Children's Hospital Boston in Ghana

Reflections from the Team

 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow…

This is now my fourth mission to Ghana and as much as I had thought that all of the hurdles had been jumped before we left Boston, I (we) encountered not only more, but higher hurdles once we arrived at KATH.  Still all-in-all, we evaluated and operated on fourteen children, more children than we had operated on in the past.

With all of the planning and organizing, creating and rearranging of schedules, not only for these past four missions, but life at home, I have had the loving support of my family and friends.  Without them, these missions would be impossible.  But because of them, these missions will continue.  How fitting that while I was away, my daughter Tara (who came as a volunteer on our first mission), opened the play that she has been directing entitles “Alive and Kicking”.

We have operated on a total of forty four children, evaluated hundreds of children with heart defects and continue to touch thousands of lives.   Dreams really do come true……

This past mission was dedicated to my Aunt Lou.

-Judy

As I say goodbye to Ghana and friends, I am happy for the 14 families we have touched.  They are all home today, back with their family and friends.  Ready to go to school and play soccer.  I am sad though for all the families who have to wait till our next mission for their child to have surgery.  With the memories of their sad faces, I will work hard in between missions to make sure their smiles return when we return to Ghana.    Yes there is something in this world free…..heart surgery for the poor and smiles.

-Bev

I received a list of things to bring, they did not tell me to bring tissues for the tears.  This mission has had an incredible impact on my life, and the way I will see life from now on.  I have learned that a smile is universal.  The sweetest thing was when each child became comfortable with our team and would show their biggest smile.  I will always remember the sweet laughter and the painful tears which in the end was turned back into smiles and thankful prayers and words that will I will never forget. 

One lesson……no matter where you are, everyone wants the same things, health, love and happiness.  I hope we left those things behind.  See you next yeat Ghana!  Bring on the FuFu!

-Stephanie

I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this mission.  I have had such an amazing and gratifying time.  I will always remember the smiling faces and how appreciative and thankful the 14 families were.  I have seen people that live without so much, but have given me more than I can imagine.  This mission is unlike anything that I have ever experienced.  Thank you for everything!

-Lily

Well, we are on our way home now, only 2.5 hours to go before we land in JFK airport.  We are all hopeful that our connection to Boston will not be cancelled.  We are growing anxious by the minute to see our families and a have a great “BIG” salad.

Also, as we journey home, we put behind us our 4^th mission.  This mission was the most successful and well organized by far.  The hard work by the entire team was unbelievable.  The miraculous “handywork” by Francis, 14 patients…incredible!

Our biggest wish, is this mission will continue with lots of support and fundraising, so we can give many more families this opportunity to live a happy normal life.

-Cheryl

What an amazing experience!  I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with this amazing team again.  Fourteen surgeries on complex heart defects in 6 days with all of those kids now home is truly remarkable and speaks volumes to the skill and dedication of the team.  I am humbled by the patients and families we were able to help.  From the mothers who literally sat in a chair at the bedside until their child was discharged, to the nurses at KATH who were there to comfort and encourage them.

I have learned quite a bit in the last 10 days.  I had the opportunity to discuss the challenges and practices of healthcare in Ghana, as well as some of the aspects of the culture.  It has reinforced to me, what can be accomplished with a high functioning team with limited resources.  Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac surgery is such a special field with such special people.  It has been a real joy to be able to care for these patients again. Thanks to Bev, Chris, Judy and Francis and the team for letting me tag along.

Josh B.

When you tell people you are going on a medical mission, you receive the typical response,”how nice, honorable:, however the reality is hard work, dedication and most of all gratification of a job well done.  This team are my heros and without everyone it would not work.  Once again, one of the most rewarding events in my life.  Thank you team Ghana!  Thank you Ghana….

-Pam

Dr. Fynn-Thompson and his team have collaborated on  an incredible mission.  I am honored to have been a volunteer member on this journey.  The passion and dedication of the Children’s team is something you do not see everyday.  They have changed so many lives.  Thank you Ghana for welcoming us into your country.  Thank you Children’s team for giving me this rewarding experience, I am forever grateful.

-Laura Martin

“Wow!”, I have just completed my third mission to Ghana, and that just about sums it up for me.  As with the other missions, I am coming home experiencing a variety of emotions.  I feel honored to be part of yet another successful mission.  The faces of the team may change, but the drive, dedication and work ethics of the individuals never change.

We volunteer for the mission with the intention of changing the lives of children. This is accomplished through surgeries and school donations.  What I have come to realize is that we are the ones who are forever changed.  I am going home feeling grounded after 15 days in Kumasi.  I take so much for granted-food, shelter and even the ability to walk a flight of stairs.  Each trip my life is enriched by the families, children and our experiences as a team.  I will forget the “glitches”, but will never forget the gratitude and thanks bestowed on us.

