Year 67! The Journey! : Unpacking Mongu! Health Options

My last post that I shared with you, was the clinic that Hands of Hope (http://www.handsofhopeonline.org/), built in the bush of Western Zambia. It is an amazing building in the middle of 'no where'. The clinic is well maintained, clean and accessible to 1000's in the village who had no resources.

A couple of days into our trip, as I arrived to teach a knitting loom class (another blog, another day), we were met by Alan. He was sick and needed to get to the hospital! A divine appointment!! Our driver, Victor, was able to take him immediately to the hospital. This trip is about 15 miles from his village into Mongu!

Alan is our 'hero'. He is a young man from the village of Lutendee, who has made a huge difference in this village. He helped to oversee the building of the school. He is the spokesman and communicator between us here in the states and our work in Lutendee. He has a vision and desire to help his people!

As I shared in the last blog, I am showing to you what most of the world has for health care options. This is the hospital. 3rd world hospitals are like this. This one was pretty clean compared to most.

The photos are from our visit to see Alan. He had to have surgery. He was blessed to have been able to get to the hospital. Remember, the distance between the villages and the town of Mongu is vast. People walk, ride a bike, take an ox cart but vehicles in the bush do not exist!

In 3rd world hospitals you bring your own bedding, your own food and your caregiver is most likely a family member. Here you can get free medical care, but your treatments come after those who can pay are cared for. Paying and non-paying patients receive the same services.

The broken ambulance below was donated from another country. It doesn't work :(. The Chech Republic donated this vehicle. Nothing is new in this part of the world.