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Published: January 11th 2013
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Oh to wake up to the sunrise in Kayanga, Karagwe, Tanzania. The five highlights of the day are: (1) Sunrise in Kayanga and breakfast of toast and egg; (2) Dr. Patrick shows us how many lives are in one man's hands; (3) Malaria counts for 56%!o(MISSING)f all deaths - down 30%!f(MISSING)rom 2006; (4) Walk around Kayanga; (5) Rebecca Reunited.
NARRATIVE: Nothing in the world tastes as good as Tanzanian coffee in the morning. Especially when the taste is accompanied by the sights, sounds and smells of Kayanga. Steve befriended a little boy whom we learned is "Von". Steve has always had a way with little ones and Von was no different although he did take quite a gaze into those blue eyes Steve has. We got our schedule last night and learned we are at Nykahanga Hospital today. Dr. Patrick is a young, committed doctor who is head of the management staff at the hospital and who spent from 10AM-12PM with us, fielding calls along the way. I have detailed notes about the needs assessment at the hospital and have summarized here. The biggest need is human resources - doctors and nurses who will stay and work here
in this environment instead of working for the government for higher pay; unexpired drugs and supplies; and resources to fund people for further study. Dr. Patrick summarized the main diagnoses and main causes of death. He shared ways in which we can help. We closed out our time with a lunch in the hospital cafeteria. It is important for reasons both sanitary and cultural to wash one's hands using the plastic jug of boiled water, and squirt bottle of soap. We keep our pocket sanitizer on hand in case of there not being a place to clean our hands - but this has never been the case. Email educatetanzania@gmail.com to request a copy of the Karagwe Community Needs Assessment (Hansen and Hansen).
Back at the Kayanga Hotel, our friend Edina I and Edina II had made a lunch we could not eat since we were so full. Steve napped, then he and I walked around Kayanga. Three red and dusty streets in one direction; four in another. Shops crammed with supplies- fabrics, phone cards, coffee, some souvenirs, baskets, beadwork, a hair shop, tailors - the taxi stand and people everywhere. They looked at us intently. Steve is about one
Nyakahanga Hospital, Karagwe
The ELCT supports the District Hopsital foot taller than I and has bright blue eyes. We are unusual in that we are Wuzungu, plus men and women do not normally stroll together here. Children called out to us "Wuzungu!" and "good morning!" It makes my nutty self want to laugh and shout back, "Paste!" or "Nostril!" But I don't.
Went into a shop with the fabric I love and that Sophia R. had given me in 2008. The shop is the one recommended by Edina and where I had my last dress made two years ago. Jemima, the owner, was glad to see me again, greeted me, then drew a picture of the dress she thought I might like. She took my measurements and told me the dress would be ready the next day. She will charge me $12.00 USD.
When we arrived back at the hotel, we found Rebecca waiting for us! Oh dear friend. We hugged heartily. She looked exactly the same as two years before, looked healthy and happy. I first met Rebecca when she served our meals at the Kayanga Hotel in 2008. But now she had been transferred to a new and better job at the ELCT Youth Center.
We took pictures and Rebecca showed Steve a picture of me in her wallet. She had just two pictures - me and a young man. Steve asked who was the man and Rebecca replied, "Husband. Died". Steve was surprised but didn't show it, said how sorry he was that her husband died. He nodded assuringly when Rebecca said "It is all OK".
So much death here. So young. But there is a hope and an optimism in Rebecca's face that cannot be intimidated by events and ruthless bearing on life on this earth. That hope is in many faces in Karagwe. It is palpable. Motivating. Contagious.
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Take me to the Educate Tanzania website. http://educatetanzania.org
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