Thank you to everyone on the team- this mission succeeds because of everyone working together with one goal-enhancing the lives of children….Wow!

-Mary

The end of a “long": but “rewarding” 2 weeks.  Looking forward to getting home and back into a normal routine, my bed, meals without rice and spring rolls, American coffee, and a fresh garden salad.  Thankful for the things we take for granted.  Thanks for another great experience.

-Roger

What an unreal trip we have had.  I have learned a lot in the past 12 days-especially about the human spirit.  We helped more than just the kids who had surgery.  We have made new friends and shared experiences with each other that are hard to describe.  I am so thankful  I was able to experience this mission and look forward to helping their mission continue in the future.

-kristen G.

Closing thoughts.  I am deeply appreciative and filled with emotions that are hard to pinpoint in words.  Thank you to Bev, Judy, Chris and Francis for making this vision happen.  Thank you to the Ghanians for welcoming us crazy Americans to their country.  Thank you to the kids who constantly remind be that “a smile can stretch across nations and leave me with a lingering feeling of joy and personal growth.  One last thank you to the team for making this mission everything it was.  I will miss you all.

-Joanne

     

I had been to Africa once before, on safari, on a  vacation.   I had been so impressed by the magnitude of poverty, lack of proper medical care, and populations of children that were suffering and even dying, that I promised myself the next time I return I would have to try to help in some way.   I am proud to have been a part of the team that helped 14 children.   This time my trip to Africa was not a vacation. I was happy to participate as both the Physician Assistant for the OR and as a photographer any chance I got.  Every morning we arrived at the hospital I couldn’t wait to see the faces of the 2 or 3 children we had operated on the day before.   That was always my first stop.  The smiles on the mom’s faces were the best part of the day. After the day of surgery I tried to document as much as I could with photos.  I made several trips up to the old hospital to photograph the medical/surgical/maternity wards, I walked around the local military base, I went to local orphanage and schools with the volunteers, and took hundreds of photos from our buses driving 6-8 hrs at a time through the many villages of Ghana.  Putting the camera down was difficult for me at times because I was determined to capture not only the faces of our children, but the sights of the buildings/huts/tents, the sounds of crying and laughter in a foreign language, the smells of burning rubbish and unimaginable diseases, and the emotions that represented the hundreds of families, workers and trades people we encountered in such a brief period of time.   I  have grown as both a PA and as a photographer on this trip.  I have seen some deplorable conditions and witnessed some unacceptable deaths and I am grateful for the people who allowed me to photograph some very sensitive and private moments.   I hope that I will be able to tell even a small piece of this story with my photos to help educate others to help.   A team of 30 people helped 14 children last week so they will not only survive but also be able to play soccer with their friends (Israel and David could not wait!).   Thank you Francis for making it possible for me to participate  and congratulations to Judy, Bev and Chris for organizing another very successful mission.

I am look forward to more trips to Ghana and more missions.  

~ Brenda

 

 

These trips distill our skill and passion to their essence.  And the interaction with the families and team are similarly condensed and intensified.  Heading back to our regular routines of work and home, I will use the memories of this experience to illuminate the time until I have an opportunity to do this again.

-Judy B.

The defining moment for me of this humbling yet inspiring experience was the small gathering we held with the parents and the patients at the culmination of our medical mission.  The mothers, united in sheer joy of seeing their children receive new chances at life, spontaneously broke into a magical chorus of heartfelt song.  Unforgettable emotion united the room and I felt grateful to have had the opportunity to do but a small part in alongside the selfless doctors, nurses and volunteers that made this incredible journey possible.

-Nitish

I am leaving with a lot of fond memories from this great experience!  Over the course of the trip, the people of Ghana taught us a great deal about resourcefulness.  In many ways we were able to replicate that lesson and show them how a little can be stretched into a lot.  Thank you to Bev, Judy, Chris and Francis for allowing me to be a part of this special program.

-Matt G.

44 children….it is hard to believe it has been almost 4 years since our first scouting mission.  Each child’s smile is still so clear in my head.  Helping each child and family reminds me that we continue to touch lives and improve people’s well being.  I take back more memories each time we come to Ghana, from Gladys showing me how to carry a baby on my back to David’s excitement when he was given his new soccer ball.  Giving the opportunity of heart surgery to people that otherwise would never be able to have it done makes this trip so gratifying.  Thank you team Ghana!

-Christine

Another job well done.  A mission accomplished by a great team.  Well put together and how hard every single one of us worked to make it happen.  I am very proud to be part of the team.  This is my third trip with the team.  I am very committed to the mission because there is so much need for the kids.  We need your help for the next mission, so much is needed.

