Fast and furious, Tanzania style

Things have been fast and furious here, in a Tanzania sort of way.  I now have a modem, which allows me to post to the blog.  At least as I have energy to do so.  Since there has been much water under the bridge since we arrived a week ago, I have much to recall.

This is likely to be a chronological mess, so dear readers, just understand that it has all happened in one week.  From the perspective of geological time,  it would appear as an instant anyway.

When we arrived, we learned that tragedy had struck the family of one of our team.  Randy and Kari informed us that the brother of one of our students, Sandy Lee, suffered serious injury in Afghanistan.  He is a medic in the Minnesota National Guard.  He was seriously injured by an IED.  Consequently, he was air-lifted to Germany and then flown to Walter Reed in Washington, DC.  He suffered multiple life threatening injuries.  I believe he is stable now.  Sandy was able to arrange travel to join him Saturday morning.  MwaMoody, Dr. Kvasnicka and Pastor Lamont Koerner have shepherded Sandy home.

We are not without local tragedy surrounding us either.  One bad car accident took two victims, one of Dr. Saga’s relatives (half-cousin) and a pastor’s wife, when the car’s brakes failed.  Another car wreck put at least two people in the hospital here and one of them needed to be transferred to Iringa.

We lost a three-month old and several other patients for various reasons.  This how life is in Tanzania.

A child with marasmus is slightly better, but mama wanted to take him home.  Care is free to children under five but he is six.  Atu, one of our dear ILH nurses intervened and has arranged a week of a free bed with the hospital.  Then we hope he is stronger with good diet and can be discharged to Home-Based Care coordinated with Amani Orphan’s Home Mbigili (AOHM).  They are calling me Dr. Plumpy’Nut, which is fine, just not Dr. Plumpy, however apt.  The supply of P’N has been interrupted, but will resume with the next distribution.

We went to AOHM just after lunch and examined a few kids and an adult.  I value their trust and appreciate being asked, which does not mean I am fully confident of the diagnoses.  Hey!  There are exotic things in Africa!  But also some very familiar things too.  The baby I saw a few days ago, Tuesday if I remember correctly, is better.  Whew!  I always appreciate nature doing her thing.

Late this afternoon we had a big celebration for three retiring staff people, including Dr. Saga.  We thought it was supposed to be at two, then three, then four.  It started at 5 PM sharp (ha!).  It was delayed in part due to a funeral for one of the car accident victims, then the ILH board meeting which went on and on (and on).  Eventually the meeting was over and the dignitaries were all here.  Dr. Saga, Mama Sanga and Eliza Mtweve were all dressed up.  Dr. Saga looked sharp in his black suit, white shirt and red tie.  There was singing and speeches, clapping and celebrating.  I was honored to speak just a little about Dr. Saga.  It was a joy to do so, if not perfect.  The audience did laugh at the appropriate times, but we wazungu are worth laughing at anytime anyway.  They really know how to throw a big shindig! 

We miss Dora Saga.  I know Dr. Saga misses her terribly.  With her absence, the was much laughter about finding a new wife for Dr. Saga.  He is definitely the most eligible bachelor in town and likely all of the Kilolo district and Iringa Diocese!

It is just after 11 PM here now.  We had our second movie night and finished about half hour ago.  In the morning we will take the bus to Iringa, catch up with Dennis Ngede and I hope get a vehicle and driver to take the group to Isimila. Our dear friend, Tuli Hingi, will accompany us to Iringa.  We all love having her.

So, that is it for now.  I will see if I can upload this!