The sun finally came out this week and all the children had their breakfast in the garden area. Sadly there are a huge number of flies around at the moment so the children had to be covered in nets to stop the flies getting on them especially around their eyes and mouths; vital as the children can’t flick them away which increases the risk of infections. One day I was feeding a child when a fly flew into her mouth…. Shocked I quickly put my fingers in her mouth and got it out…eugh, not a pleasant task! I also spent one morning putting all the nets on the cots for protection at nights. My 
new challenge this week was to label small bottles of medicines with black nail varnish… which I did with a small matchstick! I have more to do next week…not an easy task ; give me feeding bottles any day, which I will have as we welcomed another new boy to the ward. Hopefully this one will be able to stay!Next week all the children are having dental treatment so this week they have all had blood tests and regular temperature checks to ensure they are fine and ready to go under general
anaesthetic. Sadly a few of them have infections, including the new boy so they will need to spend some time in their cots, hopefully recovered before the end of next week. It’s also been good to see some parents / families come and visit the children at the weekend, because it was the end of the month and pay-day.
Things will be very different next week as Lesley and I will be needed to be with the children when they have their dental treatment and come out of their surgery…. They need to have familiar faces and voices around to feel safe, as well as lots of cuddling and reassurance before they return to the ward. This as well as some of the daily tasks so a busier week beckons!ANTIGUA...MARKET......
Walks and talks in the park, and horse and carriage rides through its narrow streets this week as people made the most of sunny days in Antigua. Though we did have 2 more earth tremors this week!!!!!
As for me, I headed for my favourite place.. The local market which has been central
to my time 
here. At least three times a week I wander down past the stalls selling all kinds of household things, struggling through the narrow passages, to be in amongst the colours and aromas of fresh fruit and vegetables. Huge mounds of them everywhere, brought from the farms on the early morning buses to Antigua. Every kind of fruit and vegetable, every colour, textur
e, 
shape and size, sown, nurtured and picked by families in and around Antigua. Families gather around and settle for the day hoping to sell and make the money necessary to get by and maybe buy a treat or two on the way back home ……..People work very hard here, salaries
are hard to earn, hours of hard labour on the farm for the equivalent of $1 and hour, and usually huge families to house and feed. Yet they all work together to make it all work and more importantly… be happy with what they have.Its amazing how little people live on here.
Happiness found in the simplest things. ..
Enjoy
Adios amigos
Goodnight
Xxx
6 comments:
Hola chica,
Been away working and bereft of internet so was hungry to catch uo with your blog. Wow, so much happening! How you keep your energy levels up is incredible. Flies, dentists and earth tremors! All in a day's work for a super heroine. You are amazing and I'm sending you so much love. Besos y abrazos Maya xx
We have survived yet another tough week, though it will be FAR WORSE next week. If you think that you are emotionally exhausted at the end of every day now, you will soon be extremely familiar with the term 'KNACKERED' at the end of those days when you become the primary care-giver for the patients. After the general anaesthesia the kids need to have dental treatment, even teeth CLEANING becomes a big thing. Watch out world, more excitement beckons you to continue reading the gripping tale which is Nayn'as blog and her life in Antigua...
I remember the market place, and recall comparing it with Seychelles. I remember the flowers as well as the food, a stunning exhibition of colour, with the accompanying sounds of commerce and chat. In many ways the market is R&R and, based upon LAP's comment, you will need lots of it next week when you help the children after their surgery. You will be there for them, as always, and will make a huge difference, as always. You are admired.
More labelling! I like the way the things you get to label are becoming smaller and smaller. I see it as a testimony to your developing position of responsibility. You are trustworthy, precise and careful and what you do is of huge value. And I never would have expected any less.
The market pictures are great. Regular fresh produce, weird extraneous items… and always full of characters. Markets are the same wherever you go, and I find that continuity so comforting.
Good luck with the dental stuff!
Adrianxxxx
My heart goes out to these children, and although I am sure that you and the team there give them an amazing quality of life, their vulnerability brings tears to my eyes. It's a constant reminder when I see my own son running around, of how lucky I am that he is healthy and that we can provide for him, and that things could be lot more challenging than what they are. Your words and experiences also remind me that it is of vital importance that we share our good fortune and try to ease the life of those who face much tougher struggles. It is amazing how in the cat of giving, we often realise we have so much more than what we thought. You take such good care of these children and you have opened your heart to all of them in such a way that does us all proud. THank you for that. Lots of love, and a big hug, Annika, Nori & Ethan xxxx
Your love and stamina continue to amaze Nayna! Have been thinking of you often this week sending love for what both you and LAP say will be a tough and challenging time. Lxx
Post a Comment