Final weeks of work

Thats us finished 8 weeks of work-cant believe it, what a FANTASTIC few months!! We've been very busy for the past few weeks-not least of which was "attending" a poolside gala dinner with the High Commission and Vice President of Kenya!! (JAMMY!!!)We've had a few more visits to Paradiso Orphanage and got a chance to see the foundations of the new orphanage which they are building. Sad to say goodbye to the kids.

Even two months in we were still seeing new and unusual cases in the hospital, all of which kept work very exciting and interesting. We have done a lot of work on our burns research, some of the revelations being quite shocking-the lack of awareness of parents to the serious risks of burns being the greatest.

Once again, THANK YOU all so much for your kind donations!! We have raised over 500 euro, which has gone so far over here. Just today, a set of parallel bars which we got made from the donations arrived in the Physiotherapy department-much to the delight of all the Physios and patients. We also had a mobile full length mirror made for the department to use with the parallel bars and the many neurological patients. We also were able to buy large amounts of paraffin gauze (for burns patients), urine dipsticks, paracetamol, more POP and plaster, all of which are in HIGH demand in the hospital. The remainding donations are being used to install curtains between beds in the physio department to provide privacy to the patients-we can think of many of our patients who will be very grateful for this when it comes to them removing clothing for treatment.

This week we have visited an amazing facility for children with disabilities in Arusha. Sibusiso was set up in 2002 by a Dutch couple who retired in Tanzania and have since been fundraising to develop it into the hugely beneficial and holistic resource to the children of Arusha that it is today. This is the only establishment of its kind and provides 3monthly and 6monthly inpatient rehabilitation programmes including physio, occupational therapy, social work and teaching for children with children with mental and physical disabilities. For the older children they also provide life skills programmes-we met a class as they were gardening and cooking in a purpose built kitchen. An on-site workshop provides these children with any equipment they might need such as supportive seating, walking aids and standing frames. It is just amazing what they can make! Families are expected to pay the equivalent of six pounds for these 3 or 6 month stays, and the families who cannot afford this asked to contribute rice, beans, etc. Obviously, they are therefore hugely dependent on donations from westerners. As we are leaving soon and will be unable to pass on donations directly to the hospitals, if anyone still wanted to donate, our plan is to direct any donations to this foundation, as we have seen first hand the great work that is carried out here.

We will be putting up pictures of all the supplies and equipment once we get home-TIA, the internet connection isnt exactly broadband!! :)

Thanks again for everyone who has donated and kept up to date with the blog, your money has made a great difference.
We've had an unforgettable experience in Tanzania-if theres anyone who is thinking of doing it in the future, make sure to get in contact with one of us.

Cant wait to see you all when we get home,

Lots of love,

Ali and Bla


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New Hospital

So here we are a month and a half into our trip-hard to believe how fast our time has gone! Since our last post we spent 3 AMAZING days on safari in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro crater-It was like being on the set of The Lion King! We also been spending time in Paradiso orphanage here in Arusha, what gorgeous little kids-wish we could take them all home with us!

Upon finishing our first month of work in Meru District hospital, we have since finished two weeks working in the larger Mount Meru Regional hospital. This hospital is better equipped and the physio department there is more established, with around 5 physios employed there. We spend our days working between out-patients and the wards so have come across an even greater range of patients and conditions. We even had the chance to spend a day in the labour ward (EEEEKKK!!!) and watching orthopaedic surgery-not for the faint hearted (Alison!!).

We're also keeping ourselves busy doing a research project with guidance from one of the physios here who trained in the UK. The high numbers of severe paediatric burns in the hospital sparked our interest to investigate the reasons behind this.

We heard through the grapevine that there was an Irish woman working in the hospital-you cant go anywhere!! ;) It turns out an Irish nun has established a fantastic mental health department in the hospital. Having been away for so long this "mammy" figure made us feel right at home.

From the donations we have received we have already bought a substantial amount of medical equipment (Enough plaster of paris for up to 30 fracture cases, sterile gauze, cotton wool, gloves, tape, alcohol gel, a medical emergency pack etc.) which we have donated to Meru District. We are looking into buying a pulse oximeter for the Regional hospital (as they currently have none on the wards) as well as other medical and physio equipment.

We are SO SO appreciative to everyone who has already donated money and hope you can see that is all going to good use.
Just want to make a final MASSIVE plea to anyone who still wants to donate to please do this as soon as possible. We are coming into our final weeks so we need to buy the equipment in the coming days.

Again thank you so so much to everyone, looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Bla and Ali


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