My life and work as Rehabilitation and Disability Officer in Gusau, Zamfara State, in Northern Nigeria.
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Monday, May 25, 2009
Reconnect with your friends
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Trip summary
well a quick run down of last few weeks as i have a few free hours in Singapour airport and 2 free hours on the internet.
The trip to Thailand for the CBR Congress went very well. 14 hours flight over to Bankok and a 7 hour time difference. Over 600 people from 31 countries attended the congress and it was especially good to see so many people with disability taking an important part in all the sessions. The old motto says “Nothing about us without us”. now it is 'Nothing about us without all of us' nicer i think.
Originally congress was to launch the new WHO CBR guidelines but that now delayed till December. i met so many old friends, i traveled with Jannine from TLMI, but met also Paul Casewell from CBM Nigeria, friends from ASSERT East Timor, and met Sally Harlty formarly my tutor at institute of Child health, and made new friends too particularly Patrick Moon who i traveled back to Papua New Guinea with
One of the presenta ti ons at the Leprosy workshop after congress was by Nevis Mary, a member of IDEA India and winner if the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2007. Nevis Mary told us about her experience of leprosy, diagnosed at 24 while studying for her MSc. She thought her life was ended. She has endured many things, but is now happily married, working with the Indian railways and is an example to many other women who have had leprosy
but life in Bankok was not all work, on the Saturday i went out with Patrick and some folk from the Philippines to do some temple sightseeing - have lots of photos will try and put some on facebook.
then i went on to Singapour and was really spoilt by Agit the TLM country director for East Timor and i spent a lovely morning being shown singapour, by road and boat.
then on to PNG, first was a few days up in the mountains where Patrick works. i am amazed in PNG they have lots of water- rained at some point every day. its clean, and folk surprisingly more like Nigerians than the East Timor folk - not sure why, but it di make me feel at home.
With Patrick i saw round one very impressive hospital, and 2 resource centres, but had 2 days out visiting cliants. that involved walking through lots of mud. on first day i fell into mud, being covered did bring some smiles from folk we visited, and one or two people had to help the old lady by holding my hand(s).
sadly though the flight to get me to Wewak was cancelled, so i arrived a day late, eg friday evening, and left sunday afternoon. all a bit frustrating. so saw nothing of work in Wewak, but spent the saturday meeting lots of heads of department. but was taken for a lovely swim in the evening, corol not that good but amazing fish.
Anyway saw enough to say i would be happy to return. though not sure how long work permits take. but hope to go June/July as i am surposed to teach a CBR workers course from July - November. will then follow these folk up in there home areas. i was pleased as they have already appointed a PNG man to take my place when i leave. Simon is a newly qualified Physiotherapist, one of first group trained in country.
coming back had a delayed flight which meant a run from domestic to international terminal with 45 mins to get flight to Singapour, but all was well.
hope to catch up with you all soon.
The trip to Thailand for the CBR Congress went very well. 14 hours flight over to Bankok and a 7 hour time difference. Over 600 people from 31 countries attended the congress and it was especially good to see so many people with disability taking an important part in all the sessions. The old motto says “Nothing about us without us”. now it is 'Nothing about us without all of us' nicer i think.
Originally congress was to launch the new WHO CBR guidelines but that now delayed till December. i met so many old friends, i traveled with Jannine from TLMI, but met also Paul Casewell from CBM Nigeria, friends from ASSERT East Timor, and met Sally Harlty formarly my tutor at institute of Child health, and made new friends too particularly Patrick Moon who i traveled back to Papua New Guinea with
One of the presenta ti ons at the Leprosy workshop after congress was by Nevis Mary, a member of IDEA India and winner if the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2007. Nevis Mary told us about her experience of leprosy, diagnosed at 24 while studying for her MSc. She thought her life was ended. She has endured many things, but is now happily married, working with the Indian railways and is an example to many other women who have had leprosy
but life in Bankok was not all work, on the Saturday i went out with Patrick and some folk from the Philippines to do some temple sightseeing - have lots of photos will try and put some on facebook.
then i went on to Singapour and was really spoilt by Agit the TLM country director for East Timor and i spent a lovely morning being shown singapour, by road and boat.
then on to PNG, first was a few days up in the mountains where Patrick works. i am amazed in PNG they have lots of water- rained at some point every day. its clean, and folk surprisingly more like Nigerians than the East Timor folk - not sure why, but it di make me feel at home.
With Patrick i saw round one very impressive hospital, and 2 resource centres, but had 2 days out visiting cliants. that involved walking through lots of mud. on first day i fell into mud, being covered did bring some smiles from folk we visited, and one or two people had to help the old lady by holding my hand(s).
sadly though the flight to get me to Wewak was cancelled, so i arrived a day late, eg friday evening, and left sunday afternoon. all a bit frustrating. so saw nothing of work in Wewak, but spent the saturday meeting lots of heads of department. but was taken for a lovely swim in the evening, corol not that good but amazing fish.
Anyway saw enough to say i would be happy to return. though not sure how long work permits take. but hope to go June/July as i am surposed to teach a CBR workers course from July - November. will then follow these folk up in there home areas. i was pleased as they have already appointed a PNG man to take my place when i leave. Simon is a newly qualified Physiotherapist, one of first group trained in country.
coming back had a delayed flight which meant a run from domestic to international terminal with 45 mins to get flight to Singapour, but all was well.
hope to catch up with you all soon.
Monday, September 22, 2008
On the way home
I left Gusau on Friday, for Jos. It was a real relief to have done all the packing and to be able to shut the door and lock the house!