I was touched at the end of the mission during a goodbye party for the kids.  How thankful the parents were and they included us in their prayer ceremony, singing and dancing.  You could see joy in their faces and tears in some of the nurses faces.  They see the appreciation and how hard they work to bring joy, laughter and happiness to the Ghanian parents.

African proverb: A good laugh is like sunshine in the house.

-Frantz

There is no way to be a part of this mission and not be forever changed.  When you see what little these families have, yet you see and feel their hope, happiness and thanks, it reaches deep inside.  This trip was really the families and kids that touched me the most.  Since I have been here before and have seen the overwhelming conditions of the hospital, I was able to really take in what it is we do for these patients and families.  The group we operated on, the 14 children, became one big family.  When one patients mom would leave to get food for their child, another parent would go over and sing to the child to calm him/her while their mother was gone.  At our farewell party, the patients united as a group and gave thanks to us in an overwhelming moment of prayer followed by singing and dancing.  Their appreciation was palpable, and we were humbled.  Never have I been a part of something quite so moving.

This mission continues to succeed because of the hard work and dedication of all the team members.  Each person on the trip contributed to the cause and enabled us to fulfill our goal of treating these children as well as some of the local schools and children's homes.  I am honored to be a part of such an incredible team.  Thank you all!

~Meghan

Kra-Twi for Goodbye

I feel privileged to be a part of such a phenomenal group of people.  The hard work and dedication was evident every day of the trip.  Bev, Christine and Judy did a fabulous job organizing and coordinating the mission.  Each of us was touched in some way these past weeks.  I have attempted to share with you our experiences each day through words and photographs.  It was impossible to convey the depth of emotions each person experienced here in Ghana.  The stories from your loved ones will begin to fill in the gaps.  I want to thank all of the people who made contributions to the blog.  I would like to give a special thank you to Brenda Cooney for the use of some of her photographs.  I have included an additional gallery of photographs that Brenda took here in Ghana. Faces of Ghana

We are currently in Accra and will be leaving for the airport at 5:30am in the morning.  We are anxious to get home and see all of our loved ones.  Thank you for your many heartfelt comments during our trip.

-Susan

Words from the OR

Today we discharged 10 patients by 10am....do you notice a theme here?  Then a group went to the maternity ward to see the equipment donated by Imec and the Rotary Club, while others went to the museum.  The remainder of the day was used to unwind and relax before the banquet this evening.

Tomorrow we will be leaving at 5am for Accra, hopefully arriving early enough to do some last minute shopping.

Today I asked the members of the OR to share their thoughts about the trip.

So many emotions,so little time....It's hard for me to believe that we are packing up, preparing to return home.  When we first arrived in Ghana I was anxious and quite frankly, scared.  I have heard what wonderful work this group has done and i did not want to let anyone down.  Moving all of our belongings to the OR proved to be a large task.  Locating all of the necessary equipment was a challenge but was accomplished by the second day.  The new OR is beautiful and was not long before we felt at home.

I was excited to meet the Ghanian perfusion help, Elizabeth and David.  Elizabeth is an OR nurse and David is a Nurse Anesthetist.  They both were eager to learn and help.  I was impressed by their kind nature and respectful ways.  I think we all learned things from each other. 

We had a busy 7 days and were able to help 14 kids.  It is an extremely rewarding experience!  The most moving moment of the week came when the families of the kids we operated on thanked us and showed their appreciation.  They had a brief time of prayer when they closed their eyes and prayed aloud on their own, each saying something different, all at once.  They followed that with united song and dance.  It was very special and heart felt.  One can't help but feel a strong sense of community here in Kumasi.  It has been a privledge to work with such a gifted OR team!!

-Chris

I remember every child because they are a study in good behaviour.  They are all sick and they long to be well.  After seeing their defects, it is amazing that they are still alive.  Consequently when I see them post-op they all touch my heart.

-Pam

This has been a very emotional trip for me.  I was here on the last trip in Oct. 2008, but everything was so overwhelming then, I did not really have time to process the experience.  This trip, I was not as "shell shocked" by the absolute poverty, open sewer drains, dirt floored shacks and lack of running water.  I was able to see other, more subtle things, like the wonderful sense of community of the Ghanian people.  The neighbors sit together in outdoor kitchens or in front of doorways.  Everyone greets everyone politely, saying not only "hello" but "how are you" and really want you to answer truthfully.  The OR nurses told me that the entire OR staff takes turns preparing food for the whole group each day.  They then eat lunch as a group at 1pm. 

