December 21st

Today I went to the hospital again to do rounds. I did rounds with
Tom as Solomon had to go help with the outpatient clinic. We did
both men’s medical and surgical wards. Nothing too exciting
today, most of the patients were the same ones from yesterday so
we just observed them and if they were improving moved on if not
Tom made any decisions necessary to try and make them improve.
I went to observe a natural birth with Solomon because they were
going to try and do a vacuum extraction (they attach a little cup by
vacuum to the baby’s head and try to assist the mother by pulling
the baby out if the mother isn’t contracting strong enough). But
they didn’t need it so Solomon called me to come along with him.
So I still haven’t gotten to observe a birth, but I will soon hopefully.
After we finished up rounds I went to the pharmacy to help Tom
sort some medications that BS had bought and brought with him
when he came from Freetown. Tom and I went to visit the kids at
the orphanage. I took them a soccer ball (which every single kid
along the way wanted and one kid even swore at me when I told
him no). They loved it and practically mobbed me trying to thank
me, several of the little kids tried climbing on me. Such a small
thing brought them such happiness. One of the things that I love
about being here and working with these kids is that while I can’t
do very much, even the littlest thing I do means an enormous
amount to them. You would never see such gratefulness at home.
Tom and I stated for a little bit and he talked with the Aunties
(women who help take care of the kids) while I mostly talked with
my friend Alusine. I’m sure these names are all getting confused
for you since there are so many people with the same names,
but I try to only include the names of people I think are going to
show up again to try and keep the confusion down. We had to
leave after only a little bit to head home so we wouldn’t be late
for dinner. Alusine came part of the way with us but told me that
he was too dirty and didn’t want to walk into Kamakwie like that.
We were right next to some water so I picked him up and
pretended like I was going to throw him into it. He thought that
was really funny and was surprised I could pick him up (he’s 16 I
think so not exactly little but Sierra Leoneans as a whole don’t
weigh a lot considering they don’t eat a lot). Tom and I continued
on and got home without being late. After dinner Karen asked me
to play a round of Settler’s of Catan (a card game version I didn’t
know existed) and I ended up beating her. I’ve played the board
game a lot so I understand the principles pretty well. Anyway,
after we finished I went down and talked to Solomon for a little
while before bed, big surprise no? Haha, anyway I hope you are
all doing well.

Blessings from Kamakwie,
Ryan Brooks