Meds Outreach

Concluding Days

Hey everyone so it's been awhile since I have posted but It's been a good few weeks teaching.  I had a great time teaching!! Ireally feel like we may be making a difference when we can answer questions that the children have about HIV/AIDS.  It's hard to believe what rumours still are beleived about HIV/AIDS.  We really try to make sure we answer all of the questions and hope that the children learn enough to protect themsleves, teach their freinds how to protect themselves, and try to decrease the stigma in society.  When we went on our UHAI home visits to patients with HIV/AIDS I saw a lot of what I expected but also I was filled with hope by then end.  Some of the patients were very sick, while others had been sick and were very motivated to go to the group sessions and are now doing very well.  UHAI is really an amazing program.  It tries to supply goats and chickens to the families so they can have eggs and milk for themselves, as well as sell them for a small income.  The most amazing women was a patient in her thirties and she had 9 children! Six of her own and 3 from her husbands other wife who had died of AIDS.  Her husband had also passed away and she now care for all of these children on her own.  It was amazing to speak with her because she is so determined but at the same time very aware of her condition.  One of the most challenging things I had to do over the past few weeks was answer one of the questions from the children.  I was asked why if HIV/AIDS rates are higher in poorer countries why are they so high in South Africa, the richest country on the continent.  It broke my heart to have to explain to these children how the Apartheid has affected education in South Africa and how civil unrest impacts HIV transmission rates.  All I hope is that by educating them such things can change and we can challenge poverty and inequality.
Yesturday was the last official day of the project and another hard day for me.  I got to go to the villages again to say goodbye and drop off donations.  Everyone was very grateful, especially the children at CCF.  It was very hard saying goodbye.  I am honestly not ready to leave here and I feel like i could stay and teach forever.  But I will just have to come back in a few years when I am qualified to do so much more!

Andrea

Completing the project

Yesterday was the final day of the project.  It feels fantastic to have completed our work, but it is also very sad to have to say goodbye to everything that has become our life these past seven weeks.  Fortunately, we will all be sticking around for the next couple weeks, and will have some time to tie up loose ends, and say goodbye to a lot of the friends we have made.

On our last day, we were able to accomplish very much!  Some of us handed out donations in the villages of Nkoaranga and Maji ya Chai, and were able to make some significant food purchases (for donation) at the market in Tengeru with the help of friends.  We have so much to tell about when we get home. 

My team, with Elaine, Nimira and Laura made contact with an orphanage in one of the slummiest areas of town.  They were SO happy to receive us, and what an amazing experience for us.  The children were in this shoddy building with boards nailed to the side... it turned out to be a classroom.  When we went in and brought our knitted items and some classroom materials, they were so excited!  They even sang three or four songs for us (and we in return sang them our 'Piga Mswaki' - or Brush your Teeth - song).  It was really a tremendous experience for us all.  Thank you to all of our knitters for your tremendous help!

We made donations to several medical centres, including Dr. Mhando, Dr. Tekle, and Nkoaranga and Kaloleni Government hospitals.  These will go to help treat people who otherwise cannot afford proper treatments and medications.  They will also go to help treat some of the children we have identified through our screenings.

It is really tremendous to look back at the many things we have accomplished over our seven weeks here.  We have managed to teach medical topics in five highschools (topics such as Vision, First Aid, Substance Abuse, Oral Health, Hygiene, STDs, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and probably most importantly, sexuality and condom use).  It is amazing how they tell their youth that if they must have sex, they should use a condom - but no one has ever been shown how to use, let alone even SEEN a condom. 

The things we have learned are immeasurable, and the impact we have had on this community is going to be long lasting - this was one of our most important goals in coming here this summer.  So many things that we have seen we will unfortunately never be able to explain to friends and family at home.  I think that you really have to be here, and live life with the people to understand this place. 

I have uploaded more pictures to the photo website at: http://www.flickr.com/people/18752926@N00/

In addition, there is an article in the Arusha Times today describing our group.  It will probably soon be available on the internet at: www.arushatimes.co.tz/

Last day

Today is our last day of project! And it was an incredible day!

Elaine, Nimira, Adam and I found 2 new locations/contacts to give to next year's team. It was wonderful to show up at a school that was made out of rough boards for orphaned children who are living with foster parents that cannot afford to send their children to the government or private schools. These children were so excited to see us and they sang for us, in appreciation for our visit and then again, when we gave them school supplies and clothes.

My favorite moment of the day, though was showing up at a government hospital which does not have a lot of supplies or staff and speaking to the doctor who was the second in command there. He didn't know we were coming, or even who we were, but was excited to see us and to become a contact for next year's team. Then, as we emptied a big bag of medications, gloves and other medical supplies that will be given to those who cannot afford the treatments they need, his face changed from absolute shock, to excitement and gratitude. I felt like Santa Clause! I wish that I could capture that moment on film and share it with each person who has helped us.

As we wind down and make our final donations, our final visits and say our final good-byes, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us. To our family, our friends, our generous sponsors, our generous donors - Thank you! This adventure has been a life-altering experience and, more importantly, I truly feel that we have made an impact on the lives of those we have worked with and for. We have done medical screenings on people who would otherwise go unnoticed and untreated; we have taught some important information to the medical professionals that we have worked with, we have dispelled some myths in our classroom teachings and have given some vital information that may one day save their lives. We also look forward to doubling the number of children we will be sending to high school in the upcoming year! And we are helping them to plan ahead for their future scholastic achievements. One student that Medoutreach sponsored this year has the second highest marks in his class; and we have given much needed supplies and donations to a variety of important locations. Thank you!! We could not have achieved all of this without your support!

See you soon!!! =)

School teaching completed

Elaine, Laura and I just finished our last day of teaching at Lashara Secondary School. Today's session went much better than yesterdays did at the same school. The problem is that the children are attending these lessons after regular school hours. Since they do not take a lunch, most of them are very hungry and have little energy. Even today I could see it in some of the faces... but it was still a great session. Perhaps part of the reason was that I had a Form 2 student, Faisal, translating for me. I was teaching Substance Abuse again today on my own (to about 55 children) for a little over an hour, and Laura and Elaine taught HIV/AIDS/sexuality to another class during this same session.

Nimira is not feeling so well today and is resting at home right now. The others - Caitlin, Andrea, and Kiara - are out in Maji ya Chai to finish teaching there at the secondary school, and are also going to CCF (Tupendane Centre) to secure our plans for tomorrow. Dr. Mhando has agreed to see several of the children who the medical and nursing students identified as needing medical attention. I will also be bringing approximately twenty children to SDA tomorrow morning to begin treatment of children who I identified during the screenings (and was unable to treat at CCF). Dr. Adekto and Dr. Gideon will be helping me to treat these children. I was quite fortunate to receive many supplies from classmates/schoolmates and from several dental supply companies before I left so most of the work to be done will cost nothing!

We have many things to finish in the next few days including donating our remaining supplies and determining how we can help with what other resources remain. We need to square away our plans to provide scholarships for more students - it was really amazing to meet these children who last years team and their supporters were able to help.

Our last week

We met yesterday with Dr. Mhando and Mrs. Mhando to discuss providing scholarships again for some students.  Medoutreach 2004 was able (with the help of their supporters) to send five children to school for the four years of highschool.  We are hoping to do something similar this year.

After meeting at the Mhando's, we rushed out to Tengeru village to visit our friend Jonas from CCF Maji ya Chai.  He has helped us immensely with our work at CCF.  His family invited us all to dinner.  Jonas' family does not appear to have very much at all, yet he is still spending a year of his life to volunteer at CCF.  It's really amazing to see someone giving so much when they are barely getting along themselves.

Today, I went out to the SDA clinic to do some dentistry.  I saw about six patients and treated them in a partially Canadian - partially Tanzanian sort of way.  It was great to finally be able to do a restoration on someone instead of just yanking out teeth like they so often do.  And oh man isn't presribing drugs a whole new ballgame!

The rest of the team was teaching at various places today, and I believe we will all be teaching together tomorrow afternoon, and we will be split up tomorrow between a school and Bondeni I believe. 

Please check out some of Laura's photos that I have uploaded at: http://www.flickr.com/people/18752926@N00/

Teaching in rural Arusha!

Hey all!

