Monday, January 19th
Yesterday the team arrived safely into Mwanza! Last night the team had supper with all the doctors that we will be working with this week. We were also able to celebrate a graduate that Hope Ministries sponsors, Phares Bwire! He was very grateful for all that Hope Ministries has provided to him.
Today Grace went to Fonelisco orphanage. She had a very fulfilling day as she played many different games with the children that they taught her. We were also able to provide the children with toy rings and cars, thanks to Brandie, a close friend to Gayle! Grace’s teaching project was on James 1:2-4. Her heart was overflowing as the children opened her teaching with worship. Seeing children with so little worshiping the Lord was something she will hold close to her forever. After the teaching was over, one student was brave enough to share a story on his life of living on the streets as a 15-16 year old. He shared how he felt God with him during this unimaginable time.
Brandi, as you can see the girls loved the rings and the boys loved playing with the cars. They will receive more of the special gifts you sent me tomorrow. God bless you!
The rest of the team went to Bugando hospital and Dr. G did a presentation to the medical students and doctors. Then the team went to the OR to put together the two arthroscopic towers and they will be doing their first ever arthroscopy procedure using these tomorrow!! Dr. Alex and Dr. G both had clinic and decided who needed surgery this week. Both doctors were amazing and taught the Tanzanian doctors how to do specific assessments for these procedures. The team had so many patients to see, they did not return back to the hotel until 830 pm.
Kellen was able to attend clinic for the 2nd time this time at a different hospital. Kellen was amazed to see the size of Bugando and how organized it was run. He said it was really awesome to watch Dr. Alex and Dr. G interact with the residents and learn from their amazing teaching skills. Kellen was also able to go into the OR a few times to help organize and set up an arthroscopy machine. It was really interesting for him to see a new OR and compare and contrast the difference in equipment and procedures between Selian and Bugando.
Melissa also attended clinic at Bugando. She was able to learn how to make many different orthopedic diagnoses. She learned many assessment skills from Dr. Alex along with how to read X-rays and MRIs. She was able to attend Dr. G’s teaching to the doctors. Melissa was excited to see a familiar face in the OR, Adam! Adam is a scrub nurse that was there during her last trip.
Dr. Goswami attended Bugando Medical Center today. He started his day attending an administrative meeting where the heads of the hospital speak about their daily hospital evaluation. There, Goswami learned the impact Hope Ministries have placed on providing consistent graduates from the medical school who, through Hope, utilizing the teachings and techniques to better improve their community and better improve the health of the population. He then presented his 1st educational lecture to the medical students and residents utilizing Arthroscopy. Finally he provided a teaching clinical session where multiple patients were evaluated and selected to have Bugando’’s very first arthroscopic surgical procedure. This is such a key importance in a place like Tanzania where patient follow ups are limited and often times patients have to walk 12 miles to go back home after surgery. This key minimal invasive technique will reduce so many complications and improve their quality of life. There is only one other hospital that does arthroscopic surgeries and it is in Dar Es Salam. Bugando doctors referred these patients to Dar and it is a long ways to travel and costs more. These type of surgeries will really benefit the patients, their families and income for the hospital. Thank you God for leading us this path to make this happen.