Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but just after Thanksgiving, a Cholera outbreak happen in Zimbabwe. We have been really busy dispensing cholera medication, special water filtration systems and teaching classes on how to prevent Cholera since then. Cholera is a disease that causes diarrhea that is so severe that death can occur in as little as 8 hours. The interesting thing about cholera is it is a fairly weak bacteria, the treatment is hydration and 1 dose of doxycycline. You get cholera from drinking water that has been contaminated with the bacteria. It is not spread though the air or from contact. Our first step was to institute guidelines for the missionaries on how to prevent Cholera. We then arranged for a cholera vaccine to be shipped in(this vaccine is not available in US) from France. The vaccine has to be fridgerated, so we filled suit cases with Styrofoam boxes and ice packs and the vaccine and boarded a plane headed for Zimbabwe.
Upon arriving we found our hotel had no water and were going to be put up in an apt. that had a well. We had to go to a facet, across the street, with buckets fill them up and fill the bath tub with water. This was used to flush the toilets and for bucket bath. The next problem was no electricity for the 7 days we were there! You needed the electricity to boil the water to make it safe to drink. We drank bottle water and took cold bucket baths! No wonder they have cholera!
We met with the embassy people who told us all the public hospital were now closed for lack of supplies, private hospitals had very little supplies, and they didn't feel that the cholera outbreak would peak until March -April when the rainy season was over! Statistic are not very good here, but an estimated 250,000 have died. They think it is at least double or triple that!
With the lack of water and other governmental problems, the local people are starving here.
The church has dig up all the land and grass around the church buildings
, have planted gardens for the members. We also provide water for the gardens.
, have planted gardens for the members. We also provide water for the gardens.
6 comments:
WOW, what an experience! Another reason to count our many blessings.
and we are to come visit you?
goodness-
how gratifying it must be to be able to help in making such a difference in the lives of these people and the missionaries serving there.
you are going to miss this mission when you are through.
It really does make you look at your life and realize how blessed we are to be in America. It was great to talk to you today! Glad you are back safe!
I just talked to Aunt Gloria at Nanette's funeral, (which is still hard to believe and harder to say), but she talked about your great mission to Africa. How exciting, rewarding, and scary! I loved reading about your adventures. Hope you are having a great time and be safe. Love ya!
Kathy Grant Peterson (Joey and Lakays daughter)
I love reading about your experiences. How great to be able to help the missionaries and the local people.
i love reading all the details of what you guys are doing there. what a neat experience.
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