PGH this week

So, I have gone back, the pull towards a challange was too strong. but is has been oh so satisfying, I have been back to the ward and have bought them a kettle, the patients were SO greatful to have hot water for washing and drinking and the nurses were too (you see they used to have one but it broke ages ago and the hospital has not got around to getting another one) so i believe that it will actually be put to use.
it has also been great to see appreciation from patients and their families for my mere presence and talking to them, on friday afternoon i went in, did not change into my apron just sat outside with a group of the patients and had a great political, historical discussion about all sorts, i was able to tell them about the relationship between england Europe and the uk and then go into the diferneces between england and Australia... it was great to teach them something about my background as i have learnt so much about theirs!
then today i took in some postcards from back home which were so greatfuly recieved, they really are hungry to learn which is great, so much better than seeing them just sit looking dejected and forlorn.
becides work on the ward i have been spending time at the Youth Centre were tomorrow we have visitors from Nairobi coming so we have been decorating the place, last week i helped move a pool table in and made a large assortment of posters and leaflets. it is nice there now, even the guys from the hospital maintenance congregate there to play pool!
we also went on a school visit on monday to a school for orphans and street kids. we gave them a talk on HIV, health and growing up, somewhat nervewracking for me as i had not been told what to prepare then was in front of 200 kids... i think i wil get better at it with time! but this saturday we are going back to the school to do smaller group descussions so that we can adress their own indivitual questions. i am looking forward to it and at least this week it seems that i have been able to make a differnece to some people!

some other things that i may not have mentioned but have been highlights over the past month:

• holding a mothers hand whilst her baby was born! then holding the baby only a day after it was born 'fate' she was named.
• catching a grasshopper with my bare hands
• seeing Moses (a patient on the ward who is a prisoner)'s apreciation of me simply saying that he could keep the pen that i had lent him
• making dinner for Mukami, sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice, and it tasting better than i had ever done it before!
• praying out loud for the first time and enjoying it

so long for now, love to all and please do write me a letter if you have time!
bron xxx