Our first
couple of days here last week we participated in a Govt ‘Vaccination campaign’
out on the delta. We facilitated the MMR vaccination (which is new in this
area) of 1476 children in small, isolated, communities in 2 days.
Not everyone was thrilled with the
idea.
In the process of preparing the way
for 'Doctors for Life' to work with us in the delta next year, Leanna had to
arrange introductory meetings with District health officials. Certain protocols must be followed! However,
it was encouraging to hear the Director of health say, “Whatever YWAM + Mercy
Air want to do we will support because we appreciate all you do.”
Water everywhere. This is usually
dry season, but the rainy season has gone on much longer than usual. Fortunately
for the people on the delta – their staple crop for this time of year is rice
and they are in for a bumper harvest just starting.
Leanna examines Chanadzi – carried
in on a makeshift stretcher in the village of Nkhonde. Even though initially we
thought she must be about 80 – turns out she’s only about 50! Life is tough.
Chanadzi is carried to the
helicopter with most of the village in attendance. No one rated her chances of
survival highly, but the family wanted to give her a chance. Leanna has seen
some remarkable recoveries – so we took her to Marromeu hospital.
After 2 days in Marromeu hospital,
her diagnosis is not clear, (but it’s not the common). Chanadzi is making a
good recovery, attended by her daughter (and granddaughter) who came out with
us as her career.
Leanna
using the advantages of local technology to get cell phone reception
A different type of problem which
seems so insignificant compared to problems of life for people on the delta –
they just pushed a new road past our container house, which is apparently to
become the main entrance road into the sugar company compound in which we are
based. Not looking forward to the dust and noise we will get to enjoy.
Thank you
Dean and Kaylene for the Mercy Air team
