Friends and visits

A couple weeks ago, our cousins, Abby and Elizabeth Cummings, came from Philadelphia to visit us in Kalukembe. . . for the second time! Impressive not just for their bravery in coming but for the fun they brought through their talents and gifts. Thanks, guys!

Sunday school at our local church. The kids were excited to have visitors from another continent. Strangers are often referred to as "Chinese," the largest population of foreigners in Angola. Amusing to be called such.

Abby reading to Eliel and Naomi. One of the many, many times Abby read to the kids. Their English skills  advanced quite rapidly during the visit!

Witnessing joy in our work. Abby and Elizabeth accompanied us most days on rounds. This was a follow-up visit from M., 2nd from right and with her husband, mother and baby. She was in a taxi accident with her baby in June and suffered severe traumatic brain injury, comatose in our hospital ICU for weeks. It took 3 months before she could talk, and she now can walk with the help of a walker. Nelson Andre, at far right, supervised her care during her long recovery on the physical therapy ward. In M's case, i cannot think of a better-named place where she recovered: the "Elavoko" ward means "Hope" in Umbundo

Sharing in education. Elizabeth, who is a nurse practitioner at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, brought 2 baby mannequins to help in several hands-on resuscitation sessions on Maternity.

Never in short supply. A mother on the ward kindly allowed her newborn to be borrowed for further demonstration and practice with the nursing students.

Onsen, Angolan style. We drove with Abby, Elizabeth, nurse Avelina and her girls to Kalepi area, about an hour and a half away, where hot water bubbles up in a marsh. Zeke and Eliel dipped themselves in water that locals also use for irrigation. 

Encouragement balloons. With balloons Abby and Elizabeth furnished, Zeke, Eliel and friends passed through the wards to hand out encouragement to patients. It was also an encouraging visit for us to have Abby and Elizabeth around, sharing in the beauty of Kalukembe and seeing the challenges people face in their lives here.

Visiting a remote place

Early last month, i (Daniel) visited Lumbala Nguimbo in the far eastern side of Angola, near Zambia. The church re-opened a medical clinic there, posting this lovely couple, pictured below, for two year service. It took 3 days by truck for others who helped open the clinic to arrive; i flew by plane with the couple and others in 3 hours. Neither of them are from the area originally; so we desire they will be encouraged in this new, isolated and challenging place of work. For instance, the nearest hospital with surgical services is in Huambo, about 2 days car ride away. 

Kochi and Flora, with their youngest son, Ululi. They were relocated in October to Lumbala Nguimbo. Kochi is a lab technician and Flora is a nurse. They will be responsible for diagnosis and treatment at the clinic, forming the core of the staff there. 

Highlighting the challenges facing people in the Lumbala Nguimbo area, this little boy had sudden onset stridor (difficulty breathing) about a month before we saw him in the clinic. He had been admitted to the local government hospital for treatment for "asthma," but by physical exam we suspect his problem is an upper airway obstruction (perhaps a coin or other object). However, no x-ray in the immediate area (and an ultrasound probe was too big to easily identify anything in his neck/upper chest), no likely laryngoscope or bronchoscope that could help for intervention for two days journey explains well the frustration of both the medical staff and the reluctance of the family to leave even when offered transport by truck.

Ladies and their family members from Lumbala Nguimbo who were taking the return flight to Kalukembe for fistula care. In a country of more than 25 million and high rates of birth complications, caring for women with vesicovaginal fistulas is a service with profound impact. Kalukembe is one of only two hospitals in Angola with care for fistulas offered yearlong.

Lumbala Nguimbo IESA medical clinic, foreground, with lab to picture left