Its hard to believe that I have been here nearly 3 months already and Im nearly halfway through. Time is flying by and I feel I still have so much I want and need to do. I have met some truely amazing people while I have been here and have made many friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
I have also seen things that have literally broken my heart. On the 31st of July we had a beautiful baby arrive on the ship to become part of our feeding program. He was 9 months old and weighed only 3kg. He had had his cleft lip repaired in April but was awating to have his palate repaired at some stage in November but before we could repair that for him he needed some fattening up. He was doing really well for about 3 weeks, gaining weight and starting to look fat and beautiful when he developed pneumonia and malaria and some other viral illness we were unable to diagnose due to our lack of resources. He ended up in the ICU with a tube to help him breath and a million other tubes coming out of his little body while he was struggling to survive. Finally on a Monday morning at around 10am his Papa said enough suffering, stop all the treatment. Everything was turned off and his Papa held him tight while he passed away in his arms. He was given his last bath put in clean clothes and his Mama put him onto her back and they walked down the gangway with their dead baby. It has to be one of the saddest things I have ever seen. The way his Mama gently put her dead baby on her back is something I will never ever forget.
Despite all the heartache and hardships and ups and downs I have had since being here I am totally content. I am content with the fact that I live in a dark cabin that has no natural light, I live with 5 other females and I sleep on a narrow bunk bed.
I really couldnt imagine being anywhere else right now.
Becky - you are an amazing young woman. How could you not be changed by all you have seen and experienced - for the better.
ReplyDeleteI have shared your blog and the Mercy Ship videos with Helena (my youngest) and I said to her "whose lives am I helping to make better in this world" and she looked at me and said "ours" (so I guess all is not lost on them after all!!). You are enriching the lives of those you meet every day, just by being you - so keep up the good work, I am in awe of your unselfishness.
Love, cuzzy Sue. xxxx
Rebecca Jean, Wot a precious story and as cuzzy Sue said above, you truly are an inspiration and I am sure a huge ray of sunshine to all the lives you have touched and are touching. I am very proud to be your'e Aunty. Love Heather Kay. XXXXXX
ReplyDeleteHi Beccy! Just caught up on all your doings in Benin from your blog site. Fantastic stories and wonderful to hear of what its like. I am green with envy as it has always been in my heart to work overseas. Hence I am back nursing this year in the hope that one day I can! Your stories are inspirational.
ReplyDeleteGSG is still chugging on back home - crazy, frantic and just as you remember it! We go to work to run for 8hrs! We have Dena back from Aussie, and Erwin from medical, and Judy from CCH working with us now. We miss you but you will no doubt be back very soon now.
Go well.....Alison