I finished work late today and staying about 2.5 km away from the hospital made me scared to walk home. Luckily the ambulance drops off staff at their respective homes when its late. As i heard that, i had this wave of excitement run through my veins. I was goimg to ride an ambulance!!!
Weird to some, but getting in the ambulance and sitting on the passanger seat felt somewhat great. The first thing i was going to do when i got home was tweet about my adventurous ride in the ambulance. It felt more exhilarating than riding a Circus wheel from the Luna Park as a kid.
As i waved good-bye to the ambulance driver and a few of my colleagues in the ambulance, i felt a fang of guilt as to how euphoric i had felt a few minutes ago about the ride back home. I thought of the different lives that had riden in that ambulance. Mothers experiencing the peak of pangs in giving birth, injured and traumatised patients fresh from a car accident, patients gasping for air and i, just wantimg to be dropped off at home after working late. Very ironic.
It made me realise whilst my ride was based on just moving me from one point to another, many lives had been dependent on just that one ride.
I thanked God for being healthy or unill, for everytime i woke up in good shape, for everytime i rode in a car or kombi and got home safely. I even thanked God for not having flu.
How many of you interns and others out there, seen their clients suffer or go through challenges? Yet there you are, doing well and having a chance to go to work healthy and blessed, complaining about small issues. Its high time you start thanking God that where others find trouble, he sustains and shields you. A thousand may fail, become ill, be in debt, suffer, hunger and thirst at your side, ten thousand at your right hand BUT it shall not come near you!!!
Monday, 23 March 2015
Saturday, 21 March 2015
What kind of a internship mentor do you want?
Before i came for my intern, i had a lot of ideas of the kind of immediate boss or mentor i would want for my attachment. Since my intern was going to be more of a voluntary-learning process, i wished my mentor would somewhat decide ,eventually, to give me a form of allowance in recognition of my hard work. I imagined them asking me to represent the hospital in an abroad summit because i deserved it. Lol.
I'm sure these are half the thoughts of every intern in Zimbabwe: money. The reality of things is that 5% of the local interns end up receiving money. Most of us rely on the mercy of our parents or guardians.
Question is what then are you going to do or think about your mentor when you finally realise- they will never give you a penny? Some decide to change to another company where there is money or for others, money being their main motivator, perform averagely.
Well i chose to be different. I could not change to another hospital. Neither would i compromise my performance due to a couple of 'greens'. But i only chose to do so because i realised something extra-ordianary about my mentor.
As interns, we obviously watch our mentors because they are who we want to be and better soon after collage. Every time she comes for work, she stays in her car for five-ten minutes praying and reading the word. As soon as she gets in the office, she says' 'Let us pray.'
We pray for the patients in the hospital, for the employees in the institution, and all the individuals to enter our office. We ask Jesus to give us wisdom to tackle every problem in the hospital and ask him to cover the whole hospital with his Blood.
My mentor is like a mother and Pastor to me, an addition to more than i asked God for. Its not about money anymore for me but about how Christ Jesus can use me to bring glory to his name. How many interns have the opportunity to not only get to learn about work related skills but learn more also about Jesus at work? A few i suppose.
So i pose a question to all future and present interns out there. What kind of an internship mentor do you want? One who splashes you with money, one whom you can flirt with? Or one who not only teaches you about your job but goes an extra mile to teach you that true success comes in Jesus Christ and surrendering to being his vessel?
I'm sure these are half the thoughts of every intern in Zimbabwe: money. The reality of things is that 5% of the local interns end up receiving money. Most of us rely on the mercy of our parents or guardians.
Question is what then are you going to do or think about your mentor when you finally realise- they will never give you a penny? Some decide to change to another company where there is money or for others, money being their main motivator, perform averagely.
Well i chose to be different. I could not change to another hospital. Neither would i compromise my performance due to a couple of 'greens'. But i only chose to do so because i realised something extra-ordianary about my mentor.
As interns, we obviously watch our mentors because they are who we want to be and better soon after collage. Every time she comes for work, she stays in her car for five-ten minutes praying and reading the word. As soon as she gets in the office, she says' 'Let us pray.'
We pray for the patients in the hospital, for the employees in the institution, and all the individuals to enter our office. We ask Jesus to give us wisdom to tackle every problem in the hospital and ask him to cover the whole hospital with his Blood.
My mentor is like a mother and Pastor to me, an addition to more than i asked God for. Its not about money anymore for me but about how Christ Jesus can use me to bring glory to his name. How many interns have the opportunity to not only get to learn about work related skills but learn more also about Jesus at work? A few i suppose.
So i pose a question to all future and present interns out there. What kind of an internship mentor do you want? One who splashes you with money, one whom you can flirt with? Or one who not only teaches you about your job but goes an extra mile to teach you that true success comes in Jesus Christ and surrendering to being his vessel?
