We turned away 212 families still waiting in line when we ran out of nets. We promised to return in October when we will teach prevention, give away nets and have a baby wellness clinic. Please be part of casting your nets on the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba by helping us purchase mosquito nets to protect families from malaria. We worked with Dr. Jape from Pemba Hospital at the ChiJaani Narsari School with the help of the teachers, Eliya, Zena, Jessica, Herbert, Dr. Mwanana, Mohamad and the team from Abundant Life, John from WEAG and Alane from the CHaRA board of directors. When we arrived ladies with babies were waiting and when left there were ladies waiting with babies.
One sad story; a mother came with her young child, holding him as best she could. She waited in the lines and waited to see the doctor to be told they could do nothing for her child. Then she waited again so she could see the doctor again and they once again turned her away saying there is nothing we can do, then she just kept waiting asking for someone to help. My heart broke for this mom who could do nothing to help her child. One day maybe there will be a health care system that can help. I pray for miracles that heal.
In Zanzibar we saw 918 people at Kariakoo. We handed out small stuffed bears to every child and they brought big smiles to the faces of the kids and their parent. The families received an education, nets and treatment. And then the team went with the malaria program staff to the village of Cheju where we taught on malaria prevention and handed out nets to 650 families. It was our first day to work beside the program staff and we plan to do it again and again. You can see more pictures on the Gallery page.