Day 2 of clinics. The rest of the team was starting to refine how they ran the clinics. Everyone was finding their niche, and I still wasn’t sure where or how I was going to fit in. Being in a new region, and not wanting to be in the way, I decide to go explore. The country side was beautiful and I had seen children attending school under a tree. How picturesque.

There was a primary school and a secondary school building, but on the grounds they were also building church.

There weren’t any kids to play with, as they were all in school, and I didn’t want to disturb them today.

Half way through the morning, I found myself helping out in the pharmacy.

 I had discovered that by dispensing the medicine, the pharmacy team could work a little faster. I had also started working really well with my translator, and by lunch had found my groove.  We saw so many more people today than yesterday, even before lunch. Some of the children were really sick.

Rachel (our PICU nurse) worked for 2 hours to bring a fever down for a little baby.

Dr. Mike met with one mother and son. The mother clearly announced that her son was deaf and dumb. End of story. But, she had to have been somewhat concerned about him, because she still brought him in to be seen. Dr. Mike was the best person to evaluate him. He looked at the little boy, and it was clear that he wasn’t dumb. Very bright actually. But in his short 4 hears of life, he had had very little communication with anyone (including his own family), as no one knows how to sign, and in rural villages he isn’t going to be able to learn.

The ladies of the village made us lunch again (which they start early in the morning, and cook over an open fire). Again, we had boiled potatoes, rice, and something on top. The soda was a nice touch, and the pineapple and mango were delicious!

Haha.. a quick shot to see how dirty everyone’s shoes are. o far, not so bad!

After lunch, we were VERY busy! We saw the highest risk patients: Mothers with young children, and the elderly. We probably doubled our patient count after lunch.

And by the end of the day, everyone was exhausted. Every time we thought we were finished for the day, someone would let in another 10-20 people in to be seen. I think we packed up the pharmacy 4 times.

After leaving the village, we drove back to the hotel, ate dinner, packed up meds for the next day, and crashed.