The study trip to Ghana was life-changing for me.
I had never been to Africa before, and had never worked for a homeopathic charity before either. So it was a big experience, the effects of which will last until I am able to go again!
The course itself was beneficial. I enjoyed studying with the Doctors Battacharyea, and found their complementary way of teaching differential diagnosis and materia medica very appealing. For me there was just the right amount of clinical experience and lecture time. I especially benefited from the clinical setting. Although treatment decisions were made quickly, there was often time to discuss a case later in the day, and also to talk about related disease processes and materia medica. It was amazing how both doctors could lecture on the spot in such depth, without any preparation time. I also enjoyed taking cases myself, and having some supervision from the doctors if I felt I needed it.
The clinical experience was excellent, with a wide range of pathology seen and a good number of patients. It would have been nice to see more follow-ups, and I would really like to hear from Emperor how our patients are doing over the next 6 months. The trips to outreach clinics were a valuable experience as well, especially in Mepe, where we saw so many amazing cases of pathology and where the numbers posed such a challenge. I actually enjoyed the pressure and the buzz of those two days. I wish I could pop back to take the follow-ups! I enjoyed the challenge of using an interpreter, and of having to adapt to such a different client base from what I see at home. The trips to Vane and Ehe were also challenging and adventuresome, and helped to open our eyes to the task of developing homeopathy in Ghana.
The accommodation for the course was good, our room and beds were very comfortable, and I loved the outdoor showers. The food was good and I found our meals together to be a very pleasant time of camaraderie and mutual support. The information given to us before leaving the UK was adequate and we were fairly well prepared for what was to come. It was unfortunate that Angie’s Ghana phone had no signal at Mafi Seva. I would get my own sim card next time, I think, as I ran up quite a bill on my UK phone.
The morning excursion to the market was really fun and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. It was good to experience some of African culture. The trip to Keta was disappointing, as the beach was beautiful and we got so little time there. I would recommend that future study trips have one day off in the intense two week period so that participants can enjoy the beach for a day. The last day spent in Accra was also good, and I would feel comfortable enough to go there on my own next time if I were travelling to the college or to Dr. Julius’s clinic.
To conclude, the study trip to Ghana was a life-changing experience and well worth doing. I have made a list of changes I want to make in my homeopathic practice, and I intend to further my study of the Organon, Allen’s Key Notes, and Dilip Battacharyea’s book on Psychiatry now that I am home. I hope to volunteer at Mafi Seva Clinic again in the future and will continue to support the clinic staff in any way I can from England.