There are moments during every mission when I realize afresh that the beautiful people of Ghana are no different that you and I. I realize that sounds like an odd statement. However, when you are dealing with a culture that is so different from ours and when poverty is staring you in the face, I am embarrassed to say that it happens.
There were two moments when this reminder hit me so hard today that I had to pause and regroup myself. The first came when I received a visitor. Evans was a little boy we saw last year who was born with a stump for a right leg. With funds left over from last year’s mission we were able to arrange for him to be fitted for a prosthetic leg. He and his mom made the journey to Nyamboi to thank us for giving him his life and the mom started to brag about his football skills. An incredible story on many levels, but it was her bragging about her little boy that reminded me that she is no different from any mom who loves to tell of her kids’ accomplishments.
The second reminder came to me when I had three very sick kids with malaria who were so scared of my white face. My clinic nurses back at home, Jill and Kelly, snuck some big Paw Patrol stickers in my bag before I left. The moment those three kids saw those smiling animal faces, they were the happiest kids in the world and would let me do anything.
A proud mamma. A child with a sticker. These parents and these kids are no different than yours or mine, except that they were born in Northern Ghana.
Wednesday was rich. It was wonderful. It was challenging. It required every ounce of teamwork we could muster to manage to care for the large numbers of people and the challenges that arose throughout the day both in the village and in the OR. It is humbling work and flexibility and adaptability and teamwork skills must be applied moment to moment.
When we arrived this morning the crowd was under incredible control due to the arrival of our hard-working Ghanaian volunteers, who were on sight as early at 4:00 am. The clinic began immediately and three of our surgical team colleagues — Dr David, Ted and nurse Mel — enjoyed their first African village experience. Their help was really needed. I was greeted immediately by Letichia, the village nurse. This dear woman is the only nurse midwife in the community. She is on call 24/7 with no back up. She was absolutely dancing with joy with the health care being delivered in her community. She has been through two of the “Helping Babies Breathe” neonatal resuscitation training programs that we ran with the Leyaata team and is now a master trainer. As she shared stories with me about babies successfully resuscitated, she once again was jumping for joy.
Taking off on Ashley’s “Team Awesome” title, Abraham and our logistics team decided to play a game with all of us today. As they visited each station and asked how they were doing, the first word they said was to become their team name. Giggling away, he announced our new names: Weights and Temps: Team Great; Triage: Team Beautiful, Diagnostics: Team Wonder; Nursing Treatment: Team Busy, Physicians: Team Perfect, Pharmacy: Team Happy Feet (Sherry was doing another happy dance at the time); Dental: Tooth Thieves. Abraham is saving the registration, logistics and eye team for tomorrow!
Dr. Bill had a very sick 5 month-old with malaria and sepsis and worked with the nurses all day to stabilize the child. I have no idea how Joan found a vein in the tiny, dehydrated foot, but life-giving fluids and medicine were running through it. Bill confessed he would not have slept a wink worrying about this baby surviving the night if she went home (that’s how much we care for these patients). Although she improved a great deal, we felt she would be best to continue treatment in the local hospital due to her young age. Arrangements were made. Bill shared with me that their plan was to walk to the next village, and get a motorbike to take mom and baby to hospital. Bill noted the injustice that in our shop, an ORNGE ambulance with the Sick Kids team would be landing right now. Instead they will travel 2 hours on a motorbike on a dangerous road as it is getting dark. Nelson Mandela said, “How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great. Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity. It is an act of justice.” Bill lived out that quote today.
Our team Pediatrian, Anne, shared about her special patient and special teamwork moment involving a child drifting in and out of unconsciousness from severe malaria and hypoglycaemia. Anne said it was just the most incredible sight to enter our nursing treatment area and have the diagnostic team (led by Tracey), and the nurses on duty in the station (Joan, Kathleen, Nicole, Leslie and Val) descended on the child and in minutes the IV glucose, antimalarials were running. An hour later Anne came back to find the child sitting up drinking and she was ready to go home by the end of the clinic.
Our clinic ended with the Chief of Nyamboi presenting our team with a large pile of yams and a beautiful ram. His parting words were that our delivery of health services to his village was highly beyond their imagination. The ram rode home in the back of the eye team truck (with all of their very valuable equipment). Apparently that didn’t go over too well with our optometrists!
Our surgical team had a fantastic day full of challenges that were overcome with team work, and our Ghanaian anaesthetist shared how he was left in charge of a case when Perry was called out for an emergency. Eric felt his courage slip as Perry left but quickly realized that “when you are trained by master trainers, you will be ready to overcome.” The team had the privilege of operating on one of David Mensah’s family members. No pressure!
Dinner was waiting when we returned. I know some family members back home were worried about what their loved ones might be eating in Africa so I thought I’d give you our dinner menu from last night: pumpkin and ginger soup, fresh bread, rice garnished with corn and peas, rice sauce, roast beef with BBQ sauce, salad with fresh vegetables and eggs, yam fritters (made with Lucy’s yams) and fresh watermelon, grapes and pineapple. Needless to say we may not lose any weight in Ghana!
