Malnutrition and Inadequate Growth | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Malnutrition and Inadequate Growth | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Soon, soon enough!

We have received our green-light paperwork from the U.S. government, as well as, our document needed to have our post-Rwanda exit interview in Nairobi on our way back to the U.S. That's where your child(ren) has a complete medical check-up and the finalization of adoption paperwork is completed.

Just as soon as that arrived, we learned that our dear brother in Christ, Geoffrey Kayigi, was coming to the States for training in Washington, D.C. So, the day after we moved, I drove down to the Rwandan Embassy, picked up our dossier, photocopied every page twice, and went to meet Geoffrey. We hadn't seen one another since 2007, and I just cried for joy when I saw him. We grabbed some dinner, caught up on all things family, job, church and nation-related, and then I handed him our dossier. He took it home immediately and passed it off to Rafiki Johnson, our long-time driver, friend of our ministry there and son. He immediately took a copy to our attorney and the originals to MIGEPROF, the Ministry of Gender and Promotion of Families. He also met with our attorney, who reported back that we have a very fine set of documents to work with. This was all very spontaneous and unplanned on our parts! We had no idea Geoffrey would be in the U.S. until the week before he arrived. All of the paperwork was finished being processed at coincidentally the same time!

So, now, our hearts wait to hear what to do next. Do we fly to Rwanda and bring someone home that we pick out....? OR, do we wait for the Ministry Office to identify a child(ren) for us?

We are really in need of LOTS of finances to bring this all about, so please pray for us to see those doors of provision fly open at just the right time. We have NO DOUBT that God will do this for us, because He has been so incredibly faithful to us FOREVER already.

Fingerprinting Done!!

Well, who knew that the Philadelphia USCIS office had a support center in the Northeast? NOT US!
However, after going to the wrong location, we quickly made our way to the correct site and were warmly greeted by the Homeland Security staff who were WAITING for us! They could not have been any more pleasant or encouraging!!
Now...all we do is wait for the coveted 171-H....which I will do from NIGERIA!
I am there for 2 weeks!
Love,
Lisa

On the Road to Better Understanding Across Cultures~

Highly recommend this book by David Maranz!
African Friends and Money Matters by SIL Publications
http://www.toddhiestand.com/african-friends-and-money-matters-1-5/05/

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Rwanda: Kagame stands firm. Rights? Yes, but put food on the table first

Sixteen years on from the genocide, Rwanda is thriving and prosperous, beloved of donor nations but its president is accused of stifling dissent

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/28/rwanada-kagame-defends-rights-record

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/28/rwanada-kagame-defends-rights-record

Headlines in Rwanda Today

Maternal death audit system key to curbing mortality

By Irene V. Nambi

Health Minister Dr. Richard Sezibera taking part in the Immunisation exercise in Bugesera District recently.(File photo)

RWAMAGANA - Barely six months since the government introduced the maternal death audit system, the method has already identified the major causes of maternal mortality in Rwamagana District.

This was revealed yesterday by the Medical Chief of Staff at Rwamagana hospital, Dr. Avite Mutaganzwa.

According to Mutaganzwa, the system was established to control deaths and find solutions to the reasons why women die due to pregnancy-related causes.

“Last year, health workers were trained how to carry out maternal audits and it started in January this year. Since its inception, we have identified the major causes of these deaths as uterus ruptures, bleeding after delivery, and infections that occur after delivery,” Mutaganzwa explained.

The official highlighted that in the past, these deaths were simply documented but not much was done to ensure that other women do not die of the same causes.

“It is a different story today, because we not only find out why they die, but we also find solutions to these causes and ensure that maternal mortality is prevented right at the community level,” he added.

“Between January and April 2010, we handled eight cases of ruptured uterus, three of bleeding after delivery and 32 post-delivery infections. This is an improvement compared to the figures of previous years, like in 2008 where 163 cases of bleeding were received.”

He however highlighted that despite many efforts, two mothers have died this year adding that both had uterus raptures.

Having identified the causes, officials have embarked on a massive sensitization drive using community health workers to urge the population to use family planning methods and deliver at health facilities.

“Last year, 42.5 % mothers delivered at health facilities, but for the last four months alone, the percentage has grown to 61 percent. We believe that by year end, it will be much higher.”

Jeannette Mukamparirwa, a resident of Rwamagana, delivered her baby girl two weeks ago after a complicated nine months.

Mukamparirwa had a placenta previa problem (a situation where the uterus is lying unusually low in the uterus, next to or covering the cervix) and bled almost throughout the whole pregnancy period.

“My baby would not have been alive if it were not for the special care I was given. I was in terrible condition but the special attention from medics got me through the pregnancy,” she explained as she smiled.

An optimistic Mutaganzwa added that with interventions like performance-based financing, efforts of community health workers and maternal death audits, mortality of mothers will soon be history.

The system is supported by UNFPA, the Global Fund, Lux Development and EGPAF among others.