#4 TBC Team October '10

A final tour around the Maternity Ward is in order. You have seen the steady progress in transformation of the Ward: Here is a view of the double-doorway leading into the labor ward, followed by a look as the paint goes on, looking through those same doors. What a difference a coat of paint makes!

When you look up, the ceiling is open over the ward to allow heat to dissipate.

The lab is of special concern, and there is much to be done. The countertop will be applied, sinks plumbed, tiling installed. Where Kevin is painting, at counter level we'll want to build a small blood-drawing 'station'. The windows and doors will need special attention to prevent dust (and critters) from blowing in freely. Note the fairly-typical gap under this metal door:

James, a Kijabe Hospital lab tech and friend, brought out the laboratory instruments, tested them, and placed them back in safekeeping until the lab is completed. He has returned to his employment at Kijabe Hospital, and we're thankful for his willingness to help in such a practical way. He is squatting next to the under-counter spaces where a few cabinets and open shelves need to be built.

And this young man is excited and happy, watching the excellent forward progress!

Now let me share a painful glimpse into the reality of life in Doro, expressed well in a note today from Grace Womack at our Nutrition Village:

"Yesterday one of my outpatients came very sick and had lost a lot of weight: Vomiting, diarrhea, fever. I told mama she needed to stay with him in the Village. She left the 1-year old (who weighed 11 pounds) with another mom in the Village and walked 2 miles home to bring back her 4-year old to stay with her. When she returned (without the other child), she was crying. Evidently, the father, a man from the North, was drunk and beat & kicked her because she left the baby and was planning to stay in the Village. She tried to reason with him, saying if the baby didn't stay at Doro he might die. Dad said, 'Let him die'!"

"I gave her milk powder and medication with instructions, and told her if she ever wanted to return we would welcome her. Also, I told her to bring the child on Saturday. So disheartening... I know this is nothing new under the sun, but still hard." (Grace Womack, RN)

And, other items of interest to you as you prepare for this adventure... walking distance from the old hospital site is our compound; this picture is from overhead. If you look closely, you will see the solar panels on the tin roof of the dining building. The large building is the storeroom.

The other tents and brown-thatched houses or 'tukuls' you can see are where we live - about 20 people inside the 300 yard perimeter - with small cooking shelters, showers, pit latrines, and every comfort imaginable. No hot tub, yet. But most of the year, that would be easy to arrange...

By early October, the rains will stop falling and 7 months without a drop will follow. However, the floods have been serious this year and the mosquitoes are out in force right now. Bring some DEET and at least one long-sleeve shirt to protect your arms at night. And remember this promise, if the task seems daunting: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." 2 Cor 9:8