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Nhamo yemumwe hairambirwi sadza???
Zimbabwean newspapers in the past few years have been fanatics of publishing hospital (or any other business) scandals or mismanagement. I read through a couple of newspaper articles in the past stating how badly healthcare had declined in the nation especially in 2008.
I personally thought most of the cases were exaggerated. Some were for the purpose of increasing newspaper sales, yet some had a hidden truth in them. I see some of the assumed 'folk newspaper tales' come alive today.
One of the first things an intern is interested in when they arrive at the company or institution they are employed at, is to find out if there are free food services available in the company. I asked about staff canteen services at the hospital i work at and got my reply.
Staff either come in with packed lunch, buy food from local stores or visit the hospital's canteen services. I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy series and having seen Meredith and Christina feast at their hospital's canteen, i was sure ours would turn out to be something closer to their experience. The reality was that if there was extra, all staff received whatever patients ate. Black tea and buttered bread comprises the patient's breakfast whilst sadza, fried cabbage and beans is served for lunch and supper.
I felt so sorry for the patients, realising i had read from the newspapers of worser patient meal scenarios. I had been callous towards the issue, in the past, and blamed it on the Government and the hospital's mismanagement of funds. Looking at it now, i find a newer view. All is to blame. You and i included.
Back in Harare, tonnes of Zimbabweans flood food outlet shops and restaurants from the $1 sadza take away shops to the most flumboyant and luxurious restaurants. Most small to medium businesses in the capital city profit through selling food. People eat, yes, good for them but having seen patients have to gopple down twice every day cabbages and beans, it touched my heart.
Shona saying states, 'Nhamo yemumwe hairambirwi sadza.' Translated: Another person's worries don't stop you from eating, in this case sadza (our staple food). Most individuals uphold this saying but with a nation with +75% Christians, its unheard of. What happens to those among us, unable to go seek treatment in the private hospitals offering snacks inbetween patient meals?
We have found anyone possible to blame and hoped that donors and International organisations can help the needy among us. 'Look east strategy', we say. Why not start the 'look inside' strategy? Look at the ability you have to give food to the closest starving person. Count the number of times you have unnecessarily feasted your stomach to fries when the nation has a recorded case of a malnutritioned infant everyday.
We can help ourselves by opening our heart to love and care for those in need irregardless of the few things we possess. I analysed my pocket money. Though little to me it may seem, it can sustain families for months, yet alone a patient in the hospital i work. I can do something and touch the heart of those around me with the little i have. It might be donating a banana for each patient in a targeted ward, at least its something. What will you do for a hungry stomach?
In total disagreement with our elders who came up with the above mentioned Shona saying, i say with a Christian heart, 'Kwete, nhamo yemumwe inotorambirwa sadza nekupa mumwe wako.'
I personally thought most of the cases were exaggerated. Some were for the purpose of increasing newspaper sales, yet some had a hidden truth in them. I see some of the assumed 'folk newspaper tales' come alive today.
One of the first things an intern is interested in when they arrive at the company or institution they are employed at, is to find out if there are free food services available in the company. I asked about staff canteen services at the hospital i work at and got my reply.
Staff either come in with packed lunch, buy food from local stores or visit the hospital's canteen services. I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy series and having seen Meredith and Christina feast at their hospital's canteen, i was sure ours would turn out to be something closer to their experience. The reality was that if there was extra, all staff received whatever patients ate. Black tea and buttered bread comprises the patient's breakfast whilst sadza, fried cabbage and beans is served for lunch and supper.
I felt so sorry for the patients, realising i had read from the newspapers of worser patient meal scenarios. I had been callous towards the issue, in the past, and blamed it on the Government and the hospital's mismanagement of funds. Looking at it now, i find a newer view. All is to blame. You and i included.
Back in Harare, tonnes of Zimbabweans flood food outlet shops and restaurants from the $1 sadza take away shops to the most flumboyant and luxurious restaurants. Most small to medium businesses in the capital city profit through selling food. People eat, yes, good for them but having seen patients have to gopple down twice every day cabbages and beans, it touched my heart.
Shona saying states, 'Nhamo yemumwe hairambirwi sadza.' Translated: Another person's worries don't stop you from eating, in this case sadza (our staple food). Most individuals uphold this saying but with a nation with +75% Christians, its unheard of. What happens to those among us, unable to go seek treatment in the private hospitals offering snacks inbetween patient meals?
We have found anyone possible to blame and hoped that donors and International organisations can help the needy among us. 'Look east strategy', we say. Why not start the 'look inside' strategy? Look at the ability you have to give food to the closest starving person. Count the number of times you have unnecessarily feasted your stomach to fries when the nation has a recorded case of a malnutritioned infant everyday.
