Settling Into Life In Southern Togo

Shopping at a fruit and veggie stand in Lome

We arrived in Togo almost a month ago.  In that time we have begun settling into our roles here and have been introduced to new teammates and have greeted old ones.  Our boys have begun cultivating relationships with new and old friends.  We're blessed to have so many kids here!  

Testing out some new equipment

Enjoying a break from the heat in the pool

Stripping protective shipping film from the roof
of the Land Cruiser we are fortunate to be able
to use.

We have been regaining what bit of French language we had and have been trying to expand on it.  Our Togolese friends and co-workers are so gracious as I'm sure we make so many blunders they can't correct them all!  I'm sure they go home at the end of the day and tell stories of how we messed up again today.

VBS at Patatoukou

Pa-ta-too-koo... kind of rolls off the tongue - once you get the hang of it.  The junior high and high schoolers held a one day Bible school at a tiny local church.   About 60 kids were counted in attendance, but that number grew throughout the morning.  There were songs, games and a Bible story taught by a local lady, so the kids could fully understand.  The little bamboo-walled, tin-roofed church is one that was established in the community because of the services provided by the hospital.

This is the church building.

Kids enjoying lunch at the end of the session

In the Hospital

Sadly, the OB wing has been closed because of a lack of medical staff (OB doctors, midwives, etc.) for the time being.  We are praying that staff will come out so we can open this important part of the hospital.  It is now acting as the isolated, Covid-positive patient wing.  Definitely not as much fun as the new baby ward!

The lights are out in the OB wing...

Repairing one of the OR gas machines with John K. 
(Technically, it's a NarkoMed anaesthesia
gas delivery machine, from around 1986 or so, for
those keeping track at home.)

So - a fun story...  A couple of years ago, a short-term doctor working here had an endoscope break while she was using it.  After trying to fix it here, her husband (also a doctor, but still back in Hong Kong at this point) was able to assist by contacting the very man who developed this particular scope.  The man was able to source a replacement cable - from the museum the scope was in - in exchange for our broken cable.  This allowed us to keep using the scope and keep his museum piece intact!  Here's a picture of the museum piece we are still using here at HBB!

Infected breast cancer patient, after surgery

Thirty-three week premature infant 
on a CPAP machine.

And, the Leftovers

A few leftover photos and stories to give you a glimpse into life here in southern Togo.

Ice Cream!!

Who would have expected Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream in Tsiko, Togo???  An Ebay auction win of $202.50 and a container ride is all it took.  Now we have monthly ice cream Saturdays!  Check out the smiles on the givers and receiver!

Tracking down a leak in the concrete 
wall in a guest house room.

Making some repairs and giving a 
quick tune up to a prosthetic leg!

Someone celebrated a birthday just a few days
past.  Sharing a photo with a couple of cute kids!

An old friend stopped by for a
visit.  Kong quickly found her favourite
person!

Thanks for reading.  

If you'd like to contact us you can track us down on email at penny.missions@gmail.com

You can follow on Instagram at 5cent_mission

Facebook, too.  5 Cent Mission

 

Safe Arrival in Togo

Finally in Togo!

We have arrived safely in Togo.  We had a busy 24 hours of travel to get here but are thankful to be in our house.  All of our luggage arrived as well, undamaged too!  There was a unique flight path taken from Niamey, Niger south to Lome in Togo...

We are in a nice house close to all the action - maybe too close, as things get going pretty early around here.  We arranged some bedrooms and unpacked our tubs before crashing into bed the first night here!  The travel and jetlag may have caught up to us.

Upon arrival at the airport in Lome we all had to get coronavirus swabs taken to ensure we were not infected.  We have all received clear Covid tests from the Togolese government.  We only had to quarantine in our house for a day and a half.  This was one of the smoothest processes we've ever had in Togo!  Once we were cleared and able to escape 'house arrest', we wandered the compound meeting new-to-us team members and old friends and co-workers.  There was a lot of chatting and laughter as we reconnected.  There are a lot more people on the compound at this time, with more returning from time off in the US, so we look forward to meeting them all over the next few days and weeks. 

 A big hello to the CanFS guys.  Even in West Africa I cannot escape the long reaches of McCormick.  I'll be reminded of you regularly!

On the compound it seems there is construction happening all over.  A new radio station / recording / training building is in the works.  Here is a picture of its current state.  It is coming along nicely with windows going in and trusses being finished off before the corrugated roofing steel goes on.

We're so thankful for the support of so many to get us here.  Thanks for your prayers as we travelled, they were greatly appreciated.  

Please feel free to send us a note - penny.missions@gmail.com 

You can follow on Instagram at 5 Cent Mission

Here We Go Again!

          

                        

We are preparing to return to Hopital Baptiste Biblique in southern Togo!

Many of you will not be surprised by this statement.  You either already knew because we told you - or you just knew that we'd be going back.

We are hoping that all of the details fall into place as God directs them, so that we can be heading to the village of Tsiko (if you remember way, way back - it's pronounced Chee-ko) for September and the start of the school year for the kids on the hospital compound.  We hope to be able to stay for about 18 months or so this time, Lord willing.

