Visiting Angels

The children at the school in Kasompe know them as the cooks.  The folks in the community know them as visiting angels.  

The Kafwa reported this month that they had been caring for Mr. Chuulu, an 81-year-old man who was very ill and suffering from bed sores.  His wife had abandoned him leaving him alone.  The Kafwa sprang into action, recruited a neighbor to help them, and made sure his wounds were cleaned twice a day.  They were especially grateful for the gloves, aspirin, and antibiotic ointment provided by HealthEd Connect.  Mr. Chuulu passed away but he did so with dignity surrounded by people who cared. Out hats are off to these incredible people who bring babies into the world as well as love people as they leave the world.

Bare necessities

It's hard to comprehend the meaning of the words 'bare necessities' until you see the reality.  The small clinic where our Wasaidizi health workers in DR Congo have long volunteered, has beds but no mattresses, babies but no cribs.

The clinic has recently been blessed with several sets of twins that are lined up side-by-side on a bed (with a mattress thank goodness!) because there are no cribs.

We're working to help upgrade the facilities.  Last year donors generously contributed to provide mattresses and equipment for six small birthing centers along the Luapula River in the rural area.  Now it's time to provide critically needed items for a small center in the city of Lubumbashi.  Josephine, our DR Congo supervisor, is preparing a list of needs and costs for us to discuss when we meet with her in Zambia in June.  I'm quite sure she'll have no trouble coming up with a long list.

Global partnership

We're super excited about our new global partnership!  Friends in French Polynesia who own pearl farms donated some of their less-than-perfect pearls to HealthEd Connect.  We in turn sent them to Zambia where the health workers turned them into lovely little 'casual' suede lace necklaces.  We introduced this new jewelry line at a HealthEd Connect event in April and immediately sold out!

What a great international partnership!  Pearls from French Polynesia, artisans in Zambia, and buyers in the U.S.A.  All to provide income generating programs for those in need with profits going to support schools for orphans and vulnerable children.

Dream come true

The new Sinkhani (health worker) community center in Kazomba, Malawi is almost finished.  The Sinkhani have been hanging scales in a tree to weigh the babies in rain and shine.  Now they will have a shelter for the moms who walk long distances to have their babies monitored.  Jere, the contractor, anticipates finishing the building in plenty of time to have a ribbon-cutting celebration when we visit in August.

In addition to the ongoing health activities, the center will also be used for a training facility for the Sinkhani themselves.  They have recruited new volunteers who want to attend basic training sessions for such topics as nutrition, sanitation, baby weighing, immunizations and oral rehydration therapy as well we train the "old" group how to facilitate groups for grieving orphans.  Big dreams long in the making now coming true.

Many of our baby-monitoring stations are located in primitive shelters.  The land where the Kazomba building is located was a gift from the village chiefs.  Now other chiefs are stepping up and offering land in their communities for the Sinkhani to establish other centers. With 42% of the children in Malawi stunted from malnutrition, the needs are urgent and compelling.

Mop Brigade

So what do our tireless Kafwa in Luapula, Zambia do when they have a day off?  Grab mops, buckets, rubber gloves and spend the day scrubbing up the government clinic.  After all, they have lots of time on their hands after they carry water for their families, do their laundry in the river, work in their gardens, weigh babies at the clinic, and make endless home visits.  All with a baby on their back!

In addition, Jane, the supervisor, recently enrolled in the 10th grade as she pursues her high school diploma. When Jane asked for special permission to spend a portion of her budget on buckets and mops, we were a bit puzzled.  Now we understand.

Aren't they awesome?