This past Wednesday we finished all of our course work at TCDC. On Thursday, we said goodbye to our colleagues and headed to our separate hospitals. I've been very lucky in my hospital placement...not only to I continue to be partnered with my roommate, Lauren, but our hospital is really close to our school, TCDC.
Nkoaranga Hospital is a Lutheran mission hospital that is located at the base of Mt.Meru, just a little higher in elevation than TCDC (and therefore a bit colder...) In the first two days, we have been able to claim keys to our new 'workshop'. It's basically a small empty room, but we are really excited about it. We have an electrical outlet and a place to keep our tools...what more could we ask for?! We have decided that we will have an open door policy in our work space, hopefully get to know the hospital better!
We have also been able to make connections with some key people who will make our stay and our work here more productive. Jeremiah is the head of the hospital, and you can just tell he genuinely loves his job. He has made us feel so welcome, by threatening to hold on to us by stealing our passports...always a good sign.
We were also able to meet some of the electrical contractors that come to do work at the hospital every week. We were excited to find out that one of the workers was trained by EWH's BMET program in Rwanda. He has given Lauren and I a good orientation, and we will be working with him when he's at the hospital.
We have also started to notice the legacy of EWH at Nkoaranga in general. Not only do people remember the EWH students from past years, but everywhere we look there are quick start guides, maps, and documentation signed off my EWH. The impact of EWH on this hospital is still shining, giving us a lot to live up to!
We have already been able to prepare an oxygen concentrator and a suction machine for surgery. The to do list is long though. I know that we are not experts, and therefore I want to make sure that I am praying about our work here.
There is also an orphanage associated with the hospital for kids under school age. We got a brief introduction from some other volunteers. Lauren and I were swarmed with hugs and requests to play or be held. Quite possibly the cutest kids...ever. (Besides Emmy) I hope that throughout the month we can get to know these kids better! There is a girl who will be staying with us that is really involved with the orphanage. You can read more about what's going on there at this site: http://www.thesmallthings.org/
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philipians 4:13
No comments:
Post a Comment