The Warm Heart of Africa

by Margie McCord
Mzuzu, Malawi, Feb-March 2012

I just returned after spending 2 months with Byron who is working for the UN as an orthopedic surgeon at a government hospital in a city of about 20,000 people. Even though I am a nurse, I volunteered in the physical therapy department where I learned a lot very quickly because there were not enough PT aides.

The conditions on the wards were very archaic by our standards with no privacy, little attention, and all basic needs and meals supplied by the families.  Now I know why Malawi is known as “the warm heart of Africa” because the people are friendly, generous, polite and so very appreciative for any help they are given. Medical and surgical supplies often run low or may be completely out of stock which can be potentially harmful for patients with pain, infections or needing surgery.

The Mzuzu area is lush with fruits and vegetables but there is very little protein except for beans unless you are lucky enough to live near Lake Malawi where there are more varieties of fresh fish than any other lake in the world! We had some delicious butter fish when we visited the lake.

I would recommend this experience for any teen or adult who might like to help in a very small or big way; everything is appreciated and you come away with an indelible feeling of gratitude for what we have in the US.

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BCDC Serving Seldovia’s Women

by Ian McGaughey

Join Us For the Cancer Walk this Saturday

by Alene Hidecker

 

Health Nurse, Judy Dean is Coming to Town

by Judy Dean

Ladies Night Out

by Deb Hecks

Seldovia’s Annual Health Fair Approaches

by Seldovia Village Tribe

Choose Respect!

by Alene Hidecker – Seldovia Village Tribe

Governor Parnell has declared the fourth Thursday of every March to be the day Alaskan communities talk about domestic violence and sexual assault issues in our communities.  Alaska has one of the highest reported incident rates in the nation.  The 2010 Alaskan Victimization Survey specific to Alaskan women are: 58% have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence and 37% have experienced sexual violence.  The Victims of Child Sexual Abuse Statistics were also shocking; with 29% of the victims in the Alaskan State Troopers reports being children between the years of 13-15 years old and 74% were less than 18 years of age.  A child was present in 43% of the assaults involving domestic violence and in addition, 26.4% of the eyewitnesses were under the age of 18.  The trauma can be life long if left untreated.            Seldovia is the 118^th community in Alaska to participate this year.   His greatest hope is to get people talking about domestic violence and sexual abuse in order to eliminate the stigmas.  This will hopefully encourage people to seek the help they need in order to have healthy lives and families.

The Seldovia Village Tribe and South Peninsula Haven House are partnering to have an Open House at the Sea Otter Community Center.  There will be informational displays, pamphlets and advocates on hand to answer questions.   Everyone is invited!  This is a community event for all Seldovians.  So come by and pay us a visit and give us your input!

Sprout Family Services – Wednesday!

Public Health Nurse Serving Seldovians

by Judy Dean

Thoughts to Ponder – A Lesson in Love and Joy

By Jenny Chissus

Peter and Jenny at the Reception

This November 4th, I had the honor to sit with my brother Peter – the father of the bride – at Chelsea’s wedding reception.  To understand the real significance of that, here’s a little history.

My brother was diagnosed with ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in September 2009, after a year of wondering what was going on with his speech. He was having a difficult time formulating words, and at first, his speech resembled someone who had too much to drink.

Before we knew his diagnosis, I remember one conversation we had on the phone when we were struggling to communicate, and I felt bad that I couldn’t understand his words.  Peter kept saying “Jenny, this isn’t so bad, so my speech is slurred  a bit, I have friends with serious diseases, cancer or other horrible things.  It isn’t so bad, it is still me, I just talk funny!”

Peter has always had such a great outlook and positive attitude that is contagious.  He is and always been a light when he entered a room.  Even with this awkward speech situation, he was still upbeat and an encourager to others.