan. We were all stuffed and Table Topic-ed by the end of the night. I am forming some wonderful friendships with these girls. Our apartment has officially become the main hangout and I love the in and out and company of these fabulous people! My motto for our apt (or flat as Lucy says) is “All Welcome All the Time”.
mexican night dessert
Asseblief = Please
Heis = House
Dammy = Pacifier
Bry (sp?) = grill or barbeque
Fire Brigade = Fire Department
Many fires are caused by the use of “paraffin” as a cheaper form of gasoline or propane. It is intensely flammable and extremely dangerous.
Cheers = a parting phrase
Shame = “awww” (I can’t really grasp this one yet)
Tekkies = sneakers
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