Bush Audiology

During the week of 5 - 9 October, Mercy Air partnered with Kind2Hearing (represented by Jane and Chrizelle and In His Name Ministries (Roger and Katy Pacholca) to perform hearing tests on 180 children and some adults at ASAM in Chimoio, Mozambique. With funds raised by the Pacholkas we took hearing aids out to be fitted to those who needed them. It was a great success and many little ears will hear now.

Here Chrizelle is attending to one of the workers at ASAM.

Kind2Hearing and In His Name Ministries team

Jane is assessing audio response with her specialised testing equipment. We found a high percentage of the children had severe ear infections. Roger was able to supply anti-biotics which will, quite possibly be all that is needed for some to regain their full hearing.

The kids were asked to clap when they heard the beeping noise in the headphones

Tomei got his hearing checked... its a miracle its not worse than it is! (He runs our maize mill and we repeatedly find him without his ear protection on... and trust me... its a LOUD machine)

This snazzy tool helps remove excess wax from ears- this little girl's one ear was almost completely blocked!

One of the older boys is in need of hearing aids in both ears - here a mold is being made of his ear. He's a bit of a 'character' but perhaps being able to hear better will help him!

After watching dozens of kids do this for two full days Heather was apparently not clear on the process, so she had a go herself. She apparently had a bit of hearing loss and will need to keep an eye on that ... not bad, but just enough to take note.

 

A total of 180 children and some adults were screened. We found 25 children with severe hearing loss, of which 18 had bad ear infections.

The team: Jane, Chrizelle, Katy and Roger, standing outside the clinic at Mucombeze that is run by ASAM.  Mercy Air has enjoyed a long relationship with ASAM, working together to the glory of God.

Thank you

Mercy Air team

ASAM Education outreach

Recently Mercy Air flew a team up to ASAM again to continue with the education project.

The aim was to to equip people to teach basic literacy skills who would then equip others in remote villages.

The focus was on teaching colours, numbers and letters. The method started with learning using the body (kinesthetic), then using objects around us and in our environment (3D) and then finally moving to the text book and how to write (2D). The workshops were very hands on and equipped the participants with skills, knowledge, programmes, games and activities to improve their own basic teaching and understanding. It was a great week with an enthusiastic and responsive group of men and women.  We are hopeful it will result in better outcomes for their students and it will be the first of many workshops.

Training the trainers.

Lynne reported:

“Last week was fabulous and to me, it was testimony to a good cohesive effort by all. The sessions went so well thanks to you all. Simon infused energy and is so used to interpreting that he did it with ease. Also, the subject was something he wasn't intimidated by but what he's passionate about. Joao coordinated the students and Rutendo. There really was a positive vibe the whole week and it's great to see everyone's interest and enthusiasm. Having Veronica there was an unexpected perk too. Her story reading then the drama added so much and Mozambican flavour which everyone here loves to see.”

Colour is often used as a comparison: green = ‘like avocado’. There is a lack of colour language in some dialects.

Learning to teach colour.

Santi

Ruth and Lynne

Writing with chalk on the floor

Anne

In addition to the education team, Mercy Air also brought a videographer to work with ASAM on a short film about the various aspects of the ministry.

The Mercy Air pilot and aircraft usually stay in Mozambique with the team. 

Azarja Groot, the pilot, spent a few days putting some finishing touches on the auto maintenance shop.

On the final day of the outreach, it was exciting for the team to attend the grand opening of this new maintenance facility.

The facility will be used to provide vocational training, as well as servicing vehicles, both for ASAM and the surrounding community.

Thank you

Mercy Air team

Update 26th Jul 15

Kaylene and the ed team have been teaching them things which have purpose in their life. Here each of the kids had their height measured and they wrote it by their name. This is preparing them for the time we can get ID cards issued for them.

A name is your identity. Many of these children didn’t even know their names previously. They are so proud of their efforts.

Some of the 'school uniforms' may not pass inspection.

Tomasi has only used chalk and blackboard once before. There is some amazing potential in some of these kids if they only had opportunity.

School’s out. Time to pack everything away in the heli...

 . . . and head home.

Thank you.

Dean and Kaylene for the Mercy Air team 

Update 15th Jul 15

This was how their patch looked when we started back in May.

With some of this . . .

 . . . they produced this!

Dominga – one of the girls on the team, recently completed studies in agriculture and was able to pass on to the Luawe association improved methods for planting which enabled them to triple the number of plants per square metre when using irrigation!

Once shown, it was then their turn to do it themselves.

Unfortunately, the local bugs are also enjoying the new menu, so we are desperately trying to locate an insecticide that they can use to control this to ensure the success of the project.

Thank you.

Dean and Kaylene for the Mercy Air team.