As soon as we finished our walk this morning we started the fires so the ladies could start roasting corn and soybeans for the weaning mix. We ran out on Monday and Steve had to substitute Cerelac (formula and cereal mixture). It is an excellent substitute but it costs so much more than our weaning mix does. The child he gave it to was one of the seriously malnourished children that we are trying to put weight on.
Both Meri and Amama called this morning to let us know that they would be coming to work late; they had an Outdooring (baby shower) to go to. We are not sure if they were attending the same Outdooring. They were only a little late. The ladies got the soybeans and corn roasted. They are cooling in the living room. As soon as Zorash gets here in the morning we are going to go to the grinding mill and make the weaning mix. If any children need weaning mix tomorrow they will get a fresh batch!
One of the towns had a problem with looting Saturday night. When the police got there they beat the men that were looting. Later the men organized a mob and attacked the police station; they burned some of the police vehicles and beat the police. It was quite a nasty situation.
Red came this afternoon and brought us the cutest pig. A few weeks ago he made birds out of scraps of metal which Steve has embellished. We told him that we wanted a pig and he could make it out of one of the metal gas bottles that Freon comes in. He used bicycle fenders for the ears and the snout was made from a car’s oil filter. He coiled a piece of metal for his tail and added a large spring. The little guy is just so cute! You can’t help but smile when you look at him. Red couldn’t quit laughing at the little pig. He said he was laughing when he was making it. The funny thing is pigs are taboo for Muslims. We might end up painting him pink.
Red said that he could make the metal steps so we can access the flat roof. He is going to check for the pipe and make an estimate as to how much it will cost. The night watchmen can use the ladder to climb on the roof when they hear anything suspicious in the neighborhood.
The little girl that had the hernia repair is supposed to be discharged from the hospital either today or tomorrow. Of course they cannot be discharged as long as there is an outstanding bill. The family still owes for the blood and some of the drugs. At the present moment the total amount they owe is 350 Cedis (about 55 dollars) and the family was able to come up with 100 Cedis. Steve gave Zorash the money; she is going to send it over the cell phone to the family in Yendi. The doctor said that after she is discharged they have to stay in Tamale for at least 1 week for follow up work. They have friends in Tamale.
Thanks for all your generous gifts!
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
