So, this one has taken me a long 15 months to write about. A lot has transpired in that time but nothing has affected me the way Africa has. It is no secret that right from a little girl I have had this longing to go to Africa and in 2018 that became a reality when I was fortunate enough to visit South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. In the 4 weeks that we were away, we had some unbelievable and very humbling experiences. Africa takes your breath away…from sunrise to sunset, there is so much to take in. Hearing the Lion roar in the night or the Jackal and Baboon call just before the sunrises is magical… scary but magical!

Before we had left some of my beautiful patients and myself donated runners in good used condition for me to take and donate over there, along with that the boys at Restorate were very generous in donating samples of Restorate foot balm for me to also take. It was my intention on the trip to not only get to see parts of this amazing continent and its animals but to also provide basic foot care and education where possible. Little did I know that it would be one of the most emotional and rewarding things that I was going to be able to do! There is one story that really sticks in my mind…… We visited a very remote village up in the Matobo Hills where we came across a family that like many others had been struck down with tragedy and a young mother was left with two young boys and had moved back with her mother and brother. Her seven year old son walks 5km to school and home again 5 days a week in Kalahari desert sand with no form of footwear. We were fortunate enough to have a pair of shoes that fitted as if they were made just for him 😊 His first ever pair of shoes! His mother was so grateful and my heart was full…..His mother then proceeded to cook a meal for us (much to our protest!)to say thank you! They are such beautiful people and eternally grateful for even the littlest amounts of help! Because footwear is not always available to a lot of the Africans- especially those living remotely, footcare is so important… it’s their only mode of transport! I was lucky enough to have a guide who showed me how to use certain shrubs in the bush to boil down and apply to callused areas to help soften the hard skin and then we educated about cream and how that can help also if they have access. They just loved the Restorate samples that were donated and wanted more and more and more! Another interesting little find was a man making rubber style thongs from old car tyres- very resourceful!!! The majority of African people I have found have pretty much nothing but yet they are so happy…. We could all take a leaf out of their book! I can not wait to venture back!!

Anyway, I could go on for hours but I will leave this little poem which I found describes all of my feelings!

The Call of Africa- By C Emily-Dibb

When you’ve acquired a taste for dust,

The scent of our first rain,

You’re hooked for life on Africa

And you’ll not be right again

Till you can watch the setting moon

And hear the jackals bark

And know that they’re around you

Waiting in the dark.

When you long to see the elephants,

Or to hear the coucal’s song,