I am working

7 weeks in and I think it's time to talk about work; mainly because I need to answer the increasing number of accusations from those who doubt that I am doing anything at all besides enjoy one long holiday. So, here goes...

My time is divided between the University at Ragama and the Hospital (National Institute of Mental Health) at Angoda. At the University I'm supporting the the first batch of Sri Lankan Occupational Therapist's who are undertaking a degree top-up to their original diploma qualification. I've been spending a couple of days a week attending lectures, getting to know the students and learning the many unfamiliar Sri Lankan names. I've also been planning some teaching sessions which I'll be delivering throughout March as part of the mental health module. It's been good to have something concrete to focus on during the first few weeks of my time here. Many volunteers will testify that this is often the most challenging stage of a placement as you try to figure out what your role is, where you fit in and perhaps question what on earth you are doing here. I'm sure this will come, but so far I'm feeling fairly positive. I'm also looking forward to supporting the students as they undertake more community based work (a very new concept in Sri Lanka). They will do this both within their current roles, and as part of a 1 month community placement somewhere new. This could be anywhere is the country and so is likely to involve some travelling for me.

When I'm not at the university, or planning teaching sessions, I have been hopping on the no. 150 bus to the hospital (On reflection, the use of the term “hopping” is a little misleading as it suggests that the task of getting onto a bus is fairly straightforward. Buses rarely come to a complete stop for more than a second or two in Colombo and therefore embarking often involves more of a flying leap....anyway...I digress). As one of the only bus routes that goes via the mental hospital, the 150 appears to be synonymous with “madness” for locals and as such provides the punchline for many jokes. This is reflective of the huge stigma surrounding mental illness in Sri Lanka; although, I suppose, not that dissimilar to comments in the UK about being carted off to the “loony bin” and men in white coats left over from the days of the asylums. It's very difficult to know where to begin when describing the place. I'm still very much taking it all in. And so, I will not even attempt to. Instead, I'll let you follow the link to a page on the hospital website which I've realised also provides written evidence of my presence here (just in case you are still doubting me). It's fair to say that there is much progress to be made at the hospital, with scarce resources and individualised, client-centred care being a new and unfamiliar concept to many of the staff. However, there is also a great deal of good work already happening, particularly in the OT department where I will be based.

http://www.nimh.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=3

And so I'll leave you with some of the highlights of my time at Angoda so far as I focus on getting to know the staff and patients and build up relationships which I hope will enable me to make some small sustainable difference during my time here.

• Playing carrom with the patients (an addictive Sri Lankan tabletop game)
• Being force-fed home made rice and curry by the friendly and extremely insistent supportive staff
• Sweating even more than usual, but not minding, whilst joining the patients for their morning exercise routine...all to the tune of the Vengaboys Shala lalala!
• Being invited to join the staff on a team away day at the beach (see photos)
• Doing a spot of sewing, like a proper OT
• Entertaining the supportive staff with my ongoing efforts to learn Sinhala
• Perfecting a well-timed and shared head waggle