Saturday, November 1, 2008

Saturday Novemberr 1

Hi All! Happy Halloween a day late and I do hope you are all well. These past few days have just flown by. We have visited with 2 Chiefs now, and another was interested in a health clinic. My priority though is with Chief Nana at Kyekyewere. We have had a number of visits with him and his elders and he has even come to the hotel to 'chat' on his way back to his palace after filling in for the Ashanti King (the King was in South Korea). Yesterday we met Chief Nana's family and discussed the clinic. An architect has drawn up plans and hopefully Chief Nana and I can discuss those before we depart Kumasi in Tuesday.

We have visited a health clinic and hospital (or did I tell you that already?). These were interesting and gave great examples of the standard of care along with how business is run. We also visited another village where sanitation facilities are in dire need. One little girl, about 3 or 4, took my hand and walked with me as we toured. I understand now why the people in the middle ages carried a pomander with them...fortunately a cold, kleenex and some patchouli helped in this visit.

Today we saw about 50+ patients at the Chief's palace in Kyekyewere. We could have seen more but between the heat, no lunch and being very tired...well, we had to stop. I was quite surprised to find the numbers of hypertensive adults is very low. But, they do exercise (walk everywhere) and have a low sodium diet for the most part. We gave out a lot of vitamins to adults and children who were with their parents. Some skin disorders were seen, actually one very interesting child with two sores about the size of a quarter on his left leg. Both sores had good granulation tissue although one did have some pus. Dr. Erin cleaned them up and referred him to the local clinic as she thought they may be due to an internal infection of sorts.

Thursday night we had a wonderful dinner with Sisters Irene, Jackie and Lorraine at their house which isn't too far from our hotel. They are lovely ladies and the evening flew by. As for food we have had a good mix of the local and pizza. Breakfasts can consist of omlet or sausage (wonderful but I won't ask what is in it!), toast (sometimes with mystery meat inside) and canned baked beans! Most days we don't get lunch as we are visiting or traveling. Then dinners may be of the local variety, chicken, vegetable rice, a salad with beans and mayo (no thank you there, the mayo sits out all day), baku ( a corn-like dumpling), talapia, or fufu. Thankfully, non dried fish...yet!

We have seen all kinds of sites in and around Kumasi and will get some pictures posted probably when we get back to the US. It is a little difficult to do that here. We did get to the cultural center for about an hour a few days ago and such beautiful hand work from jewlery, to prints, baskets, batiks....carvings.

And....I must share this with you all before I leave for the evening..yesterday I was made a Queen Mother! This is quite an honor...I even got to sit on the 'stool' used for Chief's and Kings! I was presented with my own Kuente cloth 'outfit" at Madame at the hotel has provided me with dress jewlery (necklace and bracelet ) and everyday bracelet that signifies a Queen Mother.

Edward, our driver, is great. He takes such good care of us, translates and keeps us in the know!

So, while we have along way to go, Life is going well here in Ghana and I am pleased with the progress we are making in discussions. That is very important in the clinic establishment. Each day is a new adventure...and each night I collapse into bed and awaken to the Muslem Mosque across the street (that is at 4AM! then 5AM)! Truly a cultural melting pot on our little block.

So...we will go to a celebration at Pastor Ben's church tomorrow afternoon. And in the morning take a little side trip to visit the local lake. We are in need of a break and relaxation.

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