Twins-Barbara and Brenda-July 2012 update

---------------Barbara and Brenda with Mom and Marie July 2012--I had several surprise visitors while in Uganda and this was one of them. Back in the winter of 2009, This Mom had brought her twins in for immunizations and I noted they were underweight. The original story below tells it all, but today 2 and 1/2 years later, Mom brought Barbara and Brenda to visit me. They are doing very well, though Barbara who was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome cannot walk and with no follow up programs here in Uganda, I am not sure exactly what her future will look like. The good news is they are both well nourished and well loved, as is evidenced from the above photo. Mom brought me lots of tomatoes and avocado's as thank you gifts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several months ago a Mom brought her twin girls in for immunizations and I noted that both babies were underweight, one more than the other.-Mom was trained how to mix the formula and how to supplement her breast milk with bottles of formula to increase the babies body weights and in time catch them up to the curve indicated on the growth monitoring chart.. This photo was taken when the babies were still tiny enough for their 5 year old sister to help Mom carry them on her back. Can you imagine your 5 year old carrying his or her baby sisters on their backs? Nor could I, until I came to this country where culturally, a girl is a mother to her younger siblings from the time she can walk.! Well following several months of receiving both breast milk and formula, there was a noted improvement in one child but to a much lesser degree in the other. Mom simply said Barbara often refused to eat , whereas her sister Brenda was always more than willing. Mom found it rather funny and I found it perplexing. Upon examination I saw that Barbara had a different "look" about her and besides the decreased weight, appeared to also be developmentally behind her sister. I suspected "Down Syndrome" and this was recently confirmed by Pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth from Tulane University, New Orleans.

--------Mom was counseled on Downs Syndrome and how it might effect the development of Barbara, and encouraged to try and feed her smaller amts more frequently. But, whereas Barbara's symptoms are only mild, it may take some time before Mom truly understands the challenges and joys of having a child with Down's syndrome in the house. Last week Mom came by to pick up the formula and only had Barbara with her, with beaded hair, no less. Apparently this was for the baptism soon to come. In this recent pic, one can more easily see the doll like characteristics of Barbara, which are often noted in Down's Syndrome. The good news is that both twins are gaining well and appear to be healthy. Now that they are 7 mo. old, solid food has been introduced into their diets, which should make a difference and soon formula will not be necessary for either of the girls.

------Mom and twin on her back , while young sister carries other twin

Nyakabande Congolese Refugee Camp- -------------- July 2012

Compassion in Action---------------------------------------- Please read and then watch You Tube Video

-------------------------------------- http://youtu.be/srN9Bu0anUQ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shortly before I was to leave for Africa, I had a sense that besides the month in Lemongo Village, Kenya , followed by a reunion to see my Michael, the AIDS Orphans and all the friends I had made as a missionary –nurse in Uganda, there was still one more things that I would be doing. I “saw” in my minds eye a large group of people who I would be serving in some way: giving food, immunizing, I wasn’t sure, but it was definitely something different than I had ever done before. This “seeing” was so strong that I contacted several agencies that served in the Sudan, Ethiopia, the horn of Africa, where the drought was intense and the need was great. But, for various reasons, nothing panned out. I was disappointed but believed that if this Call was so clear and insistent, it would find me and it certainly did, in a way I never could have imagined. Flying from Nairobi to Kigali Rwanda, to be picked up by my friend and guide, Sheba, I heard there was renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (The Congo) and since both Rwanda and Uganda share borders with The Congo, that meant the Refugee Camps would be flooded with women and children. Though I had never worked in a Refugee Camp, I thought I might be of help and went to the Nykabande Transit Camp, only a short distance from Kisoro Town, to offer my services. Their response was that they had requested help from the USA but did not anticipate a response for several weeks, but would be most happy if I could help In trying to find where I could be of most service I suggested that my three years in Public Health at St. Francis Hospital-Mutolere , might lead me to evaluation of new refugee’s and Immunization of the children., which is what I did. Language was as much a problem as always, so it made sense for the locals to evaluate: measuring arms for possible malnutrition, weight and height, as well as sending any one who appeared ill, to the Health Center. The Camp had a well run machine, where after being signed in , given food and shown around a bit, the mothers would then come to our tent for De-worming Pills for themselves and their family, as well as become updated on any necessary immunizations . Recently there had been an outbreak of measles, so whereas normally a child would not receive a measles vaccine until 9 months of age, it had been pushed up to 6 months of age. . We also immunized for Polio (oral vaccine), BCG, a prophylactic TB intradermal injection on newborns, as well as Vit A(orally) and De-worming pills for everybody.. Some days there were 60 or so pts and some days, as many as 140 pts. All the supplies and needed vaccine come from the Health Dept. in Kisoro, and one or more of the needed vials where often simple not available. We did the best we could, not just to immunize, but to help these families feels cared for. I was very impressed with the workers, especially the local Ugandans who were part of “Medical Teams International”, an international group of Caregivers, who treated each new pt. with compassion. Even when there was a situation with obvious mental overtones, they treated the affected with gentle care

