Pastor Wilma's Church
Bwadjout, Carrefour
Monday morning found us back in the truck and on the move for our next day of clinic. But unlike our previous clinics, this one would be new to both our team and the people we would serve. This clinic was located up in the mountains, at Pastor Wilma's church. The church serves as a meeting site for the medika mamba clinic, operated by Liz and Mickey from Children's Health Ministries. But our team would be the first medical team that had ever been to this location. A new experience, for both our team and the community.
Driving to the location, we watch the people of this country start their day. Kids walking to school; parents moving around and preparing to set up their vendor locations, or catching transportation to their jobs. The animals are milling around, looking for scraps of food. Some people are standing in the doorway of their homes brushing their teeth. And we see children peeking out through the sheets that are used as a door. The road is muddy in places, from the recent rain, and we are concerned about the truck being able to make it up the mountain. And that concern was well founded, but not because of the roads, but because of the bridge.
At one point, we came upon the bridge. A concrete structure that spanned a very deep ravine. Not too bad, except that after crossing the bridge, the road curved almost 90 degrees, and there was not enough room for the truck to make the turn, and not drop the back tires off of the road. After several attempt, the driver said that he couldn't make it, so he backed up and parked. We now had to unload the truck and carry all the supplies up the road, to the location of the church. Fortunately, the distance was not that great nor that steep, so we arrived only slightly behind schedule. And the guys got to carry the heavy stuff, like the buckets with the PVC pipe in concrete, which were used as dividers for the providers tables. And once we arrive, we notice that the people have already gathered, and we knew that the day would be busy.
Over 500 people we saw in these 2 days of clinic. Fevers of greater that 105, body aches, diarrhea. A child who we could not help. But with it all, we saw many people that we could help. The teachings about fever control. The referrals to outlying clinics. Education to parents. Overall, it was a reinforcement that there is a need, and there is a way we can help.
The bridge where the truck could not make the turn. |
The climb up to the church.
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The sheets, which form the "walls" for the providers areas.
Those buckets were full of concrete, so were very heavy.
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The people wait to be triaged. Some have walked for many miles to
be able to be seen, or have their children seen by a provider.
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Mickey and Homayon discuss the set-up of the clinic in the church.
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One of the many children seen during the 2 days at the clinic. |
Lilias and Tiffany, ready to triage hundreds of patients.
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The pharmacy tech explains to a patient the proper way to take
the medicine that has been prescribed for her.
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The pharmacy table, set and ready for the clinic day to begin. |
Gary and Bridget take a few minutes to visit.
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