10-28-11

Today was the last day in Zimba Hospital; another great opportunity for the students to get good experience. A couple of the doctors here are outstanding and also very good with the students. He explains everything and then asks them to compare it to care in the U.S.A. He also wanted to know a lot about crime and TV in America since he has certain preconceptions from the TV show he watches! American TV does us no favors overseas…several years ago, people overseas thought everyone in America looked and acted like those portrayed on Baywatch!! 

Zimba Hospital is much smaller than Macha Hospital, but they seem to have a better patient/nurse ratio which makes is easier to provide good care.

Lauren Gross, a 2-year Go Net Employee with Global Partners works with Mike and Cindy Helvie in Jembo but has been temporarily reassigned to help our team while in Zimba. She has been the Chief Cook but does have local help. She is doing a wonderful job with this. I went with her to Livingstone this morning to help with some of the shopping for the remainder of our time here. It is so hot that fruits and vegetables do not last very long, and refrigeration is somewhat limited given the number on our team.  Some of our team members have also pitched in and helped her with both meals and clean up. We do have a great group of students!

Bud was able to check out the site identified for the new generator for Zimba Hospital that Tom Garber's group plans to install some early next fall. He was able to send him and description and all the measurements so they know what to expect when they arrive.

I had a very interesting opportunity today; the father of one of our cooks died yesterday so Ms. Mukonde took Lauren and me to get her at the “funeral house”. It was actually in the homes of family members. Men and women greet separately so when we arrived, we went into the home where 14 women were sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. We stooped down and shook hands with each individual, and when we reached the end of the line, we also sat down. It was very quiet; no one spoke for about 10 minutes, and then one of the women started exhorting (I am guessing since it was in Tonga). I heard her speak about Jesus Christ several times so I’m certain it was a Christian talk. After she finished, Ms. Mukonde prayed and then we went outside and went through the handshaking with all the women sitting outside the house. We sat down again for a few minutes and then left. No one was crying, but everyone was very respectful and quiet. It was very interesting and a great experience.