We have been busy since we return from the lake and Pothawira. Where is the time going? We traveled to Daeyang Luke Hospital on Monday to help set up Dr. Jessica Best's time there, then to Malawi Medical Council to start the process on her paperwork. The girls wanted to go to the market for chitenges and we needed to go to the market for some fresh produce. All got done! I had Charles come to drive and translate, so that worked out well - he took the girls into the bowels of the market. Personally, I am not crazy about the markets.
There are also many changes in Lilongwe - new roads, new buildings. Unfortunately, with 'Cash Gate' (read about it on the internet) the donors are pulling funds usually given to the government. That puts a much heavier burden on private organizations. I will sprinkle ideas throughout the blogs to give you ideas of honest and hardworking groups that are attempting to make a difference in this country!
Today we went to African Bible College clinic. I dropped off some sutures that clinical officer Verson had requested (a big thank you to Martha Wallis for getting so many sutures!). We were also on the hunt for the oxygen concentrator that Sue Cantrell had shipped over several months ago. She saw a baby suffer (and then later die) due to lack of oxygen and mounted a campaign to fund raise for a good concentrator. We had gotten word that it had arrived, but no one knew where it was! We found it in a storage building. The story goes that when the box was opened, it so was different that no one was willing to try to put it together to work. It was still in the box, we got it moved to the Dot Lucas ward - delivery room - for newborns. Katie and Meredith, along with Laita's help, got it put together, filters in, up and running! Not only will it help newborns (or even laboring Moms in distress) but it so nicely portable (wheels) that it can be moved to the inpatient ward if the need arises. They have some other concentrators, but none that go to 10 liters oxygen, and Dr. Young said last week all the concentrators and the oxygen cylinder were being used. Now they have an extra! Thank you Sue Cantrell! If any of you think 'I can't do much', let this be a lesson! Everyone can do something! The need is great!
After ABC, we went to the Crisis Nursery. They have 13 babies there now. You can check them out on the web at Ministry of Hope. They take in babies in crisis - Mom has died or run off or too ill to care for the baby and the extended family cannot take care of the baby. Formula is not available in the villages and even if it was, it is too expensive for most families to buy. These babies will die in the village (many of them do). Crisis nursery takes them in, gives health care if needed and feeds them, and then enlists the extended family to come and visit as much as possible to facilitate bonding. Some of the babies do qualify for adoption for multiple reasons. I have seen many almost dead babies survive and return to their extended families or be adopted. It is very rewarding. We took some baby clothes that were donated by people, and also some tea and sugar for the aunties. We had a great time playing with these wee ones. There is one child who may have cerebral palsy and I hope that we can get a physical therapy student to see her later in the year. CP over here is common due to difficult birthing, and it is a tragedy for the child.
After a fun afternoon with the babies, we went to see my son, Lidson. He is 18 and I have sponsored him since he was 4. He is quite a handsome young man now. He is in the COTN secondary school and had asked for some books. Thanks to my sister, Debbie Bondurant, I was able to get him one text book similar to what he wanted, along with a variety of other books. I also took him a tablet - that explains the smile on his face! He is a sweet 'kid' and will graduate from secondary school next spring if all goes well. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, I can tell you that COTN is an excellent organization and your money and emotional investment will be well worth it! Check it out at Children of the Nations website.
Lastly, sweet wonderful Bambo Whiskas is back and working hard for us - allowing us to run like maniacs all day long without stopping for laundry or house cleaning. He is truly a God send. His bike was stolen last year and Carson White helped us replace it! It is a beautiful bike and he is justly proud of it!
We had a very productive day!
Praises and thanks giving:
Safety in travel
Contacts made at Daeyang Luke (NOT coincidents, but 'God Winks')
Donations of clothes, medical supplies and books for people!
The new generator at the guest house, so we are almost never out of power - it is amazing!
Bambo Whiskas - who makes our lives so much easier.
Financial donations that pay for so many things!
Katie holding one of the twins
Another baby!
Meredith feeding the twins at snack time
Checking out Bambo Whiskas new bike!
Portable oxygen concentrators can be moved anywhere. These concentrators come in handy especially to people suffering from lung problems. This is because they can be moved from one place to another thus allowing patients a steady supply of oxygen regardless of their location. Most of the portable concentrators are usually the size of a small suitcase or handbag and they can be carried over the shoulders or pushed on wheels. These concentrators usually pull oxygen from the atmosphere, concentrate and purify it before it’s absorbed by those with breathing problems. Portable oxygen concentrators
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