New Year  2016

 

Stan is arguing with me about the caption because this was New Year's Eve, not New Years day just so you know.  We played Battleship with the sisters across the hall.  They had to be in their apartments by 5:00 so we had dinner and played games.  We welcomed in the New Year alone though because they had to be in bed by 10:30.  They had no electricity so we let them stay in our two extra rooms that had air-conditioning.  They showered in our hot shower too.  (no electricity means cold showers)  Fireworks were going off all over the city.  It seems Roman Candles are the big hit but these Roman Candles hold 20 instead of 10.  Partying carried on and on in the neighborhood all around us until sunrise.  (and for days and days before and after.  This is their summer break.)

Triage

Observation room

[Stan] We decided to return to the Moamba Hospital that we were introduced to us by COASA, an small organization that helps HIV patients in this community.  We felt the hospital was a better place to seek a partnership. Our visit was most interesting.  We took about 60 pictures.  We are posting just a few here.  The employees were very sincere and showed great concern for the people they were serving.  This is the triage room.  This hospital serves a population of 68,000.  There are 3 doctors that cover 10 clinics along with this facility.  Amazing to me.  Their needs are many.  We are hoping to be of help with a few of them.  Here is a partial list of their needs.  If they show initiative to work with us on a plan that includes the community, then I think we can be of service.  Transportation (ambulance), roof repaired, bathrooms fixed, incinerator, mattresses, electronic medical records, lab equipment, sterilizer, new cooling system for morgue.  We saw several things we could see needed help with, but they did not even mention.  We will keep you updated as we work thru this.  It is still in the investigating stage and could take months to move along.

Medical records all by hand

There are no computers being used.  All paperwork is handwritten and kept in files and ledgers. The kitchen is in another building where the dietitian and cook work in a very hot room to feed everyone; so much of the food prep is outside under the shade of a tree. Their outpatient activity is very busy with well baby checks (immunizations)and treating malaria, dysentery, HIV, etc. Twins had just been born when we arrived, one other baby just hours before that, and 1 woman in labor.  They do the best they can with what they have.  All life threatening conditions are transported to Matola or Maputo.  The road is so bad leading to and from the town that a good part of it we just drive on the shoulder.  The ruts are so deep and rough it will ruin your truck or you have to

Delivery Room

drive so slow it is ridiculous.  One glaring omission from their list was laundry facilities.  There is a small building separated about 50 yards from the rest of the facility that constitutes the laundry.  It is a one man facility with 2 concrete sinks where he washes by hand.  Not sure at this point how a machine would help.  Machines require energy and maintenance which both require cash which there is little of. 

As I mentioned before, I was touched by their sincerity and dedication to work for the betterment of their community helping the best they can.  The administrator is a younger woman and is sharp and well educated.  I believe she will be a good partner.  I was especially

Outside laundry facility

impressed with the head nurse; a young man that is our main contact there.  He seemed to have an unusually good rapport with the staff, very intelligent, and loves his work.  I have discussed this before, but the issue is not needs.  There are plenty of those everywhere we go and look.  The issue becomes the who and the how; can we develop a partnership that will truly lift the people and community; make them stronger.  Or will it just be a well-meaning give away.  This is much tougher than I thought it would be at first.  But I am learning some great principles and beginning to catch a glimpse of what true welfare really is.  I love this work; the Lord's hand is in it.  I still struggle with the language, but it does improve pouco a pouco.  Our interpreters have been really great to work with. 
We attended a baptism today for a couple that has been attending our ward.  They are a cute family; two children under the age for baptism.  They asked me to confirm them tomorrow in sacrament meeting.  I am honored to do it.