25/03/2010
Hello friends and family!
Let us first apologize for the delay. We have run into a few problems in the last few days that have prevented our first update (flat tire, late rental van, attacking lions - just kidding about the last one). So, here we go!
We have arrived safely in Africa! We walked off the plane onto the tarmac (felt like movie stars) at 10:00am. After a few lines and one lost bag, we walked out of the airport extremely tired, but glad to finally be in Namibia. Mary's friends picked us up and drove us to Rivendell, where we will be spending our first 10 days. It is beautiful here, everything is green and though it is hot, there is usually a nice breeze to cool us off. We have begun planning the medical clinics we will be doing next week. There are many details to work out, but thanks to everyone who donated funds or supplies, we feel very prepared. We have a lot of shopping to do - buying food for our food parcel donations, buying candy for the kids for our Easter celebration, buying formula and bottles for Mount Sinai, and so much more! Also, don't worry, we got our lost bag back! :-) It was full of medical supplies, so we were very concerned that it wouldn't make it's way back to us. But it arrived and nothing was missing. So the supplies will still get to where they are needed most.
Many things are different here. We bring treats for the kids, and if we do not have enough, there are no cries of "unfair!". Instead, they are simply hopeful they will get something next time and are happy just to be with us. Some kids walk 5 miles or more to get to the school we help at, since they know they will get a hot meal and their families do not have to pay for them to attend. We watched one child eat half of her lunch, and then take out a container and pack up the rest to take home. She could not have been full from that little amount of food, but she must know that her family needs to eat too.
We are working diligently to prepare for our medical clinics next week. We are organizing our medications, trying to round up additional volunteers, and renting tents and chairs. Advertising for the events is hard, but we know that the promise of a meal will bring many people. We worry that too many people will come, and we will have to turn some away. We will help as many as we can, since many of these people have never had a health screening before. In Namibia, there is one doctor for every 7,000 people. Though that doesn't seem like a lot, it is one of the higher ratios in Africa. But in rural communities, there is little to no access to health care of any kind.
Annie and Mary are glad to meet up with old friends, though there are some faces that are gone from the last trip of 3 years ago. They spent the first day calling all our Namibian friends and setting up times to meet and plan our different events. We are so lucky to have connections throughout the community, as it has made planning our events much easier. Everyone remembers Annie and Mary and are so excited that they have come back (and brought friends!). It is hard to believe that we have only spent 3 days here. Each day is so packed that it seems like much longer. Though we have only been here for a short time, people are already asking us when we will be coming back. We still have many days ahead, but we know it will not be enough. So, we are already wondering when we will be able to make our next trip too.
Goodnight everyone!
~Annie, Mary, Linda, Nicole, and Genny
(Pictures will come soon!)
Our Mission
African Community Health Inititiave (ACHI)
Provide basic health care services to those lacking access to such care in both rural Nigeria and urban Namibia.
These services include:
*Overall Physicals (including Fasting Glucose levels, Vitals, HIV/AIDS testing etc..)
*Medication Management and Maintenance programs *Disease Management
*Health Education that addresses disease prevention, hygiene and nutrition
*Consultations and referrals
Mount Sinai
A program started by Katutura State Hospital Nurse Christa Biart-Vega, who works in the ARV (antiretroviral) pediatric clinic, Mount Sinai provides HIV counseling, health education, well baby checks, formula, water and sippy cups for 105 babies and their HIV+ mothers. If the child is tested HIV- after 6 weeks of being breastfed, the hospital or clinic refers them to Christa. At this point it is important to discontinue breastfeeding: replacing breast milk with formula means that the baby will remain HIV-. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds Christa has to limit the number of mothers and babies in her program because it is a commitment to feed each child for six months. Christa did receive land in Katutura for the clinic, but lacks the funds to begin building. Not only will this building be used to continue the program that Christa has started, she also envisions it as a safe place for moms and their children, as well as a hospice for children with AIDS to peacefully die in instead of out on the streets. Your donations will go towards formula, sippy cups, water and overall costs. More money means more women can enroll in the program and with your help Nurse Christa will finally be able to have a building to go along with her amazing, life saving program!
Family Hope Sanctuary
FHS is a community based program run by Abigail Maposa located in the extremely poor settlements of Hakahana. FHS’s program helps in two ways: first, to empower women, most of whom are HIV+, TB, single mothers who are raising orphans; and second, through its school readiness program. This program reaches children who are not in the school system and provides them with an education and a safe place to stay. More importantly, the heart of FHS is its kitchen: it feeds hundreds of children each day, which for most is the only meal they will get that day. Lacking the most basic necessities of life, all of these kids are grateful for such a meal, and are in dire need of a formal education before it is too late. Your donations will go towards education, food, clothes, shoes, water and other necessities. Amazingly, $20 sends a child to school for a whole year (books and uniforms included)!
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1 comment:
Hi Lin, Genny, and Annie, Marty and I are looking for photos? Hope you are well, you are in our prayers. we miss you! Who will play cards with us this Sunday? Love, Muffie and Marty
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