I find it totally mind blowing that we were able to complete 15 surgeries in 7 days, 13 bypass, 1 non-pump and 1 chest re-exploration.  We even did 3 pump cases by 3pm.  This amount of team work and cooperation between the OR and ICU staff is fantastic!  We really were on a mission to help as many kids as we could.  I am so honored to be a part of this group.  Everyone worked so hard, but it was worth it to see the gratitude in the families faces.

I will take many things away with me from Ghana. The most important for me is a sense of gratitude for all that I have been given in my life.  I hope that I can continue to give back to others in some small way.

-Lisa

The answer to yesterday's questions of the day is:9 species on the endangered list.

-Susan

Emotional Roller Coaster

Wow....what an emotional day!  Our only surgery was completed by 9:00am this morning.  Then some of us went to the onsite daycare to play soccer with the children while others took care of the remaining patients in the ICU.

When we arrived at the daycare they were mowing the lawn in preparation for our arrival.  That does not mean alot to us at home, however here they cut the grass with a long, hand held blade.  Talk about back breaking work.  Matt G. and Matt S. wanted to help out, so they gave it a try.  Let me just say  there might be a dent in the swing set.  The children were 2 - 5 years old and so adorable.  I think they experienced complete elation at seeing the new soccer balls to devastation when we left and the teacher had to put the balls away for the day. Soccer Gallery

Then it was time to begin decorating for the patient party tonight.  Streamers were made by Matt G, Matt S. and Jay and hung from the ceiling, along with handmade cards from a local school back home.  After lunch it was off to  the Anikroma Orphange for a visit to deliver more equipment and a game of soccer.  I think we lost but we had alot of fun and it was great spending time with the kids.

The afternoon was spent packing up the equipment and getting ready for the party.  During this time Mary E. shared a story with me.  Today Emmanuella kept asking to go downstairs.  Mary finally figured out what she really wanted was to walk on the stairs.  Because of her heart desease, she had never been able to walk the stairs, her mother always had to carry her.  So Mary took her and her parents to the stairs for her first walk.  Her parents had tears in their eyes and Emmanuella had a big smile on her face. That is why we are here.

The party for the patients and their families was a fitting end to an emotional 2 weeks.  All the patients, including the patient from this morning, either walked or were carried to a room decorated by the volunteers.  We gave each child a gift bag along with a soccer ball.  Then the celebration began.  Words of thanks were spoken by one father then the parents lead us in songs of thanks giving and celebratory dancing.  There were few dry eyes in the room.

Tomorrow the remaining patients in the ICU will be well enough to transfer to the floor, while others will be discharged home.  The remainder of the day we will finish last minute shopping, sightseeing and packing.  Tomorrow night the hospital is throwing us a banquet as a thank you for our efforts.  We will leave for Accra early Sat. morning, hopefully missing most of the traffic.  Then we will be boarding a plane Sunday morning for home.

The answer to the question of the day is: 539Km of coastline in Ghana.

-Jerry you were right on target!

This is the final question of the  day.

How many species of bird are endangered in Ghana?

Fact of the Day:

The Golden Stool of the Asante contains the soul or sunsum of the nation. It is considered to be so sacred that no one is allowed to sit on it. It is kept under the strictest security; it is taken outside only on exceptional occasions and never comes into contact with earth or the ground.

Signs of the Golden Stool are evident throughout the area, from wood carvings to the roof ornaments on the hotel.

-Susan

Words from the Nurses

Today we had another 3 by 3 day (3 surgeries by 3:00).....what a feat!  We have one final surgery in the morning at 8:00am, then it is time to start packing in preparation for our return  trip home. 

We packed gift bags today to give to the 14 children that we operated on this trip.  Then we took the remainder of the toys and brought them to the wards to hand out to the children.  We received smiles from most, but some are still scared of the Abrunee's or the white ghost's even after 2 weeks.  Next, we visited the Nightingale Day Care Center on the hospital campus for the hospital employee's children.  We donated a box of school supplies and toys and gave out the remainder of our candy. 

Our final visit was to the maternity ward to visit the new mom's and their babies.

Tomorrow we have two field trips planned as well as pack up our supplies.  We will be going to the Nightingale Day Care at 10:00am to play soccer with the children, then at 1:00pm we will be going back to the Anikroma Orphanage to play with the children for a few hours.  At 5:00pm we will be hosting a party at the hospital for the patients and families we operated on this week.

Today I asked the nurses to share moments with the patients that have touched them this week and this is what they had to say:

-Sebina=Lisa will remember Sebina because of “the trust in her eyes while she held my hand.”

-Oliviet-Christine will remember Oliviet “smacking her lips when she taught her how to apply lip gloss.”

-David-(big)-Bev will remember David because he said “now my mom won’t have to carry me-I’ll have energy now to walk myself.”

