Fremo's Medical Clinic

This week has been great. We have started our work with the new Fremo Medical Clinic and they are as enthusiastic as we are. Less than 10 min of walking in the door, they handed us white lab coats. We looked at each other ‘what the...’ but put them on and sat in on a consultation for a gentleman who had a disease I had not heard of (Brucella I think – something caused by drinking contaminated food or milk?) Anyhoos, after administering an injection in his butt, the nurse said that Cim or I might see him for his upcoming consults – I just about died, especially considering we had told them we have no medical training (Cim has minimal). He couldn’t have been happier. After the gentleman left, we put them straight pretty damn quick.

Yesterday morning we started the photo project with 2 kid’s classes in the school and all the orphans for their medical records. They are so damn cute. For the next week, we are dividing our time between the school and clinic. We will then focus completely on Fremo’s. They have such limited equipment. It’s shocking to think that their aim is to become a registered hospital by the end of the year. They (we) have a looooonnnnngg way to go. We have organised to get quotes on equipment and basic needs that the government has stipulated such as tiled maternity ward, functional toilet and paved walkway. It’s currently mud. Oh, and right next to the clinic is a mechanical repair shop – well not a shop as such, all the work is done not 5 feet in front of our entrance – the entire centre is regularly engulfed in thick exhaust fumes. Gotta love Africa

This week we also spent a few hours with a different HIV/AIDS group who makes the most incredible baskets, clothes, purses and jewellery. I bought a few bracelets – can you believe it! And I just love them. I also spent quite some time chopping hay for a mushroom project they are starting. OMG – that is the video attached, hope it works. We cut bags of this straw with a machete and butchers knife. I have blisters all over my right hand which is what I was trying to show in the video – pathetic I know. Damn these women are strong. I itched and sneezed for hours but going back for more tomorrow! :-) They are not used to getting support from people who know they carry the virus, so it took them a little while for them to open up, but when they did, we had brilliant conversations. Remarkable strengths and talents.

It’s hard to believe its Friday again already; my time here is passing way too quickly. Tomorrow there is a medical camp at the IDP (Internally Displaced People) Project we visited last weekend. I am hoping there is enough room to join them. It would be really great to see the families again.