Yes, this was exactly what I had “seen” in my waking state before I ever set foot on African soil. Lines of people waiting for care. A malnourished child given “Plumpy Nut”, (a high protein peantbuttery food supplement) for several days, then reevaluated by a caring Medical Team. There are several agencies active in the Camps besides Medical Teams International, the Red Cross, the United Nations and various groups from different Europeans countries. Each raises it flag proudly, as noted in the photo’s After I had been there a short while, four medical people (2 Docs and 2 Nurses) did arrive from Medical Teams International (3 from the States and a nurse from Canada).We bonded quickly and since I knew the area, I could assist them to find the best places to eat, sleep and visit, if they got that opportunity. Dr’s Mike and Paul saw patients, while Marilyn worked with the Nutrition Program and Cindy with the pregnant Mom’s. And there were many pregnant moms, many delivering in less than 24 hours after their arrival Although this work was nothing new to me, I found that treating women and children who had. just escaped from their homeland, had a far different feel than Ugandan women, who had lived here all their lives. Often families were separated in the rush to escape and we witnessed many happy and some not so happy reunions. The men often returned to the Congo to tend their crops and many were not heard from again.. Each hour of each day held its share of sadness and the reunions of joy. Over 20,000 people have escaped from The Congo into Uganda, with equally as many into Rwanda. After some period of time in this transit Camp, families are taken to permanent Camps hours away. When I first started there, the Camp was mourning the loss of many Congolese involved in a tragic bus accident, while traveling to one of these camps. How heartbreaking that after the suffering and deprivation of fleeing a war torn country, they might still lose their life . I was saddened by the reality of all this loss, illness and displacement, but heartened by the incredible resilience and hope of a battered people. The lessons of sacrifice and dignity under fire can harden and depress or humble and inspire. I chose the later, which gave me the strength to greet each mother with a reassuring smile and each frightened child as if they were they were a holy vessel of God’s love, which, indeed, they were. Sometimes when I had to immunize a child who was malnourished, I feared hurting them, as there was so little fat on their bones, but more often then not, they looked at me with a kind of acceptance and understanding that was far beyond their years. They were the poor, they were the hungry, they were the downtrodden. They were the Christ spoken of in the scriptures, disguised as babies with swollen bellies and gigantic vacant eyes. When I first viewed the hundreds upon hundreds of tents, offering shelter ,a meager meal or two, I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation. Overwhelmed by the grief and lack that seemed endless to fill. . But when I started to work and put my own preconceived notions aside, I developed new eyes; eyes that saw hope and anticipation and yes, even joy. I saw children playing and sharing with each other. I saw mothers, with several children of their own, help another mother who was too distraught to adequately care for herself, let alone her children. I saw kindness in the face of adversity; I saw compassion in action! The problems in the Congo are overwhelming in their complexity. The human capacity for greed, pride, and ignorance, which dishonors, wounds, and kills, while continuing to generate perpetual suffering, is atrocious. It makes you want to turn a blind eye, run anywhere as fast as you can, be somewhere else. But you can't run far enough away to escape the reality that these are your brothers and sisters, these are your children. We are, indeed, if not one nation, than certainly one family, under God. We cry the same tears, our blood runs red upon our clothes whether it be an African wrap, an Indian sari or a formal tuxedo. We are so much more alike then we are different! I know I mostly referred to the women and children but there were men, as well. In fact, I noticed at the Health Talks given daily by the Ugandan Workers, the men seemed to speak up more quickly than the women, asking thoughtful questions about the care of their wives and children. We bazungu (white people) are quick to judge these men as less than,----- less than what?----- Less than a human who runs away from being sucked up into an intangible cause, less than a human who can no longer raise crops to provide for his family, less than a human whose any sense of value or morals has been clouded by the violence that has personified his entire life? We perhaps, need to walk just a mile in his shoes (if he has any) before we judge what kind of a man he is. Or, maybe even better, would be to leave that judging to his God and instead, take the shoes off our own feet and give them to him. What was I doing there? What did I think a simple nurse with a few skills could accomplish against centuries of brutality, lifetimes of death and displacement? Well , truth is , if I had really understood what I was getting into, if I had really had any idea of the depth of that kind of suffering, I probable would not have offered my help so gallantly. But in ignorance I did offer to help and what started out as giving a few shots or pills, quickly turned into comforting a crying baby, then consoling a mom who had lost a child and even bowing my head in prayer when a simple wooden casket was carried by.. My good friend Carol once said, when I was struggling with just how to let go of a difficult situation and being given the advice to "Let Go and Let God" , that she couldn't quite go along with that advice as she believed we are God's Hands on Earth. It would seem St Teresa of Avila, one of three women recognized as a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church shared her belief, as noted in this prayer which is attributed to her: . -----Christ has no body now but yours, -----No hands, no feet on earth but yours. -----Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world, -----Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. -----Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.' ----------------------------------St. Teresa Of Avila ---------------------------- http://youtu.be/srN9Bu0anUQ

