Community Penetration? I don't think so!

Like seriously, a week's gone already? That's definitely music to my ears. Though nothing much happened in the 1st week, no thanks to logistical & bureaucratic issues that were beyond our control. We did meet the Council of Chiefs of the community we are staying in. Let's just say that there names are quite a challenge to my untrained tongue. We've also established contact (& possibly struck a working relationship) with the community we'll be working with. So far, so good. On a professional level, my classmates have literally put their best foot forward. On a personal note, "boys will always be boys: disgustingly dirty, selfish & rambunctious". The male hostel has been...very masculine. Thankfully, there's been no wanton display of testosterone-fueled brawls...yet. We've managed to live in peace and some guys have displayed culinary skills that best that of most women. But then, men do make the best chefs. On to my roommates, they've been nothing but polite. Mutual respect is the unspoken law & steer clear of personal spaces. We've had a couple of conversations that have helped me understand some of them better. There's a certain guy who the whole class believes to be unserious. Granted he's not so serious but he's not totally bad. He's a fun guy & very genuine too. And we may not be best buds, but he's a pal now. I guess that's what rooming together does to you, helps you know people better. Now let's meet the community. I've strolled round & interacted with some locals. Our host community happens to be a very generous one as I've entered bike 2ice without having to pay. They are mostly a farming population, so there's no shortage of foodstuff here especially cash crops. As a true christian, I went to church on Sunday, though I could understand about 40-50% of what was said, it was still a beautiful celebration with the women showcasing the pre-etighi dance steps and the priest promising a dinner for the Catholics amongst us. The next 5weeks here will go swiftly, I have no doubt about it. I hope I've learnt enough Comm. Med by then.

Day 1

Nowheresville, an out of the way town literally in the middle of nowhere (as far as I'm concerned) but popularly known to locals as Gokana LGA. This is where I and my classmates will be stationed for the next 6 weeks and 4days (hey, who's counting) to enable gain knowledge and experience in Community Medicine away from the majesty of the teaching hospital. Bullocks if you ask me, but you didn't. We all knew we'd be coming here. Some prayed and fasted against it, others could barely wait for it to start while a majority of the class saw it as a nuisance that has to be tolerated. Monday 14th of January was a normal day except that it was the beggining of the rural posting. We gathered in the hostel and before long, the 1st bus left with about 50 instead of 80 students. Everybody's luggage would come later in the cargo vehicles. Some ladies outdid themselves carrying bags of supplies that would last at least a year. I can only wonder if they intend to settle here. Any way, we were able to load all the bags and baggages, loads and luggages on board the lorries and they left for Nowheresville. The 2nd bus came & picked up the rest of the class. Some people who had the means, drove down. Everyone was sorted out except for when fella who came real late(I've always been concerned about his Psychiatric status but today laid my fears to rest, he's bat-shit crazy). He had to find a way down here and I bet it wasn't fun. We got to Og...Nowheresville and our property was strewn out on the lawn. Next came accommodation. The ladies had already taken care of themselves, 3-8 in a room depending on size. Us guys were taken to a place that was ankle-deep in water. We set out to colonize rooms & establish territories affter which we had to scrub & mop & clean & mop again. It was no easy task as we were at it till 6pm. Light was supplied through a rather complicated process that involved us paying a token. And water, well its neither here nor there. I'm lucky that in my room we are just 5 as opposed to 7 that is the standard & even some parties that are 10. My roommates are mostly strangers to me but over the next 6weeks, I'll get to know them better. Today we enter the community, a community renowned for its violence. I hope we don't offend them and they offer us up to their gods. Rumour has it that the last communual crises that resulted in crisis was over a football match played in faraway England. Like we normally say, God dey sha!