5/20
Today was the second day with half our group gone to Nhoveni, a piece of Kruger that belongs to Moholo and is exclusively used by staff and students. Trespassers and poachers are turned into the police or shot. Jo, Olly, Ryan, Hetty, Hannah, Ale and I have been covering all the rounds. It has actually been quite fun. I am now in charge of three young servals, Zachary, Betty and Butch, since Laura, the vet nurse, is leaving on Sunday and Jessie, who will be taking her place, will not return for a few days.
After talking to some of the students form Britain who are on a gap year, I’ve considered taking a gap semester somewhere; maybe even here at Moholo. The only problems are when and doing what. It would be loads of fun to stay here, but I want to learn more about medicine. What would be great is to work at a local clinic. Good thing I made prior engagements I have to attend to back home or else I would be content staying right where I am. At least I did get a chance to practice some light first-aid. I wrapped a sprained ankle and removed a painful splinter. Don’t laugh, it totally counted. Hey, perhaps I could justify staying here as the first-aid person!
I’m so torn between wanting to help preserve the environment and the animals that live in it and medicine, particularly for those that don’t readily have access to healthcare. I don’t want to have to choose, but I want to do one or the other whole-heartedly and rock at it. I’ve learned so much these past two weeks and it’s felt like two months. Time works differently out here. Sometimes I think school is pointless and gets in the way of doing what you really want. I know I won’t get far without it though. Learning is so much better when I can touch and feel and see how what I’m learning relates to reality. I love listening to people explain what they’re doing while they work. I am certain I’ll be doing more work in other countries. Now what exactly I’ll be doing is an entirely different matter. So many decisions and dreams as vast as the African sky.
