It's a different sort of Christmas for the nuns and midwives this year - as they pack their bags and head out to South Africa, for a mission like no other.
Just as we think we’re getting stuck into Christmas dinner at Nonnatus House, the nuns and midwives are packing their cases to ditch snowy Poplar for sweltering South Africa when they are sent to help a struggling mission hospital.
It’s a treat to see them shedding their traditional poise and really testing their resolve – new challenges range from a lack of clean water to a very unreliable hospital truck, as well as some emotive social problems.
As Poplar enjoys celebrating a white Christmas, an unexpected SOS call from the Mother House interrupts festivities.
As Poplar enjoys celebrating a white Christmas, an unexpected SOS call from the Mother House interrupts festivities.
Hope Clinic, a tiny mission hospital that has links to The Order, is threatened with closure.
Sister Julienne swiftly procures the help of Sister Winifred, Trixie, Barbara, Nurse Crane, Dr Turner, Shelagh, Fred and Tom Hereward, and they are soon transported to South Africa to try and save Hope Clinic.
The African clinic poses many problems and the team is both shaken and exhilarated by the challenges they are faced with.
The challenges they face are a water supply that's running dangerously low, no electricity and Dr Myra Fitzsimmonds, the clinic's doctor, who is suffering from a mystery illness.
The challenges they face are a water supply that's running dangerously low, no electricity and Dr Myra Fitzsimmonds, the clinic's doctor, who is suffering from a mystery illness.
The team dig deep and face these challenges head on, and achieve real success - a completed polio immunisation programme, several trips to save lives in remote locations, and a caesarean performed by candlelight.
But the biggest hurdle is a neighbouring white farmer who refuses access across his land, which could save the clinic’s future.
Will they save the clinic and learn some valuable life lessons at the same time?
