25/01: Clinic At Mamjarah Microcredit Group
This evening (Friday), we arrived at Mamjarah microcredit group at about 5pm. This group is an economic development project of the Anti-Poverty Initiative begun by Sebastian Ujereh. It has been operating successfully and growing steadily for six years.
Located very near to the Dakar Airport, this microcredit group consists of about 20 women who have a variety of small businesses including restaurants, and jewelry and fabric sales. Many of them prepare food in their homes and sell it to people at the airport. Others have small restaurants or stores in their homes. Some of the other women hold positions within the group such as treasurer and business manager.
During an introductory meeting where our team and all members and leaders of the microcredit group were present, we learned that this group is "the best". These are very hard working women who have developed a cohesive bond with each other based on mutual trust. The atmosphere seemed to be very communal. There were many children gathered around the building where we set up the clinic.
This time, we had a pharmacy. We also had a pharmacy in the first two clinics (in the villages). In the two prisons, we gave each patient's prescriptions to the prison authorities. The pharmacy area is the last step in the process. After meeting with Dr. Carol, the patient may be prescribed vitamins, calcium, or medications, based on Carol's diagnosis. Our team has brought vitamins, children's vitamins, calcium, and a supply of a few medicines to give to pateints. Other medicines the Carol may prescribe must be purchased by the patient at the local pharmacy. We give the patient the vitamins and/or medication and, with the help of translation, explain how it should be taken. As we put the little plastic bags in the patients' hands, we remember the hours that we spent counting the pills and filling those bags.
Cathy was a hit with the children when she took her Polaroid camera outside and began taking pictures of each child. At first, the children were so excited and curious that Cathy had to create a system to maintain order. She began photographing each child, writing "2008" on each picture, and giving the picture to the child. After a while, she began to take group and family shots, due to the high demand and limited packages of film. There were many smiles.
Most of the women spoke Wolof, so I made use of my mini dictionary. For instance "tuogulkai" (too-OH-gool-kai) means "come sit down". I used this phrase when I asked patients to sit down before taking their temperatures and blood pressures. It's fun to practice another language, even when I get it wrong. It becomes a good source of humor for everybody.
As the sun set, we planned to close the clinic because our space had no electricity. What a surprise when someone threaded an extension cord through the window and hung a lit bulb on a hook and gave us a couple of flashlights so that we could continue to see! Eventually we had reached our limit and closed the clinic, packed up and got on the bus.
Tomorrow morning we are off on the four hour bus ride to St. Louis ("San Lou-ee"). We will be spending the night in a hotel and returning on Sunday. Time to get some sleep. - NF
Located very near to the Dakar Airport, this microcredit group consists of about 20 women who have a variety of small businesses including restaurants, and jewelry and fabric sales. Many of them prepare food in their homes and sell it to people at the airport. Others have small restaurants or stores in their homes. Some of the other women hold positions within the group such as treasurer and business manager.
During an introductory meeting where our team and all members and leaders of the microcredit group were present, we learned that this group is "the best". These are very hard working women who have developed a cohesive bond with each other based on mutual trust. The atmosphere seemed to be very communal. There were many children gathered around the building where we set up the clinic.
This time, we had a pharmacy. We also had a pharmacy in the first two clinics (in the villages). In the two prisons, we gave each patient's prescriptions to the prison authorities. The pharmacy area is the last step in the process. After meeting with Dr. Carol, the patient may be prescribed vitamins, calcium, or medications, based on Carol's diagnosis. Our team has brought vitamins, children's vitamins, calcium, and a supply of a few medicines to give to pateints. Other medicines the Carol may prescribe must be purchased by the patient at the local pharmacy. We give the patient the vitamins and/or medication and, with the help of translation, explain how it should be taken. As we put the little plastic bags in the patients' hands, we remember the hours that we spent counting the pills and filling those bags.
Cathy was a hit with the children when she took her Polaroid camera outside and began taking pictures of each child. At first, the children were so excited and curious that Cathy had to create a system to maintain order. She began photographing each child, writing "2008" on each picture, and giving the picture to the child. After a while, she began to take group and family shots, due to the high demand and limited packages of film. There were many smiles.
Most of the women spoke Wolof, so I made use of my mini dictionary. For instance "tuogulkai" (too-OH-gool-kai) means "come sit down". I used this phrase when I asked patients to sit down before taking their temperatures and blood pressures. It's fun to practice another language, even when I get it wrong. It becomes a good source of humor for everybody.
As the sun set, we planned to close the clinic because our space had no electricity. What a surprise when someone threaded an extension cord through the window and hung a lit bulb on a hook and gave us a couple of flashlights so that we could continue to see! Eventually we had reached our limit and closed the clinic, packed up and got on the bus.
Tomorrow morning we are off on the four hour bus ride to St. Louis ("San Lou-ee"). We will be spending the night in a hotel and returning on Sunday. Time to get some sleep. - NF
laura Eggert wrote: