In Mahajanga

Have arrived safely in Mahajanga. Left Tana at 06.30 in the morning, and came here a bit over 5 pm.

Haven't been to this side of Madagaskar before, so the road and scenary are quite different. I've put out some photos on my Facebook profile so that ppl can look there.

We drove throuhg areas with no ppl, then suddenly there was a little town - ppl everywhere with their shops, produce, yelling, screeming and everything that there is when lots of ppl get are together to try to sell their things. Ppl are smiling, greeting and wanting to sell what they have.

The closer we got to Mahajanga the warmer it got, except for the place where we ate. Maevatanana the temp said 38 C - a tad hot and a very little breeze. So before we got back into the van, they put on the AC - very appreciated.

There is a drought here now, and lots of the bridges we crossed didn't have water under them at all. Some has large contrstuctions, so one can understand that when the water finally arrives it's massive. Will try to get a picture of one of the bridges.

Came to the hotel, and it's and there is a nice breeze. Am a bit tired, but we sit and chat for a while before supper and an early night.

The following day I go to church, and it's a tinroofed and tinwalled church - it's very hot. Even the locals are sweeting. After sitting in church for over 2 hours and not having given the offering yet, and said lets go. A local guy Jacob was with me. They had just stared to have auction in church. It's a normal thing to have, but it was too hot.

The afternoon was nice and relaxing, and we went for a walk in the neighbour hood in the afternoon.

In Madagaskar

We arrived safely and sound. The flight was not bad at all. The longest flight was 7 hours or so, the last leg of the flight had few ppl so  we were able to use 3 seats or so each and had a bit of a sleep. Our stay in Tana was good. Went for a little walk that evening, and showed the team Isoraka which used to be the Norwegian hub in Tana.

The team went on to go to Mahajanga, while I went to Antsirabe.
Before leaving I met up with some good friends. We had some tea and a little snack. Then I got in the car and went to Antsirabe. Took some photos on the road which was posted on Facebook.

On Saturday I went to the hospital to greet ppl there, and was warmly welcomed. And they had just delivered a baby. Hang out with them for a little bit, before going over to the former Norwegian school. Good to c the place again. Not many ppl there, so took come photos and moved on.

I had been able to get hold of Solofotina, my pastor my dad used to work with. Had asked them to meet me. There will be about 7 or 8 of us he said. But when they came they were 11. So we quickly set the table for more ppl. It was great to c them again. Before my dad passed, he had wanted to make a photobook for Solofotina, which we were able to make. Dad approved of the book. They were sitting looking, laughing and having a grand time. Had a meal together before they all went home.

Sunday was church day, 2,5 hours in church. And after church I was invited to a friends house. Had a good time with fellowship with them.

Monday and Tuesday I've been to the hospital, helping out. Mainly in maternity. Lovely time.

We have bought mattresses for the pediatric ward and for maternity, hope that they will get here b4 leaving to Tana on Friday morning.

Traveling to Madagascar the 1st of November - 27 November 2017.

It's been a few years since I've updated the blog. =)

Trips have been made both to Mozambique and Uganda - but there is no time to tell all that happened there. I can only say, I'll try to update next time.

The trip this time is to Madagascar.

We are 5 nurses from the Sørlandet Sykehus Kristiansand, (the main hospital) that over that last year has planned to travel to Andranomadio a local hospital in Antsirabe Madagascar. Helping out in different wards, and help with some programs in the villages surrounding Antsirabe. And show them some of the places where I had my childhood. Well that was the plan.

THEN....... There is a pest outbreak in Madagascar.
Every year there is a outbreak Yersinia pestis in Madagascar (October-February).

Do we go, do we stay, what about insurance – will they cover???? Questions are many. The health department hasn’t said don’t go…..

Things have been talked about, discussed, re-evaluated…..

The thing that was new now, was that new areas were hit. And this year it hit the capital and the surrounding villages. It was more severe this year cuz it came as lung pest.
If not treated it's 100% fatal.
They had 4 ppl infected in Antsirabe, whom got treated and sent home, at the hospital we were going to helping out.
Each year there are Norwegian nurse students that come to Andranomadio for their internship, and they were sent home because of the pest. Which made ppl more concerned about traveling to Antsirabe. Understandable!!
The main doctor at Andranomadio said it's ok to come there now, cuz they haven't had any more incidences with the pest there.

Because of the circumstances, the team are leaving for Mahajunga to stay out of Antananarivo (Tana, the capital) and I'll be going to Antsirabe for a week. Then I'll join them there after one week.

They will have some program/fieldwork in Mahajunga, and we'll work together there from the 11th of November.

Mahajunga is a city I've never been to, so that will be exciting.

Will try to have updates here frequently when I'm in Madagascar!