We were all very excited to visit the preschool this morning. As soon as we walked in the church, where the children are taught, we were greeted with a song. There were about 60 kids ranging from 3-6 years old, all dressed in blue uniforms and wearing a grin from ear to ear. After listening to and answering questions about the Bible story lesson of the day (the Burning Bush), they sang some familiar Sunday school songs for us. Next, they showed us a few lessons that they go through each day including learning shapes, colors, and the alphabet. Pastor Peter, Prisca, and the teachers told us how successful this preschool program has been. They have seen a tremendous improvement in primary school and secondary school grades from kids who got a head start with this program. They will be more successful in school and will have more opportunities as they venture into a trade or career. We expressed to them how impressed we were with how respectful and smart they are and how we were very proud of how much they have learned. It was such a treat to be able to see firsthand how the funds and support our church has provided to programs like this are actually making a difference in the lives of these children.
After saying goodbye and thank you to the preschool, we went back to the parsonage to set up for clinic, this time for these little ones. If the parents wanted their child to be seen, they brought them to Harriet or Rob in the rooms set up behind the church. In addition to any medications prescribed, they were also given a supply of daily children's vitamins to take with them.
When we finished seeing the little kids, we decided to make a trip to the Madisi market to buy material from one of the ZOE businesses. A lot of times these pieces are used as wraps or skirts, or even to tie small children around the mother's back. Eric did not discover that this was a shopping trip until we were already in the market but decided to join in the experience. He is having a tailor make him a shirt out of a striking blue material he purchased.
We had our last clinic time when we got back to the parsonage. This was supposed to be reserved for people who we could not see on Monday or that we wanted to follow-up with. We ended up seeing much more, approximately 75 in total, than we had scheduled. Shandi got to help Rob remove sutures from a woman's scalp that were supposed to be taken out 3 weeks ago. She had been in a car accident but it had been so long since the stitches were put in, skin had partially grown over the sutures and it had become infected. They were able to get the stitches out, clean up the wound, and bandage her up.
Our last activity for today was to visit the farm fostered by the United Methodist Church in Madisi. We got to see Joseph and the house and warehouse they were building, as well as the women who were harvesting corn over their large plot of land. They were so proud to share this awesome development with us as it demonstrates one of the many ways in which the church is reaching out and improving the lives of its people. Back at the parsonage, Prisca and the women presented us with gifts - handmade scarves and hats. COR has provided them with the means to purchase sewing machines and materials so they made us each winter accessories in appreciation (and because it gets so cold in the United States).
This was our last day in Madisi; tomorrow we set out early for Thornicroft, the resort we will be staying in in Zambia for our safari. Over the course of this week we saw about 700 patients and filled over 1000 prescriptions. We were welcomed into Pastor Peter & Prisca's home, who made every effort possible to make us comfortable, well fed, and well prepared. We gave a special thanks to Prisca who, at 5 months pregnant, was up early making meals, made our beds every day, mopping bathrooms, heating and carrying water for all of our baths, and staying up late to clean up after dinner. We would probably all agree that she is Wonder Woman. We were so blessed to be a part of this mission and we could not have asked for better hosts.
Love and Blessings,
Manja a Machiritso