Friday

Friday night.

Rounds we done by 6:30, so we had time for a walk before our good bye dinner. The Staff of KATH held a nice dinner in our honor and many nice speeches were made. They presented us with a gift of appreciation after a delicious dinner of traditional Ghanaian food. We had given our gifts earlier to various people. We gave gifts of scrub outfits, hats, polo shirts, pens, books and water bottles we all individually brought.

The food was very delicious. OK so I now know what jollof rice should taste like now. Not unlike a tomato rice dish my mother used to make, just the Ghanaian version has more spice. Speaking of spice, I have really enjoyed this hot sauce that I think has ground bean in it- Sheento. Very hot and really good. The ingredients in Ghanaian foods are a mix of indigenous foods, foods from the Caribbean, Asia and the Americas. We had the best plantains at the going away dinner. A jazz group played and we ate outside. Fastina said the closing Thank you and our surgery resident and guide Dr. Yankey said the final prayer.

But to me, the most moving and meaningful moment on our trip would be Saturday when a patients mother said Thank you to the Team for tasking care of all the children. She spoke with great warmth as she shared her appreciation for the care we had given the children and for the healing work we had done.

~Stephanya Shear