The Friends Visitor Centre is Gorgeous

Novice Bigvanh, my step-son, visited me at work today.
He said the Friends Visitor Centre is GORGEOUS, and that I had taught him that word!
glad my vocab is rubbing off and that he says gorgeous so enthusiastically!
Bigvanh also likes the words ablutions and beautiful
ah, some of my favourites too
and not a dobedo or golly in sight!

went back into the office and all the Laos staff did a whatever hand sign
mmmm, oh dear

a weekend away

we walked into the hills south of luang prabang
through rice fields and hmong villages
stayed at a lovely hotel, hillside, it felt like a long holiday
peaceful, relaxing and stunning scenery
thanks julie, paul and sam for a fab weekend
sorry for the terrible french accent and dodgy scrabble words!

Till and Ineke have talent

great night at Lisa's
loved the live music
and these two are gorgeous and talented
don't go home to Germany Till, we want to hear you play again and you have to save me from John!

the view from my classroom

love this view, i'm always gazing at the mountains and palm trees, daydreaming and wanting to go exploring

happy birthday to me!

i love the 18th of September, i took the day off work to relax
had a fab day eating and drinking my way around Luang Prabang with friends
and time for a invigorating massage
loved my birthday cake, thanks Lisa and Christine, who know's where an innocent conversation ends up! sounds like you had heaps of fun making the beast, we all enjoyed munching it!
great night out - aperitifs at Lisa's, yummy posh dinner, we were a tad rowdy but the whole restaurant appreciated a very memorable birthday c--kcake, looked marvellous, tasted delicious, ended up with the teenagers at s bar who finished it off and staggered home just a wee bit after curfew time.
was thinking of my birthday buddy, happy birthday andi!

Wat NaLuang

Spent Saturday afternoon practising English with the novices and a wee bit of Laos, accompanied by heaps of laughter, the novices have such a great sense of humour.
I joined in the chanting, very calming and my singing is improving!
A huge storm started during chanting, I remember hiding behind the sofa as a child but felt very safe in the temple, the novices described the weather as 'cats and dogs', more like buffalo and bears! I stayed up at the temple until the storm passed so missed dinner with my mates back in town.
Novices Somsai and Pali want to be doctors and asked for a biology lesson, it was great hanging out with them. I'm considering becoming a novice so I could learn more about Buddhism and meditation.

first week of medical teaching

it was introduction week, we discussed how we will learn, work based assessment and an evolving development plan
next week we start working through the curriculum and practising our skills, looking forward to comparing Laos and UK practice

favourite moment in English class this week ....

we were practicing gerunds!
ever heard of those?
i found out they're words ending with ing
i asked the class to think of a sentences starting with "i love" followed by a gerund
kongsay said 'i love being in class with you'!
bless, he's now teachers pet!!

meeting at the Ministry of Health

I took the morning flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane for a meeting at the Ministry of Health with the minister and his deputy.
We discussed how the Lao Friends Hospital for Children project was evolving and how the Lao government could help to achieve our goals. They were very enthusiastic and supportive, other organisations have built hospitals and left. The minister was happy that we were building, equipping, recruiting staff and training in order to establish a sustainable teaching hospital run by Laoatian health professionals and educators that will be handed back to the Lao government in 10 years time.

Sitting at the board room table I looked out the window and thought 'bugger, is this real, i couldn't have dreamt this" it's a cliche but sometimes you really do have to pinch yourself, I thought of Sasja and Andi and sitting in the kitchen laughing about my interview for GP training when I described my weakness as 'being a bit wishywashy'!
I was anxious about meeting the minister but made me feel comfortable and it was very easy to talk to him.

a trip to A&E

i received a telephone call from one of the novices at Wat PasaViet
he had cut himself while gathering fruit in the forest and asked me if i could look at his wound
so off i went on my bike, he had a deep wound which needed suturing
our hospital is under construction and we have no medical equipment at the moment
i called a local doctor i know and asked to borrow some, she advised i take him to A&E
The doctor and I had different opinions about treatment
he had 2 sutures which cost the equivalent of 2 days local rate wages
i can now see why healthcare is out of reach for many laotians
a little depressing but good to be here to do a little bit to try to help

English lessons are in full swing at Lao Friends Hospital for Children

the students are very motivated and have heaps of fun
as you can see they work hard, and what you can't hear is them asking 'teacher, please speak slowly' or 'it is very difficult to understand when you are joking'
I thought i was speaking slowly and clearly and certainly not doing stand up

I love their ideas - some are altruistic, some want a fast car, some copy everything i draw on the board!