Re: boo (hoo)

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Still in Iringa

Should be going home tomorrow - stayed here today because I started driving again this morning. It should be alright - I've been ill with the two big changes in environment (arriving in Tanzania, and arriving on placement) - although it also coincides with the Larium four week point (I stopped before for a couple of weeks), so it might be that, but I don't think it is. The doctor who told me it was the Larium last time asked me no questions at all and just decided it must be the anti-malarials (there seems to be a bit of an if-in-doubt-blame-the-anti-malarials policy with some doctors out here). I'm gonna go off the Larium anyway, I think, because I'm not actually placed in a particularly bad area for malaria, and some of the nastier side effects can go on for years if it affects you badly, so it might be best to steer clear. I'll see how easy it is to get hold of doxycycline instead.

Went to see the doctor at the hospital today and he gave me lots of medicine - he's called Dr Harry, and he's lovely - he actually asks questions and explains what things are and why he's prescribing various things (unlike all the other doctors I've met here). Actually met him last night, when I went with Min and Lauren to the hospital to meet him - he had been so nice to them when they were on drips this week so they bought him a present.

Really want to get back to placement - it's really hard there, but I just have to work at it and try and settle in (esp. the Swahili - I think I'm gonna try getting about more away from Vende because otherwise I'll just rely on him all the time - getting the bus on my own yesterday was a bit heavy, but did me the power of good).

Tried to make myself useful today by investigating the Youth Development Centre (YDC) at SPW office in Iringa. It's basically a library with information for anyone who wants to use it - all to do with SPW's work, of course, so stuff on Sex and Reproductive Health, Life Skills and Environmental stuff, as well as loads of teaching resources. We'll all be setting up mini versions in the villages next month, so it's all good research.

Really knackered today so I lasted about an hour in there before needing a pumzika (rest), so Lauren and I went up to the volunteers' room and had a sleep while Min looked around a bit more. Lauren's stuck around for another night too, so I'm not all alone (she's been a bit rough again today too) - Min's gone back to her village.