As the dust settles
Each time I return to Africa I learn something new. On my first trip, I learned about the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals and experienced the burden that often comes with donated medications.
My second trip taught me about finding ways to enable and equip others; to teach people to “fish” so to speak.
This trip, my third visit to The Gambia, I have been reminded about the things I take for granted. Where in Canada it would be shocking for a woman or child to die in childbirth, here it happens all too frequently. I
have witnessed the difference water and determination makes in a town. I am understanding more fully the need we all have to live in community.
Just over one week ago, the last of the short-term volunteers from the February/March project left. With the house empty, I have reflected on our own little community. Each person brought his or her own unique understanding, perspective and gifts. In addition to building into the team, they taught me many things and were an enormous encouragement.
Village Update
::Kids’ Camp
We were able to hold a two-day children’s camp in the village. Slightly over one hundred children attended each day! We told a series of Bible stories starting with the creation story in Genesis, Abraham’s two sons (Isaac and Ishmael) and lastly of Jesus. Through each story we emphasized that “God has a plan” despite what looked like failure.
We played games, made crafts and provided lunch with a special treat.
I constantly had children hanging on each of my fingers, crawling on my lap or tugging at my shirt. The children were absolutely incredible and it was so special to be able to show them love and attention.
::Water Project
We have also been a link between a local engineering firm and the village to set up a system to supply their water needs. People currently spend a large portion of their day filling containers of water from a single hand pump to take back to their compound.
The dry season still has its hold on the land—most everything is in various shades of brown. A stark contrast was seen in the village: A man living close to a well had taken the initiative to plant a small garden with fruit trees. Truly an oasis! We were given a fresh-cut bunch of bananas from one of his trees to take home with us.
Individual projects: Nursing, Maintenance, Pharmacy
The neonatal nurse was quite busy during her stay. Just after arriving, we learned of a nursing conference relating to the partogram – an assessment tool used in fetal assessment. So, in addition to teaching midwives about neonatal resuscitation, she was able to teach general nurses and nursing students. We hope to identify some key midwives who could be involved in a “train-the-trainer” workshop in the future – training local nurses to teach their peers.
A millwright from B.C. assessed two major projects at the hospital: repair of the generator at the main outpatient clinic area and repair of the second autoclave for sterilizing medical equipment. Both are estimated to be have been out-of repair for several years. He has also worked with another Canadian volunteer to set up an irrigation system in a community garden and build a solar dryer.
Personally, I have also had a satisfying few months. I had a series of extremely useful meetings with the principal pharmacist through which I was able to gain a sense of how the national pharmacy system works. The only pharmacy related training in the country is that for pharmacy dispensing assistants and occurs at the hospital. (These assistants then go on to work in retail pharmacies, health centres or remain at the hospital.) I have now taught a number of courses for the trainees, including review session the students requested! However, they have urged that the exam questions not be too difficult – hopefully they do well!
Coming up next…
With an empty house and some larger projects completed, I have been focusing on continued pharmacy work and eagerly anticipating the arrival of my parents next week!
There is further work to be done at RVTH. My initial assessment seems to show that inventory record keeping has improved from last year. Storeroom staff is changing once again bringing additional opportunities with the turnover to strengthen the system.
I have begun to prepare opportunities for participants of the May/June project. It appears that there will again be a diverse group working in many exciting areas. Amongst others, Andy, a CVM staff member I worked with in 2006, is returning and will be continuing the water project. Also, a pharmacy student from Toronto will be joining me in some pharmacy-related endeavors. I am looking forward to seeing God use each of the volunteers!
