Me and Su, one of my best friends in Myanmar.
As the time to return to the UK draws near I feel a strange cocktail of anticipation, excitement, sadness and uncertainty.
Whilst I am incredibly happy to return home and see my family, I am also devastated to be leaving my new friends. It’s a strange but familiar feeling, it’s exactly what I felt when I left England.
Before I leave, I am heading to Yangon to formally conclude my placement with the VSO team, and also enjoy some leaving celebrations. I had a goodbye party in Natmauk just a few days ago which was wonderful – karaoke under the stars, a lot of food and the amazing company of my colleagues and friends.
Goodbye lovely home
All of my surroundings have become so familiar to me, so much part of my everyday life that I just can’t imagine not waking up here.
Every odd piece of furniture makes me feel emotional, the gas hob for example, where I prepared many Myanmar meals; inspired and taught to me by my wonderful new friends (and where I have also made some not-so-cultural dishes too – you can’t beat egg, chips and baked beans after a long day in the office!)
Looking to the future
Today, I’ve been spending my time packing up my belongings and that’s put me in a slightly melancholic mood. But it’s also another opportunity to help the community I’ve spent so much time in. I have been washing my clothes so they can be donated to a school for disabled children and a local orphanage, as well as cleaning household items to donate to local families in need. My bags may be much emptier than when I arrived, but my heart is so much fuller.
This project has certainly helped me think about my future, and how I will shape my career. Though I absolutely love caring for women, babies and families; I have also found real joy in guiding, mentoring and supporting the wonderful midwives of Myanmar. So much of the work I have done is strongly linked and underpinned by Public Health Policy and Practice, and so I have enrolled on an MSc Public Health course in my home town of Birmingham. I hope this course will further my understanding and knowledge so that I can strengthen health care and health related systems – particularly within Maternal and Child health.
Me, Daw Khin Mar Kyi (on the left) and our fellow midwives.
Daw Khin Mar Kyi
The midwives I have worked with are truly some of the most inspiring people I have ever met. As much as I taught them, they have also changed my life for the better. Each and every midwife is special to me, as a valued participant in our project and for making me feel like part of the Natmauk community. However, one midwife went above and beyond that and made me feel like part of her family. That midwife was Daw Khin Mar Kyi.
She was always the first to offer support to me and her peers during training, she is dedicated to her midwifery practice and the community she lovingly serves. She was the first to visit me when I had gastroenteritis, offering me medication and a motherly hug. She was knocking on my door at 10pm, arms laden with blankets upon hearing that the temperature was soon to drop. My favourite memory of her is when she called me up at six in the morning to enthusiastically invite me to take part in a home birth. She even sent her husband to collect me on his motorbike to ensure I would not miss the magical event or lose my way. But most importantly, she laughs at my bad jokes. As a friend, as a midwife and as a woman, she has impressed me daily and I will definitely be staying in touch.
Introducing Carol
I am very excited to tell you that though I am headed home, VSO Volunteer Carol Carson will be soon getting in touch with you. Like me, Carol’s placement focuses on Neonatal care in Myanmar. This will be the third time Carol’s volunteered with VSO, so she has a lot of experience under her belt. She will be working at a local government hospital sharing her skills with midwifery students. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Goodbye from all of us in Myanmar.
Goodbye
There is so much I am going to miss about volunteering, and one of those things is you. You have been with me every step of the way, and knowing this has got me through the toughest times in my placement. I honestly don’t know how I can thank you.
Very best wishes,
Sam
