Africa 1

We have arrived in Africa. We spent most of the first 2 days traveling (4 hrs to Minnesota, 8 hrs to Amsterdam, 8 hrs to Accra, spent the night in Accra and then 1 1/2 hour plane ride to Tamale, and then a 3 hour car ride to Nalerigu.) We immediately started working at the hospital, rounding on the 80 or so inpatients. We participate in outpatient clinic 3 days a week. On other days, we have gone out with the public health team to give immunizations in nearby villages. While there, we often see some of the sicker children in the village (like in this picture.) It is not uncommon to see a one year old child who has gained no weight since 6 months of age. The hospital is filled with people suffering from meningitis, malaria, and typhoid. Usually 1-2 people die a day. People also have more common things like reflux, hypertension, and arthritis. There is extreme poverty, with the villages usually having no running water or electricity. All of that being said, the people of Ghana are wonderful. They are warm, welcoming, and very appreciative. They love their children and their families and want the best for them. I believe that it is the people here who have motivated people like the Failes (one of the full-time docs and his wife) to serve here for 18 years in what is most definitely the African bush. It has been a busy week, and since several of the volunteers are leaving, next week promises to be even busier.