Adjoa instructing Mustapha and GretelAfrica Blog
A Project by Adjoa Stack in Ghana
This year, Adjoa has graciously agreed to accept help! This will be my account (after many requests) of my experience, so that other homeopaths that may be inclined, will help in the great work of homeopathy in Africa.
Back Home: August 31, 2010
What an adventure! Although we worked almost every day, it was quite relaxing and productive. There was not one person that did not have malaria, either an acute episode, or a chronic case. The body becomes weaker with each successive bout of malaria, and stops venting; the fever and sweat and nausea go away and the person is left with just the chills, body aches, and headaches, occasionally with dizziness and dim vision. There are some variations here and there, but for the most part, we were successful in relieving many symptoms. Adjoa went to many schools and continued prophylactic treatment, hoping to prevent the devastation that comes with this disease. Hopefully Mustapha, a translator, will continue this valuable work, eventually becoming a homeopath as well.
Castle overlooking fishing boats.The smiles were incredible - straight perfect white teeth, no cavities. They looked like they all stepped off the set of a toothpaste commercial, but no paste or brushes in sight. And almost no sugar, either! The people were very friendly, especially the little kids that would yell 'hello!' at you constantly, most running away if you turned to them to speak. The animals were everywhere; goats, chickens, pigs, dogs - all scratching around for food. And every part of these animals is eaten. I'm not much into meat anyway, and less so there. Food was very tasty, with cassava, maize flour, rice, palm oil and vegetables being the mainstay. Oh, and white bread and peanut butter too.
It was an amazing trip. I brought everything I needed, nothing more, nothing less. I left much behind, but I think the most appreciated object was the black shower bag that sits in the sun to heat the water. If there was one thing I would have liked while there, I'd have to say, a nice glass of white wine! I'd have been in paradise.
Mustapha HarunaAfrica: August 21, 2010
The last week has been very hot and busy punctuated by cool calm respite on the back porch overlooking the ocean. We've seen lots of people with a wide range of ailments; these people likely will not see a doctor in their lifetimes. There is no hospital here in Senya.
Mariam YussifAdjoa is busy rounding up school records and assessing attendance records with Mustapha, her trusty aide and translator, while I tend the clinic with Gretel, my translator. There are many women that arrive with a baby (often a grandchild) wrapped around their backs with a cloth. It amazes me how they can carry these children that must weigh 20 pounds. Then I remember how they can carry 50 pounds of water on their heads.
The food is great, especially the plantains. Our 'chef' Mariam cooks for the whole crew, and most of them eat with their fingers. It takes 'silverware conservation' to a whole new level. We used to use it as an excuse to eat with our hands in the US.
SamanthaSleep here is a problem. It is Ramadan now, and the Mosque and the Catholic Church seem to be having a race to see who can be the noisiest during the early morning hours. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, we also have Festival, which separates the town of Senya into red and white sides where you need to show your side by wearing that color. But if festival isn't underway, you can depend on the roosters to raise the dead. They don't know they're only supposed to crow at sunrise!
Almost everyone here has malaria, either an acute episode or a chronic case, and after the acute resolves we need to dose them so they don’t get sick. It’s a lot of work, and Adjoa has done a remarkable job of setting this whole organization up.
MarketJuly 1- 31: Preparation For Ghana
When I first thought about Ghana, I had to consider the possibility of getting malaria. Do I take the chance of getting it and becoming a burden on Adjoa? Or do I take the prophylaxis? Adjoa warned that those not used to living in Africa can become very ill, and death is a possibility. I remember reading about the death of a homeopath a while back. I decided I'd go, and worry about what to do about malaria later. Visiting websites was first; National Geographic had a great article Adjoa had pointed out to me, linked to her site. I read it voraciously. The thought of little threadworms (in my mind) squirming around my liver made me feel nauseous. The symptoms come on very rapidly, would I be able to treat myself? Never a good idea. Tabling the decision, I started work on the visa...
At the Ghana Embassy website in DC, I downloaded an application and filled it out. When I got to the blank where you fill out the ticket number (and return ticket!) I realized I'd have to buy a ticket before I even got the visa. What if they decided they didn't want me in their country? Uh-oh. A waste of a non-refundable ticket. Adjoa said don't worry, you'll be approved, just a formality. The ticket on United goes through DC, and I could visit sister Christine on the 4 hour layover. Eighteen hours in the plane...only $1800! A few days earlier it had said $1400. What a difference a few days makes. And there were very few seats left. I had to act quickly.
After buying my ticket, the visa could be finished. I filled it out and added my money order for $60. Since must have a trackable envelope (to and from the embassy) there went another $40. In the back of my mind, I'm still wondering how much money I could raise. I had to believe everything would work out, something I've always used as a mantra. Now for the malaria problem...
Accra, the capitol of GhanaThe San Francisco Department of Health sends you to a clinic run by AITC (American International Traveler's Clinic?). They were very helpful, only about $80 to have them tell me I could dispense with the Yellow Fever Vaccine since I had an egg allergy. But the malaria prophylaxis was a bit pricey. The choices were Doxycycline (inexpensive) or Malarone (expensive). One bothers the whole body, the other bothers the liver. Which to choose? I decided my liver was pretty healthy, why not? I have to buy enough pills to start 2 days before departure, and continue till 10 days after return. That's almost a month, at SEVEN dollars a pill. Pharma stock anyone? Rarely a person to ever take pills for anything, it was a shock.
Now for the stuff I need to take: Flashlight, sunscreen, bug spray, goodies for the clinic (think pens and paper), crayons for kids, a Frisbee (my old standby). After stopping by the local stationery store, I emerged with 10 pads of recycled paper, 96 pencils, 30 pens, and a large (64) box of Crayolas. Add a few pencil sharpeners, maybe a deck of cards, and I'm getting excited. A week away and I'll be off!
A special thank you to Kathleen Scheible for her assistance in this endeavor.
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