The scorch of Africa

Missed yesterday. Busy at the clinic and with organizing the storage container. Taking inventory and getting rid of things that are not needed - for example the craniotomy drill. It's pretty amazing the things people send over here. I do get a little miffed each visit and see the 4000 self cath foleys. Hmmm, not one has been used, maybe I can ship them to another hospital that has urinary retention patients!! So please, if you are ever thinking of shipping "stuff" someplace, please make sure it is something that can be used. Ask if they have electricity.

Getting meds for patients

Listening to the BBC

Coming to visit Miss Catherine

Gabriel's children, Hok and Aya, catch my heart

Always there to help

Gabriel is one of the "nurses" here at the hospital. His picture is on the side. He has been here since I have started to come. He has a public health certification which is not too much more than education of a CNA - certified nurse assistant but does so much more. He also has been trained in trachoma surgery. This is a surgery on the eye lids to get out infection and scar tissue that has formed from the flies landing on eye lids. Gabriel is currently getting ready to start his senior year in high school. You see, because of the war, he was not able to go to school. There were no schools, they all closed.  Now he is much older.  I think in his 30's. He has been trying to finish up his secondary education since a school opened here two years ago. He goes to school during the day and works 8p to 8a at the hospital and takes care of his family. He would like to become a Clinical Officer. This is similar to a PA. They have a patient load but also oversee the daily running of a clinic. The education for this would take place in Kenya. There are several schools. He is familiar with Kenya as that is where he took his trachoma training. I told him to get information and to see what the requirements are to do this. He is a good person, loyal to a fault and so very hard working. He has a command of the English language. I do not think he has to finish high school to do this because of his only needing one year and his clinical experience. We will talk to Dr. Ajak later today to see if he thinks Gabriel can do this. I think he can and told him I would give whatever support possible.

Our beds in the middle of the compound, hoping to catch the breeze

It continues to be extremely hot. Never cooled down last night and most of us were outside under the stars begging for a little breeze to hit us. It is afternoon and is too hot (116 degrees) to be moving stuff from one container to another as I organize and inventory. I will go there soon though, to finish this project today. Hope all is well in Joe Town and places in between. Oh, by the way, I will not post pictures as it takes too many bytes (I think that is what happens) and will use up all my time. I will have a big posting of pictures when I get home.

Take care, C