It was another productive day of training and collaboration to change lives in Ethiopia. Read more reflections from CSI volunteer pediatrician, Dr. Jesse Hennum:
Back home in Minnesota, it’s late summer at our family’s garden. After months of the essential sunshine, water, and nutrients, we’re harvesting veggies as fast as we can. In Ethiopia our four person team finds ourselves right in the middle of the rainy season. At the equator, the sun is shining, the soil is rich, but the rain is often scarce. So this season, rain means growth, stability, security, and harvest.
Things are looking up in Bahir Dar. The city is green and lush. The regional conflicts have eased, and the government has lifted the curfew. Business is starting to pick up, and people feel safer. The tourism industry is hopeful that they’ll bounce back from the two-year slump.
I noticed a sign above the door at the hospital that says “This building is renovated by I-TECH Ethiopia funded by PEPFAR.” PEPFAR, a U.S. medical aid program, has been around since 2003 and has given over $120 billion in aid. This program narrowly escaped the biggest cut ever in U.S. foreign aid this year.
This week our team got a real glimpse into life in northern Ethiopia, even in good times. Some young babies were too underweight for surgery. They have oral problems that make it hard for them to take breast milk, so they need formula. But their parents can’t afford formula, which costs about $11 per can, roughly 20% of the average monthly wage of $55. Despite the growing cities and infrastructure, some young people in Ethiopia are worried that there won’t be enough jobs. So they’re making a dangerous trip to the west, crossing the Sahara Desert and taking a boat across the Mediterranean.
As we began the week, I wondered what we could do in such a tough situation. But then we saw those familiar faces to our team: nurses, medical residents, anesthesia providers, and the lead surgeon (and our first Pediatric ENT fellow) Dr. Kassaw. We were reminded of these amazing professionals’ dedication to learning and their commitment to the people and the future of Ethiopia.
How will Ethiopia improve? A garden needs sun, soil, and rain. What does Ethiopia need? How can CSI help? Can we provide one of those essential things? What else is needed? For now, these big questions have to wait. The patients are here, and Dr. Kassaw and the team are awaiting our instructions and guidance. Time to put away the umbrellas and get to work!
#globalhealth #pediatricsurgery #ENT #changinglives #Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital
Yesterday, young Habtamu received treatment for a lymphatic malformation. CSI-trained ENT fellow Dr. Kassaw performed sclerotherapy, removing the fluid and injecting medication to help the area scar down.
CSI focuses on providing our local partners specialized pediatric surgical training so children like Habtamu can receive timely care — now and into the future.
#globalhealth #pediatricsurgery #ENT #changinglives #Ethiopia
Surgery day #2 is wrapping up in Ethiopia - it's been a special day full of collaboration, training and familiar faces. Read more from CSI volunteer operating room nurse, Wendy Vaughan:
It’s difficult to put into words the range of emotions I feel returning to Bahir Dar for the third time. There is so much poverty here—this city struggles deeply—but it is also filled with so much beauty. The hugs and smiles from familiar faces, from colleagues I’ve worked with on previous trips, mean the world. They top everything. And the children are so beautiful - they are both curious and cautious around us. Can you imagine what it must feel like for them to meet strangers like me?
This fellowship trip is a little different from our typical ones. We’re a smaller team with a very specific focus on surgical teaching. Truthfully, we learn almost as much from them as they do from us.
So much planning, time, energy, and resources go into even a small a trip like this. But if we can help change a child’s life—and build relationships in a world so full of conflict and hate—then these trips are worth every ounce of effort we put into them.
Thank you to everyone who supports us in any way—you make this life changing work possible!
#pediatricsurgery #nonprofit #changinglives #globalsurgery #earnosethroat #globalhealth College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
Taitu Tour and Travel Ethiopia
The Pediatric ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship training trip is off to a strong start. 35 patients screened today and scheduled for surgery. Incredible collaboration and efficiency from our volunteers and local partners — more to come as the week unfolds!
#pediatricsurgery #nonprofit #changinglives #globalsurgery #earnosethroat
College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
“We were very shameful about the baby's cleft before surgery, now we are proud and we feel very happy about the surgery. We would like to thank you very much.” Parent, Ethiopia