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Villages in Partnership

Fighting Poverty in Malawi

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Medical Blog

Our Faith Can Move Mountains – By Molly Babb

March 27, 2020 by Carissa Rea 3 Comments

There are no words to describe the feeling of exhaustion at the end of a long day of clinic or bouncing down the bumpy dirt roads in the back of a truck, or playing soccer in the hot sun, or worshipping at church in Chichewa, or sitting on straw mats in a village. There are no words to describe much of life in Malawi. The poverty is incomprehensible unless you’ve seen it firsthand. The sense of community in a people rich in their faith is hard to imagine. But as we sit in church, voices lifted in praise in both Chichewa & English, there is no doubt that our shared faith can move mountains, that we serve a God bigger than the disparities between us. There are no words to describe showing up to the clinic at 8 AM and seeing 200-plus people sitting there waiting, knowing some of them walked hours to be there.

It can be overwhelming to begin the task of seeing each of them, along with another 400, in a somewhat organized manner by the end of the day. There are also no words for the sweetest of moments in the midst of the chaos & feelings of inadequacy. For close to 2 years I’ve heard about Juliet- a girl with spina bifida that VIP was able to bring a wheelchair to several years ago. This year, in the midst of a busy day at the clinic, Lucy pulled me aside and introduced me to Juliet. A smiling girl now in her teens greeted me, dressed in her school uniform. She and her mother had come by to say hello! What a privilege and joy it was to meet her, to see the way her life has changed because of the work VIP is doing. 

Similarly, I held a boy with cerebral palsy as his older sister was seen by a clinician, and pondered the burden his sister faces as she must carry him everywhere. Despite this, the joy on both of their faces was unparalleled. I found out that his name is Blessings, and was instantly moved to tears. We were able to bring a wheelchair for him the next day, and the weight that was lifted off his sister’s shoulders, both literally and figuratively, was visible. Cue the tears again. It is moments like these where there really are no words to describe seeing Jesus here on earth. He shows up, on the dusty roads, in a busy clinic, on the face of a smiling child or a relieved sister, and in all of our lives. Leaving Malawi grateful and humbled, with the reminder to seek Jesus, even in these uncertain times. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

My Heart is Changed for the Better – By Abby Huston

March 20, 2020 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

This trip to Africa has been one of the absolute best experiences of my life. I feel so blessed that I was able to use my nursing skills to serve the people of Malawi and meet amazing, life long friends along the way. There is really no way to fully describe Malawi, the villages we serve, and the Malawian nurses and doctors we work alongside, but I can say that you will leave Malawi a different person than you were before you came. This trip has changed my heart for the better and I am forever grateful for this incredible experience. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

The Warm Heart of Africa – By Jaclyn Maushart

March 19, 2020 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

Going to Malawi with VIP and the medical team has absolutely changed my life forever. I can say first hand that the amount of love the Malawians have for each other and us is truly amazing. I now see why this country is called “the warm heart of Africa”. This trip had a few changes, but we always knew that God would provide and have a plan. With our trust in Him and each other, everything went way better than I could have ever expected. I made so many friends with both the American medical team and the Malawian staff members.

The Malawian translators were amazing at being our voices for the week. They were always willing to teach us their language (Chichewa) so that we could speak to the patients in the clinics. Seeing the smile on the faces of our patients when we spoke their language absolutely warmed my heart. The amount of impact this trip has had on my life cannot be put into words and I am truly grateful for VIP and the entire village community. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

My New Malawian Friends – By Erin Joyce

March 17, 2020 by Carissa Rea 3 Comments

We are created the same, yet somehow by a unique set of circumstances, we survive differently. I met a culture of people born into poverty with unimaginable suffering in Malawi, Africa. They are brilliant and happy and kind and beautiful. Their resilience and ability to laugh drew me to them, and their suffering is what made me want to stay to give them the aid they need and deserve.

VIP gave me the opportunity to emerge myself in this population for a week. Although I was able to provide care to thousands of people, the return on my time was much more valuable. I learned how the Malawian people thrive despite their difficult circumstances. I also learned how to go home and live differently because of my new Malawian friends. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Mkumbira Village Borehole – By Kathleen Grant, RN

March 13, 2020 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

I first learned of Villages in Partnership in October of 2019. I had the honor of giving Mr. Mwalabu and his team of VIP Malawian Staff a tour of St. Luke’s Hospital located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As we walked around the hospital, which I have worked for 8 years, I watched as the eyes of our Malawian visitors widened. One never realizes the extent of their fortune until faced with the misfortune of others. The Malawian team was in awe with the resources at our fingertips. As I listened to them discuss VIP’s mission this overwhelming feeling of the need to help took over my body. I decided at that moment I would join the March Medical Trip.

Laura RN, Erin CRNP, and myself RN, took to our own mission before our trip to Malawi. We as a group decided to fundraise enough money to purchase a well for a village in Malawi. Over the course of two months with help from our hospital, church, high school, family, and friends we raised the $6,800.  Fast forward to March 8th, present-day Malawi. 24 American volunteers stood around a well “borehole” in the village of Mkumbira surrounded by Malawian villagers.

We learned of the well’s accomplishments. They are 45meters deep and serve 75 families with clean water. That clean water can last upwards of 20-40 years with the proper care and preservation of the villagers! As we all gathered to witness this profound blessing, a woman was asked how the well has changed her life. “I used to walk over an hour one way for water. Due to my age and health, I could no longer travel the long distance. This well has given our village such happiness.” Alinafe Nwenye. Her eyes, her happiness, her well being made our mission complete.

