Mar 7: Our last day here – What would you do if this were your town?
Our last jungle clinic. A chaotic and emotional day. A group of folks from Afghanistan came and we had a marginal translator. Our African group also came so we had a lot of people. Thankful for Georgia and Marcia coming up to help on their day off from the clinic. This camp has been difficult on many levels. There are [...]
Mar 6: Today was an easy day . . . tomorrow is our last.
Today was an easy day. Many of the refugees had to renew their cards. Our sweet nurse from Cameroon, Susie, suddenly got a call from the UN immigration office. We were on pins and needles until she returned and said she is being transferred to the mainland TOMORROW. Such short notice. She is excited and nervous. She will be going [...]
Mar 5: Refugees started drumming, then singing and there was an atmosphere of JOY. So great!
Today the sun was shining again. It makes such a difference. Mark did more ultrasounds in the tent and there were some with significant findings. They get referred to the clinic and hopefully will eventually get treatment. As I have said before, the system is so broken. But in defense of Greece, this small island with a population of [...]
Mar 4: Ask yourself, “What can I do?”
The jungle medical clinic ultrasound’s battery ran out today. We were able to do about 7. Today we saw a couple from Nepal who have been here for 8 months and are the only Nepalese in the camp. They speak very little English. She is pregnant. Ohhh, so isolated - along with the horrible conditions of this camp. We [...]
Mar 3: Today was mental health day . . . horrific stories of witnessing murder, imprisonment and torture.
The jungle medical camp has become a small refuge for the people. They come with their health issues but also for attention and recognition. We see predominantly Africans who are so marginalized. Over and over we hear how they feel people don’t like them, they feel they are treated like dogs. Officials have told them they are unwanted. It is [...]
Mar 1: “… these refugees are truly our brothers and sisters. We are all a part of the human family.”
Today the sun shined all day. It was warm and people gathered outside at the jungle medical camp. They sat around having our ginger tea and talking, some laughter was heard. Oh, the healing power of the sun!!!! On the way this morning Riikka and I found the truck selling oranges. We bought 25 kg of them and 20 kgs [...]