sim galmi Hospital - Spring 2013

Yep, it was hot, 110° in the shade, and likely mid 120°s in the sun. But it was amazing!  We’ll never be the same. Galmi Hospital is a bright light for Christ in a place filled with unimaginable needs. Tropical diseases, Polio, grinding poverty in a mostly Muslim nation where subsistence living is the norm. But Galmi Hospital brings hope and the love of Christ. It’s a 120 bed hospital and growing. Our team went to serve the hospital, to assemble and distribute some of the 500 wheelchairs SCC had purchased, and to do whatever we could to serve the long term missionaries and medical workers.

The team assembled over 110 wheelchairs. Then Dr. Zoolkoski led team members and reps from the hospital to pre-arranged distributions to handicapped people in the region, by connections through the local pastors and government health authorities. We hired a truck, loaded it with 30-40 chairs at a time, drove to local cities to their health clinics/hospitals and put pre-screened adults and children into a wheelchair of their very own. Galmi Hospital’s Occupational Therapist, Deb, taught them proper use of the chair. This process not only helped the individuals, it also informed local people of the identity of the local Christian Pastor where they can go in time of need. Plus, it built rapport with Nigerian medical and local political leaders of the towns and demonstrated Christ’s compassion to those who can’t walk. Mayors, Village Chiefs and other local leaders were invited to the distributions. They made speeches and thanked Galmi Hospital and us. But the most impactful moment was seeing people on the ground being lifted into wheelchairs. We will never forget their gratitude.

In addition to the wheelchair work, Pat and Janna (RN’s) served with patient care and in teaching Nigerien nurses. Dr. Haft consulted on cardiology cases, taught a seminar, and saw patients in the Out Patient Department. Lauren made regular visits to the malnutrition rehabilitation center to encourage the moms. Elaine served Sharilyn Fuller (Teacher) and the medical mission staff children by helping at the Galmi Day School. Katie, our amazing team cook, also spent time in the dental clinic assessing equipment needs and helping prepare the way for future clinic improvements. Richard, Michele, Rick, Gordon, Elaine and Lauren focused on wheelchairs. Several team members also worked in the Pharmacy.

Another special project involved school desks. Galmi has three government-run primary schools and one middle school. At the middle school (over 500 students), many of the children sat on rocks without a desk to write on; some sat on the dirt floor. The team worked long hours to construct and paint new desks to give students a place to sit and write. The day we delivered the desks was one of the high points of the trip and happened to coincided with the first rainstorm of the year. When the teachers, students and headmaster saw the desks arriving in the rain, there was dancing around the school flagpole and they all said what a double blessing they were receiving from God.
On Sunday evening the team led the missionary community in worship and the Word. We have so many stories. And we hope you enjoy the pictures.