Complications pile up and get resolved…or not. The bags that were too heavy to carry on the twice cancelled UN flight were to be sent by bus to Agadez. Unfortunately since the volunteers got stuck in Paris and had to get to Niamey via Air Maroc (which we try to avoid at all cost because baggage never makes it) ended up having to go to Niamey via Casablanca on Royale Air Maroc because of a cancelled Air France flight and guess what–their bags didn’t make it. So After changing the arrangements umpteen times to pick them up from the airport and get their bags to ship them by bus we only had three out of six to ship. So more arrangements (thanks to Sue Rosenfeld and Barké) and the lost bags actually made it via Air France the next day in time to ship by bus which meant they SHOULD arrive in Agadez before we were to leave for the clinic at Tamesna–a two hour drive–with military escort. So we went after the Rotary meeting to pick up the bags and the bus had broken down and was to arrive in a hour. After three hours of trying we gave up at midnight. First thing in the morning before setting out with our escort we find that only two bags arrived and our big medicine order from Dahai co in Niamey also did not arrive as PROMISED. So here we are paying for our military security which took Sidi at least an arm and a leg to negotiate, a full complement of volunteers, plus the paid Niger staff of three medical personel, plus two drivers, two cooks and five midwives waiting and NO MEDICINE!!!! Just take a deep breath…So we call a meeting and put our heads together–we cannot split up the white people because we need a military escort and cannot afford to pay for two. Is it worth going to the clinic with no medicine? We decide to go and leave our chief cook and man of all talents–Aboli to pick up bags and medicine orders and take the bus out to the town only 15min drive to the clinic. So here is what he has to bring–the three lost suitcases. Boxes full of $500 worth of medicine. The old tire from the Hilux to use on the cart that hauls our bath water, cayenne pepper, nutella, and Alhassane’s battery powered amplifier for his guitar. Abolie is a champion. We will see if he actually manages this superhuman feat tomorrow morning.
Cancelled
Our first volunteer, Hannah Armstrong was set to arrive on a flight today from Niamey. Just got word that the flight was cancelled because of technical problems with the plane. Very typical scenario in Africa. Hope it doesn’t happen to the three who arrive on Wed. I wonder when she will finally get here? Stay tuned.
Here is a picture of Hannah when she came in 2010 with another group of workers at the medical clinic. She is a far right. She is a journalist and will function this trip as an interpreter.
New mission to Niger
I am in Paris on the way to prepare for another medical mission in Niger at the Tamesna Clinic. We will also conduct a follow up training for the midwives and then conduct a mobile mission to visit the nomadic camps where we work. I will be joined in early Feb. by Dr. Bob Skankey, his wife Louine, Hannah Armstrong, and Linda Lamb. I hear tourism is starting up again–there was a big festival to open the season in Arlit. We will also start manufacture of solar panels and actually start sales from the solar company and place some orders with the women’s embroidery co-ops. Please stay tuned for new posts.
Comments from our team: Dr. Bob Skankey
Dr. Skankey instructing Aicha
I have been involved with the responsibility for the health and well being of thousands in different parts of the world, have done complex surgery that has relieved suffering and saved lives, but I think that what we did this trip to train midwives who will themselves then save many mothers and babies lives for years to come giving supportive care in humble Tuareg tents or out in the open in the middle of the Sahara desert far out shines anything I have been involved with before. The word is sustainability.
Comments from our team: Sol de la Torre Bueno
I would like to thank Leslie for giving me the opportunity to work with the Nomads of Niger. Working with the Tuareg and Wodaabe have allowed me the realization that service in and of itself is the ultimate reward.
Flying into Agadez from Niamey on a United Nations flight was the equivalent of going first class, as normally we have to drive the 14 hours to reach our destination. Upon arriving I once again was able to work with a genius of innovation Professor Richard Komp who taught the Nomads how to create solar panels and ovens. This is his third time teaching the solar program, and to great success . The Nomads not only got it, but were thrilled with themselves having this new ability and possibility for financial gain.
Sol with Djabo and the best solar panel.
Seeing their familiar faces during the duration of the program was like coming back to a large extended family that you missed in your absence.
Our medical mission at Tamasna was a true journey into the many emotions that extended compassion will bring up. Dr. Robert Skankey conducted a midwife clinic for 5 key women from five different communities. Knowing that the knowledge he was imparting would be saving the lives of these Nomadic women and children was so humbling. They already understood the basics of childbirth, but had no idea what to do for even the most minor of complications. It was like the lights went off when he explained to them how to turn a baby, how to make sure the cord did not strangle the baby coming out of the birth cannel, how essential cleanliness was, and how to evaluate a situation and prepare for the potential of unseen problems arising. The women were totally focused and understood entirely the importance of the information they were receiving. It was an exhilarating time.
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Sol interprets for Dr. Skankey with a nomadic patient
As Dr. Shankey ministered to the multitude of appreciative Nomads, who came from everywhere to see a doctor, you realize how difficult their lives are. They come in with back, leg, and neck pains that are the result of carrying heavy loads their whole life. Not having the basic vitamin intake in their food supply, just receiving supplemental vitamins can change their general health. They were so appreciative of the Doctor’s kindness and comprehension of their problems. It was so uplifting to be part of this mission.
