helen weld public health

RETURN TO BO. . .
January 5, 2009
Sierra Leone

New Year’s Day departure from Boston with frigid wind chill sub zero temps seems light years away as I write from the guest house for WAI/WAFF volunteers in the steamy evening heat here in Bo.

We all rendezvoused at Heathrow per plan which was quite miraculous considering all the snowstorms we managed to dodge. It’s exciting that we are the first “batch” of volunteers for the program and to see the vision unfolding. “We” comprises, Melinda Binks from Jackson, Wyoming (www.fallcreekproductions.com) a cinematographer who will be working with Jenn Barton, a writer from Wiscasset, Maine to produce a film about the WAI program and the obstetric fistula women’s stories. They were high school friends and hadn’t seen each other for ten years prior to Heathrow. It’s great to watch them in action. Zhao Han is from Gainesville, Florida, a premed student here to teach family planning and reproductive health. Coleman Griffith, an EMT from Fort Collins, Colorado, will teach first aid to the hospital staff and in the community. Annie Strachan (Helen’s daughter), a student at Lewis and Clark College majoring in international studies, will help in all aspects of the program including helping get the garden project launched and teaching the women.

After the chaotic scene at baggage claim and getting through customs it was wonderful to be greeted at the Lungi Airport by Poppa and Julia Robinson. Julia from Ojai, California has been here since September and has been acting administrator. Her presence and hard work has been a tremendous asset for the program as everything gets “settled”. She’s a “VV”…veteran volunteer.

Poor Julia had had a rather harrowing day prior to our arrival. Our long term arrangements for accommodation at the Lungi Airport Hotel fizzled at the last minute due to being bumped by Qadafi and his Libyan entourage! The Libyans have been in Sierra Leone to dedicate an enormous mosque on the outskirts of Freetown. Julia had to scuttle and make other bookings. We appreciated her efforts and had a good first sleep SL at the Lucia Guest House.

After the usual ferry queues and delays in the AM we managed to hit the road for Bo about 1PM. The road is much improved since I was here in September which was a treat not hitting miles of pot holes and corduroy ruts. Upon arrival it was grand to reunited with the community of staff and friends here and introduce everyone all round. A real homecoming.

We’ve had a full two days since arrival. Sunday we went to Taiama and visited with Samuel Pieh and his family after attending the morning/afternoon church service (four hours!!!). The afternoon entertainment comprised of cultural dancing and a tightrope acrobat. It was very festive and fun.

Monday AM was spent in a series of courtesy calls to community dignitaries and officials…the mayor, the paramount chief, the district chairman, the police chief and the provisional secretary.
It’s been wonderful just seeing how the ward has come together since all the renovations in September. Currently there are 27 patients and many will be part of the discharge ceremony slated for next week. One woman has just had her catheter removed and she is dry after 15 years of dealing with fistula. Imagine the change in her life!

At an impromptu staff meeting today I introduced all the volunteers and distributed the donated Barack Obama T-shirts. There were many hoots and hollers of delight!

So we are getting into a bit of a routine with our planned work activities and it’s a very homey atmosphere with everyone in the guest house. We have wonderful meals provided by Safula who Julia has hired and trained.

Waking up in the AM to the call to morning prayer is a favorite moment for me. This place really gets under one’s skin and it feels like another home. It’s exciting to think of what lies ahead for the next few months.

Some photos: