Chaos and tranquility

Yesterday we went to Saint Herbert’s school in Souza which has roughly a thousand students. No joke. Now I realize my high school had about twelve-hundred students… but these kids were all ages: preschool to seniors in high school. Maybe it was so overwhelming because they were swarming us, or perhaps because school was let out early and there were no teachers to be found. In any case, Team Malaria went in with our game faces to teach an enormous, packed classroom (at least a hundred kids) about how to prevent malaria and what to do if you get sick. Our teaching went well—and then came malaria tag. I would describe it as chaos… but it was worse than that. And not in a good way. Just when we had given up, feeling like complete failures, a young girl came up and very politely asked if mosquito nets still work if there’s a hole in it. (The answer, for those of you who may be wondering, is yes, if the net has been impregnated with insecticide the net will still deter mosquitoes) But in that moment, it was all worth it. Out of the craziness and chaos, this little girl learned something that will help keep her healthy.

Mission accomplished.

Did I mention that we were able to buy 500 malaria nets to hand out while we’re here?! (Another big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make it possible)

We held an open clinic at our house in Mangamba today which was very draining. I did assessments all day and my heart strings were being pulled every-which-way. Of the many stories that touched my heart today I think one that stuck out to me was an albino girl who had come in. She wasn’t even my patient officially but I am always concerned about 1) protecting her fair skin and 2) the social isolation that can accompany being different. We were able to provide her with a nice sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. I watched the mother watch her daughter as she was bestowed with these various forms of sun protection. The mother looked so happy and proud of her daughter, it brought tears to my eyes.

After a full day of assessments Paula, Julie and I went for a walk and ran into a friend we’ve made here in the village named Emillinne. She invited us into her home to sit, visit and play with the children. It was absolutely lovely, watching the sunset, playing peek-a-boo and hearing about this amazing young woman’s story. She has lived a life that I can’t even imagine. Twenty-one years old with three kids and just leaving an abusive husband without a way to support herself? I can’t even imagine what that would be like. The four of us took a stroll along the village trails, each with a babe in arms and it just fit. I feel so connected to the community here—I just love it!