My first day

Entrance to the clinic

So today was my first day working in the clinic and it was definitely an eye-opening experience. I was actually just shadowing while getting to know the system but I was immediately humbled by the realization that many of the children seen here are orphans and that they have almost no understanding of what it means to be HIV positive because the bigger concern is whether they will have food or water this week. The degree of growth stunting and malnutrition is also jarring. I only wish I had been able to bring Sam's club quantities of rice, cereal, or even all the Pediasure cans I often see just go to waste at the hospital back home...

The clinic building

I think the biggest struggle for me today was being unable to communicate with the patients. The clinic staff speak English but the patients and their families speak Sesotho. I have been fortunate enough to never have required the use of a translator back at TCH, but now I know what it is like to have absolutely no idea what goes on in the lengthy conversation between the interpreter and the patients because all I get is a 2-3 word message relayed to me. Thank goodness for smiles, though. At least those are universally recognizable!

The clinic playground

So it seems I have much to learn over the next few weeks. At least I got my laptop set up so now I have internet access during clinic hours. The wi-fi signal from the cottage where I am staying is non-existent but it's not like I need to be looking up silly celebrity gossip or stalking people on facebook anyways... I am looking forward to reading the books my friend, Sara, let me borrow and I also brought my extensive pirated DVD collection, hehe...