Leaving Tamale

New addition to the hospital

Thursday was our last day working at Tamale Teaching Hospital. We spent the majority of the morning traveling to each unit to hand out gloves, hand sanitizer, masks, and any other equipment we could carry with us in our luggage. The NICU nurse was especially thankful for our donation. She said they haven't had any gloves in days and God Bless us because we came at just the right time.

Dropping off extra supplies in the Emergency Department

Baby break- not often we see a chubby one around here

One really nice event that I am glad we got to witness was the groundbreaking ceremony – “sod cutting”- of what is going to be the new NICU. That NICU really needs some help so it was a great addition to the hospital. They say about 30million babies are born yearly, but about 10-15 million of them die as neonates- at least half from preventable causes. What a shame. I think the new facilities will help the nurses have what they need to care for these kids. My favorite part of the ceremony was a cultural dance, called Bamaya. It was one of the coolest performances I’ve ever seen. I asked what was the meaning of the dance and learned that it is a sort of rain dance. They used to perform this dance in hopes of ending the drought (and apparently it worked!). I have tried to capture it on film, but the video clip does it the most justice.

We also made our rounds and started saying goodbye to everyone. One resident, Hectoria, bought us gifts.

When we got home, unfortunately it was time to begin packing. Victoria, Hamza’s cousin, generously volunteered to take our extra items to the local orphanage. We all had items or clothes that we were either ready to give away, or brought for that very purpose (hence why I had 3 bags when I first came). I only wish I had brought all the things I had at home that would be suitable. I realize now that it doesn’t matter if the dresses are sleeveless or short or whatever- they will just put it on a smaller child. That being said, and by no means is this a solicitation, but now that I have a specific contact person, if anyone is interested in giving old things overseas, but never did because you weren’t sure if your stuff was going to those who need it the most, feel free to send it to my house in Louisville and I will make sure it gets to the right people. No pressure at all. Just a thought.

Jonathan couldn't get the pesky handle down on his suitcase. So he elected to run straight into the wall- it was HILARIOUS. 

Just some of our orphanage pile

 We also took some photos with our family here in Ghana. I just had to leave my UNO cards with Mama Merci. She loved them too much. Thanks to Jonathan for the idea. She wanted to play last night so Jonathan and I did; we were trying desperately to let her win, but she unfortunately kept losing. We even peeked at her cards so that we could intentionally sabotage ourselves, but it didn’t work.

I can’t figure out what I will miss the most. I know that what I love most about Ghana is the people.

(What I dislike the most is bugs, but I digress.)

I will miss the smiles on the children’s faces & the waves daily as we walk to & through the hospital.

I will miss Bertina asking every single morning if I would like toast, and then cook it nicely so I don’t have to eat my burnt version.

I will miss Jonathan making me laugh every single day.

I will miss Hamza and his generous spirit and warm personality.

I will miss the wheat Ritz Bitz crackers, which were both breakfast and lunch on many days.

I will miss Mama Merci, Aziz, Victoria, Yeshima and Quako.

I will miss Mama Merci’s Red Red and kelewele!

I will miss the nurses- they are very good here, and work HARD despite limited resources.

I will miss the joy and excitement I see on the kids’ faces when they see their image on my camera.

I will miss learning new Dabani words each day.

I will miss how when people here meet you for the first time, they say “You ahh welcome!” –and I how I used to think, I don’t remember saying thank you….

I will miss the Azonto dance.

I will miss that feeling of the cold fridge water going down when we come in from a sweltering day.

I will miss Jonathan’s creature checks. (But not the creatures)

I will miss the roommates reminding each other each night, “Don’t forget your Malarone!” (anti-malaria med)

I will miss the roommates saying to each other each time we left home, “Did you spray yourself?” or “Has anyone seen the DEET? I’m getting eaten over here”

I will miss Mama Merci’s songs and finger snaps every time someone had to draw more UNO cards.

Bertina says she will miss:

-seeing Jonathan sit on the stoop as he waits on the cows to come home

-Yeshima’s laugh

-the kids smiling and laughing

Jonathan says he will miss:

-hearing Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening from all passersby

-the kids smiling and laughing

 

Those are just some of the so many things I will miss. Today we travel to Cape Coast (after picking up Jonathan’s brother from the airport), then on to Accra where we will spend a day and a half before Bertina and I head back to the States Sunday night. We are hearing there are lots of good sight-seeing spots on the way down. We are excited.