“It has been emotionally draining”

For most people turning 50, it is celebrated with a few drinks surrounded by friends and family, but one Welshpool woman had other ideas.

Jane Gough is a senior nurse and reached the milestone yesterday (Wednesday) surrounded by some of the world’s poorest people in a part of Africa that is serviced by appalling medical services lacking even the most basic provisions.

Jane has added two unpaid weeks leave to her annual fortnight off to spend a month, and £3,000 of her own money, to volunteer with New Zealand-based IVHQ (International Volunteering Headquarters) in Arusha, Tanzania.

Her plan was to visit a part of the world where she could not only make a small difference, but to allow her to experience a new culture and visit extraordinary places.

But midway through her stint, Jane told us last night that it had been “emotionally draining” to see just how basic medical care is, and she explained that so many patients face life threatening situations as a result.

“The stuff we take absolutely for granted at home is in such short supply here,” Jane said.

“The whole culture shock has been emotionally draining and I just wish I could do more for these people as they need so much more help and support.”

Jane has lived in Welshpool most of her life, and started her nurse training in 2009 with Staffordshire University, before working at the acute spinal injuries at Robert Agnes Hunt OrthopaedicHospital in Gobowen. She moved on to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, firstly working in the Acute Medical Unit, then onto A&E and finally into her current position as Clinical Site Manager.

But nothing could prepare her for what was waiting in this corner of the world, where she spends the bulk of her time helping in the hospital, and also two days a week with an outreach programme helping huge queues of people seeking medical care in rural villages.

“Turning 50 made me want to challenge myself personally and professionally,” Jane explained.

“I decided on Arusha, Tanzania, as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so thought it was ideal to combine nursing with adventure.

“I am working between two projects. I’m based in a hospital called Daraja Mbilli, where they look after many medical issues, but maternity is the biggest with on average 150 babies born each month in just one delivery room with two trolleys (pictured). I have seen a mattress on the floor used if needed.

“The hospital has no sheets or blankets. The women bring their own and then take them home in a bucket. There are many other services, like clinics for patients living with HIV, wound care, antenatal and children’s vaccinations. All this happens in a very small building.

“The outreach programme is organised by IVHQ and we visit the most rural villages and just set up a consultation room and a place to dispense medication. The volunteers supply all medication either bought ourselves or from volunteers that have fund raised.

“Every time, we have so many patients arrive with all types of medical problems. All medication can be bought at pharmacies in and around Arusha. We mainly need antibiotics, de-wormer, pain relief, fungal and steroid creams.”

The experience has been a real eye-opener for Jane who says she wants to continue her connection with the area after she has returned home, with many friends and family asking how they can support her efforts, and she has a very easy answer.

“Save your second-hand bras,” she said. “They are in such short supply here. Women face terrible problems with rape and harassment here, but bras are a sign of wealth so if a woman is wearing one, I am told they are 90% less likely to be raped. So, please keep those second-hand bras for me and I will figure out a way of having them delivered when I am back.”

Despite their circumstances, Jane is quick to point out that the local people have made her feel so welcome since arriving.

“The people are so friendly and welcoming and are a pleasure to work with, and for,” she said. “When walking down the street I often hear caribo (welcome) and mambo (hello)!”

With two weeks remaining, Jane has a lot of long shifts of healthcare ahead of her still, but will also manage to tick off a major bucket list item.

“It is hard work through the week, but at weekends I have free time and my life-long dream is to see the African night sky,” she said. “That will happen this weekend when I go on safari in the Serengeti, so will hopefully I will have an amazing view.”