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Our
goals for this mission was to replace the 14 stolen solar
panels. Provide medical treatment in the village of Nana Kenieba.
Deliver medical and school supplies to the village, the S.O.S.
orphanage, and to the hospital.
This Mission was 17 days after the 9/11 Tragedy. Although
security was stepped up we ventured to Mali a Muslim country.
The pilots from Chicago to Brussels were on strike and we
were rerouted to London. After missing our connection and
spending the night in London, we were rerouted to a next day
flight to Paris. When we were checking in we were told we
would have to pay an additional $7500 for the extra baggage.
Instead we headed for Brussels and a two night lay over.
While
waiting in Brussels our 13-70 pound bags of supplies and the
fourteen solar panels were lost. With determination our group
continued on to Bamako and to the surprise of all there were
our bags, supplies and panels. However, It took two days of
negations with the government to release them.
After
school paper, food, and other supplies were purchased in Bamako
we went to Nana Kenieba to begin our work.
The
solar panels were secured to the frames with lock tight, the
nuts jimmied. They are now guarded 24/7. After rewiring the
panels in series of nine instead of six we had power to run
the pump. We then realize that the connection to the water
pipe had dried out and was disconnected from the pump. Another
problem but we were able to reattach the pipe and again get
the water up to the tower and out to the four faucets in the
village. After
14 months without clean running water a celebration erupted.
Clean
water is the more important then any medicine. The closing
of contaminated shallow wells began. A goal for 2002 is to
add water lines to the school and other parts of the village.
>School
supplies were presented to the students on their first day
of classes. It was a joy to see the happy smile on everyone’s
face.
The
medical clinic began and many sick babies were treated. There
was one very ill baby, name Fanta with ear infection and dehydration
who needed intensive care. Many others had malaria.
A baby was born while our team was in Nana Kenieba. He was
named Stephen Jay after Dr.Steve. It was a deeply felt honor
for Doc.
Supplies
were delivered to the S.O.S. school and orphanage. The students
presented Medicine for Mali was with a handmade banner in
recognition of the gifts.
Supplies
were also delivered to the hospital in Bamako. The baby ventilators
were still in use that were delivered in 2000.
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