Tuesday 03/07/07

On Sunday went to hospital with director because she got an urgent phone call saying come and pick up a new-born asap. When we got to the childrens hospital we were taken into a ward with about 30 people crammed into a small space with kids lying on beds and parents sleeping on the floor at their bedside. We were taken into a small room at the back of the ward where there were 2 cribs and a lady sleeping on the floor. The lady who called us showed us the crib with the baby - I wanted to take a photo but thought it might be inappropriate!...in the bed was a tiny, very pale baby weighing approximately 1.5 pounds she had some kind of tube in her hand and lo and behold on this tiny crib with the baby was a kerosene lamp...yes a kerosene lamp with a mosquito net draped over the top!!! Apparantly they are trying to simulate an incubator because they do not have one in the hospital! Apart from being a fire hazard it also gave off smelly and dangerous fumes for such a small premature baby! They were also giving the baby cows milk as they didnt have any formula! So the next day someone went back to give them some formula. We couldnt take the baby with us as the nessecary paperwork hadnt been completed and the police had not been contacted regarding the abandonment of this baby - here it is a criminal offence to abandon a baby anywhere except in a hospital. So we will have to see what happens to this baby.
Today, I visited a village with some people from the orphanage - I was there to take photos for a project that is being set up in order to help the local community...more about that another time.
News from the cases that went to court on Friday...the judge was very positive and upbeat - even talking personally to the adopting parents - something which has never happened before. So the final ruling takes place this Friday and this will determine whether 3 families can take their kids home!!
Pray for Hope who was been her 18 months trying to get Phin home, things seem stuck on the US side as she has beem granted full legal guardianship.
I have been asked to teach some kids how to read a few hours after school a couple of times a week. So I will try amd teach them phonics as they do not learn this at school.
Yesterday, on my way home I saw what might be an Iguana!! it was about 1 metre long and a very light green colour! It was very beautiful and I was surprised to see it - but anything can happen in Africa right?
It would seem that I am allergic to mosquito bites - which would explain why they swell up so much!