The last few days have provided opportunity to think about the great divide in medical care and other "creature comforts" that many of us are so accustomed to in the West. The children of my colleague Linnet have been ill this week. Brave had a high fever yesterday a.m. so Sylvain took him to the hospital. They gave him an injection, which lowered the fever, but it was going back up in the evening. Daniella ( 9 months) have been having congestion, coughing, fever for a month. the other day they prescribed something for her after a trip to the hospital, but they couldn't afford the $16 for the medication. I helped them with that. They don't really have medical insurance ( at least it doesn't seem it is at the level we are used to). The level of medical equipment, level of testing, types of medications, etc. seem for most to be at a level we would typically find sorely lacking.
Some visits this issue doesn't force me to stop and ponder, but this time it is. Many of you reading this have traveled to developing countries, and know of what I speak.
Yesterday I spend the afternoon at the home of my colleage Linnet. Sylvain and I were talking about the church and the differences between here in Africa and in the States. Temptations and struggles exist on the continent of Africa, and in the country of the U.S. but are so vastly different.
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Notes of activites of last week:
Was able to have new legs put on my glasses for $5. Somehow the spring in one leg broke a week ago, and made my glasses be crooked. Was VERY annoying. We found a place in town that put good nice looking legs on the glasses. I think the price and the very fact that I have glasses, and that I was SO annoyed by their crookedness gave me pause and has made me think. I imagine many here can't afford glasses, or their prescription is not quite right. Here I am, being glad I only have to spend $5 for new legs... when $5 is a likely a large amount to many.
Ok, yes, the activities... taught cataloging to three library staff here a bit over an hour each day. It is going well, and overall well received. I started talking about subject cataloging last Friday and will do more this week. They are not excited about this because it is slow, taxing details work. Please pray that I can explain it well for them, and that they will understand why they must do it correctly! The two assistants have not been doing it correctly , so it is crucial that I teach them well, and they will incorporate it.
also, please continue to pray that I can get the software loaded. By using that, they can look up the subject headings and dewey numbers, and it will make the cataloging go faster.
The container should arrive in about 3 weeks. It was slowed up in a couple ports.
Ok, I'd write more, but sleep calls.
Will try to write again before I leave to come back Saturday.
Happy Labor day.
Blessings,
Karen
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