OUR WORK > cbm co-worker stories from West Africa > The Rainy Season
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The Rainy SeasonGreetings from Togo. We are in the midst of the Silly Season. This is a time when everything is in a constant state of change, and we mean everything.
The weather - it is rainy season, with regular large tropical downpours which should be replenishing the hydroelectric lakes; but, au contraire, the power cuts are getting worse. One wakes in the morning to the sound of generators, not birds.
The downpours are often associated with thunderstorms. Lightening can wreak havoc. We were in a hospital in the far north of Liberia last week, literally 500 metres from the Guinea border.
The hospital runs all the time on generators, but does not yet have lightening protector strips on its roof. When a thunderstorm approaches the generator is stopped to minimize any calamity, and you just have to stop whatever it is you are doing, including surgery, until the storm passes.
The work - it is fair to say that we are definitely not bored, every hour of every day brings its challenges; in fact, we often pray for some normality.
One of our German workers in Lome had acute pancreatitis three weeks ago. He became a lot worse over a couple of days and the decision was made to medically evacuate him. This was our first medical evacuation which as an adventure in itself.
Our work at the Eye Hospital in Lome continues, with more glimmers of hope. The staff is beginning to take on more responsibilities and the patients are coming in increasing numbers. The nurse who was particularly troublesome early on is now back working with us and so far, doing ok. We still feel the joy (and privilege) of being part of a team restoring peoples sight and even more, the joy and privilege of training and encouraging others to do the same.
God bless,
Tania and Neil<Back Forward> |
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