January 2010

Dear Friends of IHP and the People of Tanzania,

 

Again we want to thank you for your support.  Without you this hospital would not be built, without you many woman would not be supported in labor, without you many ill people would not be cared for in a loving manner.

 

Today I would also like to talk to you about our Tanzanian staff who work long hard hours to also build this hospital.  Half of our construction crew is made up of woman, and it is a joy to see them develop their construction skills.

 

Sele, our project manager, is learning how to supervise and organize all the multiple events that make up the construction day.  Len, our volunteer concrete specialist, talks about how easy it is to do construction when money is not a factor, when all the equipment and supplies are present.  It is not so here in Tanzania.  Precious time is spent looking for things which are so easy to find in the States.  Our wish is a Home Depot next to the construction site, but that is not possible.

 

Lucy came from far away Dar es Salaam to cook for everyone, and she is an excellent cook.

 

The guards help keep our site, equipment and homes safe.

 

But without everyone working together, this hospital would not be possible: you, me, us.  Thank you all,

 

Sincerely, Mary Ellen

 

From Gloria Duda:

2010 – Its going to be a great year for I.H.P.!!!

 

Here in Mwanza we are all back to work after a nice holiday break.  Len and I were so fortunate to have good friends visit from Austria and we travelled across Tanzania by train, and also spent a few days in Zanzibar.

 

One of Len’s main assignments here was to train the Tanzania Project Manager as to many of the aspects of management he had not experienced.  He is young, smart, and learns so quickly.  Sele and Len plan the day at a 7:30 construction meeting every morning at our house.  As our crew has grown, and the construction site is so busy, we had to restructure so Sele has some help – his workload was far too much for one person.  He now has Jimmy as an assistant – and two foremen – Monica and Amon.  Every morning he looks at his “to do” list, and for each item has to ask himself – Can someone do this for me?  If so, who?  Learning to delegate has been tough for him some days as he can do everything that needs doing, and he can do it quickly.  He has had to learn his time must be spent on supervision etc.  Len has always run the meetings but now the roles are reversed, Sele runs the meetings, his assistant and foremen attend, and Len is only in an advisory role as needed.  We had a big meeting for all of the construction staff.  We have hired a number of people since the last meeting so everyone needed to be aware of our policies etc.  Some of our staff have been offered 3 month contracts – what a thrill for them!!  Job security and benefits – and a bit of a raise – it just does not get any better than that in this country.  We are relying on your donations to meet this extended payroll.  Not only will you be helping IHP build the medical complex, you are also paying wages for a worker so they can support their family.  We also announced we are setting up a little tea and coffee station by the office.  Staff here come to work early, being late is not an option on this site. They will be able to make a cup of tea or coffee in the morning before they start work.  Small things like that are so appreciated and we certainly appreciate their hard work and dedication.

 

When our wonderful cook, Lucy, came back from vacation we were able to have the grand opening of her new outdoor kitchen.  Mary Ellen was here to assist with the ribbon cutting.  I have sent Paula some pictures.  Our crew can now sit at tables to eat their lunch – and everyone loves Lucy’s cooking.  I hear Len and Sele discussing upcoming construction costs – and they are high.  Please help any way you can – every dollar makes such a difference.  Thank you all for the support you have shown our project –and we all pray for your continued support in 2010. Gloria

 

From Len Duda:

 

January Construction Update:

This is Tanzania!!  Since my last update about the vocational school students being trained and hired to do the painting, and electrical, not a drop of paint has been put on, and only a little electrical wiring done.  Not to worry, we were prepared for this and had trained some of our staff to do these jobs.  It just means they still need our direct supervision.  They are still slow, but I am satisfied with the quality of the work they do.  Our goal has been to get Sele’s support staff fully trained.  Its not long now until Gloria and I leave, and our goal is to have him, and his support staff fully trained to carry on after we leave.

 

Now for the actual construction progress.  The Birthing Center has all of the concrete topping floors done, and the nursing station in the center is well under way.  Painting is slow as we only have two painters, and two sanding people working ahead of them.  All of the inside trim in the rooms is done, and the caulking is about 50% complete.

 

The gypsum gals have the first coat on almost ¼ of the Eye Center.  This building has a lot of rooms, so some days it seems to go slow – but really it is moving ahead at a very steady pace.

 

Our greatest success is our “Employee of the Week” program.  Everyone works so hard for a chance to win the 10,000 ts. (about $8. U.S.). Its a lot of money – more than half a week’s wages for many of our crew.  Time for me to get back to work.  My job is so rewarding, and also frustrating by times.  The language barrier is always a problem – I wish I knew how to speak Swahali, maybe next time.  At least my attempts provide entertainment for the crew – I can get the first part of the words right – but the last part always seems to be wrong.  I take a lot of teasing – but all in good fun.  Your donations are being spent wisely – and carefully.  Be assured, this is a very worthwhile cause.  Len

 

Donations can be sent to:

International Health Partners, US & TZ

Joyce Zemel, Treasurer

1811 So. 39^th St. #36

Mesa, AZ  85206

 

 

Paula and Denny writing now:

 

Den is doing very well, walking now everywhere without his cane and with only pain from the operation which is less each day, and no longer has the pain and weakness associated with the nerve impingement before the surgery.  Thank you God and thank all of you for your prayers.  We leave to go back to Tanzania on Feb. 8th.  We’ll have some business to take care of in Arusha, then will go to Nyakato on the 12th.  Yes!  Sunny skies!!

 

We’ve needed some “catch-up time” with the house in Overland Park, and Den’s recovery time has provided that.  My step-father passed away a year ago and he’d been in the house for more than 30 years.  My mother died in 1991.  There was a lot that had not been done, so we’re dealing with it.

 

We’re anxious to return home to Tanzania and see the progress shown in the pictures we’ve received from Mary, Gloria, and Len.  It IS exciting.  Can’t wait to see it for ourselves.

 

There are no construction teams scheduled for Nyakato in 2010, but lots of students, volunteers, and a few medical teams.  It should be an exciting season.

 

This planet is a living, breathing thing.  Sometimes it burps and erupts and terrible things happen.  The first question seems to be, “God?  Why?”  But we also hear of miracles and people saved from impossible situations and we say, “Thank you, God.”  We DO know that God cares.  We DO know that every soul is in God’s good care.  We do know, beyond ALL doubt, that God is love and God loves us no matter what.

 

It is the love given to us by God that is extending itself through each of us to bring the people served by Nyakato Health Center.  Your generosity…your love in action…is impacting lives there each and every day.  Thank you.

 

Blessings,

Paula and Denny Lofstrom

Len and Gloria Duda

Mary Ellen Kitundu

 

 

Lets take a look at some pictures!

 

 

 

Ribbon cutting for Lucy's new outdoor kitchen.

 

 

Interior of the Bogumil Birthing Center - January 2010.  I believe this is a picture of a birthing room taken from the nurses' station.  Looks so different than it did a year and a half ago, but I know that window well.  Never could get that one straight and level. Rex

 

 

Interior walls of the eye center