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo----- (Zaire, Republic of the Congo, The French Congo, The Middle Congo, Belgium Congo, DRC, The Congo) -------by any other name still spells: War, Displacement, Sickness and Death

. The Republic of the Congo was first settled by the illusive Pygmies. They were followed by the Bakongo, Bateke and Sanga peoples in the mid-15th century. Once the coastal areas were discovered and explored by the Portuguese, the natives (making friends quickly) began to cooperate with the Europeans, and soon, the slave trade flourished. In fact, the coastal area was a major source for the transatlantic slave trade. Over many decades, an assortment of European traders searched for additional economic opportunities here, and then, in 1891, this resource-rich land was colonized by the French, and named the French Congo - later the Middle Congo. Subsequently, the Congo's population suffered through forced labor, and the country's valuable rubber and ivory resources were exploited. Independence from French control was achieved in 1960, however, over the decades that followed the Republic of the Congo suffered through Marxism, a bloody civil war, on-going political instability, and ethnic unrest. The Republic of the Congo has significant underdeveloped economic potential, a poor infrastructure and inadequate health care. On the positive side, it's one of Africa's largest petroleum producers. Its relatively sparse population is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country, between the capital city of Brazzaville and the coastal city of Point Noire, leaving the vast areas of tropical jungle in the north virtually uninhabited Formerly the Belgian Congo, this territory was inhabited by ancient Negrito peoples (Pygmies), who were pushed into the mountains by Bantu and Nilotic invaders

. 1960- Belgium grants freedom to the Congo on June 30, 1960 Leopold accumulated a vast personal fortune from ivory and rubber through Congolese slave labor; 10 million people are estimated to have died from forced labor, starvation, and outright extermination during Leopold's colonial rule. His brutal exploitation of the Congo eventually became an international cause célèbre, prompting Belgium to take over administration of the Congo, which remained a colony until agitation for independence forced Brussels to grant freedom on June 30, 1960. Congolais became prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu of the ABAKO Party became head of state 1960- Short lived Freedom for the CongoWithin weeks of independence, the Katanga Province, led by Moise Tshombe, seceded from the new republic, and another mining province, South Kasai, followed. Belgium sent paratroopers to quell the civil war, and the United Nations flew in a peacekeeping force. Newly Independent Congo Plunges into Civil War Tshombe rejected a national reconciliation plan submitted by the UN in 1962. Tshombe's troops fired on the UN force in December, and in the ensuing conflict Tshombe capitulated on Jan. 14, 1963. The peacekeeping force withdrew, and, in a complete about-face, Kasavubu named Tshombe premier in order to fight a spreading rebellion. Tshombe used foreign mercenaries, and, with the help of Belgian paratroops airlifted by U.S. planes, defeated the most serious opposition, a Communist-backed regime in the northeast. 1971- Renamed ZAIRE by General Joseph-Desire’(aka:Mobuto Sese Seko Kasavubu abruptly dismissed Tshombe in 1965 but was then himself ousted by Gen. Joseph-Desiré Mobutu, army chief of staff. The new president nationalized the Union Minière, the Belgian copper mining enterprise that had been a dominant force in the Congo since colonial days. Mobutu eliminated opposition to win the election in 1970. In 1975, he nationalized much of the economy, barred religious instruction in schools, and decreed the adoption of African names. He changed the country's name to Zaire and his own to Mobuto Sese Seko, which means “the all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, will go from conquest to conquest leaving fire in his wake.” In 1977, invaders from Angola calling themselves the Congolese National Liberation Front pushed into Shaba (Katanga) and threatened the important mining center of Kolwezi. France and Belgium provided military aid to defeat the rebels.