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Dental Care in Malawi – By Scott Gradwell

August 2, 2019 by Carissa Rea 2 Comments

We, meaning myself and two talented Malawian dentists, saw 96 patients  in the dental clinic today. 96! And I am confident the next few days the numbers will be even higher and that’s because access to care and dental supplies is so limited here. The government dental clinics have not had any lidocaine for the past three months so they have not been able to perform any extractions. Can you imagine having to wait for months to have a painful, decaying tooth extracted?

With poor access to care, extractions are the most frequent and required treatment option for the villagers and care in these remote villages is done without electricity or running water.  With the commitment of our Malawian partners and with support from my colleagues in the Us we are trying to shift that paradigm. Each year that I have returned to this community we have brought additional materials and equipment to support more treatment options. In 2014 we were only able to provide extractions and we did so with patients sitting in two plastic lawn chairs.

Today we have three Asceptico dental chairs a generator and portable dental hanoieces. This year we added a portable cavitron machine which will allow us the ability to clean teeth and treat periodontal disease. We also brought restorative materials for doing dental fillings meaning we can repair teeth instead of extract them. All of this equipment is used during monthly dental clinics run by VIP. It’s exciting and invigorating to impact such critical needs and to do so in a great partnership with my Malawian dental colleagues. It’s time for bed now though because hundreds will be waiting tomorrow.

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

A Day of Impact – By Devin Murray

August 1, 2019 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

I can only describe today as terrifying and honoring. After lunch, one of the providers named Sarah, whom I had formed a close relationship with the day before, came up to me saying we were being called away to see a patient. So, I grabbed a blood pressure cuff, my stethoscope, and a thermometer. We hopped in the back of the land cruiser and we were on our way. Finally, Sarah told me what was going on. The chief’s husband was sick and was unable to walk to our clinic so we were coming to him. As we drove, we went over the correct greeting with Sarah’s translator and when to kneel and when to stand. We arrived and our moment of truth was upon us. Sarah and I looked at each other, gave a terrified excited smile, and went to the chief’s door.

The chief and her husband were extremely kind and welcoming. Sarah asked what his complaints were and to see his medical passport. The chief went off in search of the passport and we continued to get information from the husband. Using our translator Emma, we were able to get all of his major symptoms. We went through the passport looking at his medical history. We really collaborated together about what diagnosis we were thinking and how to best handle them. Knowing that he had a history of hypertension I went in thinking the blood pressure was going to be high. I took it once and got a low reading. I turned to Sarah and told her my findings and said I wanted to take it again. Diving deeper into the history Sarah found he was taking medicine for his hypertension and the reading I got was similar to the ones that they were getting while he was taking his meds. Knowing that my second reading was almost exactly like my first, I moved on to the easy stuff, temperature and pulse. He thanked me and gave me a toothy smile.

Knowing my hard part was done I returned to Sarah’s side to figure out what medicine treatment would best take care of his ailments. We explained to the chief and her husband what our plan of action was and that we would be back in 15 minutes with medicine and instructions. After many thanks were exchanged in both English and Chichewa, we calmly walked back to the land cruiser. Once we were safely behind closed car doors Emma, Sarah and I all let out a huge deep breath and burst in to laughter. As the car drove, we went to work on our med plan. When we reached the clinic, Sarah asked to wait in the car for a few minutes to finalize the plan and celebrate. After a group-hug/high-five situation and some good old women empowerment encouragement, we went into the clinic in search of our meds to bring to the chief.

This experience in Malawi has been incredibly impactful. I am out of my comfort zone completely, eating new things, taking manual blood pressures, standing or rather kneeling in front of village chiefs. I am so thankful to my nursing instructor Lucy who encouraged me to go on this trip on Thursday morning in early September at 7am (when I should have been studying for my test). I am so grateful to the VIP staff and medical and dental team for this big community of love and service. I can’t wait to see what the final day of clinic holds.

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Cydney is my Mchimwene – By Noah Seelhorst

August 1, 2019 by Carissa Rea 1 Comment

Words can’t begin to explain the bond and friendship that I have made with Cydney. I am going to attempt to explain how much he has impacted me this past 10 days as well as our team. Cydney has a dynamic and impactful personality. He is well respected among his village. He comes from humble beginnings and does not take anything for granted. Cydney has such a big heart and is loving and caring towards his people as well as the Americans.

As my translator this past week, Cydney has taken me under his wing. He has taught me many words in Chichewa which has allowed me to see more into the lives of the villagers we have interacted with. He has also introduced me to foods that are favorites of the Malawian people. I have had the opportunity to try sugar cane, sweet potatoes, papaya, nsima, and cassava. I was also blessed with the opportunity to be welcomed into Cydney’s home which helped shine light into Cydney’s life. He grew up as an orphan living with his uncle and cousins, whom he refers to as his father and brothers and sisters. Through the help of his family and VIP, he is now in his second year of university. He is studying communication with a minor in theology at African Bible College.

He has aspirations to join the ministry because of the love and care that VIP has provided him. Cydney also takes a big role in his church and can be heard singing aloud on Sunday’s.  Cydney has shown me the reason we need to break down the walls that may be dividing us, and I am happy to say I now have a friend and brother who lives across the world from me. I know that he is going to continue to inspire and help his people. I can’t wait to come back and see the positive impact that Cydney has made on his village and the Malawian people. Zikomo kwam biri my mchimwene Cydney. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Inoculating Chickens – By Dr. Barbara Edwards

August 1, 2019 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

This morning, eight of us woke up at 4:45 AM to go help the village of Ntambo inoculate chickens against Newcastle Disease.  This is a virus that has ravaged the chicken population in Malawi.  Because of Newcastle Disease, VIP has had to suspend its program of chicken distribution to the most vulnerable families until they could get the disease under control.  Now VIP helps the villagers inoculate their chickens every 4 months.

We arrived at 5:30 AM along with the sunrise.  After being greeted by the chief of the village (a woman!) the villagers all brought their chickens to the center square in the village. So many chickens! Entire families came with chickens. There were chickens in baskets. There were chickens in buckets. There even were chickens carried in their hands.  Little children arrived swinging chickens nonchalantly by their feet and wings. There were roosters and newborn chicks, and we took care of them all. VIP staff member Charles Sokoso explained to the villagers and the Americans how to inoculate all of these birds. It was surprising how simple the process was.

While each villager held a chicken, we grabbed its beak, turned its head and put a single drop of vaccine into one eye.  When we weren’t busy giving this medicine to the chickens, we were able to cuddle with the baby chicks and play with all the children. It was a great morning and definitely worth it even if we did have to get up at the crack of dawn!

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Addada, One of Endearment – By Katie Hulit

July 31, 2019 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

Villages in Partnership works in conjunction with each of the villages’ “VIC”, Village Implementation Committee, to identify the most vulnerable families in the area to visit. This allows our American team to gain some insight into the daily lives of those they are serving. Today, I travelled to the village of Disi and was welcomed to Addada’s home. Her actual name is Patuma but everyone calls her Addada, a term similar to “grandmother” and one of endearment. She welcomed us to join her on a straw mat outside of her home which also happens to be what she sleeps on at night. She doesn’t know how old she is but says that she was about 10 years old around the great famine in 1949 – putting her around 80 years young.

We asked her questions about her household, how her harvest was, how far she has to walk to access water… questions that one would rarely, if ever, ask in the United States. Her 14 year old granddaughter, Shalom, lives with her because Addada can no longer take care of herself. At 14, Shalom is Addada’s sole care provider. Shalom works in the garden in hopes to harvest enough food to feed her and her grandmother, she carries water on her head and helps manage Addada’s health. It was heartwarming and incredible to witness this young woman care for her family with little to no resources. Having helped care for my own grandmother, I appreciated how special this was and how difficult it must be. It was a privilege to be invited to their home and I am humbled by my time spent with them. 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

A New Vision – By Timothy Golden

July 29, 2019 by Carissa Rea 5 Comments

On my second visit to Malawi I was asked to take on a new venture.  VIP had acquired a package of eye glasses and lenses through their partnership with Global Vision 2020.  This consisted of 250 pairs of frames and a variety of corrective lenses.  But the key feature was a device which is worn like glasses which has a plastic piece on each side which can be adjusted with a wheel to change the setting.  We would first test a patient’s vision using an eye chart taped to the wall and identify on what line their vision started to fail.  Then we would use the device to identify what corrective setting cleared up their vision.  Using setting on the plastic piece we could then select the specific lens from a case of lenses and snap them into the frames.

The real significance of this project is that these people had no access to glasses before we brought this here.  In many instances, when the new glasses were placed on the patient, their face brightened up with the realization that they could see clearly.  We also brought reading glasses in various strengths.  Again, the reaction from the people when they could clearly see the words in their medical passport was very rewarding.  Wearing glasses myself, from a young age, I can appreciate how beneficial they will be.

We are trying to make this program a sustainable one rather than something that only happens with the clinics.  One of the group that ran the eye clinic portion of the clinic was a local Malawian teacher. I trained him on how to conduct the exams and how to assemble the glasses.  He then did most of the exams and the interaction with the Malawians while I assembled the glasses from the resulting tests.  To keep the program sustainable, we charged about $1 for each pair of glasses. This should be enough to cover the costs of replacing the frames and the lenses and to generate a small profit for the teacher.

Another aspect of the eye clinic was the participation of a local Malawian eye doctor.  Many of the people who showed up at the eye clinic had problems with their eyes that were not related to glasses and he was able to provide assistance through drugs from our pharmacy or through a referral to the local hospital for proper treatment.  Again, this access to eye care is something which does not normally exist in the villages.  We are now looking at the opportunity to add eye care to the ongoing clinic services.

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

A Life-Changing Impact – By Elizabeth Hughes

July 22, 2019 by Carissa Rea 2 Comments

Today was an amazing day that I will never forget!  For many years at Cornerstone, I’ve enjoyed being a part of the annual Water Walk and helping to raise funds for their mission in Malawi. I’ve encouraged others to donate, talking about the “life changing” projects that were underway.  Today I had a chance to appreciate how accurate the phrase “life changing” is and to see the results firsthand.  

Our first stop was a primary school, where over 750 children are receiving an education.  Their smiles warmed my heart.  Next we visited a farm where we saw the way solar panels are being used to create an irrigation system, allowing crops to grow when it’s not the rainy season.  Third, we saw a maize mill where corn is ground to make flour, and the warehouse where excess is stored to help get through the lean months.  Finally, we visited Libwalo Village, where we were welcomed so warmly, with lots of smiles, and singing and dancing. We were able participate in a goat pass-on ceremony. When VIP gives a family a goat, they have to pass on one of its kids to another vulnerable family.  Today, we saw the ceremony where one family gives another the new goat, with so much joy.  We also helped to give the goats de-worming medication, which was quite interesting.  A meal was prepared for us, and it was delicious!  

