Tanzanian Adventure: January 2007

Latest X-Ray

This X-Ray was taken today, 27th January 2007. Alfan fell over onto his bad side a week ago and has new 'swelling' on the side of his leg where the break is. His physio said it was bone growth which has broken. The angle is much worse now and the overlap is still prominent.

Alfan's X-rays

The first x-ray of his right femur on October 16th, 2006, one day after the accident . The break is just above his knee

The second x-ray (below) after 6 weeks in traction done on November 25th, some new bone growth but ununited ( a lot of movement).

The last 2 x-rays done on Saturday January 6th, 2007, still ununited yet plaster removed and no weight bearing allowed.

Sorry about the quality of the x-rays, they were photographed against the light as best as possible.

The first week in hospital with clothes, sheets, pillows and food provided by myself and other volunteers of the school and his family. His pain killers (diclofan) also bought by us.

In his bed outside for better air and something to look at.

In the second hospital on the day they removed his plaster and the steel pin... no more traction.

At home in the chair and with the crutches I bought him (the only chair in his family).

I'm Back and Wondering Why

Yes, I'm back in Australia, first staying with my parents in Cooma, then to house-sit for various friends in Canberra. I'm missing Tanzania way too much and feel just as I did when I left a year ago - I don't know why I keep doing this to myself.
Anyway, I miss Alfan an awful lot and the only way to communicate is through writing letters athough I get to talk to him tomorrow as Paul is taking him to the hospital to get his cast off finally so I can call Paul and talk to Alfan. As I spent every single day with him for the last two and a half months I was there, we had developed quite a friendship and spent hours each day laughing endlessly.
I went to Tanzania to 'make a difference' and I did. At St Judes I made a lot of difference and had some amazing experiences, however they were the kind of differences that are not Africa specific or developing country specific. Many people who go to St Judes find the same thing, that it's not specific to being at an African school necessarily. Helping Alfan was completely specific to being in a developing country with awful medical care and so I know the difference I made was hugely significant to him and his family. It was also something no one else could do as it wasn't just about money. So I feel enormously satisfied, something I didn't always have at St Judes.
Even saying that, I would love to go back to St Judes again... the sooner the better and continue making the differences there. I have much more realistic expectations now and would maybe not rely so much on feeling great satisfaction after doing every little thing.
Unfortunately, 3 days before I left my camera was stolen from my bedroom at St Judes, while I was in the shower and the door was closed. Whoever it was opened the door, grabbed the first thing and then locked me in the room. It was very sad for me as I had the pictures of the final visits to children's houses for Dan and myself, plus pictures of a swimming outing with some of the students. Oh Well!!! I only hope the money the thief made went to feeding children somewhere and not on alcohol etc.