Water & giraffes

After a couple of weeks of rounds with "the Zvandasara firm" (they refer to teams of doctors as firms, which makes me feel like I'm in a John Grisham novel) and delivering babies with the midwives, Dave and I are hitting our stride and understanding (at least at a basic level) how things work here. We continue to be amazed by the number of babies born at Harare Central Hospital every single day, and we are relishing the opportunities and experiences we’re gaining.

{Me with a baby I just delivered and dressed in a
very warm outfit!}

Although it is no surprise that there is significant poverty in Zimbabwe (after all, it is a developing nation), I have been struck by the dramatic ways in which the scarcity of jobs and resources affect people’s health. A recurring theme in gynecology clinic is: woman diagnosed with cancer (or probable cancer) a year ago, did not have the recommended treatment at that time because of inability to pay for it, now returning after having saved up for a year but with more widespread or severe disease (which will be more difficult to treat and perhaps now impossible to cure). Imagine finding out that a loved one has cancer and that their ability or inability to get the necessary treatment is contingent upon your selling enough roasted corn on the side of the road.

Another thing that has been both interesting and eye-opening is how difficult it can be to access such basic needs as water in a place where the infrastructure is old or, in some places, nonexistent. For example, for the week prior to our arrival, there was no running water in the dormitory building where we’re staying (there was an issue with the water pressure such that the water just wasn’t making it all the way to the faucet). People who were staying here had to bring in their own water in large bottles from the grocery store (for drinking) and in buckets from an outdoor well (for washing, flushing the toilet, etc.). The water pressure issue has now resolved, but since we have been here the entire university campus and surrounding area has been without hot water (if it weren’t so hot all the time the freezing cold showers would be especially unpleasant!) We are told that a boiler (or something) is broken. Additionally (and more importantly), the tap water in Zimbabwe is not safe for drinking; it must be boiled or otherwise filtered before drinking in order to avoid the risk of diarrheal illness (which could be deadly for people here). 

In the US, it is easy to take clean, safe water for granted and to forget all the steps it takes to get that water from its source to our kitchen sinks. This has been a good reminder that regular hot showers are a luxury rather than a necessity (because we could just as easily clean ourselves with cold water)! 

To end on a lighter note, I'll share a couple of pictures! Last weekend, we were lucky enough to go on a day trip to an animal park last weekend. There, we saw lions, hyenas, baboons, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles!