Team Mutomo: Tuesday, June 21

Again today, one student from each group will write about her experiences.  We love it here, and we are working very hard.

From Mackenzie and Eric Grutzner and Kathleen Ferraro:
Today Kathleen, my dad, and I worked in the dental clinic, the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clinic, and we also worked in the archives with Sister Kathleen. Kathleen F. and I enjoyed working in the dental clinic because we got to do actual dental work along with Tara, the dentist from Sweden, and my dad.  Then we went to the ART clinic and worked with the clinicians as they saw patient after patient. We learned about the drugs they were giving the patients, and we helped them sort the pills for the patients. In the meantime, Eric worked on leveling a seesaw for the clinic.  Finally we went with Sister Kathleen to burn the records of the hospital before 2011. We had a wonderful time, and learned many things.  Today was a very fun day!

From Amanda Scheid, Samantha Dumler, and Philip Goldman:
Today Samantha, Philip, and I went to an ART clinic in a villiage 90 minutes away. Samantha and I got to help out the specialist who not only ran the clinic but catered to the medical needs of the entire community. He was extremely relieved to have us help, so we got to separate and count pills for him while Philip assisted in the weighing of the patients. We then got to sit in on a therapy session with a group of women and one man who were all HIV/AIDS positive. They were all extremely open with us and gave us great insight into their lives. They also asked us questions about our lives and we compared the HIV/AIDS stigma in the United States and Africa. Almost all of them were doing well and it was truly a memorable experience.  (by Amanda)

A note from Philip:  Some rough math -- we served about 18 people today through this program with HIV/AIDS medications, many of whom walked up to 15 kilometers for the treatment.  The anti-retrovirial treatments extended each of their lives by about a month, meaning that this AM, the program saved the equivalent of one-and-a-half life years.  Rough, but beautiful math.

From Jay Bruber:
Today was "a water discovery day."  I spent the day looking at different water sources around the area with a representative from WorldVision and one from the Mutomo Hospital.  We also went to a school to look at their water system.  Water is pumped into this area from a dam five miles away, and the water filter I brought could be very useful at the hospital and at the school I visited.

From Meghan Hickey, Olivia Riley, Liz England, and Ashley Bruber:
Today we stayed in Mutomo and attended a Behavior Change Process Seminar for out-of-school youth. We observed as the patients talked about at-risk behaviors and how to change and prevent them. The peer leader who was in charge of the seminar often asked for our opinions, and we were an active part of the group discussion and at times were able to talk with the teens in smaller groups. A highlight was a baby that was extremly intrigued by Olivia Riley, and by the end of the workshop the mother would turn the baby around whenever he got sad so he could look at Olivia's face and he would immediately start smiling.

From Jessie Wyatt, Rose McNeely, and Elizabeth Arnstein:
Today we worked in a women's clinic out in the bush. The clinic works towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS in children and mothers. It took two hours just to get to the village so when we say it was in the bush, we mean it was really in the bush. The clinic took place in a family's hut (about 6 feet square), and they were compensated 20 shillings or $1.80 per person. Women walked miles just for the quick check up -- some just to register progress for their pregnancies or babies and others just for check ups. One man was there with two of his pregnant wives -- quite a culture shock. (BTW:  Our lead nurse for the day is the daughter of the chief of a tribe and is one of 40 children by six different wives.)

A grocery store en route to the bush clinic.

Women and their babies waiting for vaccines and neo-natal care at a clinic two hours east of Mutomo.

Jessie Wyatt and Rose McNeely with nurse Lucia from Mutomo Hospital.

We also had the privilege of witnessing the testing for HIV/AIDS. It was extremely nerve-wracking and left Rose and Jessie in tears. Fortunately, all those that were tested were negative. We all were able to hold babies, smile with new mothers, take blood pressure, weigh all of the mothers, listen to heartbeats, feel the heads of babies still in the womb, and learn about rural health care. Overall, it was an experience that forever has changed the way we view our health care system and the appreciation we have for our doctors and sanitary health environments. For example, a woman can have a Caesarian Section for 8,000 shillings -- roughly $100. Our prayers will be with these mothers and children.

Please keep the comments coming.  We love hearing from home.  ASANTE SANA!