What could be better than helping my own people?

During a visit to the Trust’s projects in January 2019, Dee Bixley grabbed the opportunity to ask Ansumana Manjang, Clinical Director, Gambian Management Team & Officer in Charge, Jappineh Health Centre, about his work.

"I became interested in nursing and healthcare during my school years, from Primary through to Senior Secondary School. It was largely because I was a very active junior volunteer for the Gambia Red Cross Society. Our motto was:

I promise to serve God, President, and my Country and join with others all over the world to help the sick and suffering.

I was always saying this in my mind, I am Ansumana Manjang and I promise to serve the sick and suffering … I thought about it, talked about it, and I still do! That is why I became a nurse.

Through my Red Cross volunteering I attended numerous incidents. If there was a road traffic accident I would rush to help, or if someone was sick near our compound. If they had diarrhoea, I quickly mixed a drink solution. Whatever it was, I gave primary care and when necessary referred to the nearest facility.

As soon as my academic career finished, and achieving very good grades, I wrote a formal application to the School of Nursing. I was interviewed, shortlisted, then admitted for a 3-year nursing education. I should add that midwives in other parts of the world are mostly female but in Gambia there are male midwives too.

Although I have worked in other areas, I think my decision to return to my village, where I was born and where my whole family and community lives, has made a big difference. Every day I see that people appreciate it. I even thought about going to work abroad - some of my friends have done this and I’ve seen photos of their houses and cars. But why would I do that? What could be better than helping my own people?

Working with the African Oyster Trust is interesting and important. It is helping rural Gambians by bringing more knowledge and medical equipment, which is so needed in our community. We still need the Trust’s financial support, but we are working very hard towards the time when we can sustain our projects completely.

I now have a motor-bike and this means that attending emergencies is much easier. For example, this morning 10 kilometres away a woman delivered a baby but no placenta. They called my cell phone, I put the equipment in my rucksack, climbed on the motorbike, and delivered the placenta. It was fantastic! I was so pleased because without the motorbike she would have bled to death.

I have very little recreational time, I’m constantly on call. I might read a novel, but I’ll also update myself on the latest medical information.

The best aspect of my work is that I enjoy it."

Dee adds: "During our conversation a young man joined us, quietly sitting beside Ansumana, taking it all in. “Is this your successor?” I asked. “We continuously think about that process,” was Ansu’s discreet reply. “And now I must go – a woman is waiting to deliver.”"