Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Getting ready to leave
The 2010 team is getting ready to leave for Burkina Faso on Friday, January 8th. Watch for more updates soon!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Musings from Burkina-John McClung
Its Sunday evening and tomorrow we will begin our trip back to the U.S., to Corsicana and to familiar surroundings. What an adventure it has been with many new experiences and, most importantly, new friends and hopefully a new me. You cannot go through a week like we just have and not have it effect you on many levels. I happen to believe that even when you are doing something for someone else, that you really are doing it for yourself even if you don't realize it at the time. I know that what we all have learned and experienced on this trip will come into play in our future and make each of us a better Christian.
Want to start a party? Just kick a couple of soccer balls into any group of kids on this planet (and probably any other)and the chances are pretty good someone is going to kick it again and again and perhaps again. Ed had the idea to buy three balls and on Tuesday we did just that; went out and kicked Ed's balls around. I decided to take a break from being the local drug dealer and went outside to be with the children. As soon as the first ball went into the air kids started coming out from everywhere. About 20 of them converged on the ball and the game was on. There wasn't any soccer pitch or goals, just all the kids trying as hard as they could to get in a kick. They were all over the place and having a great time. It sort of looked like a bunch of black hornets chasing something they were mad at. Anyway, we became quite popular and drew a crowd of smiling faces everytime we came outside. It was also great entertainment for their parents waiting to get into the clinic. If there was a barrier between us and them before, it was a barrier no longer.
Although it had been 30 years since I had played the game I am proud to report that my skills really had not diminished much. I attribute that to the fact that I really did not have any soccerskill 30 years ago but I can verify that I am much older, heavier and slower. About the only thing I was quicker at was that I was out of breath much sooner. As we were preparing to leave that evening I was surrounded by the children wanting to play. Since the soccer ball was no where to be found, I started kicking a big plastic empty water bottle that was on the ground (apparently picking up trash is not a common practice in this country) and the game was on again. We didn't need no stinkin' ball.
Somehow, five of us ended up in the back of a pickup for the ride back to town that evening. I had the thought that everyone who saw us riding back there with our black driver was thinking, "Hey, that guy must be doing pretty good. Just look at his crew of white guys riding in the back of his truck". It was tough coming in though because of the smoke from the bikes and burning trash in the sewers. Several of us had some breathing problems plus, I think I was still winded from the soccer game six hours earlier.
As it turns out, there was a soocer field there in Yamga. In fact we drove across it the next day to go to the clinic. The reason it is hard to recognize as a field is that there is no grass and its about five miles from goal to the other. After a couple of minutes I turned that game over to the kids and stumbled back to the clinic for drugs. I didn't care what they gave me; I only wanted to stop hurting and die in peace. I was also ready for the last rites, having a corkscrew (always be prepared) but did we bring any wine? Hell no!
I haven't read the other writings on the blog but am sure they describe our trip to the other village on Thursday and Friday- 40 miles of bad road followed by 40 more miles of really bad road. The clinic was nice and we really got a lot of people through it in two days. The area looked more like what I always pictured Africa to look like-Kansas without the black plastic bags everyone here seems to be afraid to pick and throw away. On Friday we were visited by some government officials from the labor department and we considered complaining about our low wages and working conditions.
I mentioned experiences earlier and would like to add that one experience I will not miss is the sleeping on a box spring every night. Although I am starting to get use to it, I am looking forward to getting back to my bed at home.
I have to go now; my box spring is calling me and I need rest before the 378 hours it will take for us to get home so I can go shopping.
Peace,
John
P.S.
We also have been doing one of my least favorite pastimes along with being kicked in the groin and that is shopping. I have found it to be really annoying when you really don't have the foggiest idea what salesperson is saying to you (which also happens to me alot in America)and although I thought of buying something for each and every one of you; I didn't.
Want to start a party? Just kick a couple of soccer balls into any group of kids on this planet (and probably any other)and the chances are pretty good someone is going to kick it again and again and perhaps again. Ed had the idea to buy three balls and on Tuesday we did just that; went out and kicked Ed's balls around. I decided to take a break from being the local drug dealer and went outside to be with the children. As soon as the first ball went into the air kids started coming out from everywhere. About 20 of them converged on the ball and the game was on. There wasn't any soccer pitch or goals, just all the kids trying as hard as they could to get in a kick. They were all over the place and having a great time. It sort of looked like a bunch of black hornets chasing something they were mad at. Anyway, we became quite popular and drew a crowd of smiling faces everytime we came outside. It was also great entertainment for their parents waiting to get into the clinic. If there was a barrier between us and them before, it was a barrier no longer.
Although it had been 30 years since I had played the game I am proud to report that my skills really had not diminished much. I attribute that to the fact that I really did not have any soccerskill 30 years ago but I can verify that I am much older, heavier and slower. About the only thing I was quicker at was that I was out of breath much sooner. As we were preparing to leave that evening I was surrounded by the children wanting to play. Since the soccer ball was no where to be found, I started kicking a big plastic empty water bottle that was on the ground (apparently picking up trash is not a common practice in this country) and the game was on again. We didn't need no stinkin' ball.
Somehow, five of us ended up in the back of a pickup for the ride back to town that evening. I had the thought that everyone who saw us riding back there with our black driver was thinking, "Hey, that guy must be doing pretty good. Just look at his crew of white guys riding in the back of his truck". It was tough coming in though because of the smoke from the bikes and burning trash in the sewers. Several of us had some breathing problems plus, I think I was still winded from the soccer game six hours earlier.
As it turns out, there was a soocer field there in Yamga. In fact we drove across it the next day to go to the clinic. The reason it is hard to recognize as a field is that there is no grass and its about five miles from goal to the other. After a couple of minutes I turned that game over to the kids and stumbled back to the clinic for drugs. I didn't care what they gave me; I only wanted to stop hurting and die in peace. I was also ready for the last rites, having a corkscrew (always be prepared) but did we bring any wine? Hell no!
I haven't read the other writings on the blog but am sure they describe our trip to the other village on Thursday and Friday- 40 miles of bad road followed by 40 more miles of really bad road. The clinic was nice and we really got a lot of people through it in two days. The area looked more like what I always pictured Africa to look like-Kansas without the black plastic bags everyone here seems to be afraid to pick and throw away. On Friday we were visited by some government officials from the labor department and we considered complaining about our low wages and working conditions.
I mentioned experiences earlier and would like to add that one experience I will not miss is the sleeping on a box spring every night. Although I am starting to get use to it, I am looking forward to getting back to my bed at home.
I have to go now; my box spring is calling me and I need rest before the 378 hours it will take for us to get home so I can go shopping.
Peace,
John
P.S.
We also have been doing one of my least favorite pastimes along with being kicked in the groin and that is shopping. I have found it to be really annoying when you really don't have the foggiest idea what salesperson is saying to you (which also happens to me alot in America)and although I thought of buying something for each and every one of you; I didn't.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Zabre Day 1
Yesterday, and again today, we are working in Zabre village. Zabre is about 200 km from Ouagadougou, and takes about three hours by car.
You drive South from the city about 60 km on a paved highway built by Taiwan. All of the sudden, the road changes from pavement to red dirt. It is not just any red dirt, but some of it is washboard, some of it is flat, but much of it is pitted. They say they hope to have the road fixed in time for the rainy season, so that it can wash out again. Needless to say, it is a long tough ride. You wind up driving on both sides of the road to go around pot holes and sink holes that would swallow the car. Not to mention the omnipresent bikes, mopeds, donkey carts and walkers who are doing the same.
When you come to a town or village on this highway, the entire road is covered with people shopping and trading. It is almost like driving into a parade happening in the middle of I-35. The dust made by the cars limits visibility. Add to that darkness, and it is almost impossible to get back safely.
Once we made it to Zabre, we were introduced to the school leaders and teachers. It was a great sight to help see the school we helped to build. Currently, there are 265 students enrolled.
First, we set up the clinic, and immediatey the crowds came. You will notice on the pictures how they crowded the porch. One older man, was very upset about not being seen in the order he wanted, and almost stirred the crowd up to a riot. Fortunately, the local pastor, and Ram calmed him down. Eventually, we cordoned off the porch, and handed out numbers. When we go back today, these numbers will determine who will be seen first.
Interestingly, the people of Zabre are much healthier than the ones in Yagma. The place, aside from the ubiquitous garbage bags in much cleaner. Also, they have more rain and can grow more food. Ram feeds the children of the school everyday, so they look much better than the children of Yagma.
Part of our crowd control on Friday, will be a meal of rice and goat that we, the team, have purchased for the village. We will feed them all for about $75, and give them a special meal they may not have had for some time.
A highlight for me was to be able to address the school students. The absolute joy they have for school is amazing. I tried to encourage them to finish school and go to university, and told them the more they learn, the more they can help Zabre.
We are off to Zabre again. I am posting more pictures in a different post, so please check them out.
You drive South from the city about 60 km on a paved highway built by Taiwan. All of the sudden, the road changes from pavement to red dirt. It is not just any red dirt, but some of it is washboard, some of it is flat, but much of it is pitted. They say they hope to have the road fixed in time for the rainy season, so that it can wash out again. Needless to say, it is a long tough ride. You wind up driving on both sides of the road to go around pot holes and sink holes that would swallow the car. Not to mention the omnipresent bikes, mopeds, donkey carts and walkers who are doing the same.
When you come to a town or village on this highway, the entire road is covered with people shopping and trading. It is almost like driving into a parade happening in the middle of I-35. The dust made by the cars limits visibility. Add to that darkness, and it is almost impossible to get back safely.
Once we made it to Zabre, we were introduced to the school leaders and teachers. It was a great sight to help see the school we helped to build. Currently, there are 265 students enrolled.
First, we set up the clinic, and immediatey the crowds came. You will notice on the pictures how they crowded the porch. One older man, was very upset about not being seen in the order he wanted, and almost stirred the crowd up to a riot. Fortunately, the local pastor, and Ram calmed him down. Eventually, we cordoned off the porch, and handed out numbers. When we go back today, these numbers will determine who will be seen first.
Interestingly, the people of Zabre are much healthier than the ones in Yagma. The place, aside from the ubiquitous garbage bags in much cleaner. Also, they have more rain and can grow more food. Ram feeds the children of the school everyday, so they look much better than the children of Yagma.
Part of our crowd control on Friday, will be a meal of rice and goat that we, the team, have purchased for the village. We will feed them all for about $75, and give them a special meal they may not have had for some time.
A highlight for me was to be able to address the school students. The absolute joy they have for school is amazing. I tried to encourage them to finish school and go to university, and told them the more they learn, the more they can help Zabre.
We are off to Zabre again. I am posting more pictures in a different post, so please check them out.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Last Day in Yagma, Off to Zabre
Yesterday (the 21st) was our last day in Yagma village. We treated over one hundred patients. We saw lots of adults and children with parasites, dysentary, and other illnesses. What was amazing was the way in which we could go to the local "pharmacie" and for $80 could buy enough medicine for many, many people.
One the great realizations you make as a Westerner when you come here is that so many problems could be solved with basic hygiene. It's not that the people are dirty, it's that they really have no understanding of what we might call the cycle of infection. To illustrate, the bathroom for the whole village is a pit dug by the government. On top of the pit they place a concrete slab with four holes in it. Above that they place a half wall for a little privacy. Not too bad except for the bats that live in the pit, and the snakes that come to eat the bats at night. The problem is that this facility is only for adults. The youngest children do not use it. In fact, the youngest children only wear a shirt, and thus relieve themselves wherever they are standing, even on a couple of us as the day wore on.
If a child has a parasite, and the accompanying diarhhea, the just go where they are standing. In a five minute timeframe I saw a sick child with diarhhea go on the ground, and walk off. Then one of the guinea hens (a key food source) came over and was eating the feces, and then one of the dogs chased off the hen and was doing the same. Talk about spreading the infection and keeping it around.
The other fascinating part was to see the inside of a couple of homes. They are immaculately clean. The problem is that they just sweep all the trash outside. The whole village looks like it is growing a bumper crop of black plastic bags on the ground. One wonders what could be done with a couple of 55 gallon containers marked for plastic bags.
We had so many people waiting at the clinic, that we had to feed them. We got them dried figs in five gallon containers, and some beans and rice. We told the local peanut vendor to give every person in the village a bag of peanuts. About 300 bags for $5.00.
In the City, the sanitation is not much better. We are staying in a"3 star" hotel as rates by the Burkina government. It is not connected to a sewer. Rather a truck pulls up every day to dump the waste. The city has open sewers on every street, into which the people sweep their trash. At dusk, the people light the sewers on fire which produces such a toxic smoke and smell that you can barely breathe. It covers the whole city like a fog for a couple of hours each night.
I also now understand the idea of it takes a village to raise a child. While there does not seem to be too much interaction bewteen parents and their children who are over three years old, every or any parent can control the crowd of 100 kids with a single word. They will instantly quiet down and do precisely as they are told. The men in the village stand back, and observe, but do not get too involved with anything.
Today we are off to Zabre village. This is where we have built a church and a school. It is three hours each way to Zabre, so we are leaving at 645 am. We have to leave Zabre at 4:00 pm, because it is not safe to drive on country roads after dark.
Will post more later, with pictures of Zabre. Keep up the prayers, they are working.
One the great realizations you make as a Westerner when you come here is that so many problems could be solved with basic hygiene. It's not that the people are dirty, it's that they really have no understanding of what we might call the cycle of infection. To illustrate, the bathroom for the whole village is a pit dug by the government. On top of the pit they place a concrete slab with four holes in it. Above that they place a half wall for a little privacy. Not too bad except for the bats that live in the pit, and the snakes that come to eat the bats at night. The problem is that this facility is only for adults. The youngest children do not use it. In fact, the youngest children only wear a shirt, and thus relieve themselves wherever they are standing, even on a couple of us as the day wore on.
If a child has a parasite, and the accompanying diarhhea, the just go where they are standing. In a five minute timeframe I saw a sick child with diarhhea go on the ground, and walk off. Then one of the guinea hens (a key food source) came over and was eating the feces, and then one of the dogs chased off the hen and was doing the same. Talk about spreading the infection and keeping it around.
The other fascinating part was to see the inside of a couple of homes. They are immaculately clean. The problem is that they just sweep all the trash outside. The whole village looks like it is growing a bumper crop of black plastic bags on the ground. One wonders what could be done with a couple of 55 gallon containers marked for plastic bags.
We had so many people waiting at the clinic, that we had to feed them. We got them dried figs in five gallon containers, and some beans and rice. We told the local peanut vendor to give every person in the village a bag of peanuts. About 300 bags for $5.00.
In the City, the sanitation is not much better. We are staying in a"3 star" hotel as rates by the Burkina government. It is not connected to a sewer. Rather a truck pulls up every day to dump the waste. The city has open sewers on every street, into which the people sweep their trash. At dusk, the people light the sewers on fire which produces such a toxic smoke and smell that you can barely breathe. It covers the whole city like a fog for a couple of hours each night.
I also now understand the idea of it takes a village to raise a child. While there does not seem to be too much interaction bewteen parents and their children who are over three years old, every or any parent can control the crowd of 100 kids with a single word. They will instantly quiet down and do precisely as they are told. The men in the village stand back, and observe, but do not get too involved with anything.
Today we are off to Zabre village. This is where we have built a church and a school. It is three hours each way to Zabre, so we are leaving at 645 am. We have to leave Zabre at 4:00 pm, because it is not safe to drive on country roads after dark.
Will post more later, with pictures of Zabre. Keep up the prayers, they are working.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
More Pictures
Here's a link to some more pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/frmonk/Day2InYagmaByFrEd?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/frmonk/Day2InYagmaByFrEd?feat=directlink
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