-Collins- Bev will remember Collins smile when he saw his mother’s face for the first time.  Mike will remember Collins because of his of his ease of entertainment. “I remember Jedida and I rolling a car back and forth on the floor.  He would have done it for hours where as other kids would have been bored in minutes.”

-David-(Little)-Kristen will remember David and his mother because of their gratitude.

-Godknows-Liz will remember Godknows because “I could not believe that she did not have any shoes.”  Thanks to Donna B., she has some now.  Judy will always remember Godknows because of her name.

Israel-Christine will remember Israel because he said “I want to be able to play football” and now he can.

Gladys-Judy will remember Gladys because of her cute personality.  “She taught us how to carry a baby on our backs.”

Emmanuella- Bev, Christine and judy will remember Emmanuella for her “magic tricks, her doll that she named Cinderella and her giggles.”

Erica – Lily will always remember Erica by her happiness when she walked for the first time after surgery.

Abena-Mary will remember Abena because as she woke up from anesthesia, she said “tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 13!”

Tyra-Tyra won Stephanie’s heart when Tyra showed her how she could “open and close her eyes like her dolly.”

Jedida-Josh will remember Jedida by his resilience.  “I just finish giving him CPT, and he is ready to play again.”

Akda-Meghan will remember playing peek-a-boo with Akda before her surgery.

 

The answer to the question of the day is: West Africa

(Joanne you were correct....I owe you an egg roll!)

 

Question of the Day: How many miles of coastline does Ghana have?

 

Fact of the Day: the average monthly income is less than $200 a month.

-Susan

Words from the Volunteers

Today the team had to bring a patient back to the OR from yesterday, at 6:30AM for an exploratory surgery.  Everything went well and they did two additional surgeries, finishing the day by 3:30pm.  Because of the unexpected case, one case was moved to tomorrow ,so we have 3 cases tomorrow as well.  The saying has become 3 by 3,  three cases by 3 o'clock.  If all goes well, we will complete 14 surgeries by the end of the trip!

We sent our first patient, Sabina, home today.  She will be back Thursday  for our final party with the families.

The Team members that were not working shifts today went to the Kumasi Orphanage and the Anikroma School  to deliver donated supplies to the childresn.  The children were very excited to see us at both places. The children at Anikroma greated us with a song and dance, which was precious.  We did not seem have have enough hands to comfort and hold the children at the Kumasi Orphanage.

Tomorrow we have 3 surgeries scheduled, Emmanuella, Gladys and Erica.  We will have another early start at 6:30AM.  Scenes from the day, at the hospital.

Here are a few thoughts from some of our volunteers.

 

-Susan

 

Mayham yet feeling helpless and selfish moment:
We went to the Kente Village, this is a famous area where they weave all these blankets, scarves, ties etc....the weaving factory is insane! How they weave is amazing. When we pulled in the village the little kids charge the bus, they know we have candy, pens, balls etc. Age range 2-18yr. The older kids are selling whatever they can. They pull, tug, hold and kiss you. It is literally MAYHAM. We are the Abrunees! They ask you your name and next thing you know they have made you a bracelet with your name in under 5 mins. (I learned not to give my name because then you feel bad and want to buy, all a big scam of course) They LOVE their pictures taken and then YOU HAVE to show them! Its so precious. They ask for hand sanitizer, money, candy, pens, balls, and if you have nothing left they want your shirt, shoes or whatever you can give off your back. At times we are thinking this is so "cute and oh wow look" at the way they are living YET I feel awful & selfish. I wanted to undress to give them everything I had because they have NOTHING. Here we are taking pictures of their "poverty stricken" lives, Americans coming in to buy and barter for their hard earned work of weaving & carving. I gave them what I had and didn't feel I should barter......i feel like we are selfish Americans sometimes.

-Laura

The past few days have enabled the volunteers to really connect with the goal of our mission as we have observed surgeries, worked shifts in the ICU and made a bunch of site visits to donate supplies. On Sunday, several of the volunteers observed their first surgery from inside the OR, and also in the hall on video screens along with the Ghanaian students. We are all impressed by the work ethic, professionalism and efficiency of our entire group! Teaching Gallery

 

While the new hospital ICU area serves as the hub for most of our activity, the volunteers have been keeping busy on a number of side trips. On Sunday, Jay, Lilly and Kristin lead us next door to the old hospital to visit the C5 and B5 wards, where nearly 70 children recuperate in beds and cots of all sizes. It is a difficult scene; these are giant rooms, 5 floors above ground and it is hot and cramped. We have been visiting these wards throughout the week bringing toys, candy, crayons, paper -- and hopefully a smile and diversion for the kids and the parents who sit at their bed-sides.