We can help ourselves by opening our heart to love and care for those in need irregardless of the few things we possess. I analysed my pocket money. Though little to me it may seem, it can sustain families for months, yet alone a patient in the hospital i work. I can do something and touch the heart of those around me with the little i have. It might be donating a banana for each patient in a targeted ward, at least its something. What will you do for a hungry stomach?
In total disagreement with our elders who came up with the above mentioned Shona saying, i say with a Christian heart, 'Kwete, nhamo yemumwe inotorambirwa sadza nekupa mumwe wako.'
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
I met an old lady, carrying a young child on her back, in one of the offices where i work. As busy as i was and rushing to finish off the task at hand, i could not ignore the aura of pain and discomfort that surrounded the patient. So i listened to what she was saying.
Her grandchild Y was greatly sick and coughing violently. He had been admitted in the Pediatric ward and was receiving medical attention. This old lady, in her late 60s (i approximated), had been present for her grandchild and in all the worry she had of losing her grandson and the emotional strain cutting through her soul due to other personal worries, she had fallen ill herself. I could tell, beyond the aura of distress around her and the fraility of her voice, that she was ill. I'm not a medical doctor, nurse or close to being a medical student, but i could tell she was not lying.
Unfortunately she did not have money or close to even having a medical aid card to pay for both the grandson and herself. The lady XX, assisting her asked her if there was anyone to help pay for her bill or someone to look after her grandson whilst she rested at home. She had none. The closest relative was her own mother whom she claimed was very old and could hardly walk.
She received help and found treatment. Good for her and her grandson. My aim was not to entice sadness in you but to make it clear to you that Zimbabweans and many Africans are facing problems. The old woman, being the source of livelihood to two lives: her grandson and mother, distressed and heartbroken, could not afford $2 pills for herself.
Comparing her life's worries and my own student cliche complaints, my own problems were but a speck of what she was going through. Think of the problems you are facing at your work place, at home, in your marriage, at school, wherever and stop for a few minutes. Listen to the one person next to you, anyone talking, and you'll thank God he has blessed you with more than you ever deserved.
Reach out and help a soul find new hope. Stop complaining and love your neighbour...
Her grandchild Y was greatly sick and coughing violently. He had been admitted in the Pediatric ward and was receiving medical attention. This old lady, in her late 60s (i approximated), had been present for her grandchild and in all the worry she had of losing her grandson and the emotional strain cutting through her soul due to other personal worries, she had fallen ill herself. I could tell, beyond the aura of distress around her and the fraility of her voice, that she was ill. I'm not a medical doctor, nurse or close to being a medical student, but i could tell she was not lying.
Unfortunately she did not have money or close to even having a medical aid card to pay for both the grandson and herself. The lady XX, assisting her asked her if there was anyone to help pay for her bill or someone to look after her grandson whilst she rested at home. She had none. The closest relative was her own mother whom she claimed was very old and could hardly walk.
She received help and found treatment. Good for her and her grandson. My aim was not to entice sadness in you but to make it clear to you that Zimbabweans and many Africans are facing problems. The old woman, being the source of livelihood to two lives: her grandson and mother, distressed and heartbroken, could not afford $2 pills for herself.
Comparing her life's worries and my own student cliche complaints, my own problems were but a speck of what she was going through. Think of the problems you are facing at your work place, at home, in your marriage, at school, wherever and stop for a few minutes. Listen to the one person next to you, anyone talking, and you'll thank God he has blessed you with more than you ever deserved.
Reach out and help a soul find new hope. Stop complaining and love your neighbour...
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
What it is..
As an intern, you find many things to complain about. Might be the no money you are getting, no wifi on the complex, the prejudice from the fellow workers, the boredom and being tossed to and fro. But have we stopped at one time to look into the depth of our troubles and ignore them a lot, and open our ears to the grievances of others? First week as an intern i had a lot of stuff i was i total disagreement with on the institution. Second week i had more to add on the list , the same with third week and so on... I thought,' But how about you ignore all your 'issues' against the place you are serving and listen to those around u.' And so i began just sitting with the clients of my istitution and simply listening. What great troubles they had much more convincing than mine, infact. To be continued...
I'm almost 22 years and i'm honestly at the peak of my maturity time with university assignments popping up and an internship year. My university helped me get an intern opportunity at one of the nation's government run hospital institutions and it has been an eye opening event for me. What makes our internship experience in Zimbabwe different is not the money (or none of it) we receive , the straneous hard-working times or the experience we attain. No, its the life changing realisation, a totally awakening moment and onerous- absorbing fact that: People are greatly suffering in our nation. My blog is on the day-to-day things i see and experience of the saddening fact of economic hardship on the community around me and ideas of what we (interns) can do to better these sad predicaments.
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