Diary - July 19, 2003
Jambo from the massage clinic.
The past few weeks have been very dynamic and challenging, as
I have been trying to accommodate the flow of clients who were
used to both chiropractic and massage therapy in the clinic. I
have had to modify my way of working by giving shorter treatment
times or by focussing on home care and therapeutic excercise instead
of the hands-on aspect of massage.
We have also asked some of the local Jambiani clients to book
an appointment on a later date so we can see those who have travelled
2 or more hours by daladala (public transport). I must interject
here to describe this local transport system...imagine a large
cattle-carrying truck lined with two wooden benches inside filled
with men, women, and children packed in shoulder to shoulder to
a capacity of about 32 people. Add another 8 people who have to
sit on the floor of the truck between everyone's groceries and
supplies including live chickens and fresh fish. There is evidently
no such thing as 'full to capacity'! The colors and smells are
incredible. The truck lurches to a stop every 10 or 15 minutes
to load and unload passengers and goods. The final 30 - 40 minutes
drive to Jambiani is along a dirt road with potholes so huge the
people have to brace themselves against their bench seats and
each other. It's quite an amusing adventure.
The part that impressed me the most was when women climbed on
board with a baby and parcels, they would simply pass their child
on ahead to whomever would hold it, and instead of reclaiming
the baby, it would stay with that stranger for the duration of
the voyage! And not let out one cry of displeasure!!! I was shocked,
and touched at the same time by this example of a "tribal
community".
Back to the Jambiani Wellness Center...considering that the majority
of our out of town clients have taken the daladala to get to us,
I feel obliged to see each and every one of them. Even if it is
just for a consultation, not treatment. Fortunately word has gotten
out, and the patient flow in the clinic has decreased to a number
that is manageable.
It has helped incredibly having my students volunteer to come
in for a couple of 3 hour shifts. I supervise as they massage
clients I have seen previously, which allows me an extra few minutes
to get caught up on treatment notes and prepare for my next patient.
The hands-on experience is invaluable to them, and I have seen
their skills improve and their confidence build. I am very proud
of them, and feel that this teaching project has been very successful.
There is definitely a sense of winding down in the clinic as I
head into my last 2 weeks at the center. I have really missed
having Shawna alongside in the next room shouting out her cheery
"Jambo, karibu!" to her clients. I am looking forward
to and will treasure my final stage here in Jambiani.
Ciao for now. Yvonne
Hello my name is Kristi Falconer. I'm from Victoria BC Canada
and I am the newest addition of volunteers to the Jambiani Wellness
Centre.
First of all I would like to commend Alastair and Pat for building
such an incredible, important and worthwhile project in the community
of Jambiani and Zanzibar as the clinic treats patients from all
over the island.
In my travels to and from "work" everyday someone inevitably
asks me "to which hotel do you stay" when I respond
with 'Ali Baba and Mama Pat's clinic' they know exactly what I
am talking about. Everyone here knows about the clinic and are
most appreciative and thankful for it.
My work here is a little different than that of Yvonne, Shawna's
and of course Ali Baba's from the medical hands on treatments
that they are providing. I am here as a Volunteer Educator and
specifically for deaf people in the community. After being here
only 3 days and trying to get over my jet lag I went into the
local school which houses approximately 1200 children aged 7-17.
The headmaster was thrilled to meet with me as just the day before
they had one of their deaf students in his office in tears because
she was feeling left out and not understood by her teachers as
well as being frustrated at them for not understanding her. My
timing couldn't have been better.
They gave me a small classroom, chalkboard, piece of chalk and
rag to use for a chalkbrush and I promised I would start the next
day. Four days a week for 3 hours a day, 5 deaf children come
to my class, ranging in age from 7 to 14. We do different activities
and lessons all by using gestures. I unfortunately don't yet know
Tanzanian Sign Language (TSL) and it is not appropriate to teach
them American Sign Language (ASL) that I am fluent in and use
back home in Canada in my work as a Sign Language Interpreter.
I have spent the first week or so trying to assess their understanding,
comprehension in what they are learning in school and also what
if any sign language they do have. I have found that they don't
have or use a formal sign language but more of a made up use of
gestures they understand amongst themselves which can be useful
to get their basic needs across. Their understanding of what they
are writing into their notebooks from copying off the chalkboard
is limited and in fact at times there is no comprehension. I have
had to review the alphabet and basic numbers and simple arithmetic
for even the two 14 year olds in my class because they have just
not learned it as their peers have.
I will be making contacts with the National Deaf Association of
Tanzania as well as the Office for Persons with a Disability in
Stonetown (the main town here in Zanzibar) as I have been told
they have recently started up a program to teach sign language
to those deaf people here in Zanzibar. I am looking forward to
make some connections with them and perhaps get some networking
happening between them and the Jambiani School.
I look forward to the upcoming adventures and challenges that
will present themself and am so very much enjoying my time with
these precious kids. Please stay tuned for the next update!
Kristi
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