The day starts before the birds do, there is still mist outside, the grass is cold and wet with dew, it’s time to start packing and set off for the next community. All that is heard is the zipping up of tents and bags. A metal pot is nestled on a small gas stove, a hot cup of sweet tea is all that is needed to keep the “wolves away” in the early morning. Once finished, Nurse Pauline with Peter, CHAT’s driver, pile into the yellow land rover and make their way to their next community, this could be as close as 50km or as far as 150 km or more usually following off road tracks and trails.
It’s a long drive, the team is always relieved to arrive at the next community. The fun doesn’t stop yet! First in order is to find a good place to set up the simple clinic for the day. This can be from setting up the treatment tables under a big shady tree (shade-less depending on the weather) to finding empty classrooms or kiosks big enough to fit in everything including Pauline herself and a patient. They begin unpacking the medicine and set up the two rickety metal tables, Peter sets up the tent nearby for private services.
Not only is Peter CHAT’s driver, he is an excellent mobiliser. Pauline won’t be seeing him for a while, which is just fine as Susan, Community Own Resource Person (CORPs) had “backpacked” from her home community to mobilize here for a few days, she had come up with a number of people who needed our services; from family planning, HIV/AIDS counseling and testing (HCT), TB information to basic curatives. Susan works alongside CHAT with a performance based MOU after CHAT facilitated her training.
Evelyn came to Pauline with her 18 year old daughter, Mary. Mary got pregnant while she was in school. She has a child who is only three months old. Mary had an accident some time ago which has left her with a problem with her leg making it difficult to do normal day to day tasks, her mother has to help her with her child and many other house hold duties daily.
Evelyn explained that she wants Mary to go back to school, the child will be cared for but they are both afraid Mary will not manage with another child on board. Nurse Pauline having listened, took the time to explain each FP method. After some time Mary decided that she wanted the 3 year implant; after receiving the implant she was excited about going back to school - she had a smile from ear to ear.
Evelyn asked Pauline for her mobile phone number so she could keep in touch with her, she hopes that Pauline will return to visit them. Mary was also given Susan’s, CHAT’s FPCORP’s number. Small displays of thanks and appreciation really make it worthwhile, even the day seems less hot!
Tummies are rumbling, when is it lunch time? The team doesn’t stop for lunch, there are patients waiting to be treated. They will wait until the evening when they have time to prepare a meal.
Before night falls they set up camp for the night. Bags come out and the same zipping noise is heard. Peter shares with Pauline that they provided services to 78 impoverished people yesterday – 96% wanted family planning ecological awareness services – 55 chose the 3 year implant method of contraception method!
Another day well spent, thank you for all your kind donations that make these ventures possible!
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