Building new kitchen cupboards after
termites ate the last ones

A partial view of a cluttered metal shop

Working on a newborn

Catching a baby during a C-section

We will fill similar roles as on our previous trips, knowing some flexibility is going to be needed:

Christine will be providing in-hospital care to patients, training to the Togolese staff, teaching modules in the nursing school in the north, as well as taking on guest house responsibilities.  She's looking forward to continuing old relationships with both the missionaries and Togolese friends there, as well as beginning new ones.

Medical staff praying with a patient

Derek will be working on construction & maintenance in and around the hospital, the houses on the compound, the infrastructure of the compound, as well as missionary and hospital vehicles.  Since many of the same men will be working alongside him, he's ready to jump back in and give a hand to encourage and mentor them as they work together.

Sunset up in the hills behind the hospital
during the dusty, dry season

With a September departure just a few pages away on the calendar, there are many loose ends to tidy up and details to still sort out.  We anticipate seeing who God brings our way to rent our home while we are gone.  This always appears like a big hurdle to us, but God's bigger than this little thing.    

We will need to sell our truck.  It's a black 2018 Ford F-150 (low kilometres - thanks to Covid lockdowns).  If you want to know more, contact us at the email at the bottom of this post.  We'll need it for a few more months but want to get this out for all to see.

We will need to get the next year and a bit of schooling for the boys figured out so we can order books and curriculum, plan courses that aren't offered in the MK school on the compound, and have everything in place to go with us.

It's going to take financial support to get us there and keep us there.  If you are interested in supporting us monthly or with a one-time donation, you can poke the Want To Donate tab on the side of the screen.  (If you're viewing on your phone you might have to click to view web version.)  Select us - Penny, Derek & Christine - from the list and fill out the rest of the form.  Without  partners like so many of you, we would never be able to go and serve in this way.  You really are a big part of the team.  Thanks so much for joining with us!  

Students from the nursing school 

A curious (and curious looking) goat

March Break!!

GAGA-Ball in southern Togo

We have brought a little bit of camp life to the hospital compound here in southern Togo!  We built a gaga ball pit for the kids to play in.  Actually, the carpenters here at the shop built it after receiving the plans.  They had no idea what they were creating!  There is a gaga-ball pit in northern Togo thanks to our family who was working up there, now we have one, too.  It's basically a big 8-sided walled-in play space which you use your hands to try to hit your opponents with a volleyball or similar... Or at least that's how the game is described to me!

The other kids had no idea what the game was until our boys showed them how to play.  Now it is a regular recess activity and even the Togolese kids can be seen playing it.  I think it's a hit!

Agbe (left) and Kossi, the two carpenters who built the
panels of the gaga ball pit.

These panels are HEAVY!

Add some paint...

Beginning the assembly

and 'voila', there it is!

Cuisine Construction update

The cuisine that had been started in the new year is now completed.  This is building #1 of four.  Throughout the next year the following three cuisine buildings will be constructed.  I was away in Honduras (more on that below) during much of the construction so I only have 'beginning' and 'finished product' pictures.  A big thanks to the CWE mission construction teams who came and helped for three weeks.  They did a great job and we appreciate their efforts!

The foundation is being prepared.

This video is of Komla.

Komla had never used a wheelbarrow before joining us for this project. (Not his fault)  

Komla is a menace with a wheelbarrow, to himself and others!  (His fault)  

Komla is very funny to watch - from a safe distance, even to this day - when he's got a death grip on both handles of a wheelbarrow. (Probably not his fault)  

Komla goes as fast as he can regardless of the terrain, regardless of what he's got in the wheelbarrow, or who is in the way.  (Definitely his fault)  

Everyone just stays out of Komla's way... just for safety reason.

The sidewalk around the building has just been poured in
this picture.

The almost-finished product.  This is one of four cuisine
buildings we will have on site.

Hope To Walk,  in Honduras

Zach Greenlee (a PA from California working here at the hospital) and I had the fantastic opportunity to go to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for a couple of weeks to learn how to make low-cost prosthetic legs for third world countries with an organization called Hope To Walk.  Zach is the medical professional.  I was there to learn the manufacturing side of the process, but we both ended up doing a lot of work fitting the prosthetics, manufacturing and celebrating as people would cautiously walk out of the Hope To Walk clinic.  It was awesome to be a part of the process.

There were about 35 patients who received legs over the two weeks we were there.  So many amazing stories.  Watching a 50-something lady have to stop while walking around the little reception area, trying out her new leg,  She couldn't see where she was going because of the tears of happiness...  Little Andy, who outgrew his old leg, ready to take off again with is new one!  

The opportunity to partner with Hope To Walk, to bring back freedom and independence to amputees here in Togo (and perhaps beyond) will be exciting to be a part of.  We are prayerful it will develop strong roots here and many people will go from disabled back to able.

(Just for information:  a regular prosthetic leg in North America can cost many thousands of dollars - up into the $15,000 + range.  The most affordable prosthetic currently available in Togo is approximately 250,000 CFA or about $500 USD.  We have projected the Hope To Walk leg to cost around $100 USD.  With the low annual income people have to deal with here in Togo, most would go without a prosthetic of any sort.  With a much more affordable option now available we hope to change that.)

