I was keen for my elective to involve practicing medicine in a very different setting to that which I am used to in the UK, and so a medical ship visiting islands on Lake Victoria in Tanzania sounded perfect to me! I had high expectations for the trip, but even these were surpassed. The experience was not only great fun, but I also learnt so much, on both a professional and personal level.

The team on the Jubilee Hope are like one big family, and I felt very privileged to be welcomed into such a dedicated team. Every morning began with the option to sing hymns in Swahili followed by a morning meeting, during which we discussed the plan for the day. Then, we headed to the island, where a large crowd of patients - often up to 300 people - were already waiting for us. We introduced ourselves, delivered a short health talk, and then returned to the boat to begin seeing patients.

I relished the opportunity to run a clinic independently, while always having support when needed. At home, I do not usually get the chance to choose what tests are required, decide on appropriate management and counsel patients on their diagnoses and treatment. Having that responsibility was both a challenge and a privilege, and I felt my confidence grow rapidly. I saw many conditions that we rarely encounter in the UK, including malaria, amoebiasis and schistosomiasis, as well as familiar chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. The work was very satisfying because the turnaround between seeing the patients, sending them to the lab, getting the results, prescribing the medications and sending them home with treatment was all within a few hours - much faster than in the UK!

Once all the patients had been seen, we had time to relax. We often explored the island accompanied by one of the crew, meeting local families and playing with the children, who were always very friendly and curious. Life on the islands is very basic, with no running water and only solar-powered electricity, so it was eye-opening to see how the communities live. Evenings were usually spent up on deck with a book, enjoying incredible sunsets over Lake Victoria. On our day off, we attended a lively church service on the island full of singing and dancing, played board games with the crew, helped Titus the chef to prepare dinner and baked a cake for everyone!

​​The two weeks passed too quickly and soon it was time for the crew to rest and the ship to be restocked. I was very sad to leave, as I felt like I had really settled into the rhythm of life on the ship. Back in Mwanza, I was very lucky to be invited to a crew member’s home, where I met his lovely family and was welcomed with such kindness.

Spending two weeks on the Jubilee Hope was a unique and unforgettable experience, and I am so grateful to the team for welcoming me on board. It was amazing to be part of such an inspiring initiative making a meaningful difference to the island communities who otherwise have very limited access to healthcare. I would like to thank the Dr Julia McLean Grant Fund, as their support was crucial in enabling me to join the trip. I strongly urge anyone looking for an incredible adventure to join a Vine Trust expedition! Asante sana Jubilee Hope.