A Mixed bag of reports….

 I sometimes feel the biggest deterrent to updating my blog is trying to create a title.  I start to write and cannot think of a catchy title, so I just stop.  It has been 2 weeks since I updated you and so much has happened, I am sure I won’t remember it all.  I am going to put my request to you at the beginning as I don’t want you to stop reading and miss the big need we have at the hospital.

As I informed you in previous blogs, the hospital has no available cash flow.  We barely make payroll each month.  The staff have not be receiving over-time, on-call or holiday pay for about 3 years now as we do not have any additional money.  They have not complained.  They work very hard.  The government required all hospitals to be on the same computer system so that reports can be sent  using this system.  We are trying to work with the minimum number of computers we can.  Several weeks ago, as you know we had a lightening strike which did much damage.  A couple of computers were affected.  We have no cash available for repairs so this now leaves us short of computers.  I am requesting for some of you to look deep in your pockets and hearts to see if you can help us with a request for money to help with our computer needs.  We need a back up server, some computers need repaired and we need an additional 8 computers.  We are looking for $4,500 to purchase these needs.  If you can help, please send the money to my work-fund and either put a note with it stating it is for computer needs or email me at Cheryl.bode@yahoo.com to let me know how much you are sending for this project.  I will make sure it gets where it needs to be.

In early May, I received an extra donation from one of our supporters to help with the mattress covers.  The was a big help to us.  Anytime you read about something you wish to help with, please feel free to do so.

I also received an email from another monthly donor, stating that they were sending an additional $600.  We discussed where this money could best be used.  Below are pictures of the female wards floor.

The large holes in the floor are a tripping and fall danger for the patients and the staff.  We have received an estimate to re-do this floor and the extra money received will cover that cost.  I will give that money to the hospital for this replacement floor.  The management team and the staff are quite happy with this plan!  Thank you….Thank you…!

Hopefully, you remember Brayan, the 11 year old boy who was born without a rectum.  He has been following up with the doctors in Mbeya.  You may recall, there will be a specialist in Mbeya in June who can perform a much needed surgery for Brayan.  We received word yesterday that his surgery will be in two weeks.  The doctors would like for him to put on 5 additional pounds of weight.  So, I have sent 14 days worth of peanut butter supplement to him.  Hopefully adding one package of this to his daily diet will help him gain the needed pounds.

This is Brayan

The remodel and addition to the Operating Area is continuing forward.  Below are a couple of new pictures.

This is a large expansion to our current area.  The big room in this bottom picture is the new surgical room.  Almost twice the size of our current one.  The other rooms contained in this addition include a doctors office/lounge, scrubbing room and locker rooms/bathrooms for males and females.  It is starting to take shape.

We built a trauma room several years ago with funds donated for this purpose.  We will be removing our beds from this area temporarily and using this room as an operating room once we are ready to remodel the old area.

I did some personal travel on Monday - Wednesday this week.  My left knee has been bothering me off and on for many years.  Of late, the pain has been worse and more consistent.  I traveled to Dar es Salaam for X-rays, MRI and a consult with an orthopedic doctor.  The results were what I figured.  I need to replace this knee due to arthritis and meniscal tears.  I may go back to the ortho hospital in Kenya where I had my back surgery in 2015.  We will see what happens over these summer months and then decide.

Currently, we have 9 visitors from Harding University at the hospital for a clinical rotation.  This has been so great.  The staff and missionaries love the energy students bring.  Yesterday the hospital nursing staff had a party celebrating Nurses’ Day which was earlier this month.  They celebrated that day at the district hospital, so they now wanted to share a smaller celebration with the management here along with other staff and the visitors.  Everyone had a great time.  The nurses also provided food and drinks for everyone.  The nurses talked about how the hospital has been in a rough spot for a while.  They realize the financial shape we are in and have not received new uniforms for the last 4 years.  The hospital is supposed to provide money for one new uniform for each nurse each year.  When the Harding students heard this, they put their heads together and donated funds to cover the cost of one uniform per nurse!  Oh the cheers and smiles which the nurses had lit up the whole town!  Thank you Harding Students!

Well I will stop for now.  God bless you all!  Thank you for all the support and work you do for this hospital and mission!