Zach, holding the foot used in this system.

Kid size up to adult, we can fabricate a
below-the-knee prosthetic for all ages.

Andy, the youngest recipient, was happy to
be back on two feet!

Our Togolese HBB / Hope to Wallk team with our first
patient.  So pleased with how these guys have caught on.
Now it's their program to run with.

And a few left over pictures that I hope you will enjoy.

The coffee trees were in bloom in late January in togo.
They smelled beautiful - not like coffee, but still beautiful!

The sun setting on a dusty harmattan evening in the
mountains behind our hospital.

Heavy mist forming droplets on the mossy branches of
trees in the Honduran mountains

A couple of waterfalls we came across
during a hike in La Tigra National Park,
outside Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Two long ABS pipes AND driving a moto... Skills!
Only in Togo!!

Under Construction

The New Cuisine

There is a lot of activity around the hospital currently.  We are in full swing building a new cuisine building.  The cuisine is used by family of our patients to stay in - kind of like a Ronald McDonald House - while their family member is receiving care here.  They live in a room and cook meals for their family member who is at the hospital.

A woman cooking a meal in the old cuisine

The new cuisine will be in a better location, closer to the main gate, allowing for easier and shorter trips to the little shops located outside the hospital compound.  These shops are where food (or at least the ingredients to make a meal) is purchased for patients to eat.  This new building will have more rooms, since the old cuisine was often full and people would have to sleep in the open 'cooking pavilion' since there wasn't space for them.  The rooms will also have electricity since most people have phones to charge.  We hope to have the cuisine ready for mid-March.

Cartes De Sejour

We were not permitted to have our visas renewed a few months ago.  That meant we had to begin the tedious task of applying for our carte de sejour.  This is essentially a residence permit card for non-Togolese living in the country.  The process was, and still is, painful.  I think we counted up to 17 documents that were required - per person - to finally be able to submit a completed application.  It was a scavenger hunt to obtain three required documents to apply for a fourth, save that fourth document for the official application.  Proceed to next required document hunt.  Christine did a fabulous job coordinating all of that for us.  Frankly,  I would have given up and come home!  I must also thank Ben Ward (another Canadian who has gone through the process before and brilliantly documented everything) for his invaluable assistance!  

Ah, memories of waiting outside this door on the left to finally
receive our cards

Honduras Bound

I will be leaving for Tegucigalpa, Honduras on Feb 5th to attend a prosthetic seminar with Zach Greenlee, a surgical PA here at our hospital.  We are hoping to learn of the program they use in Honduras to build low-cost prosthetics for leg and foot amputees.  In third world countries, the ability to move yourself around is essential to do even basic tasks.  There are no accessibility or support networks.  Relying on others means less independence, poverty and loss of personal dignity.  If we can bring a viable option to our amputation patients to help make their day-to-day life a little less daunting after losing a foot or leg this could be a huge benefit for many here in our region and up at our sister hospital in Mango.

One of our young amputee patients

One of the guys in our shop, a carpenter named Togbe, had a nasty moto accident in early December.  He broke his tibia and fibula right above the ankle, and those bones protruded out of the skin and scraped on the ground.  While he is still in good spirits, this incident has made me painfully aware of what affect a traumatic injury has on a person who is strong and healthy, a great worker yet has a very long term potential for recovery, let alone losing a foot due to the injuries sustained.  

The hole where the bones poked out and some of the
external hardware used to secure his joint.

I stuck a Togolese flag in the top of Togbe's
external hardware to give him a patriotic
flair.

Logan gave Togbe a ride home after the workers
received their Christmas gifts.

I'm hoping this time in Honduras will put our hospital on a path to getting a prosthetics program started.  

And by the way, any orthopods or orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankles who might want to take on a challenging case... Togbe is your guy!

From The Cutting Room Floor...

Here are some pictures with short descriptions, to give you a quick glimpse into life here in West Africa.

Tires on this truck are worn right through to the inner casing.

Almost 30 degrees Celsius, but this kid was
bundled up for the "chilly" weather.

These next two pictures are from the Port market in Lome.  It's really just a massive flea market but some of the stuff for sale was quite amusing.  Click on the pictures to zoom in for a look at what treasures are available there.

Used microwave oven?  We can find you several.

Junk  Used tools for sale everywhere.

Coffee trees are in bloom in the valley behind the hospital.
They smell great, but some fanatics prefer
the beans.

Carrying plastic pipe AND driving a moto at the same time.
That's some skill!

The easiest way to drive a Citroen is to put it
on a cart and pull it by hand.

The mountain behind the hospital is almost obscured from
view by the harmattan dust blown down from the
Sahara Desert.

The view from a mountain trail while on a moto ride, again obscured by the
harmattan.

Logan, opposite view from the photo above.

If you would like to contact us please email: penny.missions@gmail.com

You can follow us on Instagram at: 5cent_mission

If you would like to donate you can click the link over on the right for ABWE / CanadaHelps.