It was apparent to both Kate and Lesley separately, that the privilege of the healthcare environment in which they both worked in the UK – which offered continuing education, ready access to journals, speciality (perioperative) education and a professional association (in which they were closely involved, at home) as a ready made network…. was indeed a huge privilege which should be shared.

So they raised some funds, used whatever contacts they could make, find or encourage and the first course in Uganda became a reality! Thanks to all those early supporters, they are on the road to many more travels and sharing experiences and knowledge with their African Nursing colleagues albeit on a very small scale.

The organisation continues to grow and thanks to continuing financial support and encouragement particularly from Denis Robson from Johnson and Johnson Professional Export, from these small beginnings FoAN gained charity status in 2006.

Previous Scottish Executive First Minister Jack McConnel made a significant target of Malawi as an aid centre for Scotland to share resources (there are many historical ties) and often the media have talked about this decision as if it is wayward and speak of ‘missing millions’ i.e. where did all the money go?  FoAN has been empowered by that Scottish aid budget (and many other donors) and is a clear example of how willing and professionally run and resourced teams can deliver expert targeted projects with the minimum of administrative cost (and I do mean minimum!) which build other people’s capacity for health, wealth and happiness in a self-reliant way.  We need to celebrate successes in this difficult environment.

FoAN are building their capacity, and are connected into a world-wide network for publicity and further support (as I write Kate is addressing a conference in Canada).  I urge you to consider adding your voice and support to the cause.

Update 31.3.09

Now we are Seven !

On 9th May 2009 we are celebrating the fact that it is seven years since FoAN was conceived by Lesley Fudge and Kate Woodhead.

Over this time FoAN has visited more than 7 countries in Africa. FoAN has reached out to over 700 nurses either through training sessions or via visits to their hospitals.

Nurses in Africa – especially those in operating theatres -  are exposed daily to blood and therefore blood-borne diseases such as HIV and AIDS.

• They have very limited equipment

• They re-use as much as possible including all of the swabs used for mopping up blood from inside a wound

• They have no means of protecting themselves from exposure to blood from patients, particularly eye-splashes

Much of what we use in the operating theatre in the UK is disposable. UK staff wear eye protection and two pairs of surgical gloves if dealing with a high risk patient. In much of Africa, these are undreamt of luxuries. They use chlorine to decontaminate instruments which damages the metal, burns holes in linen and hence most of what they use is not sterile. The chances are high that HIV and AIDS are passed from one patient to another and certainly the nurses are put at considerable risk.

FoAN seeks to help African theatre nurses achieve the best possible basic practice whilst avoiding any increase in costs to the hospitals. FoAN also seeks to train the next generation of trainers. FoAN backs this up by shipping books and equipment to hospitals in Africa.

We need your help to continue this essential work

FoAN is actively seeking birthday presents:

• Send us a cheque (payable to Friends of African Nursing) for a multiple of £77

• Buy some of our beautiful cards painted by Lesley Fudge – use them yourself or sell them through work or your local contacts – see the website for details

• Buy colourful HIV awareness brooches made by Masai women in Kenya – again, see the website. Sell them on or give them to friends and family.

• Run or take part in a sponsored event. Hold a car boot/garage/plant/cake sale.

• Become a Friend of FoAN – or Phone a Friend if you already are (Thank you)

• Send us surplus equipment, books, supplies.

We think we are worth £7,777 of presents

Please help us to have a Happy Birthday

Contact  jackie.younger@ntlworld for further information and/or send donations to Friends of African Nursing, c/o Jackie Younger, 5 London Street, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Cambs PE29 2HU

Contact: Friends of African Nursing

In an ideal world we would all enjoy food that is in season, as people used to.  Advances in agricultural productivity mean we tend to buy what’s on the supermarket shelf today, regardless of where it comes from (often from the other hemisphere) when the supply system is geared to delivering perfect looking product, which the market demands.  Growing local cultivars (varieties) means we can have fresh produce, with high quality and good taste.

Our garden supports a range of apples which come ready from late July through to Christmas, and sufficient range to keep through to May.  Once upon a time, before supermarket ‘efficiency’ Scotland produced its own apples in this way.  Stobo Castle, and White Melrose cutlivars with a true Borders heritage are stars in this pantheon.  Over twenty years we have planted many historic collections around the country to preserve the best cultivars for the future.  Locally suited varieties can be highly productive.  As people relearn the pleasure of seasonal fruit and vegetables, we hope that commercial viability will re-emerge to bring back the orchards that were grubbed up as ‘unviable’ in the sixties and seventies.

Update 3 November 2007

Despite a rubbish summer it’s been a bumper year for apple crops.  White Melrose, Duke of Devonshire, Blenmeim Orange and Pitmaston Pineapple have been prolific.  James Grieve, Katja, Kerry Pippin, Laxton’s Superb, Margil and Cox’s Orange Pippin have kept pace.  Only Stobo Castle (lots of apples but very small) – seems to have been knocked back.  There are other cultivars out in the jungle of the forest garden too folks, but these are the ones that spring to mind…

Fantastic year for pears too, and the Quince Vranja has yielded very high quality fruit.  Turned into thirteen pounds of quince jelly and five pounds of marmello – the wonderful Portuguese (or in this case Scottish) quince cheese which is probably the origin of the idea (and name) for marmelade!

Quince Vranja October 2007

I should just point out we don’t repost this stuff every season as the garden realiably produces without us doing very much, year on year.

January 2010

Our lingering apple supplies (including some still hanging on the trees) have been a lifesaver for some of the garden birds including fieldfares – scandanavian visitors – in the longest cold snap for forty years.