July 13

The picture at right was taken at "English Club". I think I enjoy English Club more than the Africans do! They are working so earnestly at learning another language, and they are doing so well. For tonight's class, I wrote three mini-stories to read (ever since the "bear hug" story/fiasco (see July 6 blog), I am creating more of my own material to read to them). After I read to them, they summarize their understanding of what I said. Then we pass around the story and each of them practices reading it aloud. Tonight I photocopied some English-Kinyarwanda translations of medical terminology to give them, from a book I brought with me on the trip. They were so thankful and so excited about these things that at the end of the class, one of them composed a little prayer for me, including a wish that my family was well and safe, since I had left my family to come here. It tells you a little bit about how important family is to them. The prayer was so touching that I was in danger of crying a little bit. I held back so that they wouldn't think Americans were wimps. ;)

The other 2 pictures were taken in Sheila's garden. I think I remember that particular tropical flower is called "passion flower" - is that right?

Today was an interesting day at the hospital. There were auditors visiting the hospital (similar to CMS or Joint Commission), and I had asked to sit in on the meetings as the performance indicators were covered using a government checklist. The head nurse, Emmanuel, translated a few key points for me, and so I was able to follow along reasonably well. How well a hospital scores on their audit determines a portion of their reimbursement. They call it "Performance Based Financing". Good stuff!