Midwifery volunteer Angie wrote a blog post for each week she volunteered with us in Malawi. There are too many interesting and thought-provoking comments to mention but below is an exert from her ‘Reflecting on Volunteering’ blog.
The full blogs are available to read here (scroll through to find those on Malawi).
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So here I am, back in the UK as the new year starts. I have returned immediately to my work as an independent midwife, and I’ve been reflecting on volunteering as a midwife in Malawi. What have I learned, what surprised me, and what this might mean for me in the future?
I really didn’t know what to expect from my trip. Over the years that I have worked in healthcare (I started way back in 1980!) I have talked to colleagues who have travelled overseas and taken an interest in accounts of those who have worked for various charities and NGOs. Always my question was “what makes someone able to take that step into the unknown and put themselves into such situations?”. Somehow I never quite realised that one day it could be me.
Was it a good experience? Good was probably not a word I would have used in the early days, but it certainly became so. I spent time in a beautiful place, met some great people and learned lots about myself and about life (including about midwifery). Would I do it again? Absolutely! I’m not sure when but it now seems inevitable that I will do more of this type of work. Would I encourage other people to do it? 100% yes, provided that you are able to accept that what we accept as “best” or the “right” way to do things may be culturally defined or a reflection of our privilege. Watch, be curious and be respectful of difference. As the saying goes, you have 2 eyes, 2 ears and one mouth – use them in those proportions!
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Keen to learn more about volunteering in Malawi? Click here.