 

Yesterday, the volunteers and remaining staff made our first trip to donate the supplies that came from all the generous program supporters. We visited two nearby schools and the Sisters of Charity house/orphanage. When we pulled our van into the giant courtyard at the Trede school we heard a roar of cheers from the kids inside the surrounding buildings. The pictures tell the story best. Today, the volunteers visited two more schools and an orphanage and again were greeted with open arms.

 

As part of this trip, it has been interesting for all of us to get to meet some of the native people who each have their own unique stories to tell. Last night I had an 'opportunity' to work the night shift with Meghan, Kristin and Adua, one of the Ghanaian ICU nurses. Adua shared with us some stories about how family size is a source of pride in the Ghanaian culture, a bond that is pretty clear seeing the parents by each of the bed-sides. To that end, Adua also commented that her mother is one of 22 children -- and at recent family gathering, a formal count, uncovered 149 first cousins!

 

We have a video of Adua demonstrating how you wrap a baby on your back.  Unfortunately, because of the slow internet we cannot upload it while in Ghana.  So Mary and our first patient for tomorrow, Gladys agreed to demonstrate the process. Baby wrap

 

- Matt G.

 

Thank You:

It is so reassuring to find others as passionately dedicated to under-served medicine, most notably in an area of the world in which I am so personally connected. I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of the organization and community that I work with, Ghana Health and Education Initiative (www.GHEI.org), for the two beautiful young women that will now live long healthy lives (Abigail and Sabina).

On Collaboration:

It has been a humbling trying to understand the intricate complexities of pediatric cardiac surgery. However, the necessity of collaboration, most notably in a resource-poor setting, probably struck me the most. As days passed, I realized the unique value of every skill set that every individual brought to the team. If one person was missing, operations could not happen. Beyond that however, I now have a fuller appreciation of the imminent importance of cooperation the broader health system, from the household to the tertiary center, to provide care. After all, it was a serendipitous miracle of civil society collaboration that I found this team, and Abigail and Sabina were therefore able to obtain cardiac surgery!

Medawassi!

Leah

 

What an amazing experience this has been.  While the nurses, doctors, engineering, echo and pharmacists tirelessly work around the clock, we (volunteers) are given the chance to deliver donated supplies to the local schools and orphanages.  Every stop we make we are greeted graciously by the children, staff members, and village elders.  As we approach each destination, the children spill out of the small buildings in waves to greet the “abrunes”.  Volunteers are immediately engulfed as the Ghanian children just want to hold the hands of their new visitors.  Older children are amused and bewildered by my arm hair, while some of the smaller children are simply frightened to tears.  The excitement of the children is truly energizing.

    Initial excitement, however, is immediately quelled by the reality of the surroundings.  The orphanages house unwanted children and adults, some suffering from treatable diseases while other just suffer abandonment.  The schools have three children sharing one desk, sharing a very limited number of school supplies, with little electricity (if any).  Even tougher to see are the children who cannot afford an education.  Some of these children wander aimlessly, without supervision, watching the more fortunate attend school.  Driving away I always feel helpless, but these feelings disappear when we get back to the hospital…word of another successful surgery.

-Matt

 

The anwer to the questions of the day is:English

Twi is a widelyspoken dialect though....so Joanne you were not far off base.

 

Question of the Day: What part of Africa is Ghana located?

 

Fact of the Day: The population of Ghana is over 21 million people

From the Eyes of Parents

Todays team got a very early start since we had 3 cases scheduled for the OR.  The team had the first patient in the room by 6:30AM this morning.  There was a great team effort between the ICU and the OR staff, which kept everything running smoothly.  We were finished with the 3 cases by 3:30pm....it might be a record! 

Starting at 8:30 today, we had clinic for the patients operated on during previous trips.  We found one patient with an ASD that we added to tomorrows OR schedule, so we will be doing 3 surgeries again tomorrow.

The volunteers and others not working the day shift at the hospital visited 2 schools and one orphanage (home) to deliver donated goods.  We went to the Trede school, a community high school and the Sisters of Charity home,one of Mother Teresa's homes.  The Sisters at the Charity home did not want us to take pictures, instead to spread the word of their mission in other ways.  We hope to go back and play with the children later in the week.