Our special dinner guest tonight was Dr. Mensah himself, and he updated us on some world news and weather reports from home. He gave touching words to us all on behalf of his people, reminding us that many of them have never sat in front of a nurse or a doctor in their lives. He prepped us for Yaara, his village — a village where health is returning due to the consistent efforts of the medical team. Unfortunately a crew of our people missed his speech (Dr. Carlye, Lisa, Bill, Val and Joan) as a medical emergency arrived during dinner time.
We thought our day was finally over but as we walked back to our residence a hysterical mother brought her daughter to the gate who they thought had been bitten by a snake. Thankfully it was “JUST a scorpion bite” and we were able to send her home with some pain medication.
As this day closes, I must say that it is the chief’s final words to us that are ringing in my ears. What occurred today in the village of Nyamboi and in the operating theatres and the eye laser room in Carpenter was highly beyond anything any of us could have asked for or imagined. These words come from one of my favourite Bible verses. For those of you praying for the team, your prayers are being heard.
On to Yaara we go!
John Iovino says
Hi to Elise! Miss you! Hope you are having fun! I love reading the updates of how you guys are doing. Everyone keep up the great work. You guys are incredible!
John
Ashley Duncan says
Katie (Kaitlin): We love and Miss you so much. It’s so nice to see you are doing well. I am so incredibly proud of you and he work your doing to better peoples lives. Such huge accomplishments on such an amazing team! Tiana misses her Auntie so much. I can’t wait to see you and hear about all of your adventures.
Fantastic work everyone!
Joe and Pat Roddy says
Katie: We are so proud of all that you are doing and especially proud that you decided to go on this trip. You are all in our hearts and prayers in a special way. God will Bless all your team and know that the people you are helping will always be under His care. Keep safe and healthy and can’t wait to talk and hear all about it when you get home. By the way great to see your picture!!! The one with the 3 children was awesome!! Loads of Love and Prayers, Pat and Joe xoxoxo
Dawn Beyers says
Amazing blogs, keep up the fantastic work everyone. You are all truly an inspiration to all. Miss you loads Aaron, Bahar sends her love.
Continue your amazing work and updates. Have a lovely weekend. God Bless you all.
Andrea Baynton says
What an incredible day all of you had. I can’t imagine how you have changed so many lives. When I have a bad day here I will remember your days in Ghana. Thank you for your blogs, it is such an experience to read about. Bless you all
Megan Winstanley says
I’m so humbled by these incredible stories of even more incredible people. And I’m so very proud to be able to say I have worked with some of you. Could someone please give Bill and Kaitlin a hug from me? Looking forward to more inspiring blogs,
Megan Winstanley
Sara , Geri and Ramona says
Sending greetings to you all (especially the surgical team) from Leighton hospital. We can imagine you all sitting in the dining room after a long day of work listening to Jennifer read out the daily blog with all the good wishes from home (missing the yams by the way). It sounds like you are all having a fantastic time, enjoy your weekend of rest -you all deserve it. love to all our friends in Ghana.
from Sara, Geri and Ramona
Shaun Start says
Really enjoy reading your updates each morning and so pleased that you are all changing lives. Reminds me of Nicky Gumbel’s starfish – you’re making a difference to each life you touch! Special shout out to the Pharmacist from NGH – so proud Karin, loads of love.
Sue Warner says
Love reading the updates every morning. They really give you an insight into the fantastic work you are all doing. The pictures are amazing and you can really feel the emotion in them. Missing you all back at Three Shires. So very proud of what you are all doing. Very sharp frost here today, such a stark contrast to the temperatures you are all working in. Lots of love to Rob, Jo, Ted and Nichola. Xxx
Dave Barton says
Hi Jen,
I am so proud of all the amazing work that you and your team is doing! I have been following your progress and it is incredible how many lives are touched every day. At the moment I am picturing the smiling mother watching her little boy play soccer with his new prosthetic! Keep up the great work!
Dave
Jennifer Harper says
Keep up the famtastic work. Your blogs are so real we feel we are with you. Keep safe.
Cathy Duncan says
Another day of awesome healing and compassion provided by Dr. Jennifer. Thank you for your vivid accounts. It was awesome to see you Katie. I send a huge hug and much love to you. You have made me such a proud mom. Glad to know you all are being nourished physically, spiritually and emotionally. You all have increased my faith in the goodness of humanity and the belief that if we all work together toward the common good anything is possible. Hope you get to enjoy some relaxation this weekend.
Pauline Pankewich says
Jenn you and your team are such a blessings to these beautiful people in Ghana. God Bless you all as you go from village to village bringing His healing power through the talents and amazing hearts of this team
The Kleenex box is on my desk
Jessica Wilson says
Hey Mom! I’m glad that everything is great. We miss you and Amelia a lot and can’t wait to see you soon! Love you lots!
