Friday May 5, 2023

Yesterday was an incredibly busy and successful day of training. Imaging the World developed a program and scanning technique called ROBUST - Rapid OB Ultrasound Scanning Technique, that we teach all of the Sonographers that we work with, it is a system of 3 vertical and 3 transverse recorded sweeps across the pregnant mother's abdomen. These sweeps are recorded and sent to Radiologists in the USA who interpret and work with the Sonographers. This technique has to be meticulous and exact in order to get the best diagnostic results and it is a true test to the hand-eye coordination needed to be a successful Sonographer. Experienced Sonographers can make this look easy, but there are a lot of challenges to getting this technique exactly right. 

We managed to get all of our lectures done before we started the hands-on training, along with an additional lecture I gave specifically about the ROBUST exam, so by the time the volunteer mothers arrived the trainees were eager to get started. The rest of the afternoon was spent scanning and practicing the sweeps and by the time we finished with the mothers, served them lunch before James drove them back home and sat down to eat, our day was finished. 

James has been such a treasure to all of us, coordinating the volunteer mother's, getting us rain boots, sharing all the details of the Nature Conservancy, and just being a warm, calm presence on an almost daily basis. I have been lucky to spend a lot of time with him, and today he brought me a give of a stunning Maasai blanket and beaded bracelet. The Maasai are known for their reputation as warriors and cattle farmers, their height and beauty, and their distinctive robes and jewelry. 

My gift from James.

One of our Maasai trainees.

Once we finished with lunch, everyone felt that a break from constant studying was in order, so most of the students and trainers took a walk to the other side of the property to Home of the Wild, the tourist side of the Nature Conservancy. We have an arrangement that if there are no guests, we can enjoy the pool area, volleyball courts and surrounding walkways. It was a beautiful day, with just a few scattered sprinkles and a great opportunity for the trainees and trainers to spend time together outside of the classroom setting.

https://homeofthewild.com/ 

 

From left to right: Trainers Sr. Angela, Twala, John, Samalie and Coordinator Liz. Wilter, our 6th trainer, was missing from this photo. I am so lucky to work with such incredible people!

I headed back early to finish my recap lecture for this morning, and we all met for dinner together at the training center. The trainers wrapped up the evening with another meeting and we all walked back to camp together, under a stunning full moon (Mom's moon, as I call it, in remembrance of my Mom.) There was an incredible light show of thunder and lightning, however the rain never reached us. 

Lightning in the distance.

Unfortunately, I did not sleep well again last night, but we are all ready for another intensive day of training and learning. We (the training team) have all been talking about how much we learn, even as trainers, from each other in this environment. As we strive to teach clearly and accurately, we are often relearning information that has been tucked away in our brains. We are also learning and improving our teaching techniques as we watch and work with each other and sharing experiences that the others may not have had. We all have a thirst for knowledge and a passion for what we do, an ideal environment for me and much appreciated by all of us!

Back to work for me. 

Much love, Jo (MB)