Here's my mailing address- just in case someone is inspired to write!
Laura Eliason
Associacao Rubatano
PO Box 454
Manica Chimoio
Mozambique
Friday, May 16, 2008
a whole different world
We have arrived in Mozambique! We landed in Beira on Sunday afternoon. One of the men from the mission came to pick us up, and drove us to Maforga mission- about a three hour drive seemingly into the middle of no where. We just kept driving and driving- we passed a few little villages, no towns, high grass and rolling hills. Once we got to Maforga (30 min outside of Chimoio) we drove about 3 km down this dirt road through a forest. We were a bit concerned- It barely looked like a road! It was better in daylight. We have a really cute little house that has a lovely veranda.
The area we live on is like a huge farm/saw mill/ school/ village/ church commune/baby clinic. We live right next door to a lady called 'Nana' who is a really cool, old retired RN and has been here most of her life. Every morning at 7:30am on the dot her sheep and cows are herded out of her corral and across our front yard to who knows where. There are also goats, chickens, guinea fowl, mosquitoes (we sleep under mozy nets) and little geckos. The other day Dara was cooking and she didn't know it but had a little lizard on her back- I about screamed!
Today we went out with two of the Rubatono home based care workers (who we will be working with closely). We were very impressed by them. Although their nursing knowledge is limited, they are very committed to their job. We went out with a young man named Adau today. He spoke English very well, and was a great interpreter for us. Every Tuesday and Friday Adau goes out and sees the same13 patients and orphans. It sometimes takes him 7 hours to see them all- walking or riding a bike.
We walked and walked and walked- It is rural here! We walked through little paths in fields of grass that were at least 12 feet tall- visiting little villages that you would picture when you think of Africa. I actually didn’t think these kind of places still existed. They cook over a fire, live in little round huts made of mud or bricks with straw roofs. Babies and kids EVERYWHERE. Little kids with babies on their backs. Lots of the kids have big tummys, have runny noses and wearing dirty clothes that are full of holes. Poorer than poor. I am humbled by some of the orphans that we met today- getting themselves washed and ready to walk to school all on their own. Wearing their cleanest clothes, and often not even having shoes- going to schools that are benches under straw awnings or trees.
It is overwhelming, but we are excited to start working. We’ll be able to give out medications, work with the hospitals and clinics, help with paperwork and different teams that are coming, and lots of other things. We will be busy!
The area we live on is like a huge farm/saw mill/ school/ village/ church commune/baby clinic. We live right next door to a lady called 'Nana' who is a really cool, old retired RN and has been here most of her life. Every morning at 7:30am on the dot her sheep and cows are herded out of her corral and across our front yard to who knows where. There are also goats, chickens, guinea fowl, mosquitoes (we sleep under mozy nets) and little geckos. The other day Dara was cooking and she didn't know it but had a little lizard on her back- I about screamed!
Today we went out with two of the Rubatono home based care workers (who we will be working with closely). We were very impressed by them. Although their nursing knowledge is limited, they are very committed to their job. We went out with a young man named Adau today. He spoke English very well, and was a great interpreter for us. Every Tuesday and Friday Adau goes out and sees the same13 patients and orphans. It sometimes takes him 7 hours to see them all- walking or riding a bike.
We walked and walked and walked- It is rural here! We walked through little paths in fields of grass that were at least 12 feet tall- visiting little villages that you would picture when you think of Africa. I actually didn’t think these kind of places still existed. They cook over a fire, live in little round huts made of mud or bricks with straw roofs. Babies and kids EVERYWHERE. Little kids with babies on their backs. Lots of the kids have big tummys, have runny noses and wearing dirty clothes that are full of holes. Poorer than poor. I am humbled by some of the orphans that we met today- getting themselves washed and ready to walk to school all on their own. Wearing their cleanest clothes, and often not even having shoes- going to schools that are benches under straw awnings or trees.
It is overwhelming, but we are excited to start working. We’ll be able to give out medications, work with the hospitals and clinics, help with paperwork and different teams that are coming, and lots of other things. We will be busy!
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