Landmines and Rats

In a most bizarre story, the remaining landmines left after the civil war are being demined with the help of rats. Trained rats. I had to post this because I first thought it was a joke, but it is true!
 Here is the link to the story.


By the way, we will not be in any areas with remaining landmines. When I traveled there in 1998 I met two Australians who were demining. They asked me right away where we would be working. They assured me that there were no mines left in the area around Nhaloi.

More on Medical Supplies

Jim B. in Illinois put us in touch with a terrific charity that is prepared to help us with medical equipment. Today Jim, Hendrik, and a friend, Dave, toured their facility outside Springfield, Illinois. Most of the supplies we are wanting to take will be available through them at almost no cost. Stay tuned as we update our list. Team members be prepared to carry medical supplies in your luggage!

Map of Nhaloi

CLICK HERE to find Nhaloi Hospital on Google Maps

Select Satelite view to see the buildings

Malaria Information for the Massinga District

Nhaloi Hospital is in the Massinga district of Inhambane province. The Malaria Consortium published a page with some interesting stats. Most interesting to me is the following:
0.79 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants
Fatality rate due to malaria in pediatric wards was 2.3%
10 health facilities in a district of 186,292 people
CLICK HERE

Preliminary Medical Supplies

Here is the first list of medical supplies we are wanting to take:

• 6 Stethoscopes
• 2 Manuel BP Cuffs
• 2 Pulse Oxymeters
• IV Lines and Needles
• Suture Kit
• Drug Samples: Pain Meds and Antibiotics
• Surgical masks
• Exam gloves - latex and nitrile
• Sterile gloves
• Sterile areas
• Misc. surgical equipment for minor procedures (hemostats, scalpels, etc.)

We have already secured:

• 2 Nebulizers
• 1 Otoscope
• 1 Fetal Dopplar

If you would like to help, please contact Hendrik at ezulween@gmail.com

Fever Pitch

I probably shouldn't use that turn of phrase with a medical team going to the tropics, but things are heating up, figuratively and literally.

We are in a push to purchase our airfare for the team. With the Summer Olympics in London in July and the strife with Iran driving up fuel costs, airline ticket prices are rising rapidly. We are going to plan on purchasing the tickets in the next week. This means we need to raise another $5000 - $6000 in the next week. Scary!

I was reminded this morning in reading scripture that God is able. If this team is to be successful, it will only be with His help.

This afternoon I made phone calls to try to open new contacts for funding. I am happy to say that the time was not wasted.

On another front, we are moving ahead with securing medical supplies. One piece of great news is that we have been promised a fetal dopplar. This piece of equipment is almost brand new. One of team members, Judy McQuown will be training the nurses at Nhaloi in it is use.

Two physicians in the Wichita area have expressed a desire to assist in the acquisition of other medical supplies. Jim in Illinois is also soliciting donations. I will be posting a list and as the items come in I will update it.

Village girl

Mission Residence

Doctor's Residence

Photos

I am adding some photos from 1998. A little dated, but you can get the idea.