On Monday we held our first medical camp. Since we just arrived, this camp was held at the actual mission where we are staying. Good Shepherd Mission built a small hospital that is on the grounds. It is only about 6 years old. Needless to say, it is nothing like you would expect at home. There was a room for eye exams, dentistry, ob, and surgery. No private rooms for recovery, just a single large room with about ten beds.
They are very proud of this facility. Although it differs significantly from Western standards, it is very advanced for the village of Puttur. It offers free basic care to many that would otherwise go without. I took some pictures to share on my return.
We took the funds that we raised and gave them to a gentleman named Brother Henry. He founded and currently runs Good Shepherd. Brother Henry used that money to purchase vaccines and other medicines for our camps. The money literally purchased boxes and boxes and boxes of supplies that will be used over the next few weeks. Because it was purchased here, we were able to get a lot more for our money. (Trust me, we got a bang for our buck. Walgreens has nothing on us.)
In any event, we gave over 60 kids a hepatitis vaccine. This only took a few hours. The kids cried and squirmed, but their parents were grateful. We are going to a village tomorrow that is about 8km away to do the same.
As I send this, it is about 5:00 am on Tuesday here. I am awake for two reasons: First of all, jetlag. Secondly, they fired up some loudspeakers in the village about 20 minutes ago. They started out with some fancy music. Now a gentleman is giving what I believe to be a Hindu prayer. (Obviously, I do not know because I don't speak the language .) No joke, this is loud. I am smiling right now because I thought for a short moment it was over. However, we have returned to the fancy music.
Thanks for reading. More later.
