Easy as one-two-three

So, I'm a bit late with the blog this week. The main reason is that since finishing the last one I had 2 days in Zimbabwe, flew to Dubai for 4 days and have now just arrived in the Philippines. To say I'm confused is an understatement - I think it was probably at it's worst when I was buying tea in Dubai airport and the guy behind the counter asked where I was flying to. Cue me looking at him blankly for a full 10 seconds and then finally admitting I couldn't remember!😂
But I'm getting ahead of myself, my last few days in Zimbabwe were as dominated by the election as the previous week had been. I had originally planned to leave at the weekend and only spend a day in Dubai but as I didn't seem to be achieving much I decided to bring my trip forward by a few days and have a bit more time to spend there. Turned out to be a good idea as protests and riots kicked off in Harare the night before I left due to the results coming out so getting approval to visit anymore hospitals was definitely gone out the window. When I changed flights in Ethiopia and saw the scenes in Zim, that the army had been brought in to use water cannons and tear gas on protesters and, at that time, at least 1 person was dead it was a serious reality check. I had literally been walking down the street flashing across the screen with Jackie the day before enjoying my last day in Harare. What a difference a day makes.
Thankfully everyone I know there and stayed with are all fine and things seem to have calmed down slightly as people get on with their day to day business but the future is uncertain for Zimbabwe at the moment. I hope things can be turned around, the normal people who carry the heaviest burden day to day need something to change for the better and give them some hope for a future of economic stability.

Jackie (right) & her family who I stayed with in Harare

Last Thursday I arrived in Dubai. I was always going to be stopping off there on my way to the Philippines but had decided to try and squeeze a bit of work in on the way. I did this with the help of Laura and Hayley who both work for Healthperm, a recruitment agency who work with our Trust. Hayley set me up with my contacts for the Philippines (life saver, thank you!)and Laura had the bright idea of visiting their office in Dubai on my stopover. I met Angela from the Dubai office on Friday morning and, after a little tour, we went to meet the team.

Angela from Healthperm & my Arabic coffee with dates!

The major problem I have come across so far on this journey is nurses failing the English language test (IELTS) to gain entry to the UK. Everywhere I have visited so far the nurses have said the same; either they have failed at least once already or they want to come to the UK but are afraid of failing the IELTS. You also have to pay to do it which is a huge barrier especially if you have to repeat it. And before you start to think why would we even want these nurses if they can't speak good enough English to pass the test, their English is better than mine. The problem with this test is that it can ask them anything and I mean anything. There are questions about rock formations, Inuit populations in Canada, the solar system. It doesn't ask them a thing about nursing! In the Dubai Healthperm office the team basically help future recruits to prepare for the test and other assessments. They do lectures, 1 on 1 lessons, weekly mock exams, whatever it takes to help these nurses achieve the level 7 (in Ireland you only have to get 6.5 which is what it was in the UK until recently). There is a new test which is occupation focused that is being rolled out which makes so much more sense but for now the IELTS is the only one that matters. Angela and her colleague Mark both carry out the lectures and are trained nurses themselves and the enthusiasm from both of them for their jobs is incredible to watch!
I was so glad I had extended my time in Dubai as it meant spending a whole day with Angela (who is amazing) and the team rather than a few rushed hours between flights. I also got to meet a group of hopeful recruits come in for orientation and a presentation on what the company delivers. Most people in the group were keen to move to the UK or Ireland but that is a long way off for them at the moment - one nurse I spoke to, from Pakistan, had perfect spoken English and has failed the IELTS 3 times! It's a real uphill battle for overseas nurses.

Future recruits (we hope!) in Healthperm, Dubai

I'm now in the Philippines but will save what I've been up to here for my next blog as I'm in danger of confusing myself let alone anyone else at this stage! Needless to say it's hot and humid (but Dubai was 40 degrees and fairly heavy so I've had some good prep!) and Manila is a bit mad! I've had a jam-packed few days here, with little sleep as I think jet-lag (or all the travelling) has messed me up so I'm a bit of a zombie at the moment!

Although I have to say one thing about Manila so far. Hilariously, every group of nurses I've met think I am visiting from Notting Hill! It's bizarre, it never even occured to anyone in Zambia or Zimbabwe and it's been constant here! Also, HUGE confusion when I tell them where I live and they excitedly go 'Oh, the movie!' - at first I'm surprised they know about it! That doesn't last long (You know it!? Ugh, Kevin Costner. But, Alan Rickman!! Am I right!? Amazing! God, I can't believe he's dead. And he was so young. Did you know he only starred in his first movie when he was 41??). It took much miscommunication and accent figuring out for me to realise that they all love Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts and tiny travel bookshops and I'm pretty sure they are all still none the wiser as to what 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' is but I think everyone now knows how I feel about Alan Rickman which is obviously the most important thing. Point being, you have never seen disappointment until you've explained to a room full of excited Filipino nurses that you live in the land of 'Ey up me duck' and being mardy instead of posh London. But hey, you can't win 'em all!

Third country of the week!

Another week of visits and adventures in Manila so we will see where that takes me, at least I'm staying put in one country for a while! Although, that reminds me, I need to go do my ESTA!

Slán libh

Kate