Integration in Somaliland

It gives me great pleasure to announce that friends and family helped me to raise $1175 for the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital due to their generous contributions!!

I arrived in Hargeisa, Somaliland 3 days after departing from NY. My first flight was from NY to Dubai via Emirates, 12 hours non-stop. The service was excellent, and one of the many flight attendants representing a dozen different nationalities (availability of 10 different langauages on board) suggested I stretch out and sleep in a whole row of 4 seats in the middle isle as there were an abundance of empty seats. Watched a few movies I hadn't seen, including I Am Legend and The Bucket List. This made time pass quickly. Called Zion from the flight for a whopping $5/min, but all well worth it.

Spent a few hours sleeping at Dubai International Aiport, prior to boarding Ethiopian Airlines flight that was delayed due to mechanical difficulty. Arrived safely in Addis Ababa just before midnight on 9/16. Another layover (14 hrs), before boarding yet another flight headed for Hargeisa!!!

The night of my arrival I took a tour of the hospital, which is well put together. Everyone here has been quite hospitable. I've even learned a few Somali words, since my goal is 2 words/day. My favorite are mahedseni (thank you), and iskawara (how are you?), since I use them often.

I've attended 4 deliveries so far, and done 2 newborn resuscitations. I've also gone on rounds of the medical ward. Last night a man was admitted who had been shot multiple times in the back and is now paralyzed. He is from Puntland, Somalia.

Tonight I will see clients at the antenatal clinic for the first time. This will be from 7:00pm-9:30pm, as it is Ramadan and they break fast at 6pm. Usual clinic hours are 5:30-7:30pm.

Will keep you all posted. Hope to take and post some photos soon.