helen weld public health

Bean Planting Week. . .

Planting the bean crop has been the major focus this week for the residents in our catchment area, therefore the week has been much slower in terms of numbers of patients coming to the clinic. Next week we are sure to have scores of people walking in.

Two highlights of this past week were to witness the incredible progress of two former patients. The first was Ed who was here for a long stretch when I was here in October. He had a very impressive orbital tumour and was started on treatment with steroids. When he came to visit he was so much improved we all gave hoots and hollers of delight. Ed was so happy and his vision is great. Secondly our little 5 year old burn patient ‘Muganga’ returned for a check up and he continues to improve dramatically. It is very rewarding to witness these impressive successes.

Sweet Bea, an almost 5 year old girl weighing 9.4 kg (20+lbs.), was transferred from the local government hospital in Bururi with severe malnutrition (marasmus). She also has extra pulmonary TB and some cardiac issues. Her father died in 2007 from probable TB. She is the youngest of six living children in the family (one child died and the mother also had a miscarriage). Her mother says that the family has no money and that their house is very old with many leaks in the roof which is particularly hard during these heavy rains. She is also very concerned no one is at home to take care of her other young children (14, 12, 9). Another big worry is that since this is the prime time to be planting the bean crops, she is missing the opportunity due to being here with Bea.

So far Bea is doing well with no fever, vomiting or diarrhea and she’s taking the prescribed first stage nutritional formula F75 without any complaints. It is a testament to VHW that the Bururi Hospital recognized that Bella would receive excellent care while here in the malnutrition ward. An advantage to having fewer patients this week was that there has been more time to get the whole story about Bea from the mother with the help of Melino and Gerard. I am sure many, if not all, the patients who come here have equally heart wrenching tales. I will be sure to continue to update her progress. I love the chance to really get to know patients like Bea. She is a real girl with an anguished mother in dire straits who has the chance to really get healthy.

I have been able to scrounge plastic bubble wrap and large plastic bags which came with some donations (Crate and Barrel!) for the mothers in the malnutrition ward to use to protect the bedding. I also made a spacer device out of a plastic drink bottle for a bronchodilator asthma treatment. Everything gets recycled if possible!

Will has planted a new bean crop with the agricultural team here at VHW for patients. The team has to take turns being ‘human scarecrows’, keeping watch over the seedlings as the raiding birds are wily and clever. He has also been working hard to organize collaborations with two community groups of women. Both groups are very excited to receive agricultural training and nutritional education from VHW. In exchange they will volunteer to do landscaping, gardening, and other duties at the clinic.

I also plan to do some public health education with these women as they are highly motivated and all play pivotal roles in their communities. I look forward to more home visits too.

Today Will, Hilarie (one of our nurses), Peter and I hiked to the far ridge beyond Kigutu to Hilarie’s family home, nothing like a good Saturday morning workout with friends. It was lovely listening to the birds and the far away voices of children in the valley below.

“Kira”! Be healthy!
Helen