Clinic 4 in Taiama and Baby Kenneth

The day began as usual with breakfast and a devotion. Carol gave each of us four hearts with four different Bible verses printed on them.  One verse stood out to all of us.  The verse emphasized loving and serving through our actions and deeds. Saying we love and want to serve mean very little.  I am discovering what it truly means to serve without expecting anything in return—just serving.   Since arriving in Sierra Leone I have seen poverty like I’ve never seen before—people who lack everything that I take for granted—clean water, electricity, a spacious home with doors, windows, and protection from mosquitos, excellent medical care, reliable transportation, easy access to almost any place I want to go, plenty of clothes, etc.  Yet, these people seem happier or accepting of life as it is.  And to think how I often complain and express irritation when life doesn’t go MY way.  This experience has reminded me of what really matters most in life—loving as Jesus demonstrated for us.  I am working harder than I have in my life yet I struggle because we see so much need.  It is always hard to end a clinic but so far, we have not turned anyone away who has been waiting in line.  I am thankful for the commitment of our team and their willingness to graciously and lovingly work in the hot and sweaty temperatures, the dirty conditions, and cramped space to give so many children the chance to live a healthier life with minimal pain and long-term suffering.

Before leaving for today's clinic in Taiama, Ju wanted to meet with the entire team.  We all gathered in a room in the guesthouse.  He presented each of us with a gift from him and his sister, Evelyn.  Evelyn had made each of the women a dress or top.  We were also given a bracelet and sandals.  Each garment was unique and I know alot of time went into making these garments for us.  I am not accustomed to such generosity and sacrifice of time.  Evelyn is not working with us this year because she is grieving the death of her fiancee'.  Knowing that she made this clothing during this difficult time for her leaves me speechless.  I look forward to wearing my dress and sandals once I get home and the weather improves.  

The Taiama clinic was held in a building with two rooms with a connecting door.  The pharmacy had a window that allowed us to pass prescriptions out to the interpreters so they could provide parents with instructions for each child’s medicines.  Suliman did an amazing job as interpreter and Ju was also a big help to him.   These two young men are incredible!!   They are smart, mature, organized, warm, patient, and forgiving.  Lucy Kangaju also served as an interpreter, working with the doctors.  These three adults are Christians who love people so much and want to help them in any way possible.  Without them, we could not have done this work.

Via a covered breezeway, this clinic is connected to a maternity ward with a small delivery room.  (This space will become very important later in the day.) A couple of other rooms offer a few beds for sick adults.  The nurses have limited training and limited equipment, medicines, and medical supplies.  The facility would be deemed deplorable in the United States.  They are definitely not sterile environments.

Relevant Fact: 1 in 5 infants die at or during birth in Sierra Leone. A woman qualifies to be a TBA (traditional birthing assistant) if she has given birth or seen a birth one time. They don't have equipment we deem necessary for deliveries. For example, they lack scissors to cut the umbilical cord as well as suctions bulbs and resuscitation bags. Often just clearing mucous from the newborn's airway and giving them a few assisted breaths will make the difference in life or death.  

little boy with serious fungal infection

a closer look at the infection 

The clinic at Taiama began and proceeded differently than the previous three because the nurses insisted that we see adults as well as children.  They argued that Pastor Francis had told them that we would be treating all.  The nurses didn’t accept the fact that we lacked medications that we would most likely need to treat adults.  Ultimately, the doctors decided that Tonya would see adults and Debi would see the children.  We said a prayer together and clinic opened.  We were busy for hours and treated many people for worms, malaria, respiratory ailments, fever, chronic pain, asthma, fungal infections, staph infections, and wounds that had not been adequately cleaned, medicated, and bandaged. 

About 2 P.M., Tonya and Debbie stopped clinic to take care of a critical patient.--a three-week-old baby needed immediate attention.  The first-time mother had walked from another village with her infant concerned because he kept losing weight.  He appeared extremely thin and his breathing was slow.  The examination revealed that he had a fever of 103.6.  The doctors hurried the baby to the maternity ward and Laura quickly gathered supplies to administer an IV.  At Laura’s urging, I went to see the baby.  I was not prepared for what I saw.  I couldn’t stay long. I felt so sad and helpless.  The most I could do was take the young mother some water.  I could only imagine her fear as she entrusted her tiny, sick baby to strangers.  I’m not sure how aware she was that her baby had minimal time left on this earth without immediate care.  These people are much accustomed to seeing death—the death rate of their children is near 50%.  Dr. Debi “went to work” on this infant, assisted by Tonya and Laura.  The infant needed an antibiotic but Debi was concerned about hitting a vein on the first attempt. She asked everyone to pray and it happened on the first try. 

The treatment team provided professional, tender, attentive care to this infant for over an hour and then came the “waiting game.”  Only time would tell if the baby would live through the day.  If it lives, there may be residual damage.  To do well, the infant will need follow-up care.  However, with no money or transportation, future care available for the infant will be at the Taiama clinic staffed by nurses, both LPN’s and a few RN’s.      

After handling the emergency, clinic reopened and the people still waiting were seen.  After Dr. Debi saw all the children waiting, she offered training for midwives/TBA's and gave them supplies that will be so helpful when new babies are brought into the world.  She distributed scissors and suction bulbs that we brought from the states and ambu bags (donated by Henry County Medical Center). We finished around 4:30 or 5 after seeing and treating 178 men, women, and children.  The doctors checked on the baby and were pleased to see positive changes had already occurred.  The team has saved this infant’s life. We'll return in the morning to check on the baby and administer more medication.

We packed up most everything, donated some needed medicines to the clinic, and took a few pictures with the nurses, midwives, and children before leaving.  Each time we “snap” (photograph) the children, they love seeing the pictures.  These children smile often but I find it funny that whenever you “snap” a camera, the smiles disappear for a moment especially in older children.  However, they laugh when they see the pictures afterwards.  Just think…most of these children have never seen a reflection of themselves unless they have been near water.  While they recognize other children in a picture, I’m not convinced that they recognize their own image.  Carol usually had a mirror with her at the clinics and gave several children the chance to see their own reflection.

We returned to Njala after a long but rewarding day.  We were hot, dirty, sweaty and most of the team was ready for a shower.  I desperately needed some alone time so I took a walk around the campus, inside the gated area since I was unaccompanied.  I took pictures of my surrounding some of it so beautiful and unique.  The new construction contrasts sharply with the ruins that provide evidence the destruction caused by the rebels 10+ years ago.  I returned to my room and sat down to write and listen to music—the favorites of our team.

A little after 7:30, I joined the rest of the team for dinner.  This was our last night on the Njala campus.  We all laughed together and joked about our idiosyncracies.  We returned to our rooms to pack for the next day and I went to my room to download pictures from my camera and cell phone as well as Robert and Debi's cell phone.  It's now almost midnight and I must get some sleep.  Tomorrow will be a long, full day and I want to be ready for it.

Good night,
Jane