Sorry I haven't posted... had a few problems with the account.  Anyway, this is Caitlin, posting under my pen-name....Elaine H.   We have been teaching in rural schools just outside Arusha as well as some in Arusha town.  The kids are all in form I to form IV, so their English is quite good...and they laugh at our Kiswhili.  Today we taught at Maji ya Chai Sekondari School for 4 hours and it  went really well.  We managed to teach all 4 forms and we will be back there on tuesday and wednesday to teach some more.  Today we taught Piga Mswaki (brush your teeth) and gave out toothbrushes.  Then we moved on the HIV/AIDS lessons and talked about STDs.  What is really amazing is that the kids know all the proper answers to questions about HIV, but  on further questioning, don't know what some of the words mean.  For example, they know to use the word "condom" but do not actually know what a condom is or how to use it.  We were helpful in this respect and also were able to dispell some myths about HIV/AIDS and its transmission.  The kids talked a lot about shunning those infected with HIV from society; hopefully our lessons and our discussion will help to change some of their opinions and prevent such harsh treatment of those friends and family members infected with the virus.

Overall, teaching is going really well and the kids' kindness and enthusiam makes our job super easy.  Thanks for reading and sorry I couldn't post sooner!

xo  Caitlin

Teaching and Screenings

Hi everyone,

Friday was another busy day of teaching! Adam, Laura, and I started the day by teaching about substance abuse at Moshono Secondary School.  I hope the students understood our messages about the harmful effects of many substances that are commonly abused here! At first, most of the students were too shy to participate but we got around that by offering some candy (to Adam's objections, of course!) 

After our morning school teaching, we made it to Dr. Tekle's clinic to teach the staff there about fetal and maternal health.  Laura and I lead this discussion while we used Adam to demonstrate.  Once our teaching at the dental clinic was complete, we headed back to Moshono Secondary School to teach the entire school about HIV/AIDS.  I think we were all amazed at the questions the students had! Most of them seem to have a good understanding of how the disease is transmitted but it is clear that many myths and barriers remain, especially in terms of condom use.

Yesterday (Saturday), the three of us went back to Maji Ya Chai to CCF (the center for Street kids).  Laura and I completed some more histories and physical exams on the children while Adam did some more dental work.  It was a very productive day! We were also able to give them a quick lesson on hygeine!

Thats all for now! We will update again soon!

And Last But Not Least!

Habari!?

I believe I am the last person to post. It's kind of sad that my first addition to this weblog comes at the end of the trip. (Technical difficulties).  Thank you to Adam and Robin for fixing those! =)

This trip has been an amazing adventure! Africa is so beautiful in ways I cannot even describe. The people here are so friendly and happy, despite the poverty. It's really made me realize what is important in life. Hakuna Matata truly is the moto here and everything happens in African time. At times, we, who are used to North American schedules, have found it hard to get used to the much slower and more relaxed pace, but then again, is North American lifestyle and scheduling really that healthy?

This past week we have been teaching at the local secondary schools. We've taught HIV/AIDS, sexuality, STDs, nutrition, healthy lifestyles and vision. It has been an amazing experience to stand in front of all these eager faces, dispelling myths and giving information that may one day save their lives. We've done several condom demonstartions, which we feel has been a good experience, since most of the children know that they should use condoms to protect themselves against HIV and other STDs, but almost none of them have ever seen a condom, let alone know how to use one. When teaching about sexuality, we are focusing on A,B,Cs - Abstinance, Being Faithful to one partner and Condom use when engaging in sex.

It has been a very hectic couple of days. As the project winds down we find ourselves wanting to finish all of the projects that we started and so we have been running from one location to the next to try to fit in extra teaching sessions with the medical professionals, finishing our school visits and completeing our health screenings of the street children at Maji Ya Chai. This week looks like it will be much the same, with the teaching sessions at the last of our schools, the remaining teaching sessions with the medical professionals and dropping off our donations at all the locations at which we have been working, arranging where our financial donations will be allocated and saying our goodbyes to staff and friends.

I loved going back to Maji Ya Chai. The kids there were really happy to see us. I was doing the health histories for these kids, which included asking about their family history, and what led them to choose to live on the streets rather than at home. Some of these kids have been on the streets since they were 6 and 7 years old and you can imagine what leads a child to leave the "safety" of home for the streets. You really have to admire these kids - their strength, courage and survival skills are incredible! Most of them are pretty well adapted considering their pasts. It was really hard to leave them again yesterday afternoon. I left a couple of them with my address and I do hope they write! I would love to know what happens to them down the roads.

