EVOLVING. . .
The days are developing a more steady rhythm and routine. It’s good to have the opportunity to take walks in the neighbourhood and also through the rabbit warren of market stalls in Bo. It’s amazing to be in the middle of it all, seeing all the colours of fabric, plastic buckets, chilis, plastic flipflops all within a few feet. A bunch of sweet bananas costs 500 Leones (about 15 cents) and is one of my favorite purchases along with home ground peanut butter from freshly roasted nuts.
Right now we are beginning to really gear up for a big month in February. Dr. Maggi will be arriving as well as a colo-rectal surgeon from
Last week’s discharge ceremony was the usual tearjerker, complete with raucous singing and dancing. We also have many new admissions and have some patients who have returned for their 3 month follow up visits. It’s great to be part of the reunions as well as the goodbyes.
The veggie garden is progressing well with Coleman and Julia’s attention, despite a visit from some local goats. The women are very involved too and are eager to supervise, lend advice and take on watering duties every evening.
The solar cooker HotPot donated by my friend Lee Curtis in Yungaburra (www.SHE-Inc.org) has proven to be a great success. Coleman has been researching how to make one from basic available-in-the-local-market materials, such as inner tubes from car tires and window glass. We hope to make them so that every woman can have one to take back to her village upon discharge. The advantages are so many…less deforestation, less smoke, less wood gathering and hauling and of course, more economical. We demonstrated its use yesterday and the women were all very pleased and excited.
Last week Zhao and Selena completed a week of Family Planning and Reproductive Health, teaching at the local university to community health workers and nurses, as well as on the ward. This was very well received. They report that all the students are very thirsty for knowledge. This week we have really started revamping the website…a long overdue project. It’s coming along and we hope to announce its launch soon. Computer training for staff and some patients has also begun.
Julia has had a busy past four days, going on an outreach and sensitization trip to Kabala in one of the northern districts. She continues with her role of acting administrator and is always doing her best to streamline logistics and budget issues.
It’s great for me to watch the new programs integrate and unfold as envisioned. I have had the opportunity to show a few visitors around and they all comment on how much the fistula ward vibrates with good energy and a strong sense of community. There’s much to be done, but we are off to a great start.
Helen
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