GRIP, Internships Abroad Starry Gambian Nights

I was overcome with many feelings when my 22-hour journey from Atlanta to The Gambia had come to an end. Excitement for the experiences I would soon realize would alter the course of my life for the better. Anxiety about being in a region of the world I had never seen myself traveling to. And curiosity about the distinctions between The Gambia and my native homeland of Ethiopia. I truly didn’t know what to expect coming to The Gambia, but my first two weeks were nothing less than impactful and extraordinary.

During my first few days in The Gambia, my fellow interns and I prepared for the “Walk for Health” Sports Tournament that occurs at Bwiam General Hospital every year. After work, we trained with members of the community and hospital staff for the various sports we would be participating in such as the 4x4 Relays and Tug of War. Of course, I was the slowest team member since my teammates had years of practice, but nonetheless I was supported and celebrated by my team who soon became my very good friends at the hospital. It was heartwarming to see how the children and adults of the Bwiam community came together for the purpose of improving community health. The morning started with a 5K walk and music with dancing, and in the evening we kicked off the Sports Tournament. Then, everyone shared plates of Chicken Benachin, my favorite Gambian dish. Just as in Ethiopia, Gambians also share their plate of food with their loved ones and guests, so I quickly felt right at home in The Gambia.

In my second week, we took a trip with Dr. Bintou to Gambia’s Monkey Park, and it was truly one of the most exciting days of my life. I fed monkeys nuts and bananas while they rode on my back! In that same week, I had the opportunity to observe my first hernia surgery. Dressed in our gowns and gloves, we watched as Dr. Mustafa explained each step of the procedure, highlighting the role of medical resource constraints in the process. To my amazement, the patient engaged in full conversation with one of the nurses, as the hospital could only provide local anesthesia due to the lack of general anesthesia. This experience profoundly impacted me as it highlighted the strength and adaptability of both the patients and medical professionals in resource-limited settings.

The highlight of my time in The Gambia is, surprisingly, a simple one. Seeing a starry night sky and constellations has never been a reality to me since I grew up in Atlanta, a city surrounded by light pollution. Every night in Bwiam, I sit outside and watch in awe at the stars in the sky, pointing out all the different constellations I learned about as a child. I think the fresh air, night sky, and sweet Gambian mangoes are what I will miss the most.