Our wonderful clinic in Arusha, Tanzania is steadily gaining regional recognition for the skill and compassion with which they serve their community. Dr. Byemba reports that they are seeing the maximum number of patients possible (600 per week) and are still maintaining a high quality of care even in the face of heavy demand.
The Olorien Clinic faces and overcomes challenges on a daily basis. In February, a young family frantically came to the clinic with their four-year-old son who was suffering from a raging fever and convulsions. The state-run hospital turned them away because of their inability to pay the medical fees. The boy was dying from cerebral malaria, a rare and more severe strain of the normal virus. However, the staff took immediate action and they were able to stabilize the boy. In just 24 hours he was running and playing after narrowly avoiding an untimely and unnecessary death. There are countless similar stories exemplifying the effectiveness of the clinic and staff.
We recently finished our medical housing project, which includes a nice home for Dr. Byemba and his family as well as two apartments for visiting medical personnel.
The next project on tap, slated to begin immediately, is a two-story x-ray and lab building which will house our new x-ray unit as well as allow for expansion of our in-house lab facilities. This will not only provide the only x-ray unit in the area, but also free up space in the main facility for an additional doctor’s examination room. Please pray for our clinic; especially for the strength and wisdom of Dr. Byemba and our staff. Also, please pray for the funds we need ($20,000) to finish the x-ray building.
By Sandy Baird