Meet Eshetu Esubalew (on the left), a 3-year old boy who was born with fingers not separated on both hands. In the next crib, we have little Legese Anerto, a two-year old, who at 6 months, fell into the cooking fire and had the fingers of her right hand fused together.
Little Eshetu after successful surgery.
Just two of the many children our medical team has treated in the last 8 days. Now they are recovering on the ward, with their parents, these two will likely never remember what life was like without the use of their hands!
Eshetu’s Parents
While on the ward, patients in Africa are generally in the care of their parents only. Our team, however, has two ward-angels who are constantly helping out.
Legese is not sure about this guy with the camera!
Legese’s Parents.
Matt Williamson making balloon hats on the ward.
Matthew Williamson (16) is the son of surgeon Dr. David Williamson (from Kelowna). Matt has been everywhere on this mission, from carrying the files to the admin desk in the morning, to helping Occupational Therapist David Nelson form splints, or any number of other jobs. However, Matt’s most important contribution to the team is undoubtedly amusing the young patients, with balloon hats or teaching them hockey (see earlier in this blog).
And then there is ward-mom, Lisa Hammond. Another of the non-medical volunteers from Kelowna, Lisa is all over the ward, whether supplying little girls with dresses, boys with hats, or helping the local ward nurses with the more serious work of caring for all of the patients.
Lisa making an Ethiopian flag for one of the little ones.