Saturday, June 4, 2011
Shopping Saturday. After breakfast, BWeave and Dr. Tullos shuttled us into Kalomo for a shopping extravaganza. Most of us were all on the prowl for chitangees and chocolate while Ben and Tessa searched for soccer cleats. Ben was able to bargain his soccer cleats down from 200K to 65K (roughly $13). We finally found some masculine chitangees at one of the “tents” Dr. Tullos brought us to. When I say “tent”, I mean thousands of sticks put together to form hundreds of tents, with trash on top for shade. The markets are what I like to call, the real Africa. Namwianga is not luxury to most Americans but if you asked the average Zambian, I believe they would say that we are living quite nice over here.
It’s always an interesting experience when we, makuwa, go to the market. Makuwa is what many Zambians call “white person”. As soon as the first “tent” spots a makuwa, they pass it on. Before you even step foot into the market, everyone already knows you are there. As you can imagine, the prices suddenly go up but some of us were able to bargain. After we got back to Namwianga, Anna and I went to Mrs. Mona’s….again. She said it would be 60K for a men’s collared shirt with buttons; which is only about $12…. Sold.
We saw a substantial amount of progress with the little ones this week! Many have began to crawl, turn over, walk, and talk. Jonathan pointed to his nose on command last week. That day was my favorite day since we have been here, I was so proud of him. Leo is crawling, Victoria is sitting up on her own, Mary smiled (with teeth!!!!!!), Maureen said “auntie”, Nathan is socializing… it has been a great week!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I finally started my Capstone research project! I am administering the Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Quality of Communication in Life (QCL) to as many college students as I can while I am in Zambia. When I get back to the states I will administer the same tests to the same number of college students and then compare the results.
Before I left I spoke with my friend, Rob Keener, who is getting his masters in history at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. I was telling him about my research project and he said I would be surprised with the depression outcomes. As of now, he was correct. I only administered the tests to four female college students but they scored in the severely depressed bracket. I will be administering the tests after dinner every night this week, hopefully… so we shall see if the results will be consistent.
Cara came up with the idea for all of us to run or walk a 5K while we are here. We would go on the short walk and then head back on the long walk. While many people were sleeping or doing their research at The Haven, Shanna and I decided to go on a nice walk. We took some great pictures. The weather is so nice (low 80’s), someone compared it to Texas in the summer and I immediately corrected her statement.
This week Cari, Anna and I will be in BWeave’s group (feeding/swallowing)!! We get to do motor exercises and the Beckman exercises on infants… which I love to do. It should be another great week in Africa.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Our group this week is the feeding class with the babies in Haven 3. We use the Z-Vibe, giggler, nuk brushes, pacifiers, buccal rubs, c-stretches, and the Beckman exercises. All of these methods and stimulators promote motor strength and ability. I worked with Joel, Martin, Adam, and Nicole. Reagan, the OT coming, will be evaluating Joel for cerebrals palsy.
There was an addition to The Haven over the weekend, a little girl named Ellen. She is 6 ½ weeks old and weighs less than 5 pounds. Her father died and her mother is in the hospital. Ellen was born with HIV and TB. BWeave called Caroline, our feeding specialist, because Ellen is having difficulty latching on to the bottle. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers… she needs them.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ellen has lost over a pound; she now weighs 2.4 pounds. Yesterday, all of Ellen’s veins collapsed so they couldn’t give her any fluids through an IV but she went back to the hospital today and they had luck! She has joined our feeding class and is getting pleeeenty of buccal rubbs and c-stretches. It is still a daily struggle to keep her engaged and hydrated but as of this afternoon, things are looking up.
On one of our walks back today, Lauren and I heard screams so we looked back and Tessa was running towards us yelling, “snake!” Ashley said she saw a snake about 3 or 4 inches wide and probably four feet long! Good news… we’re all alive, bad news… Tessa has been on edge ALL day.
Harding University hired two videographers to come join us to shoot a documentary about the HIZ-PATH program, Tyler and Mark. On their way over from the states, they randomly saw Emily Wiles (Rob Keener’s gf) at the airport in Johanesberg… crazy! She is on her way to visit Rob in Port Elizabeth, where he attends school.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thumbs-up Thursday. I have fallen head over heals for Lincoln in Haven 3. His smile is incredibly contagious and his babbling is the cutest thing I have ever heard. Lincoln rolled over several times today and is beginning to sit up on his own. The videographers missed it but hopefully they will catch him doing it again tomorrow!
Today is Ian’s 14th birthday! After therapy we drove out to Jordan’s Rock for a campfire. Naiveen and I donated one of our chocolate bars as a gift from the HIZ-PATH peeps… Ian was pleased. We roasted hotdogs and Reagan brought stuff for s’mores! Today has been one of those days when I can’t believe I am where I am.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Today is our last day in feeding (and trunk control) therapy and I am not happy about it. We have seen so much progress!! Lincoln rolled over multiple times AND sat up on his own for minutes! I am going to miss him so much. Ellen has gained weight and is keeping formula down! Dr. Weaver didn’t even recognize her this morning because her face has filled out so much.
The videographers followed be around today.. I guess because I didn't go to Harding for undergrad... more stories to come.
Dr. Weaver and Dr. Tullos are leading a workshop this afternoon with all of the first year college students. I saw an opportunity and asked Dr. Tullos if I could come and hand out the BDI and QCL to all first years (about 90) and he said that would be a great idea. Now, I am just hoping that the copier works!
Dad gave me the go to buy more internet... so I will post more often!
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