Settling in

It's been five weeks since I left the UK to take up my new role as International Midwifery Specialist with the UN in Bangladesh. I am feeling more at home now, living in an apartment with two other UN staff, one Italian and one Russian. My rent (£235 per month) includes all bills and the services of a lovely maid six mornings per week. We have a washing machine, a microwave oven, kettle and toaster, two fridge-freezers and air-conditioning - positively luxurious compared to many places where I've lived before. On next week's shopping list are a small electric oven and a laundry basket! Our flat is on a quiet dead-end street by a lake and its proximity to two hotels with cafés, restaurants, spas and other facilities give us options on the doorstep when Ubers are not available (frequently!)

I made fresh pasta with my new rolling pin - it was delicious

I made pancakes for the ladies' breakfast

I've joined a church and signed up to the music group and the ladies' breakfast; joined the British social club (mainly to use the pool but my membership gives me access to various other expat clubs in Dhaka); joined a gym, bought a new phone and worked out how to use various Apps that make life here easier - Uber for getting around in taxis and CNGs (tuk tuks), FoodPanda (for groceries and fast food) and an App for the all important internet data top ups! I have also started taking Bangla language lessons. 

With Thomas, my Bangla Teacher.  We have lessons in the hotel café next to my house

 I already have many national friends from the Bangladesh Midwifery Society and it is a joy to reconnect when they are passing through Dhaka. Sharmin and her husband Jewel have given practical help in so many ways, especially sourcing things that I can't find a supermarket. I am now the proud owner of some new bedding, a rolling pin and board, waste-paper bin, wooden spoon and a reusable mug! 

With midwife Mim

Just some of the food on offer at the ladies' breakfast last Saturday

In the hotel gym

Having a manicure and hand massage at the hotel spa.  I fell asleep :)

I'm beginning to feel more confident at work too, with ideas emerging in my role leading the midwifery team. We have several partner organisations, some national and some international; each is supporting a different area of midwifery in Bangladesh. I have been familiarising myself with all of their programmes as well as that of other teams within our own organisation whose work intersects with midwives. Midwifery is our flagship programme here so the work of my amazing team has huge significance nationally and internationally. 

At a recent workshop

With Sharmin and Tuhid in my office - we've been working together for 6 years, now with me in a different role

Off to a meeting last week

I look forward to taking my first field-trips out of Dhaka soon (just as soon as my security training is complete) and my first international travel; I have booked a mini-break to Dehradun (India) in September to stay with family there (Aunt, Uncle, cousins) then an October rendezvous in Turkey with Stephen.  There may be work-related trips to Kathmandu and Athens so the next few months will fly past. I am grateful for such an amazing network of family, friends and colleagues, here and afar, travelling this journey with me. I hold you all in my heart, none more than my beloved Stephen and Hannah, who, along with all of you, make my world a better place.

My photo wall at work

Three weeks in...

It’s three weeks today since I left the UK for Bangladesh. I’ve come out of the house for the first time in 2 days after a nasty bout of D&V that took me by surprise; I have a pretty cast-iron constitution having lived and worked away for so many years. As a friend said this week, one should never underestimate Bangladesh!

I have now moved out of the hotel and am living in an apartment in Banani, part of the diplomatic area of the city and considered safe for foreigners. I’m sharing with two other UN staff, though they are both away on leave so we are yet to meet. It’s fairly basic but the landlord has promised some more furniture (I’m not holding my breath!) and I’m slowly discovering how things work around the house. A maid comes in to clean 6 mornings a week and there are a couple of hotels next door which are good places to meet people for a coffee.

As this is my first job with the UN I have a lot to learn about the rules, processes and all the acronyms. Most of the forms have now been filled, I am officially on the payroll and in the pension scheme and I’m working my way through all the mandatory training and orientation papers. I’m slowly getting a handle on my role, which includes being acting Chief of Health when my boss is away. Thankfully there is a great national team around me. Next week we’ll have a team meeting to help me understand the priorities and work on our shared vision. This week it has been good to work with a visiting team from Sweden and India, focusing on high quality midwifery education. They are introducing a new quality assurance process with the midwife teachers to help them prepare for accreditation. I know the two Swedish midwives and count them among my friends and mentors, so it’s been great to reconnect.

Last weekend I attended an international church and enjoyed lunch out together. Sadly I had to miss the meeting today as I’m still feeling a bit fragile. I have also booked my first Bangla lesson. It’s early days, but so far so good. Stephen and I are planning a rendezvous in Istanbul in October.