Africa 3

We have had a great week here in Nalerigu. Angela is pretty much running the peds ward now. She sees everything from extreme malnutrition and sepsis to meningitis and malaria. She is also going to be the most accomplished lumbar puncturist in her intern class! Mike Kimbrell and Chuck have been busy with the adults and lately we have been running a snakebite clinic (about 4 each day). We are also seeing all the "normal" things like typhoid, malaria, TB, and even a few buruli ulcers in the past week (caused by mycobacterium ulcerans for those interested). Although we were on call for 4 of the past 7 days we have had time for some fun outside the hospital. The first picture is from the Dumba Festival. We have asked around and nobody seems to know what we are celebrating, but everyone in the town comes to the Chief's house. There is drumming and dancing and as you can see in the picture, some firing of rifles. The first few shots almost scared us to death! The Vice President of Ghana came up to Nalerigu from the south. It was a big deal around here to have him come...roughly equivalent to Dick Cheney coming to Chapel Hill. The next picture is from our trip to the escarpment in Nakpanduri today. Dr. Hewitt took us and his kids to the top and we were able to look down and see for miles and miles. We had to climb up about 30 feet of rocks to get to that overlook...it was worth it. The other couple in the picture with us and Angela's dad are Chris and Krisy Burri. They are the new volunteers that just arrived a few days ago. The last picture was taken in our room today. The heat has become stifling in the past week. It was about 110 in the shade and over 120 in the sun today! Even the Ghanaians admit that it is hot! Thanks for following along with us and please continue to keep the hospital in your prayers. Please also pray specifically for Dr. Faile and Dr. Hewitt, the full-time local physicians that work here and have dedicated their lives to serving the Mamprusi people.