We Are Ready!

“I cry because of the young midwife I am becoming,” said Doris as she dried her tears and began her speech during the Saturday morning graduation ceremony for the seven Leyaata midwives. Our entire team, Dr. David Mensah, the senior management team and the medical staff were all in attendance. After the presentation of two certificates for each midwife, Doris stood to begin. Her tears started to fall as she described how these training programs had given her and her team the confidence and the skills they so desperately wanted. Dr. Anne and I watched on like very proud (and emotional) mothers watching their kids graduate. In a loud and confident voice, Doris concluded her speech by saying, “We are ready, and I hope you are too!” The crowd stood with applause.

After the ceremony, while work continued in all departments, our Ghana Health Partners leadership met with the Leyaata leadership for a discussion and some systems planning. We are honoured to be invited to the Leyaata table as they strive to become a model hospital. We are humbled by their trust in us and the depth of this partnership. After dinner, we were invited to the Mensah home, where we enjoyed a fun evening of fellowship and food. David had some fascinating stories to tell to his captive audience! As a gift, he gave each of us a little bag of “kuli kuli” to take home. These are long, thin, pretzel-like snacks made from ground peanuts that are baked, rolled into these thin strips, and then fried. The oil is removed during the process, so they are hard and crunchy. I seriously doubt any of these delicious morsels will make it home to Canada!

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our UK partners and Charlie this morning as they are all due back to work on Monday. As I write, we are thankful they had a safe and uneventful trip to Accra and are boarding their planes home. We miss them already. The rest of us went to the Carpenter church, which was full of colour, singing, dancing, and inspiration. David gave a thought-provoking sermon which prompted an interesting follow-up discussion under our gazebo. The afternoon was spent sleeping, relaxing, and playing games. Erin and Tracey made beautiful necklaces that we will give to some of the women who have looked after us so well.

This evening, we invited Peter, the artisan, to join us for Sunday dinner. Peter owns a shop in Tamale, and on every mission, he brings wares (baskets, jewellery, carvings, etc.) to sell to us, eager shoppers. I’m so happy that we could purchase almost all of his stock. Over dinner, he explained that the income he gains from our team will help him complete the floor and windows in the two-room home he is building for his wife and three children.

It has been a wonderful weekend of work and rest, and we are feeling primed and focused on making the most of our final four days at the Leyaata Hospital.

We, too, are ready!