Author Archives: Phil

FFS #2

By | 16 Jan 24

Whilst in Juba, I am getting western style food (in a sort of fusion way).  I had ‘lasagne’ but that was basically a layer of spaghetti, a layer of meat, another of spaghetti, and some ‘parmesan’.  Its fine though, the menu is extensive and everything on it is actually available.  I’m with a colleague who… Read More »

FFS #1

By | 8 Jan 24

So I am in Juba, capital of South Sudan for the week.  Mixing it with the big boys; UNHCR, WHO, British Embassy, Ministry of Health, National Health Cluster (this last one means a lot in NGO-speak).  On the hunt for funds, as always.  Though not exclusively; collaboration, information sharing and building support networks is also… Read More »

operational challenges

By | 8 Jan 24

Stayed up at the border last night, a small little hotel, with great rooftop bar.  Awoken early by the roar of their generator and the room light coming on super bright.  I think nothing of it, until arriving at my hotel in Juba and try to charge my phone.  I try a different socket, and… Read More »

double edged sword

By | 30 Dec 23

Back to the Centre, the power was already off.  Really off,.  Gonna be a long, hot, sweaty night when I got back to the compound last night around 8, the power was already off. And I mean properly off, even the Solar Controller had used up its little internal battery and was no longer alarming,… Read More »

soccer mad

By | 28 Dec 23

Sunday morning, I was woken by the rain.  I’m not sure what time, it was still dark outside, so before 6.  It didn’t take much as the power was off, so no fan; it was therefore warm and stuffy in my room.  I fought it though, successfully actually, probably because the rain had cooled the… Read More »

christmas traditions

By | 24 Dec 23

I think this is the fifth Christmas I’ve been away from home; on a submarine in my former life, skiing with two young boys who had so much fun in the snow and three times now in the heat.  The first was when we all went to Oman, so ostentatious.  The second on my own… Read More »

christmas shopping

By | 22 Dec 23

The Centre closed its doors on Wednesday, so its just me, the security guard and our ‘landlord’ the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Health Centre’s skeleton team. After a day and half of DIY I decide to head to the ‘city’, Arua, for a pre-Christmas break.  It’s not a city as you would know one, but… Read More »

a marathon, not a sprint

By | 16 Dec 23

So as per my last I got up at 5 on Friday, to get to the airport for 6, for a flight that eventually took off at… 1030.  I then drove 2 and a half hours back ‘home’ to the Centre in BidiBidi, despite having to go back to our Clinic in South Sudan on… Read More »

not on trip advisor

By | 15 Dec 23

Heading from Kajo-Keji to Juba today (both places in South Sudan). Flying ‘safari’ airlines, which doesn’t register on a Google search… I stayed at the clinic in South Sudan last night, and actually the night was fine. A little light rain around 5 and a good breeze no doubt helped. In fact dare I say… Read More »