In clinic today, one of our volunteers, Leah assisted with interviewing each family and recording their experiences with the Childrens in Ghana team.  Here is what they had to say:

1.  Great impact and a lot of joy to the family.  Willing to help in any way they can if contacted.  Isaac Nable Eshun (father), Alberta (patient)

2.  Thank you in God's name.  You have helped us alot and because of that, Ghana too.  the strengh of my daughter has increased compared to before.  Agnes (mother) and Abigail (patient)

3.  You are doing very good and God will bless you. Fariehata Bashirudeen (patient)

4.  God bless you for the work you are doing.  may he give you strength and the finances as you can come back every year.  Evelyn Adu-Wireku(mother) and Awura Abena (patient)

5.  Thank you very much may god bless you so much and help you expand your work to the rest of Ghana.  Solomon K. Amo (father) and Solomon Atta- Asamoah (patient)

6.  We and Ghana so grateful to you.  We hope you will be encouraged to continue the good work.  We hope that financial burdens will be lifted and the work will be funded by Ghana.  Keep on coming.

7.  God bless you and your nation.  May he give more wisdom and knowledge in your endeavors.  Mr. & Mrs.  Ofori (parents), Emmanuela Ofori=-Odonor (patient)

Ward Interviews (with Dr. Judy Becker) and her camera

1.  You done very well.  You are very loving towards patients.   Olivet Collinwood-Williams(patient) Rosina Nkansah (grandmother)

2.  Our child is very active and can eat now thanks to you.  We are very grateful.  God bless you.  You've done really well. Sabina Gyomera (patient) and Cecilia Ofofi (mother)

Sabina and family

3.  Thank you.  Only 3 days ago he could not play, but now he is very active.  I needed your help.  I am poor and could not afford the surgery and would have lost my child without your help.

Giffy Owusu-Ansah (mom) and Jedida Owusu-Ansah(patient)

Jedida and mom

 I am very happy that you are here.  Thank you very much in the name of God.  God bless you abundantly.  I am overwhelmed by your kindness.  Akua Nyarko (mom) and David Seyere (patient)

David and mom
 
The answer to yesterday's questions of the day is a Ghanian moth (according to Bev's father)

Question of the Day: What is the official language of Ghana?

 

Fact of the Day:  The life expectancy in Ghana is around 56 years old.

-Susan

Mid Mission Moments

This morning began at 6:30 for breakfast and we were at the hospital by 7:15.  Since it is Sunday, we did not encounter much traffic on the way to the hosptial.  We had two patients scheduled for today, David and Collins.  While the doctors and nurses were rounding with the night staff a few of us went on a tour of the hospital wards to visit with patients and their families.  We went to 3 different wards located in the old hospital and met with the children, handing out candy, offering smiles and trying to comfort when possible.  It was a very emotional morning that is hard to put into words.  The hospital is not air conditioned, so the air is hot, humid and stale.  Basic supplies like oxygen that we take for granted are not always available.  As we walked through the rooms we were greeted by smiles and requests to take pictures.  The kids love their picture to be taken and view it on the digital display.

Collins

David
 

We started the first surgery around 9:00.  Luckily, we had just come off the bypass machine when the electricity went off in the hospital.  The critical equipment was plugged  into emergency outlets, so we had enough power to finish the case.  The power was off for over an hour, then sporadic for the remainder of the day, so we moved the second case to tomorrow. 

Monday is a busy day.  Since we have 3 cases scheduled for the OR, we will be getting an early start at 6:00am.  We will also be having clinic to evaluate the patients from previous trips and the volunteers will be going to 3 schools to deliver supplies to the children.

Since we are at the half way point of the trip, I have asked the team to write what we are calling our mid mission moments. 

-Susan

The familiar faces, the desire to learn and the inability to have their needs met, continues to be what drives me on this mission! –Christine

It will never cease to amaze me how much we take for granted….showere, electricity and access to medical care. –Mary

Everything happens for a reason. –Judy H.

Cipro-Mark

I felt the desperation when I entered the Kente Village.  A young girl 3 or 4 years of age held my hand along the path to the factory.  She was asking for food…..a moment later an older boy pushes the young girl away to sell me some bookmarks. -Mike

Both depressing and uplifting at the same time -Josh B.

Should have brought plastic ice cubes and I am willing to listen to WEEI when I get home -Kristen

One small van + 14 people +85 degree weather + 8 hour round trip to the Cape Coast + no air conditioning + no GPS = great bonding experience.  –Jay

The Renaissance shuttle has prepared me for this trip. - Lily

If I never eat a Powerbar again it will be too soon.-Liz

Isn’t it odd that one day my shower did not work but my wifi did.-Stephanie

Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is for sale and usually can be sold from the top of one’s head.  Bungee cords and tie bands can be a perfusionist best friend. –Chris

Overwhelming….puts life into perspective-Lisa

Africa hot….lights out-Laura

Another year, another power outage at the hospital.  We are in Ghana don’t you know! – Meghan

Kente bracelet….one cedi, Ashante mask….twenty cedi, Stephanie’s Ghanaian rhapsody……priceless! –Matt

“Yes officer, Josh and I are just photography students.  These photos are not going to be published anywhere!” –Brenda

It is incredibility humbling and rewarding to be able to help the 13 children that we will be operating on.  Yet it is so upsetting to see the thousands of people that have no safe shelter, running water or access to basic medical care that we not only expect but take for granted. –Brenda

Just like I remember, but:

-the roads are worse and a lot more traffic.  Watch out for the round-a-bouts!

