Interview with Dr. Wally Mah – March 25, 2009
By Karen Broughton
As many people in the 100 Mile House area already know, dentist Wally Mah left this community to travel, but still help people. He just recently did some volunteer work in Kenya with Compassion Works International (www.cwionline.org). This interview took place in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.
KB: Did you think Africa was where you would go?
WM: No, I didn’t! I went on the Internet but nothing stood out. I was afraid of not knowing exactly where I was going, what organizations were true, and which were not. What you hear about the third world is through our media and it’s about bad things. By meeting you and Bruce (my husband) I had a personal contact and knew I would be safe.
KB: Do you feel like you were prepared for the village of Mukeu?
WM: Actually, yes. Working with the First Nations communities is very similar. Mukeu’s a small, isolated community, so the people have nothing to do. There are social problems like domestic violence or alcoholism, and low education in terms of medicine and dental.
KB: When you walked into that dental clinic and saw that storage room….
WM: (Laughter)…. just full of unorganized stuff! (Wally spent time cleaning up!) The sterilizer is not what I normally see – a pressure cooker! The chair I used was a commode! The dental instruments were what I use in Manitoba, so that was familiar. I was very impressed. Everything was there.
KB: How was the staff?
WM: Awesome! They are very easy-going. They are taught the same things. There are no differences. Maybe the names of some products are different but essentially it’s the same.
KB: How many crowns did you put in?
WM: (Laughter) Zero! It was mainly extractions but I think that just has to deal with lack of education and money. That’s another future program.
KB: What did you think of your living quarters?
WM: I loved it! It’s almost like camping! I went with an open mind. I think all my travels helped me to prepare. In the shamba there was a toilet and right beside it wasn’t a shower or a bathtub. It was like a stall. When I went to Hong Kong the first time to visit family the shower and toilet were in the same room. That’s what I wanted — basic living without all the fancy things.
KB: Did you have any interesting experiences?
WM: (Laughter) The kids! You had forewarned me about it, but kids just ran up, touched and pinched me just laughing and giggling. I wondered, “Do they really see me that different?” ‘Cause when I see them, they’re just people, right? That was a real neat experience.
KB: Do you think they noticed any difference between your Chinese heritage and us other mzungus (white people)?
WM: (Chuckle) No, I don’t think they recognize the difference. They just grouped us all as white. One thing I did learn is that some of the patients preferred seeing me, like it was a privilege. In a way that’s very complimentary but it made me feel that just because my skin colour is different doesn’t make me any better. Just because I’m from Canada and the Community Oral Health Officer’s education is just as good as mine, they’re not getting any better treatment. It was a bit of a double-edged sword.
KB: Were there any language difficulties?
WM: Oh, yes! (Laughter) Once I said hello in Swahili or Kikuyu, they just automatically thought I spoke the language! (Laughter) So they just kept talking to me! I was lucky I had the COHO and dental assistant to translate. It was interesting that some of the older people spoke English very well.
KB: How was the food?
WM: It’s good! It’s kind of bland though, simple and not a lot of variety. But I wanted simple. They enjoy it for what it is; not making it complicated or adding complicated things. One day they were making ugali, maize flour and water. A big black cauldron was filled with this dough and you mix it with a big wooden paddle. The smoke! My eyes were burning and watering! Everyone laughed because I said, “how do you do this all the time?!” But it was fun trying to mix the tough dough.
KB: Was there a story or event that touched you?
WM: The one about the baby. Something I just don’t hear about in Canada. A baby was tossed into an outhouse for reasons that we aren’t really clear about, but maybe about shame, having a baby out of wedlock, not being able to provide for it. That story hits me – about how we can treat our own the way we do. It’s sad, both culturally and religiously, that we put so much strain on ourselves. We should just live free sometimes and release ourselves from these restraints.
KB: Will you go back to Africa?
WM: I so want to! There’s so much need. And they are so grateful! I volunteered. I went there because I wanted to. To have someone say thank you – that’s all I need, you know? Within the First Nations community they said “you’re not getting paid for it?!” I said, “No, it’s just something I want to do out of my own heart – to help my fellow man. Even though it’s a continent away, an ocean away, Kenyans are still a part of me. They are my family”.
KB: How was the safari?
WM: I don’t know anywhere else in this world where you would see such wilderness so up close and with such variety in one place. All these different animals live together! I hope that this world can have the same feeling – that we can all just live together. ‘Cause if they can do it I don’t see why we can’t. You know I’ve seen some amazing things. When I went to Egypt to see the pyramids it was like “wow!” It’s breathtaking. When I went to Peru to see Macchu Picchu, once again I was in awe. When I saw my first cheetah and warthogs it was like “wow, I’m actually on a safari!” I would rate it equal to seeing the pyramids and Macchu Picchu. Yeah, the safari was good. I won’t ever forget it. In North America we lead busy, stressful lives. I think we forget about just living and being one with the world. To go on a trip like this is what life should be, a breath of fresh air.
Compassion Works International is a registered Canadian charity. Donations are gratefully received at 2035 Queen Street, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6J3. Website: www.cwionline.org.