Lauren Hart says
You all are a true inspiration!! The things you do remind us all how blessed we are! Thank you for taking your time to help others. Keeping changing the lives of others. Thank you for the blog posts they are amazing. Get some sleep all!! And hope to hear from you tomorrow:!
Sharon Omotani-Newton says
Thanks Jennifer for the daily blogs – they are so beautifully written. They help to keep us informed and connected to all the amazing work you are doing! Some of the challenges you are faced with are unimaginable to many of us yet you all seem to find a way to make it work. What great teamwork!
A special hello to Dr. Bill who I am so proud of everything that he does and has given. He is an inspiration to me and I know to his children who have chosen to follow their father’s path. Miss you and sending you lots of hugs and kisses! Dr. Andy – are the earplugs working?
Keep up the fantastic work Team Ghana and stay safe!
Elsa Hicks says
Hope the whole team is well, I am loving the blogs Jennifer – this one was amazing !! I love hearing what you are getting up to.
Hello Lesley feedery and Jane, I hope you are enjoying the trip and I enjoyed our time in Canada with you so much.
Lots of love to Dad, Mum and Ted – I am missing you lots xxx
Keep saving those lives
Dr. K.J. Kreuger says
So great reading all your wonderful news; wish I were there.
Diana, Martha’s assistant in the pharmacy here at Shepherd Village, is faithfully printing out every letter you send and making them available to all who are interested and praying for you.
The promised snow storm is not going to touch Toronto this week-end but lots of rain and snow flurries and a brisk wind for the Santa Claus Parade. Think of this when you feel you are melting in the heat over there. Lots of people praying for you. Blessings, Dr. K. J.Kreuger.
Jo Faber says
You people are truly amazing. Thank you for giving of your time, talents, and gifts of hope to each individual you encounter. The blogs are wonderful. Though I have not traveled to this part of Africa I can picture it with each descriptive blog.
Hello to my friend Leslie. God bless each one of you and be safe in His care.
June says
You do such great work and bring much needed health care to community.
Sheetal Desai says
Hearing these stories make my heart so full and I am so proud of all of the work everyone is doing there. A special shoutout to Bill, Kaitlin and Nicole, if I wasn’t on mat leave I would have been right there with you guys! I hope the pharmacy team is managing with intermittent power and everyone is keeping cool. Thinking of all my friends that I made 2 years ago and again so proud of all of you!
Sheetal Desai
Cheryl Argue says
God Bless you ALL! We need more souls like you in this world – helping, caring, sharing your expertise!! I made a trip to Rwanda in 2014 and there is need everywhere but it was so beautiful to see and interact with the happy, friendly, hard working people. I know this will indeed change your lives as well as those you are helping. Thank you for making the journey and providing care and compassion. Keep the blogs coming – they are very interesting and also quite emotional. I’m thoroughly enjoying them. Hi to my cousin Bill!!
Peter says
I would never disagree with you Ms. Wilson so I’ll put another spin on it. You can do it because you can imagine it. Einstein said that imagination was more important than knowledge. The fact that all of you are there doing what you were doing so wonderfully shows that you are no way limited in terms of your imagination! They are blessed that you are there, you are blessed that you can be there and we are all blessed to hear such wonderful News compared to what the mainstream media services.
Imagine that!
Christine, Niall and Finlay Martin says
We really enjoy reading the blogs. You are all doing such fantastic work!
We particularly liked the dental T shirts 🙂
Young Yoon says
What a wonderful work all of you doing each
day! I thank our Heavenly Father answering our prayers.Reading this update bring tears to my eyes.God bless!
Ps: The dinner menu sounds very healthy.
Jill says
So glad the Paw Patrol stickers came in handy!!
Elizabeth Convery says
Hi Ghana Health Team,
Well Dr Jen’s latest blog did it again! The waterworks started as I read about your lifesaving events of today. I can relive all those wonderful experiences, by imagining myself back there with you. What wonderful meaningful work you are doing to bring God’s kingdom to earth. I did get a chuckle about the goat riding home with the eye equipment!
God bless you all, and special hello’s to Dr Charlie, Dr Carlye, Dr McDowell , Joan ,Sherri, Martha,Marion and Jennifer.
Please know St. Andrew’s-Chalmers is praying for you and your patients.
Betsy Convery
Elaine Sheehan says
I really look forward to your daily updates, they fill me with immense pride, knowing the great work you are all doing. I wish there was something I could do to help! Big shout out to Mel Frost on her 1st visit, hope all is going ok & your somewhat enjoying the experience, even though I know it’s work & not play! & hello also to Jo Hicks….who I just know will be fab in whatever she does. Keep up the incredible work everyone. Keep safe . God Bless you all xx
Steph says
Hard to read these without getting misty eyed as to the hardships endured and the work you are all doing there. Then read about a goat traveling with medical gear bringing a smirk (not to the eye team I am sure). To also quote Nelson Mandela: “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” Your work is making the world a better place.