After watching thousands after thousands of people come through our clinics, it was hard for me to believe that a “last patient” actually existed. Sure enough, around 6:30 pm tonight, the last script was filled and the last patient walked out the gates. We did it!
It was a great day full of highs and lows. A four year old little girl with Downs Syndrome was sick with malaria. Her two eyes were darting around in different directions and it was obvious that she could not see very well. It was quite a sight to see her coming out of the eye clinic with a perfect little pair of glasses (donated by a Canadian child). Her vision was corrected which allowed her eyes to align perfectly. She could not stop playing with the fingers on her hands that she has never seen before. That was a high.
The low for me was the moment I looked up to see a look on Dr Lorna’s face. I recognized the look from across the room … I have seen it too many times before. It was the look of anguish as she counseled an HIV positive woman who was pregnant and whose 3 year old was at her side.
Tomorrow we debrief, pack up, plan for the future and rumor has it that there may be some African dancers arriving. There will be a huge party in the evening for us and all the NEA staff and their families. It will be a pressure free day as we prepare for our long journey home. Now that our mission has been accomplished we are really missing our loved ones and cannot wait to get home to them all. There is just so much to tell you all.
Phil Romeril says
Your regular updates have been wonderful. Great work and now safe travels. It will be great to see you all on Saturday
Dale Heywood says
We are so excited and thankful that all went well and you are able to relax now after all the sacrificial work the team has done! Each day at the clinic we’d read the updates online and think about how you are all holding up ~ especially Kelly on her first trip!
I remember that little girl with Down’s Syndrome from a previous trip and she is so precious. What a blessing to know she has been helped by the team.
So looking forward to hearing more stories. Praying for a safe and restful trip home for you all.
Shirlene McKay says
Words cannot express how much these updates really meant to me. Congratulations goes out to each and everyone of you for a job well done! Enjoy your well deserved evening! I am missing our friend Teresa so very much and cannot wait to receive that first text from her once she has arrived back home. Special thanks to the doctors who took the time to write these lovely updates to keep the families and friends back home aware of the daily mission. Travel safe friends.
Caro-Claire and Martin Wiles says
The updates you have shared throughout this mission have been insightful and inspirational and we cannot begin to even imagine how you have all been affected by the people you have seen and the experiences that you have had.
We have prayed for you all and know that while you are all so very tired, that to have the farewell ceremonies and the final goodbyes for this year will be difficult and emotional for all.
However just knowing that your families are anxiously awaiting your return to them will help to overcome those feelings and you will soon be home with them and all your friends who are also anxious to see you.
We pray for safety on the return journey and look forward with great expectancy to hear the stories that you will be sharing with us in a couple of weeks.
Much love
Caro-Claire and Martin