1977--Laurent Kabila Topples Mobutu Laurent Kabila and his long-standing but little-known guerrilla movement launched a seven-month campaign that ousted Mobutu in May 1997, ending one of the world's most corrupt and megalomaniacal regimes. The last of the CIA-nurtured cold war despots, Mobutu deftly courted France and the U.S., which used Zaire as a launching pad for covert operations against bordering countries, particularly Marxist Angola. Mobutu's disastrous policies drove his country into economic collapse while he siphoned off millions of dollars for himself. 1997-Re-named The Democratic Republic of the Congo The country was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997, which had been its name before Mobutu changed it to Zaire in 1971. But elation over Mobutu's downfall faded as Kabila's own autocratic style emerged, and he seemed devoid of a clear plan for reconstructing the country. In Aug. 1998, Congolese rebel forces, backed by Kabila's former allies, Rwanda and Uganda, gained control of a large portion of the country until Angolan, Namibian, and Zimbabwean troops came to Kabila's aid. In 1999, the Lusaka Accord was signed by all six of the countries involved, as well as by most, but not all, of the various rebel groups. In Jan. 2001, Kabila was assassinated, allegedly by one of his bodyguards. 2002---Son of Assassinated Leader Kabila Oversees End of Congo's Civil War Young and inexperienced son Joseph became the new president. He demonstrated a willingness to engage in talks to end the civil war. In April 2002, the government agreed to a power-sharing arrangement with Ugandan-supported rebels and signed a peace accord with Rwanda and Uganda. More than 2.5 million people are estimated to have died in the Congo's complex four-year civil war, which involved seven foreign armies and numerous rebel groups that often fought among themselves. 2003-Congo’s Power-sharing Government was inaugurated On July 17, 2003, the Congo's new power-sharing government was inaugurated, but the fighting and killing continued. In April 2003, hundreds of civilians were massacred in the eastern province of Ituri in an ethnic conflict. In 2004, an insurgency in Bukavu erupted, other areas of the Congo grew restive, and Rwanda continued to support various rebel groups fighting the government. By the end of 2004, the death toll from the conflict had reached 3.8 million. Despite instability, political progress continued. In May 2005, a new constitution was adopted by the national assembly, and overwhelmingly ratified in Jan. 2006. On July 30, 2006, the first democratic election in the country since 1970 took place. President Kabila received 44.8% of the vote, which was not enough to win the election outright. Fighting broke out between factions supporting the two major candidates, setting off the worst violence the country has seen since the 2002 peace deal was signed. Kabila was declared the winner in the October run-off election, winning 58% of the vote, the country's first freely elected president in four decades

