Dear Lalmba friends,
As the world economy has come to a halt and the coronavirus has each of us isolated in our homes, we want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to maintain all of our mission-critical programs in Kenya and Ethiopia. With your loyal support we can continue to serve the poorest of the poor with comprehensive health care and nutrition for the orphans and elders who depend on us. We are deep in prayer and optimistic that Lalmba will survive this crisis and that you, our dear friends, remain safe, happy, and healthy throughout the duration of your isolation. We also ask for your prayers and continued support. It can be tempting to close in and become insular in a crisis. We ask you to continue looking outward at those in even more extreme circumstances.
Please see below an article by Lalmba’s medical director, Dr. Kim Chen, on our efforts in the field to protect the communities we serve. And below that is a new video about our children’s programs that Jeff produced on his last trip to Kenya in February. We hope the video might put a smile on your face during these somber days.
Sincerely and prayerfully yours,
Jeff and Hillary
Coronavirus Challenge in Africa
by Dr. Kim Chen, Lalmba Medical Director
As cases of COVID 19 surge worldwide, Africa is no exception. Limited resources in Ethiopia and Kenya leave urban hospitals and rural clinics unprepared for a pandemic. Nairobi’s opportunists have been arrested for selling fake coronavirus test kits, and in Addis Ababa foreigners have been attacked for allegedly harboring the virus. Health care workers, facing shortages of personal protective supplies and cuts in salary, are declining to risk their lives at work.
However, Lalmba’s clinics in rural Ethiopia and Kenya are preparing themselves, as much as possible, for the spread of this pandemic. In Matoso, clinic staff have set up hand washing stations on and outside premises, as traditional soap and water is more effective against coronavirus than hand sanitizer. Prior to entering the clinic, patients are screened for COVID 19 risk factors, and positive patients are isolated, examined, treated appropriately, and referred if needed. Community members are being mobilized to sew face masks, which provide some protection against infectious droplets. And lastly, our stellar Public Health Team is parading down the beaches and towns educating the community regarding coronavirus disease and prevention.
If a community could be socially isolated, Agaro Bushi in rural Ethiopia would be a forerunner. Lalmba’s clinic, off a small road/path not accessible by public transport, is at low risk for the coronavirus pandemic. However, health officer Sultan, who has been engaging the community regarding handwashing, clean water, and hygiene, is using this opportunity to emphasize continued disease prevention practices. In an area where many children are malnourished and therefore most vulnerable to infections, he is educating families to provide the most nutritious food the are able to afford.
Throughout the years Kenya and Ethiopia have experienced epidemics of cholera, AIDS, typhoid, malaria, and famine. And yet communities survive and become stronger. Per Wangari Maathai,
“We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up and walk!”
