The first rain ....
After 10 days in Bangladesh, the rains finally begin on the 11th day. With the rains come a gentle breeze and less heat. It is still humid, however it is cool enough to open the windows and open the door to the balcony. Since it has started raining, it has rained every day. The rain is steady, however there are no violent storms. According to Reaz, it will rain like this everyday throughout monsoon season which will last until July/August. The flowers and trees are saying thank you as it has been very dry during the summer season. Despite the rain, traffic and life continues as usual in the streets. Rickshaw peddlers wear rain hats that look like “plastic bags” on their heads.The walkers carry umbrellas and the rickshaws have sheets of plastic to help keep their passengers dry. The roadside markets are still open and are kept dry with umbrellas or plastic. With the rains come periodic losses of electricity and of course loss of wi-fi. The good thing is that interruptions in power are short and there is a generator at the guest house. I still have not figured out how to get hot water for a shower. The water pressure is strong, however the water is “cool” no matter which of the 5 knobs that I turn. Perhaps I get up too early and the hot water has not been turned on. Despite the daily rain we rarely get wet as we are picked up and delivered under canopies and there are always “helping Hands” with many umbrellas. We do have to negotiate around, through and sometimes over the many puddles of water with little make shift bridges made out of wood and bricks.
One of our team members got very ill after dinner on Friday evening, however after some electrolyte rich coconut water and a couple packages of saline and sugar in some bottled water, she is feeling much better. Green coconuts are filled with a water that is rich in electrolytes–a natural Gatorade and no sugars!
We have continued our work each day including a visit yesterday to the construction site for the Imperial Hospital Limited after the rain. The rains slow construction and eventually will stop construction for at least one month when the rains are continuous. Today we went to Maa-O Shishu (mother and child) Hospital to meet with the top administrator, Principal, Vice Principal and teachers of the nursing school and the Matron of the hospital. We learned about the diploma school of nursing at Maa-O Shishu and shared information about life in nursing school and challenges for students and faculty. We found many similarities in experiences–the nursing shortage in the hospital, lack of clinical teachers, lack of qualified faculty, and lack of resources and support for students and faculty. Each of us were presented with a silver tray that was engraved with each of our names. The silver tray was awarded to each member of our team in appreciation of our visit to Maa-O Shishu.
One major difference in both employment and student admissions is the criteria. Criteria is often based on age, gender, marital status, and physical characteristics–all of the things that are illegal in the states. Students must have completed 12th grade, a citizen of Bangladesh, 18-22 years old, prefer not to be the only girl in the family, or the youngest girl, or very pretty as the girls will leave to get married and will not complete the program or will not work in nursing after completion of the program. Men are accepted for admission to nursing school, however there are few men in nursing. Students do have academic requirements which include an entrance exam, minimum GPA 2.6 in grade 12, be physically fit and pass the interview. Hiring criteria for each position in the hospital or school can have similar criteria based on age, gender and marital status. Nursing school is hard and students take 8-9 courses each year of study. Courses are taught in English, however many students and faculty have difficulty speaking and understanding English. Reading English is easier than speaking.
We try to taste one new food each day. We have tasted ros malai–which are round sweets (small doughy, bread like rounds) floating in thick milk. Ros malai is considered a delicacy and a highly desired sweet. Misti dhohi is a sweetened youghurt. Both are very sweet and taste much better topped with fresh mango. I still prefer the freshly picked fruit which include bananas, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, and lychee which is served at almost every meal.
Below are a few pictures from the last few days.
Team at IHL Construction Site
Road to Maa-O Shishu
"Peddler" Rickshaw or Bikeshaw
Meeting at Nursing Institute at Maa-O Shishu
Presentation at Maa-O Shishu
Nursing Students Maa-O Shishu
After our visit to Maa-O Shishu, we graciously declined the lunch invitation. It has been my experience that eating hospital food in any country can be a little risky and not the most nutritious. So… after lunch back at the guest house, a nap and tea we continued to work and prepare our final report for this assessment visit.
We are hoping for some R and R on Monday! 🙂 A trip to the Bay of Bengal and seeing the ships. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
Besides missing family and friends, I really miss my daily dose of peanut butter and extra dark chocolate Lindt truffles! Yum!
Taniml's Blog 