2007-Political Progress Is Made While Death Toll Mounts In August 2007, a rebel general, Laurent Nkunda, led battles between his militia, made up of fellow Tutsis, and the Congolese Army. The fighting continued throughout the year, driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in eastern Congo and threatening to spiral the already fragile country back into civil war. Nkunda claimed he was protecting Tutsis from extremist Rwandan Hutus. In January 2008, the government and the rebels signed an agreement that has both sides withdrawing their troops and the rebels disarming and eventually being integrated into the national army. The cease-fire fell apart in August, and fighting resumed between Nkunda's militia and the army. By the end of October, the rebels had captured the major army base of Rumangaboebel and were advancing toward Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. In addition, angry civilians attacked UN peacekeeping troops, who proved ineffectual in both thwarting the rebels and protecting citizens. The rebels declared a cease-fire before taking Goma. With the cease-fire appearing on the brink of collapse, leaders from several African nations and Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the UN met in Nairobi in November. They signed a pact that calls for an immediate end to the fighting and agreed that if UN troops fail to protect civilians, then African peaceekeepers would take over. A report released in January 2008 by the International Rescue Committee found that despite billions in aid, the deployment of the world's largest peacekeeping force, and successful democratic elections, some 45,000 people continue die each month in Congo, mostly from starvation and disease. 2011-- Kabila Reelected in Vote Marred by Violence Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga resigned in September 2008, citing health reasons. He was succeeded by Adolphe Muzito. Presidential elections were held in November 2011. Incumbent Kabila faced opposition leader and former prime minister Étienne Tshisekedi. The International Crisis Group deemed the election "unruly" and "chaotic" and other international observers said the vote was irregular and flawed. Nearly 20 people were killed in election-related violence. Nevertheless, Congo's election commission ruled in December that Kabila prevailed, 49% to 32%. In the run-up to the election, Kabila—perhaps sensing a threat from the opposition and popular dissatisfaction with his rule—amended the constitution to do away with a second round of voting and stacked the electoral commission. 2012-Muzito resigns and Mapon named Prime Minister In March 2012, Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito resigned. His resignation came a little over three months after the violent presidential elections. Deputy Prime Minister Louis Koyagialo was appointed to temporarily replace Muzito. On April 18, 2012, former Minister of Finance Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon was named prime minister. 2012 July The fighting continues as hundreds flee the Congo daily, many arriving at the Nyakabande Transit Camp in Kisoro District, Uganda ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Interesting Facts: Dag Hammarskjold, UN secretary-general, died in a plane crash en route to a peace conference with Tshombe on Sept. 17, 1961. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lubanga Case Establishes Child Soldiers as an International Crime On March 14, 2012, Thomas Lubanga was convicted of using child soldiers during the ethnic conflict in the Ituri region. A former militia leader, Lubanga had been on trial for three-years and may receive life imprisonment. The use of child soldiers occurred in 2002 and 2003. The ruling made by the International Criminal Court was significant. It established the use of child soldiers as an international crime. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All information compiled from the internet by -----Marie McGee-- Nurse/ missionary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: This is for those of you who wanted to know the history of the Congo. Next will follow my personal experience while volunteering at the Nyakabande Transit Refuge Camp, Kisoro Districct, July

Love is Love--that's all ! Update on Daniel

July 2012 Update:
Great follow up news for Daniel: He is 4 years old now and healthy as can be.------- After 2 years at Potters Village, he was able to return to his family and is doing very very well. Here is a picture of him eating sitting next to my Michael (boy Michael loves rice-ha!) They were at Potters Village together, so it was a reunion for them at St. Francis Hospital- Mutolere--- AIDS Orphans Saturday Program.

 

Daniel on your left and Michael on the right in blue sweater

Oldies but Goodies :-------- Sept  2008

----------LOVE IS LOVE- That's All!
Only minutes ago, a very tiny 3 mo. old baby boy was in my home with his sister and their grandmother. Do you recall in the Blog entitled“A Call to save babies in distress” the telling of the little one whose mother was critically ill with malaria, so I brought him home to feed and bathe and dress but most importantly to teach the young sister how to bottle feed her then 5 week old brother? I had chosen June 24th (my sister Theresa’s birthday), as his birth date as no one seemed to recall the exact date, and with the mothers death the next day went any hope of finding out.
I had sent clothes via a fellow worker and had reports that the baby was doing alright, but encouraged them to bring him in for us to see.

---Well, today the grandmother, the very loving and protective 9 year old sister “Immaculate” and the sweet little Daniel came to Public Health for immunization and weighing .Now at 3 months of age the baby weighs only 71/2 lbs.. He was screaming in hunger and had no fat at all on his little tiny frame.
---Giving an intramuscular injection to such a tiny baby is not physically difficult, as the muscle is certain to be found yet, heartbreakingly difficult, not wanting to hurt the little one . But I did my job and then brought the family to my home for what was very much needed; food and education. My wonderful helper Bernedette bathed the baby as Immaculate looked on, while I boiled the cows milk, with which they feed the child. We powdered and pampered him, then dressed him in one of the “onesies” Bill had sent Michael some nine months ago. Then we put on a warm little knit dress that Carol recently sent from the thrift shop (Remember they cross-dress children until they are about 3 years old, then it’s pretty much skirts for girls and pants for boys)
---Anyway he gobbled up the milk, while I, again, instructed the Grandmother and sister on the art of bottle feeding (smile).It was hard for me to let that baby go, knowing that the Grandmother had 5 orphans at home and one of them, this dear 9 year old sister was the primary caregiver to this baby, who needs lots more attention then she is able to give. I packed a little care package and sent them on their way with instructions to bring the baby to Outpatient Dept. for HIV Testing.
----That is a another story ,as I just found out that the mother was HIV+ and the child had been born at home with no testing or treatment given. Now we have a whole new issue to deal with, whether this baby or any of the children in the family may be HIV +.
---The endearing photo's is of Immaculate, the baby’s sister carrying him home on her back. She is devoted to her baby brother, but at 9 years is too young for such a responsibility and, of course, has stopped going to school
The heartbreak of these situations where there are so many AIDS Orphans can at times feel overwhelming, but when I look at the love in Immaculate’s eyes when she looks at her baby brother, I am reminded that the heart has no barriers to age or income;
-------------LOVE IS LOVE —that’s all!
--------------------------Postscript-------------

