Fish Farm Construction Begins

Newspaper Article about Dr. Heid's November Trip

http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/dec/25/progress-in-rwanda-stuns-local-doctor-he-has-trave/

Newspaper Article

The April 2011 team was in the newspaper!   Here is a link to the article;

 http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/may/01/medical-team-makes-a-house-call-to-rwandans/

April 2011 Team Report

As you may know, a small medical team consisting of myself, Dr. Scott Rushing, Caroline Fung, PAC, Lindsey Lowry, RN, Dawn Swartz, Child psychotherapist, Heidi and Kennedy Rushing, went to Rwanda on March 31 and returned on April 13.   The goal of our trip was twofold. 

1:  Establish a “See and Treat” program at the Ndengera Clinic to screen for early cervical cancer.  

Background: Cervical cancer kills more women in low-income nations than any other malignancy. A variety of research and demonstration efforts have proven the efficacy and effectiveness of low-cost cervical cancer prevention methods. In Zambia, a study was done recently that demonstrated that for every 46 women screened for cervical cancer, 1 life was saved.  These are miraculous results. Prior to our trip there was no screening program in the north or west region of Rwanda.  Dr. Rushing and Caroline Fung spent many hours training Dr. Pascal (our local Clinic physician and Zaoudi our local RN) to screen for cervical cancer using the Colposcope that was donated by SW Washington Medical Center and treated several women with early cervical cancer with a cryotherapy machine that Dr. Rushing donated to the clinic.  I don’t have the final number of patients treated yet but it is around 6, which represents 6 lives saved.  Additionally, Dr. Pascal became proficient at screening and treatment and will be able to continue the program at the Ndengera clinic.

2.  Oversee the drilling of a well for clean water.  Living Water, a Christian organization, provided the in country equipment and skills needed, arrived before we did and began drilling on the Ndengera site.  Because of the volcanic soil, the team met several challenges while drilling, not the least of which was using a special bit that they had no experience with. Eventually the bit was damaged without a successful well being drilled on the property.  Fortunately, Pastor Simon and Living Water had a backup plan which provided for another site to attempt drilling with less volcanic soil.  This site is about 400 meters from the Ndengera site.  This well was finished last week and appears to be able to produce 5000liters/hour.  The well is 120 meters deep with a static water level of 70 meters.  This will be more than enough water for all future projects at Ndengera.  The downside is that the well will cost twice as much as our original estimates because of the need to supply 400 meters of piping, trenching and wire.  Fortunately, we had cash reserves for the fish pond that we will use to help finish this project.  We anticipate that this year’s golf tournament (Saturday August 20, (shameless plug)) will provide the remaining needed funds t o build the fish farm either late this year or more likely, next spring.

 In addition to these two projects, goats and pigs were given out to about 60 people, Bodabodas and school supplies were given to about 40 top orphan students, tools were given out to graduates from the auto mechanic school and sewing machines were given to two graduating students of the sewing program.  We toured the agriculture land and were very impressed by the crops of sweet potatoes and beans.

Lastly, one of Dr. Rushing’s cancer patie nts made a generous donation to start a computer training school and provide for an electronic medical record and computer at the clinic. We were able to purchase 9 computers with all of the peripherals and a diesel generator for the classroom.  Pastor

Simon says they will begin classes in a week or two.

It was a great trip in every aspect and I was blessed to be a part of it.  Thank you, Liberty Bible Church, for loving these people, giving hope where there was none and making a difference for the many widows and orphans of Gisenyi.  

 Dr. Chris Finley

April 2011 Mission Trip

There is a team headed by Dr. Chris Finley leaving for Rwanda on March 31st.   They will be doing a variety of projects including working in the clinic, training local doctors on how to use new equipment, giving out goats, pigs, sewing machines and botabotas (shoes).   

While they are in Rwanda, the well will be drilled. Drilling a well is always a faith venture as you never know how much water will be found.   Please pray for deep water!   If deep water is found, a pump will be used to provide clean running water to the clinic, school and enable the future Talapia Farm.    If shallow water is found, a hand pump will be installed which will still provide clean drinking water but will not allow for the other clean water projects.      

The team will be returning on April 9th.  Please pray for their safety, health and effectiveness as they share the Good News of Christ.