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By Carol Nelson, RHCI E.D.
My 6th trip to Tikonko was every bit as memorable as the first one in 2013. This time, I traveled with three others (Julie Hoffer, Alexa Hoffer, Maggie Pilacinski), with a second team of five volunteers from First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake joining us later.
Going back to the rural life that is found in Tikonko, I felt at home, with the roosters crowing early in the morning, the children playing outside all hours of the day and the cooking smoke wafting through the village. It was gratifying to see all four of RHCI’s programs in action, and making a big impact on the health of the area.
At Mbao-mi Mothers’ Home, the pregnant, near-term women are well cared for, with healthy food, and educational classes and medical evaluations by the midwife. What a joy to see the post-partum mothers with their newborns, resting and preparing to go home to their families soon. The community health workers cooking in the outdoor kitchen over small charcoal stoves prepared huge kettles of rice and sauce with fish, chicken, and greens such as potato or cassava leaves. The security staff were eager to help in any way possible, carrying heavy items, unlocking doors, and greeting visitors.
Going to the Motorbike Clinic at Lembema, we experienced education through singing and dancing. The health center staff efficiently evaluated all of the children and pregnant women, including many with malaria and respiratory infections. RHCI nurse Juliana provided family planning education and materials to many of the women.
RHCI’s Children’s health program includes transporting critically ill children to Bo Children’s Hospital for life saving care. My most memorable experience was seeing the 4 year old girl with severe malaria and a hemoglobin of 3.4 return to health under the care of Vandi Sombie. RHCI provided the transportation from Tikonko to Bo, and paid for the 4 day hospital stay ($50 USD).
RHCI’s farm/agriculture program developed a strong connection to the Njala Univerisity program by hosting a group of 12 for meetings with farmers, dinner, and a trip to the RHCI-sponsored Farmer Based Organization villages.
Many meetings and trips to Gondama took place as we furthered the plans to re-open the Birth Waiting home there. We participated in the Motorbike Outreach Clinic in Gelehun where over 80 patients were seen that day. The medical needs in Gondama are just as enormous as those in the Tikonko catchment area.
Getting reconnected with the people in Tikonko, furthering our relationships and developing plans together made the trip a success.
Carol,
I really loved reading your blog. the work you and others have done and are doing is so impressive…thank you. They are beautiful people. I know Fran will never forget her time there.
Thank you for your comments. Many people in Tikonko still ask about Fran who lived with them for 6 weeks back in 2013. I hope she can return one day.