 |
April 2005 Mission
In April 2005, Drs. Greg
Owens, Julia Lee Owens, Stacey Wallach, Star Hampton, Ralph Chesson,
Karolynn Echols, Cynthia Hall, Yong Tao Zheng, Rene Genadry and Clifford
Wheeless performed 26 operations on Nigerien women.
Roger Thurow, of the
Wall Street Journal, returned to Niger with us in order to gather more
information for his article (printed in the WSJ on June 13,2005). We
traveled out to the village of our special patient, Anafghat. The long,
hot trip took 5 and a half hours. We had the opportunity to meet with
Anafghat1s family, her teachers and the Chief of the village of
Tarbiatt, all of whom welcomed us with great hospitality.
Marlene Lays, Director of UNFPA/Niger and Ira Margolies,
Director, IOWD with Chiefs, Imams and Marabous in the district of
Loga. |
Barbara and Ira Margolies traveled with UNFPA Country Director, Marlene
Lays to the town of Loga. They met with doctors and medical workers at a
local clinic; and the Prefect (Mayor) of Loga District, who pledged to
help us find fistula women and send them down to Niamey for help. Our
group also met with Chiefs, Marabous and Imams from the area. As this
is a very traditional district, only Mr. Margolies was allowed to speak
to the men — through a translator, he explained why they had come to
Loga and asked these important men to think about the birthing problems
that often occur when a girl is too young to have a baby — and to think
about how they could help the women in their villages by asking them to
wait until they were older before they marry.
The object of the trip was to begin sensitizing or educating people in
rural areas as to the possible complications of birthing at home without
proper medical help and the relationship of a very young girl, given in
marriage at puberty, having a baby before her own body is fully
developed.
Alison, a computer expert, worked with the English Language
students at CES Rive Droite High School. |
Alison Eisenberg, a good friend of Dr. Wallach, joined us in April also.
Alison, a computer expert, worked with the English Language students at
CES Rive Droite High School. The school does not have a computer hook-up
yet, but Alison is working on fund raising in order to see that the
English Club students will eventually have access to the Internet.
Alison took students and teacher, Boukari Assoumane, to the Internet
Kiosk, and began teaching them how to properly use a computer. It was a
fantastic experience for all!! And what a wonderful way to introduce
these eager students to the world beyond Niger!! Bravo to Alison for her
patience (in 120 degree heat) and her determination to provide computer
knowledge for these young adults!
|
|
|
|
