Last night at the hospital...not one patient...it was very slow and hot. The staff brings out mats, and we sleep on the floor. It is funny to see all the lights out and not a soul in sight. We had had a very busy day rearranging the storage closet. We found mega boxes of supplies. Must have had 40 ambu bags and no oxygen. There were also a lot of sorely needed sheets and baby clothes. It took a long time but we have a better idea of what is not needed.
Today we also taught a class. We have 12 midwifery students, and we talked about large for dates and small for dates babies. Then had a great discussion about the Luna beads and sexuality...there seems to be a universal want to talk about sex. There were lots of giggles and questions from the students.
We went to Azile again and fed babies. I continue to be amazed at the number of babies there are. Row after row all in little cribs reaching out. I saw many of the children had neurological insults. I also saw a little girl with horrible burns on her thighs and bottom...must have sat in the fire. She had flies all over her but did not cry...just held my hand. The children are often from families that cannot keep due to lack of food so they are here temporarily. They plan to return to get them when they can. The children all have umbilical hernias. It appears to be very common here. One little boy about 5 pick pocketed me while I was feeding a baby...then he pulled my barrette out of my hair...he was all over me climbing on me. I never seem to get enough time to hold these children. The nuns that run this place are wonderful. The facility is also a shelter for HIV infected individuals.. This is the same order as mother Teresa.
Tomorrow we go to Cange, where Paul Farmers hospital is. I am dying to see it after reading the book. As we were leaving the orphanage, the nuns cornered us. They want us to return tomorrow to label medicine bottles...how can you say no to a nun?
We did mange to get out and walk and stop for a beer. Also the dogs here bark all night....
