Thanks to your donations, we were able to give 7200 mosquito nets, 7200 prescriptions, 625 glasses, 400 toothbrushes and 200 toothpastes.
The most common diseases and health issues that we target and that people suffer from are Malaria, Chest infections, Diarrhea, hypertension, skin infections, parasites, Tubercolosis, sickle cell in babies and Typhoid. Ulcers are also common as many people can only afford one meal a day, usually eating a root called cassava.
In addition, HIV and AIDS are very present, 2 million of people are infected and there is 7% of new infections every year. Our doctors were able to test for HIV.
A big issue here is that public hospitals, who often treat HIV and AIDS, are underfunded and corrupt. Private clinics get prescriptions from the hospital and then resell the medicine at prices far too high for local communities to afford.
As today was our last day, we had an enormous crowd, it was our record-breaking day. Aidah, our host, managed very well and helped us reach as many children and sick people as possible. We try to not let anyone go home without seeing the doctor, but its impossible to reach everyone. We still served the majority of people who came, giving over 1350 prescriptions. The work done by the doctors, nurses and translators was phenomenal. They worked from 9 to 5 with no breaks except for lunch.
The team did a great job. The prayer tent was packed and God was definitively working through us.
We were all tired but as Greg said in his devotional, we finished the race strong.
Our last day was magical. We danced with some of the kids to “Mama Africa”. Our amazing youth pastor and translator, Isaac Israel, taught us the African dances. In exchange, we taught them the Macarena!
This year was the first year we did the children’s ministry. Lorine, Becca and Michael really got to connect with the children. A highlight of the day was when some girls came back from the first church to see us and dance with us. Later, Lorine and they had a conversation where they taught Eteso to Lorine and she taught them French. One of the girls asked if we could see the Sun in the US. That was quite cute and funny!
We gave these people some comfort and care but what they gave us is more than we could ever imagine...These people have a light in their eyes, a tender soul and are filled with gratitude for any help from their “American friends” as they called us.
As we leave them, we leave a part of ourselves with them in Africa. We hope to come back next year to build new relationships and give what we can. It’s difficult to express how much these people touch our hearts and change our lives. Their kindness and grace is contagious. You never come back the same when you come back from Mama Africa!
Lorine and Nathalie