the village called Mapaki

We travelled to the northern province yesterday to visit the Paramount Chief of Mapaki and give him much needed medicines. The village hosts 3000 inhabitants who have worked very hard to rebuild their devestated village following the removal of the rebels. Upon our arrival we were greeted by the women and men in the village dancing, singing, and celebrating our arrival (though my first thought was that we were interupting a celebration until i realized it was our coming that they were celebrating!) This beautiful village is one of the poorest villages in the poorest province in one of the poorest countries in the world. Of 3000 members more than 2000 are suffering from TB (tuberclerosis), and many are losing they vision to what they call river blindness. They have rebuilt their medical clinic, yet it sits empty, there are no beds, no electricity, limited clean water, one nurse, & no medical supplies (except the suitcase full we brought). If a member of their community nees to go to the hospital they are carried in a makeshift hammock 6 miles to the next major village where they can then get a ride 35miles to the hospital in the main town of Makeni. They are blessed with a very progressive chief who does his best to look after his people and not just himself. The chief has asked us to procure their village a vehicle (which i will find a way to do) so they may treat transport their sick in a humanely manner...these are people whose lives deseve at the very least to be treated as such. Besides a vehicle they desperatly need beds for their sick who must lay on the ground in an empty room - even women must give birth on the ground - a disadvantage no person should have to bear.
Upon leaving this village i know i am to return at a later date and work with the healers and nurse in this village - this is what i came for. The Cheif has invited me back to work with his healers and my heart cannot refuse. I am a healer and know my presence alone will lift the spirits of these people whom the world seems to have forgotten...we are hope to these people who have sufferred in ways many cannot even imagine...and I will answer Spirits call and offer myself to them - it is the very least i can do. MANYBLESSINGS*****