It was nice that I had lots of meals out last week. On Tuesday my landlord and his son invited me, on Wednesday the prison controller, and on Thursday the TB/leprosy staff.
This eating out was all just as well, as my gas had run out, and I had given all my cutlery and crockery away!!!
I had interesting trip to Jos. I took a 66 year Nigerian old lady. Her
father was involved in leprosy work in the 1940's, and started lots of
churches in areas we drove through - so lots of great stories. She now
goes to villages with medicine and preaches. She has just moved to
Gusau, so i was able to introduce her to Ramatu, and she has agreed to
go to see the Gusau leprosy village and treat some of the children with
fungal infections.
father was involved in leprosy work in the 1940's, and started lots of
churches in areas we drove through - so lots of great stories. She now
goes to villages with medicine and preaches. She has just moved to
Gusau, so i was able to introduce her to Ramatu, and she has agreed to
go to see the Gusau leprosy village and treat some of the children with
fungal infections.
I have relaxed in Jos, cooled down (it had got very hot in Gusau again), and quietly repacked.
On Monday I'm going to my old place of work, Alshi, to see Habiba and give her
the last of my things. Then I'll sleep in Abuja and be at the airport by 6am on Tuesday.
I shall stay in Taunton to being with, and go for debriefings with TLM International in London on Monday of next week, and with TLM England and Wales in Peterborough on Tuesday.
the last of my things. Then I'll sleep in Abuja and be at the airport by 6am on Tuesday.
I shall stay in Taunton to being with, and go for debriefings with TLM International in London on Monday of next week, and with TLM England and Wales in Peterborough on Tuesday.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Getting ready to leave
Hi. Photo of my car being pulled out of the mud by a digger!!
i had a nice time in Minna , and able to attend Jannine and Dr Basseys leaving do and had a helpful debrief.
Dr Usaini who is new acting 'boss' is coming to Zamfara on Monday to have a talk with the whole team on the future, which should be really good.
Then some more excellent self care group visits, have worked out we now have 37 self care groups involving over 440 people affected by leprosy.
Tonight is my leaving do in my house, some 20 people affected by leprosy expected.
Then on Friday I head to Jos, then to Alushi (where I used to work) and then to Abuja and back to UK.
Do please pray for energy; I am fast running low on reserves and have a house to pack up yet!!!
i had a nice time in Minna , and able to attend Jannine and Dr Basseys leaving do and had a helpful debrief.
Dr Usaini who is new acting 'boss' is coming to Zamfara on Monday to have a talk with the whole team on the future, which should be really good.
Then some more excellent self care group visits, have worked out we now have 37 self care groups involving over 440 people affected by leprosy.
Tonight is my leaving do in my house, some 20 people affected by leprosy expected.
Then on Friday I head to Jos, then to Alushi (where I used to work) and then to Abuja and back to UK.
Do please pray for energy; I am fast running low on reserves and have a house to pack up yet!!!
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Here is the latest Prayer Letter
This is where to download a pdf of the latest letter:
http://janetompsett.pbwiki.com/f/Summer_Autumn2008.pdf
http://janetompsett.pbwiki.com/f/Summer_Autumn2008.pdf
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Quick update from Gusau
Hi, a quick update from Gusau.
It's raining here - unlike you, that is brilliant news for us, especially after last year's poor harvest.
Electricity supply has improved ++ in half my house it has been on for about 20 hours a day - never known it so good.
I am please that, as asked, they have arranged the self care course for the leaders; but I am a bit surprised they have put it on a Friday....
Ramadan is about to start somewhere between Sunday and Wednesday
I have a heavy schedule of visits planned, but thankfully petrol is available, and from what I have seen Ramatu has done a great job - though she is still receiving no salary, just feeding for the days she goes out - am not impressed.
It's raining here - unlike you, that is brilliant news for us, especially after last year's poor harvest.
Electricity supply has improved ++ in half my house it has been on for about 20 hours a day - never known it so good.
I am please that, as asked, they have arranged the self care course for the leaders; but I am a bit surprised they have put it on a Friday....
Ramadan is about to start somewhere between Sunday and Wednesday
I have a heavy schedule of visits planned, but thankfully petrol is available, and from what I have seen Ramatu has done a great job - though she is still receiving no salary, just feeding for the days she goes out - am not impressed.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Back in Nigeria
I am safely back in Nigeria.
I arrived at 4.40 am Tuesday and by 12 noon was in Minna for a sendoff for Marijke (Dutch Physio leaving Sokoto after 4 years), Dr Antony and his wife Irina the surgen and his wife the SED officer for Sokoto ( Dr Antony is going for 2 years training) and myself.
I have not rushed back to Gusau but today (Thursday) will go to the airport to wave goodbuy to Marijke. I will really miss her cheerful support, she has been a good friend here.
It is a major time for goodbyes in Nigeria at the moment as on the 12th September Dr Bassey the country director and his physiotherapy wife Jannine will be leaving, for Dr Bassey to do a PHD in Leeds. The new Nigerian country director Dr Sunday Udo is currently in Australia but will return at the end of this year.
I hope to run a day's course for the self care group leaders before
Ramadam starts on 2nd September but will have to see what has been organised.
Ramadam starts on 2nd September but will have to see what has been organised.
I am looking forward to meeting up with Ramatu and Shehu, and seeing how the work has progressed in my absence. I have heard some good reports. And the rest of the Team, especially Sule the accountant and Okacha my driver. Okacha should arrive tomorrow to take me back to Gusau on Saturday.
Marijke says it is raining in the north which is great news (I know you have all had more than enough rain) and there temperature is about 33. So, much cooler than when I left, thankfully.
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