I have fallen in love with this country and I am already thinking of my next visit back. When (not if) I do come back, I fully intend on returning to some of the places we have worked, to visit with friends and to continue some of the work that we've done. I'm also planning on dragging a few people back with me to share this experience and to climb Mt. Kili.  =)

To my friends and family, I have lots of stories to tell about the various methods of transportation here (including Dala Dalas), the different culture, the amazing and beautiful people we have met, all of our many adventures and the beautiful countryside here. Although I look forward to seeing my friends and family and cannot wait to get and give hugs, I will be sad to leave here as well.

Laura =)

The teaching continues

It was a very long day of teaching today.  We had a lot of running around to do, and in retrospect, I am very happy we hired a taxi for the day.

Laura, Nimira and I began this morning teaching at Moshono Secondary School, teaching first aid.  Last night, I had been out in Sister Sophina's garden (where we were staying), tearing leaves off of her banana trees.  It turns out that these make great ties for bandaging.  We demonstrated to the children R.I.C.E. and R.E.D. - the first aid acronyms for splinting injuries, and bandaging wounds respectively.  I was fortunate that one of the boys had been out cutting wood with an axe before classes, and had several good branches that I used to tie with the stalk from some leaves from banana trees and corn plants.  Several children from the elementary school who were outside had come to watch through the window (no glass included!)... that was great, because whenever I needed another tie, I just asked one to tear a piece off of the banana tree beside them!  I think it went very well, and one of the students who came up to demonstrate was Oscar, one of the five students that Medoutreach 2004 sponsored to attend highschool. 

This teaching session lasted until about 10:20, and then our driver (Patrick) drove us down to Dr. Tekle's SDA clinic.  Dr. Tekle is the dentist with whom I have been working in the city of Arusha.  Laura and Nimira gave them a 45 minute talk on infection control, demonstrating how to recap a needle properly and how to properly put on sterile gloves.  This particular talk has proved to be very important in many of the places where we have taught. 

We then returned to Moshono school for our second session of the day.  We gave the Form 2s (approximately 14yrs old) a talk on Substance Abuse.  This is an interesting topic, given that they do not have so much money.  They therefore face many problems that are similar to those we have at home in the northern part of the country - glue, paint and gasoline sniffing. 

They are also beginning to have problems with tobacco.  It is interesting here in Tanzania because there are very few people who smoke cigarettes.  From a social standpoint, it is completely unacceptable, so very few people can be caught smoking in public (except for our street friend Rasta-Bobi of course!).  Chewing tobacco is a different story however, and so we tried our best to reinforce that tobacco can become a major problem.

We then returned again with Patrick to SDA to teach CPR to Dr. Tekle's staff.  It was a little bit difficult given that they were still seeing patients, but even with some distraction, we were able to teach them this essential medical skill.  While we were there, we also managed to see a couple different aesthetic dental procedures on children.  Since the fluorine levels in the water are so high (approximately 8ppm compared to our approximately 0.5-1.5ppm at home), most people have very bad fluorosis here, and people are starting to worry about how it looks.  I have told many of them it is not a problem because many people have this condition - and because I simply don't have the time to treat people for this reason.  Dr. Tekle was attempting to do use a topically applied whitening gel on one child, and Dr. Adeytko was doing direct composite veneers on another.  The "denturist" was also in today (not certain what exactly his title is, but he has a lab in the city) and he was placing an all-acrylic partial denture on a patient.  I have some pictures I will upload later if I have a chance.  Tomorrow we are teaching again in both places, and then I will be making it to Bondeni to teach oral health to the medical staff.

Better late than never

Hello everyone.  My name is Elaine Haasen and I am one of the fourth year nursing students on this trip.  We have been very busy this week teaching in the secondary schools.  The kids are awesome and ask us alot of questions about their health.  We have been to three schools so far, Arusha Day, Kaloleni and Moshono, teaching for 2 to 3 days.  We cover topics like personal health and hygiene, nutrition, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS.  The kids have questions that we have a hard time answering so it shows they are thinking while we are teaching.  Once they know they will get a piece of candy or a pencil for participating the students are alot more eager to answer, it is awesome.  Having fun with the kids in Tanzania.  Elaine.