One more JA sexual health story and more....

OK, so i did say that i would share one more sexual health clinic story. so here goes.... when i got back to Kingston, after i had done my week in Gordon town, which was my final week rural, i had 2 days at the sexual health clinic. so on the monday i arrived, early as usual, since both my parents were off the island, my brother was doing the rounds or dropping everyone off. in order for us to beat the morning traffic we leave our house at 6 am, so i was getting to the clinic at around 7 am. there was a crowd outside waiting to get in so that they could get good numbers. well the time was going and the guards weren't letting anyone in. the reason for this was that in order for them to open the gates, a police officer has to be on the premises. this has been the case for the past 2 years since someone was murdered, in the clinic. someone had just walked into the clinic and shot the man in his head. so since then the police have had to be on the premises. well this morning, the police decided they weren't gonna come because, a gang in the area had gone and shot up their station in retaliation for some perceived injustice in a police shooting on the previous thursday where 3 men died.

the guards eventually let me (after i told them i was working there) and the rest of the people in, but it was still unclear if the clinic would be open. ( the guards have no power, they ar pretty useless if you ask me, no guns or anything, though that may be a very good thing if you saw some of them) when i went inside, Dr. Kong, wanted things to still run as usual because there are patients that need their meds etc. but the other workers did not feel safe and so they were like we are leaving. when we went down to the clinic all the nurses and other workers had gathered and said that if there is not police coming then they are not working as well. and so clinic was closed that day. just a difficult situation all around. safety and patients wellbeing, just don't always go together. so that day i ended up spending the day at Sal's office doing some work, or helping him do work. i can't remember which it was.....lol. personally i could have used a day off so i was grateful for it. the next day i went all was well and i saw lots of cases. saw an amazing case of anaphylaxis to nevirapine (one of the HIV meds). it was a great experience. its just a pity that because of the foolishness and evil doings of a few so many are often affected, often innocent.

so that's my story. not funny, im sorry, just a different side to it all. highlights the dangers that health workers sometimes face at home.

so here is my tribute to my time in the country. I had a wonderful time with Temi and Sheree. amazing people and so smart. it was simply a great time. so thanks Temi for the fluffy rice and your deadpan humour and thanks sheree for driving us everywhere. our afternoons of movies, the boondocks, playing music, sharing resources such as pdf text books and studying are memories that i will definitely cherish. not to mention our negril flexes. great stuff.

tribute must also be made to Dougie and Sal. i just want to say thanks heaps, for the friends that you are. Dougie, i enjoyed chilling with you and the fashion show was awesome (even when i fell asleep on your shoulder). if i just needed something to do, we could always do nothing together and that was great. thanks for driving me and keva around and for bringing anika and ice cream all the way over to my house when we were just bored...lol... man there is no where like JA. those things just don't happen everywhere. i love our friendship and i really appreciate you.....





Sal, man what can i say.... your office and car were a haven. i loved every minute of chilling and doing work with you. it was like i worked at 4eg. i started to think of all the jobs and accounts as our jobs. i loved being your assistant on photo shoots, it was wicked. our projects look amazing. thanks for helping me with that thing for my dad and my mom. not to mention thanks for my own gifts. i really appreciate everything you have done and the friendship we have. the link can never be broken...lol... scary and comforting thought.... OH and thanks soooooooo much for making my rural time such fun......ROAD TRIP !!!!


well i have lots more pics and friends to thank but i have to do them in installments..... but yall gonna have to catch those other pics when you see me. heaps of love....