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Published: December 2nd 2011
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I want to start this blog entry by saying thank you for all of the positive feedback I've been receiving! I'm glad you've been enjoying these entries- and I hope my future ones won't disappoint! Today's blog entry won't be so light hearted though. I'd like to give you a bit of information about how I've been using the money that I raised before I came here.
I think I've mentioned before that I wanted to use the money to help the girls at the shelter I've been working at- OPRIFS. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for OPRIFS, they have everything they need. They have food, shelter, medication, toys and stationary- just to mention a few! They have a wonderful philosophy though- they don't want the girls to become accustomed to a 'comfortable' life- many of them have been taken off the street, or taken from abusive families. After a year at OPRIFS, they are reintegrated into outside life. Therefore, they rarely receive new clothes, and eat the same 3 meals on rotation. So, it's fantastic for OPRIFS that they have so much financial support, but it leaves someone like me feeling a bit redundant!
So, through various avenues, I have come to know a couple of Doctors. After talking with them, I decided that the money would best be spent on patients in the public hospitals that can't afford the necessary medications and/ or procedures. The first person I wanted to help was a little girl (1 year old) who was being treated at the Military Hospital in Balle. Her father died recently in the line of duty- but both soldiers and their immediate families are treated at this hospital. I went to meet Lisa and her Mum 'armed' with lollies, socks, balls and juice- just a small care package. When I asked what Lisa's condition was, her mother told me that she had tuberculosis. I read the results of the CT scan (which were in english- the mother is illiterate). It turned out Lisa doesn't have TB. She has lymphoma, with numerous tumours throughout her body. I'm not sure that I can help her any more, but I enjoyed spending the afternoon playing with her!
DISCLAIMER: I'd like to apologise to any medical personnel reading this for any mistakes I make in trying to explain procedures and illnesses (and for spelling! haha)
During the week I have been going to OPRIFS, but approximately every second afternoon you will find me at one of the main public hospitals, or madly running around Addis Ababa trying to find medical centres that offer the appropriate procedures for the patients I am trying to help.
Before I give you more information on the patients and treatements I have been involved with, I'd like to paint a picture of the public hospitals for you. I have little experience with hospitals, but it isn't difficult to see how far behind these hospitals are- from technology to hygiene. This evening I visited Tikur Anbassa- the biggest public hospital in Addis Ababa. On entering the main hallway, I noticed a build up of dirt and dust- and of old blood on the floor. The walls have chipped green paint, and every now and then I noticed archaic oxygen cylinders lined up against the wall. Patients were being wheeled freely around, if they weren't in their rooms or lining the hallways. I could see an older couple crying and wailing hysterically as they watched their daughter wheeled away after being in a major car accident. I then walked passed and saw a courtyard with about 30 people waiting. They were sitting on flattened cardboard boxes, trying to get close to one another for warmth. They will sit out there until they are accepted into the hospital for treatment. Many of these people are from the country, and cannot afford to pay for their medical needs, let alone a hotel for the night. Tonight it will be 9 degrees in Addis.
I had been told a few days ago about a patient at Tikur Anbassa who was in ICU. The doctor told me that the patient has gangrene from his upper thights to his chest, has numerous abscesses over his body and has a compromised immune system- presumably due to HIV/AIDS. I was asked, if when I came to the hospital he was still alive, to buy the relevant antibiotics and protein powder for him. When I arrived at the hospital today he was thankfully still there- so I went to the pharmacy and paid for his prescriptions and delivered them to the Doctor.
If you think it would be easy filling these prescriptions in Addis, think again! No one seems to have any clue about what clinics offer what, and what pharmacies sell what. I met the family of a 6 month old girl who required a shunt (she had a build up of fluid around her brain, so she needed a tube to relieve the pressure)- I took the prescription and began my hunt. I feel like I must have worked my way down the alphabet, because, of course, the only hospital that sells them in Addis is Zambabe Hospital. I bought the shunt, and gave it to the family- I have had no update, but I believe, by now, the operation should have been completed. In the same room, another baby needed a shunt, so I thought I would go back to Zambaba Hospital and buy the 4 shunts they had left. 40 minutes in a taxi, and 20 minutes talking to the Doctor later, I realised they had sold out. To my knowledge, there are no more shunts in Addis Ababa right now- I'm glad that I'm not the one who had to tell the parents of the other child that I couldn't help.
To give you an idea about costs here, I have written down the prices of some of the procedures/ items I have paid for so far:
Shunt- 2500 ETB- $140.45
Can of protein supplement- 361.35 ETB- $20.30
Brain CT scan- 950.00 ETB- $53.37
So far, I have only spent 1/3 of the money I raised- but I have contributed to the treatments of more than 15 people. I think that tomorrow I will be meeting with an Oncologist from Tikur Anbassa, who will introduce me to some patients who need chemotherapy, but cannot afford it.
I need to thank everyone for their donations and support- you are the reason I am able to do these things, and help these people. I also appreciate the trust you have shown me, by giving me the discretion to use these funds in any way- with no stipulations. I hope that you are happy, and will continue to be so, with regards to how your donations are being used. Please understand that you are making a difference to so many people- not only those who are sick, but their families and friends too.
Hopefully in the next few days I'll write another blog about what I've been up to- including details of my trip down to the Omo Valley to see different tribes! I'm in Ethiopia for another 17 days, then I'll be heading to Qatar and Senegal. I will get home in February, so messages are very much welcome! (My iPhone was stolen yesterday, so blog, facebook and/or email messages are fine by me hehe)
But, for tonight, I will say amasegenaro, and ciao (thank you and good night).
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Mark Dawson
non-member comment
Humbled
Hi Sarah I have been obtaining little snippets of your incredible journey from Dad. My heart felt love and admiration goes out to you for your drive and devotion to achieve the seemingly impossible. I would very much like to send you some money if you will allow. I will check with Dad or perhaps you could let me know of the appropriate process A/c details etc. Please take care and Well done for what you are doing with your time and limited resources. Lots of love Uncle Mark