The last couple of days have been full of challenges as usual. The first was we got word that our nurse at the clinic had an accident on the new motorcycle and had to be evacuated to Agadez unable to walk. Then Dr. Komp woke up sick and could not go to the teaching program. Sol had been sick already and moved to a hotel from my house. Both with severe cold symptoms–or allergies in Sol’s case. We limped through the program letting the students continue building cel phone chargers and stopping work on the solar ovens. Then we got word there was a brush fire at the clinic. Sidi rushed out–there is not too much danger of the mostly adobe and cement buildings burning, but it takes the already meager pasture from the nomads, can kill people, animals and create conflicts with those angry at whoever started it. Then we got word that we need another government permit called a Fiscal number in order to clear our solar material shipment through customs. This had never been necessary before, but is now required. Then we got word that the government will not let our medical mission take place without paying for a security escort of 20 men and two armed vehicles. They had promised that we could hire a group without vehicles to guard us, but they changed their mind and are charging us plenty because they know we have no choice now. This is why they waited until the last minute to give us authorization undoubtedly. Of course the situation is on red alert because of the death of Ghaddafi. So here we are stuck again!
So on the verge of suicide, things started clearing up. The major (nurse) is now healing nicely and should be back to work soon. The motorcycle was not damaged.
The fire burned right up to the clinic but did no damage.
The fire was near the clinic, but remained small after Sidi had alerted the authorities who organized a firefighting team–here are the blistered hands of the man who accidentally started the fire from trying to
Blistered hands from fighting the fire
to put it out.
Rich and Sol are both feeling better and the oven construction continued today along with the finishing up of cell phone chargers with a new wood frame that looks pretty cool–I want to decorate it though.
Wood frames for cell phone chargers
Tamesna Education Center
The best thing that happened today was Sidi returning from the emergency fire situation with the photos of the finished education center. I am so anxious to get out there to see it. It is really quite an amazing thing in the middle of nowhere! Yipeeee!
Front entrance to the center
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