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September 2005 Mission
September's Mission included "returning" doctors. Charles Ascher -Walsh,
Janet Li, Charles Canady, Jeff Wilkinson and Bruce Crawford. New to our group was Mark Morgan, Ed Stanford, Soo Kwan,
Larissa Meyer, Margaret Villers and Operating Room Technician, Michael Draddy.
Dr. Charles Canady has just delivered this
baby. Mom is in background. |
Dr. Canady, Director for IOWD's Obstetric and Gynecological program, started
working in another hospital on this trip, Poudriere - a small, regional hospital in Niamey. Dr. Diatta, the Director of Poudriere,
was so delighted with Dr. Canady's assistance, he pleaded with him to return on every one of IOWD's missions to Niamey!! Every
morning, Dr. Diatta had a driver bring Dr. Canady and his Mother, Miriam Guichard, to the hospital! Dr. Canady would operate in
Poudrierre in the morning and then returned to the Maternity Hospital in the afternoon to work with the OB/GYN Residents.
Despite his often "difficult" schedule, Dr. Canady kept up this hectic pace with smiles and enthusiasm and plans for his next
trip in September, 2006. On behalf of IOWD, Dr. Canady presented a large amount supplies and sutures and over 6,000 pairs of
gloves to Poudrierre and the Maternity hospitals. Any doctor, midwife, nurse physician's assistant or hospital professional who
might be interested in joining Dr. Canady's team in September, please contact him immediately at charles.canadyjr@verizon.net We are presently setting up the schedule for
September.
A good friend of IOWD, Miriam Guichard, returned again to help translate in the Operating Room and at meetings. Having spent 30
years in Africa , 12 of which were for the State Department, Miriam has a special understanding of how things work in this part
of the world - and her French language skills are remarkable!! . Mrs. Guichard has become an invaluable member of our
organization!
Michael Draddy
preparing the surgical instruments. |
It was the first time we had an OR tech with us - and what a fabulous job Michael Draddy did!!! He set up the OR's for the doctors;
showed the Nigerien nurses how to prepare an instrument table, organized our supply room and wrote supply lists for the next
team. Although Michael had never been to a developing country before - and certainly never worked in one - he did an outstanding
job for IOWD!!! We look forward to his return trip with us in 2006.
High School student, Paul Stanford, also joined us. Paul did an outstanding job teaching computer skills to students from CES Rive
Droite High School. It was marvelous to see the interaction between Paul and the Nigerien students. It's amazing to see teenagers
from completely different cultures and backgrounds come together, sharing and laughing and enjoying that special time. We are all
very proud of Paul and what he was able to accomplish on this September trip. Following is a letter written by one of our
September doctors:
"I am so grateful to you that I have been given the opportunity to serve. In so doing, I have found peace
and hope that I have not experienced in a long time. What you are offering to Niger and its women and us is a gift. I will always be
thankful for allowing me to see what is important in life. . ."
And from Michael Draddy:
"The experience one has in Niger is not one that leaves when you depart. It stays with you and finds its way into your everyday
life; your demeanor, your decisions and your thoughts. It was a privilege to be of some help, and the Nigerien people are very
appreciative of any help one can offer."
Click to Read Next Mission.
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