The NWC students, Kolesa and Sammy doing a teaching project on proper tooth brushing. The children were excited to receive tooth brushes, tooth paste and floss.
Gayle presented the two orthopedic residents a scholarship for this years school, which was donated by Iowa Orthopedics. They were really excited and grateful.
Sarah and the medical team in the OR and the room was full with doctors and residents learning from her.
Continuing on with our painting project, we finished priming the two main walls and started with the new black paint. We’re hoping to finish priming the high walls tomorrow and then wrap up the project on Thursday. Gayle had mentioned this morning that this project is more than just painting a wall, it’s showing the people of Tanzania that we are here and willing to get our hands dirty to help however we can — this was especially relevant to me today as we’d wave and chat with passerby’s and see their happy reactions to what we were working on. To end the day Kolesa and Sammie gave a lesson on brushing teeth to all the children. They did a good job with their presentation but Julius’ translations really stole the show. He had the kids laughing and paying close attention as he explained flossing, and how brushing your teeth without also brushing your tongue is like putting on dirty clothes after a shower.
~Andrew
The medical part of the team had a 12-hour productive day at the hospital. We started the day watching medical students present case studies. Before the presentations started, all the students had their cell phones out just like college classes in the U.S. It was very interesting to watch the medical students get the 3rd degree from their professors. Dr. Powell even reported having flash backs to her residency year. After the case studies, Gayle presented an additional year of funding to two orthopedic residents. It is so exciting to see how much of a positive impact Hope Ministries has made here in Tanzania.
I continued hearing evaluations all day today…seeing 15 patients total…most of which had significant hearing losses requiring medical and/or surgical management or hearing aids. Hopefully Dr. Buname, the local ENT we are working with, is able to help those who need hearing aids access them here in Mwanza. The students on the team were wonderful assistants in audiology…reviewing charts, taking chart notes, and irrigating ears with me. Helima and Ava, the assistant nursing officers assigned audiology, are coming along in their knowledge of hearing testing. We still have a lot of work to do, but they are so excited to learn. They loved seeing the pictures I took of them running the audiometer.
Dr. Powell, Gayle, the students, and local doctors had a great day in the OR. They started the day with three shorter (30 min to 2 hour) procedures and ended the day with a very long (6+ hours!!!!), challenging operation. All of the surgeries presented challenges, but a tremendous amount was learned by all. Many people were in the OR learning from Dr. Powell’s expertise. She truly is a rock star!
We finally sat down to eat tonight at 9pm. We should all sleep well! Tomorrow is a new day and we will be ready to rock and roll again at the hospital and at the orphanage!
~Marni
