Lily already wants to stay forever

Almost three weeks in and we are beginning to feel like true Capetonians, even if we still can’t figure out how the cross walks work and look the wrong way for oncoming cars. We’ve all had very unique experiences on the mini-bus taxis, but we have grown more comfortable using them to get to our internships smoothly (maybe a few bumps) each day. I think it’s safe to make the generalization that we can all now see why Marita feels so strongly connected to this city; both the people and the places are so incredible that we already want to stay forever.

We began our internships and there has been so much discussion in the houses about what we learned, saw and experienced. Of course, there are many things that are bringing us out of our comfort zone, but in the best possible way, with a great co-educator support system. Many of us have already witnessed the after-effects of apartheid through people that we meet that have very different mindsets from our own; it’s definitely an educational experience to see all different areas of the spectrum and trying to understand the background that people come from and how it affects their everyday attitudes.

I definitely have learned so much already from my internship; the doctor and nurse that I was working with in the operating room (they call it Theater) have been very helpful in explaining everything they are doing and why. Within 20 minutes of walking in on the first day, I was in scrubs, shoe covers, cap and mask, standing right next to the pediatric patient that was being operated on. The entire time, Dr. Sparks was explaining what he was doing and how it would affect the young girl who had shortened hamstrings as a result of her cerebral palsy. In just two hours, I was able to experience the prep, four-incision surgery, casting of both legs and anesthesia and airway control; it’s safe to say I was jumping with excitement! The rest of the day consisted of Botox injections to stimulate paralyzed muscle and three plaster casts.

Within the first day, I realized why I was there; when I first entered the hospital, it was overwhelmingly sad to see all of the children with infections, amputations and injuries. However, by the end of the first day I realized how truly lucky they are, given their circumstances, to be in a hospital with staff who care about them so strongly and are doing everything they can to work for their recovery. The organizations we are interning in are filled with some of the most amazing people I have ever met; I truly feel like people in Cape Town are raised to be more caring, friendly, aware and passionate than in the United States.