From: Geoffrey Richter [richter6family@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 6:10 PM

Dear Family and Friends,

We were blessed this week with Dr. Peter and his team of national Doctors and Nurses to come and put on a three day medical clinic. We chose this April to visit two villages, one 45 minutes away in an area where we have a long established church presence and another 1 1/2 hours away where the church is very new. We found the children to be very sick in both villages. Dr. Peter stated the children out in the Dagara territory were more sick than any he had seen in Burkina.

In the two days the team saw 353 people, mostly children. We were so surprised to find in one school that 1/3 of the students tested positive for malaria during the dry season, which is typically not malaria season. We also discovered that the children were generally more malnourished than normal. Overall the children were so sick, all but approximately 30 children were given medicine and even those without medication were given multi-vitamins. Unbelievably, 95% had ear blockage requiring cleaning. How can these children expect to learn when they can't even hear well or feel well? Clean water is a problem at the school as well.

The people who were seen had various illnesses such as Malaria, Typhoid, upper respiratory infections, worms, amoebas, hernias, highly contagious viruses that are bumps on the body, testicular problems, open wounds, burns, tooth decay, vision problems, and even a few more serious issues with lung problems and a three year old with a possible hole in her heart. One boy 5 days prior to our visit fell into an open fire and burned his hand severely. The family had not taken care of him properly because they could not afford the medicine and treatment.

It is important to us to not only provide some relief to the hurting, but also to follow up with those who have more serious cases. There are many children with whom we want to provide additional care and treatment: 51 dental cases, 7 opthalmology visits, 17 general medicine and 7 surgeries.

Behind the statistics were faces of beautiful, innocent children. It is beyond imagination how they grow up enduring chronic pain, illness and malnutrition. Good healthcare, nutrition, and availability of medicines is something that is not even possible for them. At first many children were so afraid to be touched by the doctors but left with a smile on their faces. One of the most touching moments was that each child was prayed over personally by local church leaders.

I personally was touched by several cases dealing with eyes. Perhaps because two of my own children would be in great distress if they had not been blessed themselves by having lived in a country where great doctors have gently and persistently taken care to provide them with the best care. One child stood looking or should I say trying to look for the chart. People from all directions were trying to tell him where to look. I realized he could not see it at all as tears ran down his face. All I could do was hold him and say it is okay and stopped the test. Another child wrenched my heart as she was born with the same genetic disorder as Caleb but also the Albinism was in her skin in addition to her eyes. Her eyes also reminded me of Caleb when he was just a baby. Her eyes floated back and forth (Nystagmas) and it was apparent she could see very little. Oh, I pray to help her, so she can run, play and learn as my son is able to do after years of good care. And finally I was touched with a father holding his three old daughter. She looked to be 6 months old but after talking further found she was 3 years old with major heart problems. Unfortunately there are no facilities in Burkina where heart surgery can be performed on a child. We would need to find a special donor for this girl to receive treatment in Europe or the U.S.

I would like to personally thank The Bell Family Foundation for sponsoring this medical clinic. Without their support we would not have been able to touch so many lives. Please pray for all these children, and especially those who need follow up treatment. We will do our best to see that each one receives the care they so desperately need.

Blessings,
Suzanne Richter