MNLI Institute January 8

Today was my class day. An especial highlight for me was giving the morning welcome in Portuguese, albeit brief and translated with Google Translator! I sensed from their warm laughter that it was a highlight for them as well. We do have two professional translators who are expert in synchronous translation of our discussions - Portuguese to English, and English to Portuguese! I just wanted to give it a try - Bruno, an AIHA In-Country representative said my pronunciation was good. Yay!

During today's session, I described the work of our ANEMO-St. Luke's-Moravian College partnership to date. The participants also discussed and presented their priorities for: 1) improving ANEMO's and nurse's visibility in Mozambique, 2) strengthening nurses relationships with others concerned with health care in Mozambique and other African nation, 3) developing strategies for member recruitment and retention, and 4) creating a business plan to promote ANEMO's sustainability. These were the goals/objectives that ANEMO and St. Luke's-Moravian parteners developed initially and which continue to be relevant now. Overwhelmingly the desire to be better educated came through - to have training, create learning centers, and develop nursing schools around the country. Several nurses said that when the people of Mozambique view the professional skills of well-educated nurses, nursing's image will improve and the work be recognized. Kerry diligently recorded all of the wonderful responses from the groups.

There was glorious singing and dancing at several points during the day. I love that - even though we don't always understand the words being sung, we understand the human-connecting rhythms of the music and the dance:)

It wasn't a good day...it was really a great day!

Our colleagues and I went shopping - they lasted longer than me, in the markets in 98 degree temperature! Seems all are satisfied with their purchases. And, in the evening we returned to our favorite seafood restaurant. (It's the one we went to, Michele and Maria, the first time our MZ partners took us to lunch...by the sea, with windows all around.) Kerry adores the Dover sole as she writes in her blog:)

Our group at dinner - lizard in the middle photo:)