Script and Service: Field notes from a travelling pharmacist on global aid, work, and adventures

* Speed-speed, is without blessing (I don't think the dala dala drivers know this). I'd like to start by thanking some new friends for their sustained efforts in supplying me with an enormous stash of beer bottle tops, which I have used to create a self-professed work of art. Their gallant act of drinking copious amounts of beer (not entirely against their will) has done VSO proud. Maybe after another 5 weeks, I'll be able to extend the map to include the rest of the World. There was a shock in the village recently, when the price of lunch jumped up 50% to 60p. A scandal worthy of the local press, should there be one. In retaliation, I have started going to the only other restaurant in town (read: wooden bench ) for my daily culinary experience. Mama Pepe also charges 60p but she has a sunnier disposition, always gives us seconds, and has a varied lunch menu that extends beyond beans. On alternate days she cooks okra in a fishy sauce and if you're luc...

The muzungus were invited to a big hospital meeting this week although we had no idea what it was going to be about. In the meeting room everyone seemed very solemn except for the woman asleep on a desk in the corner. It was held in Swahili so I am still none the wiser. I understood every 20th word, "....because.........but.........then........extra duty (that one was in English).....holiday......problem". It may have been something to do with the hospital having no money which seems to be a recurrent predicament wherever I work. I spent the time people watching. I still don't know many names but the man was there who looks like a human Hush Puppy and so was the guy who is always chewing a toothpick. Someone else fell asleep and I stared at Hush Puppy man. Then it was over. The only difference? There's a mirror in the VIP cubicle Today's Swahili lesson day was called At the hospital . I now know how to say My private parts are aching (Ninamaumivu se...

One month in and it feels like I have been here so much longer. Running around the Princess Royal Hospital (wearing inappropriately high heels and short dresses), dancing on boats in the middle of Winter, walking the streets of London collecting sights, making cupcakes with the girls (and boy) - all distant memories. But I miss you all muchly and think of you every day. It was my first full 5 day week on placement. Spent a morning in the CTC clinic (Care and Treatment Centre) dishing out medication to adults with HIV/AIDS. Children and pregnant women come another day. So many patients. Started to learn the ropes in the pharmacy and make plans for the new Outpatient Department Pharmacy that is opening in the next couple of months and will be my project. They are still building it, so I'll wait and see when it is ready for business...we're working on African time. We placed the monthly order for drugs and laboratory/theatre/x-ray supplies - what we need came to 29 million ...

It's time I showed you what you are missing and gave you a tour of the village. It won't take long believe me, although Nyangao is larger than I imagined because it needs to provide for the hospital staff and the many patients and their relatives who pass through. St Walburg's hospital has a very good reputation for surgery and has one of the only functioning x-ray machines in the region. Patients come from as far away as Dar Es Salaam and Mozambique to have surgery here. The High Street (Top Shop is opening its flagship store next month) The church The school The hospital has 220 beds and 220 staff. At any one time most of them are chilling somewhere - sat on a bench catching the breeze, taking a nap on an empty bed, or having a wander around the hospital and chatting with colleagues. St Walburg's also has the only ICU in Southern Tanzania - what gives it the "intensive care" status though is the availability of a sats monitor and t...