The water is hot, we have Wifi, and the food is refreshingly different. We may stay in Shyogwe a little longer!!!!
This morning we met with Bishop Jered who accompanied us to the Gikomero HC where Nurse Brigitte is supported through the CHI Nurse+ project.
We had a tour of the clinic and discussed the challenges they are facing, and the work that is being done, not just in the clinic but in the local community. We were told how they have seen the number of patients fall due to improved health as a result of the training received in the community.
There is currently a big issue with under age pregnancy. Culturally, sex is a taboo subject and these young girls, who have often been abused by family members are then disowned by the family. Nurse Brigitte is working with these girls, educating them and teaching them not just health and hygiene matters but also craft skills to give them a sense of self worth, a means to support themselves and help them reintegrate into society. The cost of the craft materials is prohibitive however and so this service is only available to a fraction of those who require it.
Structurally the clinic is in good order and the water and electricity connected since our last visit is a huge improvement, however they are woefully under staffed and despite having a busy maternity unit they have no incubator and most of the mattresses are in desperate need of replacement. They would also love an ambulance to transport patients to the nearest hospital when they are too ill to be treated at the clinic.
Nurse Brigitte expressed her thanks to all those who support the Nurse+ Project which enables her to remain employed at the clinic and continue the work which is obviously close to her heart.
Whilst there we met a grandfather with his grand daughter waiting to be treated by Brigitte, without any questions or prompting he told us how valuable the weekly health, hygiene and nutrition training undertaken in the community is.
We returned for lunch via a new health station recently opened by the church to help reduce the distance some communities are forced to travel to reach Gikomero. They are also understaffed with just two nurses seeing 80 – 150 patients a day.
After lunch a quick tour of some local Diocesan initiatives and then on to St Peter’s school to see the remainder of the show prepared by the students that we had to miss yesterday. They had put so much effort into preparing it we couldn’t leave without seeing it all. We had a fantastic afternoon and laughed until we cried, quite an unusual event in a culture which is generally so formal. The video of Pauline dancing will be available soon!!!!!