Seizure Clinic, KCH and Chitipi

Thursday was the seizure clinic again. It is a bittersweet clinic, knowing that a few of the patients have ‘gotten their life back’ because of the antiseizure medications, but most of them will live a life of disability, even if the seizures are controlled. One sweet little guy we saw was normal until he had cerebral malaria, then he developed seizures and paralysis of the left side. His seizures are slowly coming under control, and he is in physiotherapy – he can now more his left leg! There is hope for thie litte guy. Most of the others cannot expect this sort of improvement.

Friday morning we went back to KCH and attended morning hand over rounds and then ward rounds on 1A. Earlier in the week the team had compiled a list of surgery cases for Tuesday – 8 cases. Turned out that one of those was so complicated and long that all the other cases had to be canceled. One of the men we saw last Monday and got surgery (I suspect he was the complicated case) died Thursday night in ICU. The other cases were either sent home to return this coming week, hoping for surgery, or are stuck in the hospital. There are a few ‘mystery’ cases on the ward, one in particular is very sad. It is hard to run a hospital with limited resources – CT scan not functioning, limited OR space, many specialists not even available. The staff, from nurses to students to interns and residents to full fledged doctors do amazing work under the most difficult circumstances. One of the nurses confided to Joey that many times patients die because there isn’t enough staff!

Saturday Joey and I went to the COTN (Children of the Nations) orphan home and farm outside of Lilongwe. It is called Chitipi. They have about 42 kids in the orphan home and another, smaller home with the teen age / young adult girls.  I know the sponsors of several of the kids at Chitipi, so I try to see them and bring them greetings from their sponsors. I also bring gifts to not only those kids, but things for all the kids to share. Joey Swartz and Kelley McGowan helped with that this year, with suckers, trucks, balls, cars, jump ropes, etc. A good time was had by all!  If you are interested in sponsoring a child through COTN, I can attest that, at least in Malawi, these kids get excellent care. A child in the orphan home seems to really thrive. They have feeding programs in some of the villages for at risk kids. They still live with extended family, but COTN seems to keep a close eye on them, too (harder when it is 500 kids in a village) and I know they have taken at least one girl OUT of the village and into a home because of sexual abuse by a step Dad. The village kids get basic medical care, the ones in the homes get great medical care.  A simple sponsorship CAN change a life! These kids were excited to show me the pictures of them and their sponsors (aunties and uncles) when they had visited or even just photos – they could point to their sponsors and name them! Ideally each child has 3 sponsors. These kids are so precious! If you have been following me on facebook, you will have seen my sponsored ‘child’, Henry Lidson Masamba. I started sponsoring him when he was about 4, now he is 21. He is away at secondary school in Dedza, about 1 ½ hours from Lilongwe. Last year he came down with cerebral malaria (a potentially fatal condition), and was put in the Dedza district hospital, COTN was notified and they came, fetched him to Lilongwe where he got better care and survived! He is Chewa and traditionally they are very short people. He is probably close to 6 feet tall. I am convinced it is a combination of consistent good nutrition and good medical care.  I believe that there are two ways Malawi, and Africa as a whole, will thrive – Jesus Christ: preached, believed, and His teachings followed; and education!  Prayerfully consider making a difference in a child’s life through sponsorship! You will  be blessed! Enjoy the photos!

This is the little one at the seizure clinic who has gotten the use of his left leg back. Pray that the same happens for his left arm!

We are always surrounded by God's created beauty. This is an Oleander Hawk moth, quite a large moth, sitting on our drive way the other morning.

Handing out goodies at COTN, Chitipi.

Esnart and Caleb with some of their goodies!

Checking out some of the stuff. The boy in the striped shirt is Blessings, and the one at the end of the table, wide-eyed and smiling, is Joseph. I have told his story on face book, but basically he was found at 3 months, living with his grandmother who had been giving him orange fanta (and only orange fanta) and was terribly malnourished. He is now a healthy looking, fun loving boy!

Here I am with Selina on the left of the photo and Esnart on the right. What precious little girls!

Jump rope! Thanks Kelley for the long rope. Jo Swartz has posted a video of this girl jumping. her name is Mary and she is quite good! The girl holding the far end of the rope is Esnart. Notice the laundry in the background - these clothes are all washed by hand.

Jo Swartz holding Daniel, I think he came at 3 days, he is currently the youngest child at this orphanage. And growing like a weed! He gets lots of love and attention from everyone!

The 'mama' at the teen age girls home. Their house is in the background.

We found some of the girls from the teen age girls home 'resting' in the shade, but they were more than happy to those for a photo. They are getting not only food, shelter and a safe place to live, but help with furthering their education!

This is Steven, sponsored by Devin Kennedy. He is a bright-eyed little chap, always with a smile!

Two of the girls hamming it up for Jo and her camera, I think the little one's name is Marsha. She was very outgoing, not to mention too cute for words!