L'Esperance Orphanage

Several of the volunteers who weren't medically trained worked at the Orphanage. Many hands are always in need there. They were building a retaining wall while our volunteers were there. They have quite the orchard well underway. There was some pruning to be done. And then of course, there was always time for the children. They are bright eyed, full of enthusiasm, energy, and most of all joy. The incredible positive energy that one feels as soon as you enter the gates, is immeasurable. http://www.lesperancerwanda.org/

Surgical Day 1 Sunday July13th

Our first call to surgery was for a C-Section. We had just finished setting up our supply room, we were ready. Thanks to the master organizaional skills of Linda, our Scrub Nurse, Mickey, our Recovery Room Nurse and her husband John, and me, we were on it. There were many moments of utilizing other sutures, retractors, whatever the improvisation needed, Dr. Carole Christensen figured it out and all was good. In the end she delivered a beautiful 4 Kilo baby girl. Mom and baby did very well. It was a bit nerve racking for me, the Nursery Nurse to improvise and find items to dry the baby and keep her warm. As these aren't intuitive measures normally provided right away, here. Recovery Room is basically non-existent. It is a regular room shared with two other Mother's and their newborns. As well as the families that provide food, linen's, and comfort for their loved ones. It is basic at it's best. Occasionally they have running water, no bathrooms, in this building, no electrical outlets. The families were grateful for the baby blankets and hats that were provided by many busy hands from the Denver area.

Day one ended with three surgeries completed. All patients did very well. The staff at Mugonero Hospital were very helpful and interested in our care. It was a satisfying first day of work.

Our surgical team comprised a Dr. from Rwanda, Tao, the anesthesiologist(only one of eleven in the entire country). A resident, studying to become an OB/GYN, Jean. They were skilled and very helpful in translating for us, when needed. Which was all the time! They were both very gentle, interesting and quiet men. Here is a picture of us on our last day in Mugonero. Top Row: John, Ellen, Jean, Carole. Bottom: Mickey, Linda, Tao.

On Our Way

On July 9th, we started our adventure to Rwanda. Overall, the trip was uneventful. We arrived in Kigali on July 12th. We arrived, our luggage didn't. Prepared for such an event, we continued on to the town and hospital of Mugonero. A three hour drive from Kigali, the countryside was so beautiful. Known as the land of a thousand hills, we were captivated by the beauty. People walking everywhere along the road. Everything from water containers, to unopened umbrella's, to clay pots on their heads. And yes, my personal favorite, the backpack, being carried on their heads. The lovely women, colorful in their native dress, sack of potato's on their head, baby on their back, and a child holding their hand. You get the sense that their days are long and hard.