Selian and Hospice

Friday, January 20, 2012

Today we begin at the Selian Hospital in the Chapel as a team and with approximately 50 new friends. The service is lead by Pastor Ray Paul, a strong physical and spiritual presence in blue jeans, black leather vest and a 6 string guitar. He radiates GOD’s love in his physical being, not to mention the brightest eyes you’ve ever seen and a smile that takes up his entire lower face. Pastor Ray invites us to remember that “Our troubles turn to blessings if we respond positively to challenges”. Could there be a more profound statement in such an environment? In English and Swahilii the room reverberates with song, praise, and prayer.

Selian Lutheran Hospital would never, ever be allowed by any governing body to practice medicine in the USA. It’s physical presence and severe degenerative state is appalling. Where do you put the funds, in care or in facilities? The question is obviously rhetorical, but leads all of us to wonder, where is the government? Dr Kupala, Selian Hospital Administrator is open, honest, and proud of his hospital! He offered frank insight and honest questions, among them why is the physical plant in such ill repair? And I quote “ monies support salaries and medications only”.

The team is treated like royalty, but I want to move onto Hospice Services, a 6 year phenomenal and totally unexpected resource offered to the poorest and most vulnerable population in Arusha. Our team consists of Paulina Gideon Natema RN, Toomini Quaker RN, and our driver Antonne. Hospice services was introducedhelp to Arusha as a resource to remote villages for HIV education and treatment (let me just state, as far as I’m concerned, once you leave the main stretch of road, it’s all remote)!

Paulina is known as St Paulina, a successful graduate of the MASSAI girls’ school and a protégé’ of Euni Simonson. At the age of 15, Euni recognized Paulina’s gift with touch, spiritual maturity, and sincere passion for caring. Paulina has been mentored by a woman who has introduced more nursing healthcare in TZ than anyone, and she exuberates her professionalism.

Hospice Service is supported by the churches throughout Arusha, and has a large contingent of volunteers who are respected within their villages. The role of the churches and volunteers is to help identify HIV infected villagers and alleviate the fear associated with outsiders entering their village and bringing socialized/western style medicine into their domas. Please ask me to speak at adult forum on the Hospice experience, its’ too broad and detailed to minimize in this short amount of space and time.

In summary, all of us experienced an emotional day, filled with admiration for the hands who touch and heal, as well as, the extreme desolate environment, impoverished houses, and men and women who are infected with HIV.s

-Arlene