Daniel went from this badly malnourished baby to his sweet smiling self after only one month of TLC-in Feb 2009, prior to his joining the childrens home. He, unlike Baby Michael, was a difficult baby, as he was always hungry and cried alot. But eventually he did come around. These pics show that journey quite well.

-----------------------------------------------------

Daniel is over 2 years old now and happy and healthy, living in Potters Village Childrens Home in Kisoro, Uganda. Immaculate is attending school and, unbelievably, neither Daniel or the other orphans in the home tested HIV+.---Praise the Lord!

AIDS Orphan Program-St.Francis Hospital-Mutolere Uganda

Group Hug welcome from the children of the AIDS Orphan Program

 It has only been a short time since I have seen, sang with, played with and celebrated all the children from the AIDS Orphans Program-St. Francis Hospital-Mutolere-Kisoro Uganda, but I miss their smiling faces already.

The younger children from the program

Each Sat. as many as 130 children walk many miles to spend the day with us. After breakfast porridge, come skills, where the children learn to make paper jewelry, mats, baskets, type and sew.

Finished every bite of lunch and ready to play

*Then a nice big lunch of rice and beans, plantain banana's or whatever is available, followed by fun , fun, fun! Games, sports and an occasional party.
  (below there is singing, local dancing and our own Olympics )

  -------------* The breakfast/lunch program's funding has ended and now it is a week to week venture. Kind friend Barton Brooks from Global Colours has given support that should take us thru this year, but more support is needed, if the program is to continue.Contact me if you are interested in helping--the cost is about $38 /week to feed 130 children breakfast and lunch (likely the only full meal they may receive all week).

The children and, o yeah, a silly boy and his tire :)

               The children have learned to make awesome jewelry from shiny paper (like calendar paper), which I just happen to have come home with tons to sell :) (blog to follow with pics ect.) Necklaces (short and long, earrings + bracelets)  Every shilling (penny) goes to the program to support these children who have been orphaned by one or both parents from HIV-AIDS
                       Much love and appreciation
                              Marie
            

Emily, Marie and Carolyn with the Ladies of Lemongo

 -------------------------------LEMONGO Village, Kenya, Africa
---------------------Land of beautiful people, sunsets and Mt. Kilimanjaro

When I first arrived at Lemongo Village, a 5+ hr.matato (Van) ride from Nairobi, I was struck by the starkness of the red clay ground and the grey thorn bush trees against the the expansive blue sky that seamlessly wraps itself around the blistering hot sun.

In a split second, magically, as if from nowhere, appear throngs of children idressed in school uniforms with bright orange sweaters, singing and cheering, led by teacher Kim , who with a twinkle in his eye and a skip in his gait, could be mistaken for Eddie Murphy.

My cousin Carolyn is their Angelina Jolie (not that they would know who Angelina Jolie might be),and they have been anticipating this day since her departure 11 months ago.

After much enthusiastic hugging, some of which could knock you off your feet, we picked out Boma,s and settled in for 4 weeks with these delightful people.

Mt. Kilimanjaro

Sleeping on a bed made of sticks is not so bad when two, maybe three thin mattresses and with a lovingly prepared kerosene lamp and several strategically placed torches (flashlights), my Boma was aglow with possibilities:  Hum,lets see,maybe curtains, a throw rug or two? No, let's just get thru the first night without redecorating-ha.

 

Carolyn and a favorite Coco (Grandmother)

Me comforting a sick baby

Admittedly, the red dirt floors and glassless small windows took some getting used to, but remembering  Henry David Thoreau  words of wisdom that all one really needs in a sitting room is two chairs; one for yourself and one should a visitor stop by on his travels, helped me find solace in my Boma,s simplicity: one , two mattress bed to sleep in and the other un-mattressed bed for my belongings. O, and a stick hanging perfectly between two walls made a suitable clothes rack, as well as a ideal home to hang the kerosene lamp which works both as a reading light and when the flame is low, a nightlight.