Mission accomplished, in spite of…
To summarize and amazingly productive trip–in spite of all the frustrations we got it done.
To start out with, because of fears for our security we were forced to pay for a 20 man security detail.
But-inspite-of taking a big chunk out of our budget, they turned out to be very competent, we had NO security concerns with them around, they were nice, polite and helped us a lot with organizing patients at the clinic. The peace of mind was worth it!
Then we got hung up in the nightmarish bureaucracy of customs floating between a system that totally discourages any kind of import or export and corrupt customs agents trying to make a buck you never know what the truth is. As a result we still have not gotten the silicone necessary to fabricate panels, but Dr. Komp, used to dealing with developing countries’ challenging systems, instituted a new and less expensive method of fabricating the panels without using the imported silicone, taught the students to install the systems without actually having all the equipment. 
So-inspite of the fact that we got none of the solar materials while Dr. Komp was in country, he adapted and when some of it did arrive they were able to install it without him–and probably learned it more thoroughly that way.
The midwife training and been cancelled twice because of security concerns and visa issues, but that allowed for more thorough preparations so that when we finally were able to proceed, Dr. Bob was really prepared and it went of better than we could have imagined.
Themedical clinic treated 479 patients in only seven days, with half of five of those days on half staff because of the midwife training. But we ended up with satisfied patients and our reputation increasing. There were more arriving as we left that Ali is still treating.
Our new Toyota pickup broke down at the clinic leaving it impossible for us to do the planned 3 day mobile midwife follow up.
Trying to figure out the problem
So instead we had a very productive one stop visit to Foudouk, where we had a typical warm Wodaabe welcome
decided to install some of our solar equipment at their school,
Bobbecame a hero, not for his medical achievements, but for his balloon distribution.
Wesaw the progress on our newly funded (in part by Thacher school microcredit association) Women’s co-op house
Wehad purchased a new motorcycle for our nurse Ali for mobile missions, but in the first week, he had an accident after which he could hardly walk for the duration of the mission, but in spite of this set back, he courageously worked throughout the mission and the motorcycle was not hurt so he will be able to start the mobile follow up next month when he is fully healed.
Our change of plans allowed us to visit the garden where our Moringa is happy and ready to start supplying the clinic with nutritional supplements and our onions will be ready for harvest in December, when the price is expected to reach its highest in a year.
Andfor a little visit to the desert,
where Bob and I hike to the top of Tiguidit
Bob and I hiked to the top of Tiguidit
Fromthere we could see the barcan dunes which signify the beginning of a desert.
Andon the way home, we had the good luck to see a caravan on its way from Timia, to Zinder and then back to Bilma to make a three month circuit to trade millet for salt.
and on the way home we had the good luck to see a caravan.
Overall, not a bad trip–don’t you think?
Medical Mission continues
Every day the midwife training continues in the morning with Dr. Bob, Aicha, and either me or Rachel and the clinic continues treating patients with Dr. Agak, Ali, Ramatu, with Louine and either Rachel or me at the pharmacy.
Patients waiting
Every day the patients increase. Word spreads fast in the nomadic territory.
The Soldiers guarding us were also very helpful organizing the entry of patients, who were on a first come first serve basis, unless an emergency arrived. We only had one of those during the trip. A severe malaria crisis who we put on an IV, stayed the night and was evacuated the next day to Arlit in much improved condition.
Treating the soldiers
The soldiers also took advantage of the opportunity to be treated for their medical problems.
Medical Mission
The medical mission got underway today, now that the fete of Tabaski is over I guess people are free to be sick. There was a line on the first day that increased every day for five days.
Here Louine and Rachel organize the pharmacy for the onslaught.
Organizing the pharmacy
The patients registered with Ali, the nurse practitioner and were sent to the appropriate office.
Triage
Bob received all the female issues and maternitiy. Dr. Agak received the pulmonary. The rest were split up.
Dr. Bob in consultation with Sola and Aicha as interpreters
My ride to work
Stocking meds and supplies
Bob and Louine had three very full bags each stuffed with vitamins and medical equipment for the training program and medical clinic.
Louine stocking vitamins
Rachel stocking meds
Stacks of midwife supplies
CPR on a doll
Tabaski
Dr. Bob Skankey, his wife Louine and Rachel Diana Charles Phillips arrived on the humanitarian plane from Niamey on Friday and solar Rich left on the same plane. We stayed one night in Agadez and headed out the next morning to see the new finished education and visitors center. I will wait until I get it a little decorated before I show you photos of it.
The beginning of the medical clinic was delayed a bit by the very important moslem holiday of Tabaski. Since the midwives to be trained could not come on the day of the fete (which was not known until the day before the fete) and was celebrated on Sunday in Agadez and on Monday in the bush where we are, the midwives could not come until Tuesday. So we had a night to party
Clowning it up on the roof terrace
Bob and his women
Bob with his wife Louine and his “adopted” Tuareg grandaughter Aicha.
