Hospital visit and shopping

We began our day visiting the hospital that treats the general public. There are several hospitals here but most cannot afford any at all. The hospital we visited has medical students treating patients. There is one surgeon that wheels some form of transport across the street to get his own patient to perform surgery. We visited the pediatric ward where most babies and children are treated for malnutrician. The entire family many times will be there standing around the bed. Families must provide food for the hospitalized patient so you will see families outside the hospital cooking. Next we stopped in the infectious disease ward where most were dying of malaria or some other life threatening illness. Lastly, the surgical building where we could view the recovery area. It all looked like Clara Barton may step out at any moment.
Friday was also shopping day. We hiked to the local market. It was very much like the West Side Market for you Clevelanders. Merchants had small booths displaying their wares. It was anything from fresh vegetables to clothing to housewares. The folks on this side of town appeared more into the cult. Voodoo paraphanalia was for sale and many did not allow pictures. The market area itself had no locical traffic pattern. There were very narrow isles that didn't necessarily go in a straight line. We did purchase some vegetables to make fresh salsa. One of the young men on the trip had intended to make guacomole but avacados are not in season.
As the kids went back to the compound a Joan and I accompanied Lynn and our young guide to local pharmacies to locate medication for scabbies. Lynn will return in May to organize a medical clinic. Medication will be provided to those in need. There are many pharmacies here but have very little on the shelves. Usually one or two of an item is the norm, if you can get anthing at all.
When we returned, vendors had set up in our schoolyard to show their wares. Don't worry families, there will be souveniers! Many of the locals make handcrafted items and send them with the merchant to sell them. We found some lovely and unique items that we will enjoy giving benefitting the lives of the ones who made and sold them.
So if that wasn't enough activity for one day we joined the Club Emanuel Youth Group for the tie dying project after dinner. We helped nearly 70 youth make shirts. They seemed to enjoy the project.
Today we will visit a village about an hours drive from where we are. I understand there is a mountain to climb with a beautiful view and a beach for the kids to swim.