BON ACCORD!

Over the last few weeks we have been distributing clothes, blankets, soap and many other things through our Orphans and Vulnerable Children's Programme and the Social Work Office at the Hospital. It's been a lovely experience for us. One of the things I struggle with most at Chikankata is to see children walking around with no shoes and such old clothes. Poverty seems such an injustice which people are powerless to prevent. However, although it will not allieviate poverty, making gestures such as this indicates that people do care

The Hospital has also benefitted with a whole host of medical equipment. What would be thrown out in the UK is state of the art equipment here. For instance, for the first time in years we have 3 working incubators. It's been a great time, with much rejoicing!

As an ex- Aberdeen Grammar School former pupil, I am very proud and touched with how the Aberdonians has really responded to Chikankata. They have been our encouragement and inspiration and have really made a difference. Led by Stuart and Pam (who used to be my prefect at AGS!) their Youth Group really got it the whole idea of a mission trip. They should be rightly very proud of themselves. Thanks also to all who helped in anyway - the local oil companies, the shops, the hospitals. Thank you - you have done a good thing.

Below is Gerald. As you can see from the picture, Gerald was / is severely malnourished. He has been on our Children' ward for two weeks this time but has been in and out over the last few months. We handed him a Winnie Pooh to play with today and a bright beaming smile came across his face. The nurses said that has been the first time he has sat up and the first time he has smiled the whole time he has been here. His mum started to cry and said that it was the first time she had seen him smile for over 6 months. It was a magic moment. That's what it means!