Diapers and Stethoscopes and Rain, Oh My!

Dear Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving for Thursday from Beira.

It is raining in Southern Africa, the mangoes are ready, and everyone is planting!!
It is POURING. The  roof of the new clinic is leaking all over the receptionists. The clinic driveway is a quagmire and will require 10,000$ US to shore up. And the sheet metal roof blew off the medical school when a big storm came through. All the slums are like a lake around the peoples’ homes. It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow.

The news from Zimbabwe is, “It is a little better. It is picking up. We are still surviving.”  All through the ‘80’s  till 1992, Zimbabwe was full of Mozambiquans seeking safety, food, jobs and shelter.  Now Mozambique is full of Zimbabweans looking for the same.
Last year when the inflation peaked, there was no money, no food or goods in the shops, everyone lost their savings in the banks, and their pensions. Can you imagine, the nurses, teachers, and everyone, had to walk across to Mozambique, try to sell something/anything, to get a little money to buy some food.

Our old hospital on the border between the two countries (in Zimbabwe) has held on and we saw many old friends. They are not complaining. They are hoping for a change in government and economics. The school at Mt. Selinda had to shut down last year due to no food, salaries etc.
Now the official salary for everyone..nurses, teachers, doctors, staff, is 150$ US per month. Education is not free and universal so school fees must be paid. Food, electricity and everything is expensive. So no one can get ahead. Zimbabwe was once described as the jewel of Africa!

The Mt Selinda orphanage had 25 children when we were there. Now there are 46 children- 8 infants. At night there is only one staff on duty.  Diapers are few and now they don’t dry because of the rains.

I am now going to start a campaign to raise some money for diapers for the Orphans at Mt Selinda. I will also try to collect stethoscopes and BP cuffs for the hospital as they have all broken.  And I am still collecting embroidery thread for the nun’s project here in Beira.

Will be back in Orono mid December briefly. Look forward to seeing you all.  Have heard Naomi has the nurse’s office computerized!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break. 
All the Best to you all, 
Emily