In all of our stops, I could see directly how people’s lives had been changed. The women of the village sang a song as we left that I feel speaks volumes for the impact VIP has had in Malawi. The lyrics roughly translated go as follows: “before VIP, we were sad, but now we are happy.” I feel so blessed to be here!

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

Zomba Central Hospital: Struggling To Serve The Poor

April 15, 2019 by Carissa Rea 3 Comments

VIP's Medical Team is seen walking in front of Zomba Central Hospital
VIP’s medical team is seen touring Zomba Central Hospital

Going into Zomba Central Hospital, we had no idea what to expect. It was an eye opening experience that we will never forget. Walking up to the buildings, they looked run-down compared to the medical facilities we have in the United States. There were people walking around the grounds, almost like it was a bustling marketplace. We had the opportunity to meet with the specialists at the hospital, as well as the chief nursing executor. They provided wonderful insight about the challenges that the hospital faces, as well as the progress they have made. We then were fortunate enough to go on a tour of the hospital.

It was shocking to learn the nurse to patient ratio—one nurse to 20-40 patients on a good day. Each ward consisted of one large room, with multiple beds inside. It’s hard to put into words the conditions of the patients and their families there. So much of what we take for granted in the United States—clean gloves, gowns, isolation precautions, sometimes electricity & private rooms—was lacking. We returned from the visit humbled and with a new appreciation for the healthcare system that we are blessed with in the States. The frustrations we are familiar with regarding healthcare in the United States do not even scratch the surface of the healthcare system here and what we saw today. We all walked away from our trip forever changed.

Written By: Allie Schindler and Molly Babb, Xavier Nursing Students

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

Taking Vitals on a Chief

April 1, 2019 by Carissa Rea Leave a Comment

Today at Clinic I had the wonderful opportunity to care for a Chief of one of the villages that we were serving. All of a sudden this woman was brought to the front of the line and sat down right away. I was then informed by my interpreter that she was a chief. Knowing how important she was I got very nervous as I was taking her vitals. She was honestly one of the friendliest women that I had met so far. She was extremely grateful for the care that I was providing and spoke to me very enthusiastically and friendly. Once I had gotten her vitals and taken down her chief complaint it was time to send her on her way. I enthusiastically shook her hand and thanked her for all that she did. Taking vitals for the chief today was one of the coolest things I have done since coming to Malawi.

Written By: Katelyn Wnek

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

Grateful Through the Storm – By Tessa Mills

March 29, 2019 by Carissa Rea 1 Comment

After church we hopped in the truck to go and visit some people around Sakata whose houses had melted (literally) from the rain and floods of Malawi’s rainy season. The houses are made out of mud bricks, that are hardened from being in the sun, but unfortunately they simply don’t stand a chance against the torrents of water that gushed towards them.

The first house we visited, an entire half of the house gone, the resident, and older Malawian woman told us how she now had to live with her daughter. The second house, a young couple – the wife expecting – had their house collapse while they were inside sleeping! Praise the Lord no one was hurt, however, their entire backside of the house had melted away, and the roof was structurally unstable, not even safe enough to stand under. They were also forced to find other housing accommodations. Standing next to their collapsed houses, these people did not complain or cry, but simply found other solutions and carried on.

It’s shocking and amazing to watch how resilient the Malawian people are – they have no help when disasters like this come, no government aid, no temporary housing solutions, no resources to rebuild. Yet, they continue to exude joy and gratefulness. How convicted I felt of my complaining about much smaller issues.

Written by: Tessa Mills, Xavier Nursing Student

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

Agape-Experiencing the Highest Form of Love during Worship

March 27, 2019 by Carissa Rea 1 Comment

A worship experience is taking place with both Malawians and VIP visitors seated in the pews together

Rachel’s Worship Experience

Written by: Rachel Hesse, Xavier Nursing Student

Going to church for a 3 hour worship service was never a desire of mine, but I have never laughed, smiled, danced, and sang at the top of my lungs (not well, mind you) as much as I did that day. The happiness, the joy, the faith, the love, and the hope was overflowing out of the small sanctuary. It was something beyond inspiring.

I have never felt God’s presence within a community as much as I did being surrounded by the villagers on my trip to Malawi. They were dressed in their best and greeting us warmly. In the words of Liz, the best word to describe it was truly agape. It was pure undeniable love, hope, and belief that even in the hardest of times, God will provide. Just as our reading taught us, even when we struggle and begin to sink, God will always be with us.

In Malawi, those who have nothing and struggle everyday to survive, to feed and protect their families, surround us. Yet, they have the most faith and joy in God’s grace. You will never know a stranger in Malawi, only friends. Seeing the room light up when we started to sing our song in Chichewa during the worship service is something I will cherish forever. We were truly marching in the light of God (Hallelujah!).

Take a look at Maria’s experience!

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

A Malawian Village Experience – By Jessica Spady

March 18, 2019 by Carissa Rea 4 Comments

Today was my first initial day in a Malawian village called Liti. Here, I am pictured with a group of amazing children who thought I spoke Chichewa, the Malawian language, because of the color of my skin. They were eating pumpkin and offered me some, and wondered why I wasn’t responding. I told the translator to inform them that I was American, but, I’d love to learn their language. They asked me to stay, I told them I’d be back next year in which they replied, “that’s too long”. The children here are so joyful and full of life. I am so grateful to have this opportunity experience the culture and tradition of the Malawian village.

Written By: Jessica Spady, Nurse

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

A Medical Miracle – by Kaitlin Duncan

November 15, 2018 by Carissa Rea 1 Comment

This July, I returned to Malawi with VIP for my second medical trip. As a nursing student, I had experience with patients and hospitals, but never imagined a healthcare system like Malawi’s. When you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, it’s hard to fathom why you should care about a mosquito net over your bed or why you should get that sore on your leg looked at. You do your best to survive in an unforgiving environment with little resources. Malawi’s hospitals differ so greatly requiring family members to support the patients’ needs including meals while getting treatment. Going to the hospital as a mother means leaving your children home alone or with a relative to care for them. Going to the hospital as a child means having a family member come and cook for you. The hospital means taking time away from harvesting fields and providing food for your family. Treatment is often withheld until the disease progresses, making it even more difficult to treat.

My first day in the medical clinic my instructor, Lucy Goeke, said that I was needed to help a patient that just arrived. She told me the patient was an injured young girl named Aristina and that I should prepare myself. I entered the room with another instructor, Jackie, and immediately was taken aback. The young girl was my age, in her early 20’s. The mother told us, through our interpreter, that the girl was epileptic, suffered a seizure, and fell into a fire. Her shirt was holding on by threads as the fire had devoured the skin on both of her arms and even more so on the girl’s chest and breasts. She was covered in blisters as the burn had just taken place earlier that morning. We were limited so we applied ointment to the blisters and kept them from drying to the bandages we placed to keep infection out. The next day she returned and we were able to debride the burns and clean the edges to allow for new skin to grow. Another day passed until we saw the girl again. She seemed in much better spirits as the burns were feeling less painful. We set her up with dressings and arranged for her to return weekly to meet with a Villages in Partnership clinician. VIP employees and several clinicians came to continue care and meet with the most vulnerable patients. Leaving the girl in the hands of a Malawian clinician made it much easier since we had trust in their work. I received an update about five months later showing her progress and that only made me want to return to see her more.

Returning to Malawi this past July, I was amazed to see Aristina in such good spirits along with her family. We were welcomed to sit with her and the family as we conversed over how the past year had gone. Her burns were fully healed and she was smiling from ear to ear, something that I had yet to see. The mother said that Aristina stopped talking after the incident since it was so traumatic to her, but recently started talking again. Aristina faces many obstacles living in a rural village, but because of the care she received from the VIP clinicians, infection will not be one of them. When VIP asked the villages what they could do for this region, they responded saying the number one resource needed is access to healthcare. Building a clinic nearby means quicker access and less detrimental outcomes for villagers. The clinics treat illness along with disease and help with prevention including of fetal abnormalities and sickness by providing prenatal care through VIP’s partnership with Vitamin Angels. The clinics also offer access dental care. The dental clinic grows each year, continually advancing. Not only has VIP been able to remove teeth through these clinics but now they have been able to save people’s teeth and conduct cleanings. VIP supports thousands of Malawians and I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful team enriched with heartwarming people.

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Shawna Whitford

September 2, 2018 by Jordan Heinzel-Nelson 1 Comment

I have a dream.  My dream is to make a positive difference in someone’s life and that the act will be remembered.
That’s hard to do when you are a person who is perfectly happy to be in the background.  I won’t be front and center.  I’m not an adrenaline junky.  If life was a movie set, I would be the lighting person.  Equally important role, but who sticks around reading the credits for the lighting persons name?  If you see me, I will be in the back, quietly helping and working.  I will work even harder to stay out of the spotlight.
So, how will I make a positive difference to one person in the background?
I am in Malawi, when another support member of the group is questioning her role.  Why am I here?  What am I doing to make a difference?  She looks around and looks at the medical staff like they are more valued.  This hits me hard as I often feel the same way and I am medical.  I want to offer words of comfort, but I know those words will not help.  It is the same words spoken to me and I still have those insecurities and self doubt.  As the days pass this is still weighing on me.  She has value, every step of this is dependent on her role.  She plans and organizes.  Without that we wouldn’t be here to do the part we do.  I also know those words won’t help as I have heard them and I know it to be true but the self doubt remains.  
I am in Kalupe, working the pharmacy.  It is the end of the last day of clinic.  It is busy and I am only vaguely aware of my surrounding.  I glance up and a Malawian women is eyeing me, she strides with purpose and her eyes never drop from my glance.  She approached with haste and begins speaking her native Chichewa.  She speaks fast and with passion.  I cannot understand.  I immediately think, I forgot to give her something, she feels she was not treated appropriately, what did I miss?  I call for my Malawian interpreter Lucy.
“Lucy! I need you to tell me what she is saying.”
Conversation begins in Chichewa and once again I am lost from the conversation.
Lucy turns to me and says…
“She wants you to know that she remembers you from last year.  She came in with severe malaria.  Because of you and the other American’s she received medications.  She says thank you.  She says you saved her life and wants you to know she is fine.”
Tears form quickly and we embrace each other.
It takes a village to care for a village.  It takes people with different talents and passions, who can work together to achieve a common goal.
In the background, I was remembered.  Life goal achieved thanks to God, this team, and VIP.
Thank you to everyone on this team for your talent, support, and friendship.  We are now family.


“Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much”  –  Helen Keller
Written by Shawna Whitford

Filed Under: Journal, Medical Blog, news

A Happy Man Lives Long – By Jordan Heinzel-Nelson

August 4, 2018 by Jordan Heinzel-Nelson 3 Comments

When we walk into the dusty clearing surrounding a quaint little hut, an old man hobbles out to meet us. He calls something in rapid Chichewa to a couple boys nearby. They run and grab some burlap sacks on which we sit to avoid getting our cloths too dusty.

After we are seated, he totters over and greets each of us. After greetings, he sits to talk. The sweetest eyes peer out from his round face and a toothless smile stretches from ear to ear. We are immediately charmed.

We are here for a home-visit, an essential part of every trip to Malawi – even for the medical team. Amidst the busy days of clinic, it is important to find time to come, be present, and chat with some of the most vulnerable families. It invites insight into the lives of people who live without secure food sources, without dry spaces on which to sleep, without clean water.

Today we are visiting Levision Dulana at Mpoola village. I am with my Mom, a team member named Carol, and our translator, Sydney.

“We are here to learn a little bit about your life,” Carol tells him. “Is it ok if we ask you some questions?” (Sydney is translating everything).

“Of course, it is fine,” he replies.

“Who lives with you?”

“A 13 year-old grandson, but he is gone now for Chinamwale in the Simba.”

Chinamwale is the initiation of boys to men – they are circumcised at the beginning and then spend a month secluded in a tent with men, learning about many… things. I shudder imagining this traumatizing experience as a 13-year-old.

We talk for some time – his story is like many others. He lives alone because his wife left when he grew too ill to work. He did not harvest enough food to last the year. He lives with the boy because he cannot care for himself. But the community helps him, sending aid. He is still not sure how he will make it. God will provide.

Finally, my Mom returns to the initial conversation. “Abambo, can you tell us about chinamwale? Or is it a secret? What do you learn there?”

To all who venture to Malawi, I encourage you to spend time with my Mom – she asks the best questions!

“They teach the boys to respect their elders. They tell them they must work hard or women will not like them. But I can tell you nothing else.” He chuckles. “There are many things regarding women!”

“Do you expect your grandson to be a better helper when he returns? More respectful?”

“Of course!”

When conversation dies down, we ask him if he has any questions for us. Questions about our lives, America. He retorts – “I have never left this village! How should I know what I should ask?” He laughs some more.

At the end of the visit, we present him with some gifts, including a pair of soccer cleats. He lights up. Although he can barely shuffle around the house, he tells us he is an avid soccer player. The toothbrush makes him smile even more – “I have only 1 tooth – it will be a clean one!” He points to the back of his mouth.

As we take leave, my Mom takes a picture of us together. “Will you bring me this photo so I can tell my friends that I hosted azungu (white people)?”

“We will try – next time we come, maybe we will dance together because the vitamins will make you so strong.”

“Next time you come, I will be on the football pitch!” He says, bent at a right angle because he cannot support his body upright. He sends us off with his laughter echoing through the air.

A few days ago, Sokoso, our veterinary officer, told me that a happy man lives long. I think this old man has many years yet to live.

 

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

The Warm Heart of Africa – by Justin Laudick

August 2, 2018 by Jordan Heinzel-Nelson 1 Comment

I first agreed to the medical mission trip this spring during our Nurse Practitioner white coat ceremony at Xavier. As far as I knew at that time, we were treating Malawian patients at four remote clinics who would normally not receive any form of healthcare. In the trip information it mentioned unfathomable volumes, extremely ill patients, and needed resources that were not readily available. I had my sight on a mission trip for quite some time, and this seemed like an appropriate scenario given my background working as an ER nurse and Trauma Program Manager for a busy rural hospital.

Set up and necessary preparations felt overwhelming as myself and other healthcare providers recognized a long list of drugs that we do not typically utilize in the United States, along with ones we did not have with us. Of course, we not only had to have a crash course on prescribing these foreign medications, we had to be able to recognize diseases such as Malaria, Shistosomiasis, and my favorite, gastrointestinal “worms”! It was quickly notable that the several veteran staff working with us have been experienced who guided us through the learning process, especially Lucy Goeke who was extremely knowledgeable and just a fantastic teacher.

I was assigned as a provider (or prescriber here) to the Nkumbira clinic, and the clinic days were very busy and could almost be recognized as slightly overwhelming most of the time. Throughout the three days we evaluated, treated, and provided medications to over 4,500 patient’s. The Malawi culture is one of dignity, respect, and civil fortitude. Well over a hundred patients were patiently waiting outside for us every morning with their medical passport- the only form of their medical record in their hands to openly share with strange providers. Not at any time were the patients disrespectful, have a sense of entitlement, nor demand any form of treatments and/or medications. Even though we were working under extreme pressure with providers we never seen before, each and every person walked into the clinic with the same goal to help make a difference in complete strangers’ lives, no matter how small.

The goal of the clinics is to do the most good for the most amount of people with limited resources. It was quite evident that a simple referral to the hospital was almost impossible for most, therefore all but life threatening cases needed handled in the one room clinic which did not have electricity nor running water. I will remember many cases forever, including those with a poor prognosis- knowing the feeling that some would not survive even with our best efforts will be there. The feeling of having to cut away dead tissue, make incisions and drain wounds without lidocaine or anesthesia just knowing that it has to be done to give patients a chance at beating infections. Finding recurrent Malaria in a child who’s spleen was so large it consumed a third of her abdomen, and feeling responsible to make the appropriate decisions in their care again to give them their best chance. Providing medications and draining infection from a foot to a child who could not walk due to the infection, having him return the next two days of clinic to see him walk again the last day. Seeing the comfort, joy and shear appreciation in the patients eyes each day made everything we did as a team made me feel overwhelmingly humble.

 

A quick shoutout should also be sent to Liz (Executive Director of VIP), Jordan (Liz’s daughter and extremely talented leader), and Lucy (Medical Team Leader and organizer) as none of the amazing work we completed as a team would have been remotely possible without you!

Filed Under: 2017 Friendship Trip Blog, Journal, Medical Blog, news

Joy in the Midst of Sickness – by Sarah Herr

July 26, 2018 by Jordan Heinzel-Nelson Leave a Comment

I close my eyes and listen to my fellow Malawian VIP team member recite a prayer in chechewa at the start of my first day of clinics. All I could think about was that I, an American nursing student, would be providing care for the sickest of sick and I had no idea what I was doing. My mind was racing in a thousand directions and I was overwhelmed. As the work began at our clinics, we started off at a slow pace. As I took vitals, I made sure to look each patient in the eye to say “muli bwanji” – “how are you.” The connections I made with each patient helped me get through my work in triage. Our work progressed and as we began to work efficiently as a group, we were able to make deeper connections with our patients.

When doing vitals, I saw a little girl with her grandmother who flashed me a smile. I could see it in her face that she was ill and in pain. My translator and I asked the grandmother what the little girl’s chief complaint was and she told us she had a fever, headache, and stomach pain. As the grandmother was explaining the symptoms, the little girl brushed her hand up against mine to hold it. As I held her in my arms I could feel her distended belly and her pain. The grandmother then explained how the little girl had a twin sister who passed away from the same symptoms and she was worried about this twin getting sick. She explained how her mother left after her twin sister passed away because she was so sad and was now in the grandmothers care. As tears rolled down her eyes, we comforted the grandmother as she told us her story. The well being of her grandchild was secondary to the rashes and burns all over her body. The story of this family and the care I provided on the first day will be something I will never forget. Each Malawian smile, tear and heartbeat I heard were all joyful in the midst of sickness.

  • written by Sarah Herr

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news, Uncategorized

A Helping Hand – by Allie Schumacher

July 25, 2018 by Jordan Heinzel-Nelson 1 Comment

This medical mission trip has proved to be one incredible journey. This is my first time in Africa, first time doing a mission trip, and my first time being a part of the Villages in Partnership. To say I was overwhelmed, at first, is an understatement. I had moments of pure doubt in myself, but knowing that I am doing all that I can for the Malawians truly is something special. The team has been such an incredible group of people all coming together to do something bigger than ourselves. Being in the clinics truly put everything in full circle of how we are helping these people. I am so thankful to be a part of trip, to be here with the team, and to help in any way I can. The clinics can be overwhelming with so many people who need relief and are in pain, and to be able to help these people is nothing short of amazing. To be a part of a group that is doing all that they can for others with nothing in return is phenomenal. In the clinic, today, I met this young girl with a deep wound on her leg. The entire time we were washing, cleaning, and bandaging this wound, the girl made no sound. However, you can see it in her face that she was in extreme pain. It is this kind of bravery and courage that kept me going throughout the day. The Malawians are such strong and incredible people, and I am so blessed to be able to give them my time and energy in order to give them better outcomes. What a trip so far!

Filed Under: Friendship and Medical Trips, Journal, Medical Blog, news

VIP Donors Give The Gift of Sight!

June 26, 2017 by Justin Zelenka 1 Comment

Last month our medical team treated a young boy with bulging, watery eyes. He was diagnosed with glaucoma, a build-up of fluid and pressure inside his eyes. If left untreated, the pressure would end up damaging his optic nerve, rendering him permanently blind. He was already experiencing deteriorating vision when our team examined him, and they knew that they would have to act quickly if they were going to save his eyesight. Unfortunately, with the thousands of patients that came to our clinics every day, our team was not able to find the right medicine for the boy while on the ground in Malawi. But Lucy Goeke, a VIP Board Member and the head of our medical team, kept thinking about the boy on her flight home and was determined to save his vision.

Lucy visited several Ophthalmologists when she returned to the United States, describing to them the boy’s condition and asking what could be done to help him. On the day that VIP Executive Director Liz Heinzel-Nelson was scheduled to return to the U.S. Lucy was told what medicine to get to treat the boy’s glaucoma and she emailed Liz the information. Liz received the email on her way to the airport to catch her flight home and immediately made a detour, stopping at several pharmacies until she found one with the right medicine. Thanks to Lucy’s persistence, Liz’s determination and the help of the VIP staff in delivering the medicine to his mother, the young boy received three months’ supply of the medicine to treat his glaucoma.

Unfortunately, while glaucoma is a very treatable disease, it requires a lifetime of care to keep it under control. In order to save his eyesight the boy would need to continue to take the medicine for the rest of his life. But of course the lifetime cost of the medicine would be far more than his family could ever hope to pay. And sadly this happens all too often to people living in extreme poverty. The medicine and procedures exist to help them, but they don’t have the money to pay for them. So instead of having their diseases treated, they go blind, lose their teeth, or a limb, and sometimes even their lives. In fact, Dr. Geoff Tabin, Co-Founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project, highlighted the tragic relationship between blindness and death in the developing world: “You know, once someone goes blind in a developing world, their life expectancy is about one-third that of age and health matched peers. And for a blind child, the life expectancy is five years. And also in the developing world, it takes, often, a person out of the work force, or a child out of school, to care for the blind person. So when we restore sight to a blind person, we’re freeing up their family and restoring their life.”

Fortunately, this story, and many others that VIP is involved in, ends differently than many others in the developing world. Bryan and Jeff Clippinger, the sons of Registered Nurse, Jackie Clippinger, formed a wonderful bond with this young boy while they were in Malawi on the medical trip, and their family has agreed to pay for his glaucoma medication for the rest of his life! Thanks to the actions of our Medical team and the incredible generosity of the Clippinger family, this young boy will have his eyesight, and perhaps his life, saved!

Filed Under: Journal, Medical Blog, news

Xavier Nursing Student Maria Hill Shares Her First Day in Malawi as a Member of The 2017 VIP Medical Team

June 7, 2017 by Justin Zelenka Leave a Comment

Greetings from the beautiful country of Malawi!
Our first full day was filled with organization, team collaboration, prayers, and meeting new people. We began our day, at least I did, to the rooster calling bright and early. The first half of our day we unpacked all of our generous donations and organized them. Then the wonderful Malawian medics arrived where we all met, got to know each other, talked about the clinics we will be at, and became friends with one another. The people of Malawi are such warm spirited people who make you feel incredibly welcomed. I have shaken more hands in one day than I have in a year. The friendship and relationships here are beautiful and easy to create with the joyous people. The second half of our day we were humbled with the opportunity to visit the government hospital in Zomba. It is difficult for me to describe what I saw because it is an experience you have to see with your own eyes to understand. The hospital experience was eye opening and humbling to be apart of. It was amazing to see how universal medicine is. For example, a lot of the equipment was the same such as yellow disposable stethoscopes, IV tubing, and saline bags. It was truly an unforgettable experience that I am grateful to have had the opportunity.
I also had the joy of meeting a large group of children who were walking home from school. They absolutely LOVED getting their picture taken and then seeing the picture. The smiles of the Malawian children and Malawians in general is contagious.
There is a positive atmosphere here filled with love, laughter, and joy. I am looking forward to our first day of clinic tomorrow and the rest of the trip!
Thank you all for the prayers, support, and donations!
Maria Hill
BSN Nursing Student from Xavier University

P.S. The first two pictures are of the school children I met and the last picture is one of the stone house where 6 of us girls live in with the Zomba Plateau behind us. We gratefully share our shower with a toad that we named Hank. 🙂

Filed Under: Journal, Medical Blog, news

Katie Hulit’s Med Team Experience

June 6, 2017 by Justin Zelenka Leave a Comment

Katie Hulit was one of 26 participants on the 2017 VIP Medical Trip to Malawi. Our team made up of Doctors, Nurses, Nursing students and other medical professionals, along with support staff, treated nearly 6,000 patients in 4 rural clinics last month. Katie, a Registered Nurse, treated hundreds of patients suffering from malaria, respiratory infections, burns and dozens of other ailments, who would not have been able to receive medical care otherwise. While practicing medicine in Malawi was disorienting and at times distressing for some of the first time participants, for Katie it reminded her of a similar trip she took to Guatemala years ago where she had decided to become a nurse in the first place.
But although the lack of documentation and electronic records, and the mud walls and dirt floors were all familiar to Katie, Malawi also stands out as incredibly unique. A few people and stories stood out to Katie as she reflected on her trip. One special patient was Jackie, who Katie met when the team made home visits to especially vulnerable families. Jackie is an 18 year old boy with an ever present smile on his face. When Jackie was a baby he had hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid around his brain. In the U.S. he would have immediately gotten a shunt to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure, but growing up in Malawi he didn’t have the fluid drained until he was 5 years old. As a result he received extensive brain damage and is non-verbal and doesn’t have the full use of his legs. Three years ago the Medical team visited Jackie and fixed his wheelchair, this year our medical team brought him a brand new wheelchair to replace the old one. He beamed with happiness as he showed off his new wheelchair and the new clothes that Katie and the rest of the team had brought him.
There is no doubt that every year our medical team and people like Katie save and improve lives through our clinics and home visits. But Katie knows that the medical team only goes to Malawi once a year, and though VIP is opening a new weekly medical clinic to complement our existing medical clinics, the situation is more difficult when the VIP team is not on the ground. While the medical team was there the Zomba Central Hospital, located in the nearest large city, was sending patients from the hospital to our rural clinics because the hospital had run out of medication. Katie also worries about follow up on infections and a general lack of medical knowledge. One boy had cut his foot open on a large piece of glass and was given antibiotics at the local hospital. Not familiar with western medication, the boy put the pills into the wound rather than swallowing them. The wound quickly became infected and though he had the wound treated by our medical team and was taught how to take antibiotics, there is a real chance he could lose his leg, or worse. Sometimes even a simple cut in Malawi can be a death sentence. 
Katie plans to return to Malawi next year with the medical team to save more lives. We at VIP are incredibly grateful and humbled that we are able to partner with such talented and compassionate people who are working towards the day when people in Malawi and the United States can expect the same degree of medical care. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for the people of Malawi Katie!

Filed Under: Journal, Medical Blog, news

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