-you thought Boston Drivers were bad?

-Beautiful new hospital and unit! – Roger

Much is the same here!  The appreciation of service and the happiness of a good outcome! –Ravi

Teaching the Ghana kids to appreciate Kenny Chesney. –Josh S.

Dreams do come true for the poor children in the world. –Bev

A wonderful learning experience!  Thank you for including me in the team and picking me up in Accra! –Leah

Today we sat outside the OR while a Ghanaian doctor explained to us what was happening with Dr. Fynn-Thompson’s surgery on the video.  If that is not why we are here then I do not know what is…..pretty cool moment! –Matt G.

Turn on the lights! –Pam G.

Life is beautiful – Joanne

I finally understand the meaning of the word “team”, how hard the Children’s team works and comes together to make it  happen under difficult circumstances, not knowing what to expect, like a power outage in the middle of surgery. –Frantz

It is good to be home.  They welcome you and treat you like family. –Frantz

The look on the face of Olivet’s mom  each morning when we come in says it all. –Judy B.

It’s ironic that we are here to teach the Ghanian’s about heart surgery, yet they are the ones who have taught us so much about heart. –The Team

 

Question of the Day:

Can someone please identify the scary bug that has been on Bev, Christine and Judy's porch all week?  We do not know the answer!!

 

Fact of the Day:

The exchange rate is $1.00 to 1.44 Cedi
 

Take Two

We arrived at the hospital this morning at 7:20 eager to begin the day.  We were greeted by Bev and Judy, who had worked the night shift in the ICU.  The team quickly got to work getting ready for the first case of the day, which was David.  David was initially very shy, but we eventually got a big smile and a high five as we rolled him into the OR.  His surgery went very smooth and we were finished the first case by noon.

 

The next case of the day was Jedihea, who had a smile and big brown eyes that would melt your heart.  His surgery went smoothly and he was back in the ICU by 4:00pm. Surgery Day 2

A few members of the team went to the Kente Village in the afternoon,  an attraction where weavers sit outside and weave kente on their large looms.  I will post a gallery of the visit soon.  Boxes were also packed to deliver to the local schools and orphanages later in the week.

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for a big birthday party.  Today we celebrated birthdays for Pam and Lily.  After dinner we had cake and cookies, along with a champagne toast.  Birthday Gallery

Answer to the question of the day: GMT, Ghana is 4 hours ahead of Boston

-Susan

A Smile is Universal

The day began at 6:00 this morning.  We had breakfast and loaded onto the bus at 7:00 for the 15 min. ride to the hospital.  When we arrived, Olivet and her mom were waiting for us.  She was brought into the pre-op area where she met with the doctors and nurses that were going to be taking care of her during her surgery.  The procedure was explained and the consents signed.  It is not uncommon in Ghana for people to sign their name with their thumb print, because they do not know how to read or write.  While the room was being prepared, Olivet sat quietly in the bed taking everything in.  With every new person her eyes would widen with this questioning look wondering what was going to happen next.  To ease her fears we gave her crayons to color with her mom, until we were ready to bring her into the room. 

Photo Gallery Surgery Day 1

Both surgeries went very well today.  The team work was amazing not only between our team, but the Ghanaian staff as well.  We configured a head camera for Dr. Fynn-Thompson to wear that transmitted images to a monitor in the hallway.  This allowed the surgery to be viewed outside of the OR, which facilitated the viewing of the operation.

 

A group of us took a tour of the hospital wards in the old hospital this afternoon.  As we walked through the wards, the children would yell Obruni, which means white person in Ghanaian.  Most were very excited but others were scared because that was the first time they had seen a white person.  We would soon win most over with smiles, stickers and candy.  Many also have not seen cameras.  They love for us to take their picture then see themselves in  the digital display.  We plan to spend more time in the coming days playing with the children during breaks in the day.

 

Each day just keeps getting more amazing.  What will happen tomorrow?

Answer to the Question of the day is: Accra and Kumasi

Question of the Day:  What is the time zone in Ghana

Fact of the Day: The word Ghana means “Warrior King”

 

Congratulations to Ghana for winning their first ever FIFA Under-20 World Cup, defeating Brazil.

A special thank you to Brenda for contributing her wonderful photographs to the blog.

-Susan