With daybreak came the crowing of a distant rooster, as the morning  light seeped it's way into my hut. I welcomed the morning as getting out of bed in the middle of the night to walk to the latrine, though romantic in a camping-kind-of-way, gets old very quickly.

Beautiful Maasi Woman

Often awaiting me was a thermos full of maji moto(hot water), when poured over my Plantation Mint teabag, both literally and figuratively suited me to a T .Ah, sipping on warm mint tea while checking today's inspiration from "God Calling" was a perfect start to a busy day full of newness and adventure.

The women; old Coco's (grandmother's) and young Mom's with a baby on their backs and one toddling along, awaited our appearance, long before we had washed or shoved a power bar down our throats.
I sometimes wondered what time they had arisen to have walked such a distance decked from head to toe in Maasia attire.

Maasia Moran Warrior demonstating Spear Throwing

   

The Maasia are a fascinating ancient African Tribe, far older than the 216 year young country of which I proudly claim as my own, though both my parents are of Celtric tradition.(Dad arriving from Ireland to Philadelphia, PA as a 13 year old)

My cousin Carolyn Tague, her father Thomas and my mother Helen, siblings from parents who immigrated from Scotland, made note in one of our evening chats around the Lemongo campfire, that we Americans labeled ourselves as Irish-Americans or Italian -Americans ect., as we are a land of immigrants.

Yes, unlike most of Africa, we are babes in the woods and lack the history and rich tradition that oozes from the immense continent of Africa.

Being a Maasia is not a choice or a decision, it is who they are--like being black or white or male or female.

Sunsets, a favorite time of day

Their history is steeped in tradition, honor and lots of mystery. With the advent of Christianity and Education came some changes, but the Maasia have seemingly succeeded in melding these alterations withing their culture, as opposed to discarding the baby with the bathwater.

Young Maasia Mom and Baby

___________________________________________________


The Maasia exude a sense of honor, respect and self discipline, and , in turn, raised the bar a little higher for me. I quickly found the tradition of touching the children's heads (or those much younger than I) on the top of the head, went from a simple gesture of greeting to a shared blessing between kindred spirits. I miss it already, though it is only 10 days since I left Lemongo and it's people.

Me assisting Dr. Korir

Word got out that I was a "Medic" and though not a MD, I was often referred to as "Doctore Maria". Marie is a hard sound for Africans so I was Maria in Kenya and Mary in Uganda .

Fortunately, most of the women and children and a few men, suffered mostly from change of season cold and allergies.

Twice, during our stay, Carolyn arranged Dispensary days, hirering a doctor and a nurse for the day.. We saw 263 and 294 pts. repectively, on each Dispensary Day and my skills with "breath sounds" came in handy as I screened each pt. to determine if they should go directly to the medication nurse for dowa ( drugs) or needed to be seen by Dr. Korir. Then some are referred to the big city for further treatment . All of this is done gratis by The Lemongo Project (aka: Carolyn Tague), so keep us in mind when you are writing your tax deduction checks. www.thelemongoproject.org




I texted to a chosen few that I was never more exhausted or felt more like the handmaid of the Lord , than I did on those days.
                     ( to be continued

Me screening pts

Patients waiting in line to see the Doctor. (next to my Boma!)

Medication all ordered and paid for by The Lemongo Project (ie: Cousin Carolyn

Rubin (our knight in shining armor) taking Carolyn and Me to the big town of Rombo!

Going Home to Africa-come journey with me!

    In only one month, I will be in flight to Kenya, to spend a month with my cousin Carolyn (Crin) Tague who has been serving the people of Lemongo Village, Kenya for several years. This year I get to help! We will live in a hut among  the people, minus electrical power or running water, but with open hearts , ready to share our gifts and learn  from these beautiful people. 
    Follow us on our adventure on Facebook or thru this blog. And donate, if you are able . Check out this wonderful website, as well
                   www.thelemongoproject.org

   Then continue with me as I journey to Kisoro, Uganda, where I spent 3+ years (2007-2010) as a missionary-nurse for Lay Mission Helpers. www.laymissionhelpers.org     What a joy it will be to renew acquaintances and hold "Baby Michael" in my arms again. He will turn 5 years old on July 18th and a party to celebrate those 5 years , as well as the  miracle that Michael is, is a definite happening.