Pls stop watching the news

Watching the news might make you a bit nuts  :)
So let's just focus on the positive, OK??

The Afghan people who I am working with each day are warm and caring and wonderful.  Each day they express gratitude and they know that the events in the news do not reflect the views of all foreigners.


In a few days I am running a CPR course at the hospital.  It will be the first they have ever had, and the excitement is ramping up.


Here is the classroom:

 from another view:

and here is Jen, the director of nursing:

Even the anatomy mannequins are modest in dress!

There is so much that can be done here to help. 
The remarkable strength and resilience of the people who live here will guide them to better days

I think that the obstetric fistula program here is amazing.  Word-of-mouth brings patients in from all over the country.  The stories of how they came to Kabul are beautiful and heart-breaking.  It is not at all unusual to hear of a donkey helping with the journey.

Let me tell you about Guallshabo.  She is 30 years old and lives in Kapisa province.  She has no idea how many people live in here village.called Senzay.  She is perhaps the tiniest woman I have ever seem - smaller even that the little women of the Karen tribe in northern Thailand.  She has given birth four times and has no live children.  The most recent delivery was at home.  The baby was a footling breech and after his body delivered his head did not deliver - ....... for many hours.  The obstruction leads to a fistula, which leads to urinary or fecal incontinence - and the risk of chronic infection.  For the woman it also often means divorce or worse.  Guallshabo is happy to report that her family is supportive of her.  She is waiting for her surgery and looking forward to not being constantly wet and foul-smelling.

As Guallshabo told her story, the other women in her room clamoured around, eager to share their stories as well.  The obstetric fistula room is a room of love and hope and the most beautiful embroidery I have ever had the joy of seeing.

I have no pictures of them...yet.  Afghans, I am told, have a funny relationship with photos.  I am going to wait to be invited to take pictures.