Week 2...a busy one!

Last week was a blur of activity so let me try to give you a quick run down of some (but by no means all) of the highlights. Monday kicked the week off with a First Aid course for teachers, pastors and health care workers. These classes are being conducted at two sites: the main mission station and at the primary school. There is always lots of interesting discussion that takes place.

On Tuesday while one team went to the nearest health post, the other team went to the school to teach a lesson on safety for grades 1, 2, 3, & 5. Here one of the school children is identifying something unsafe on the home made activity poster the students made up. Very innovative I thought!

They took a "break" between classes to help dish up lunch for nearly 200 kids in a kitchen that's about as hot as a sauna. When they were done, they too got to enjoy some of Fernando's good food. Fernando's food is appreciated by LOTS of people!
Wednesday was Hospital Tour Day. We went to visit our nearest hospital in Vanduzi, then went on to visit the district hospital in Manica. It was a very informative tour and a good time of exchange between Canadian and Mozambican nurses and health care workers.

On Thursday the team cooperated with the health department in conducting an immunization day at the mission's primary school. Prenatal consults were also done for expectant mothers. Somehow amid the sea of bodies and a fair bit of chaos, order emerged and all who needed shots and check-ups were attended to. It was a tiring but fulfilling day. On Friday we received a compliment from one of the community leaders who said, "What you are doing at the school is a very good thing!"

So that pretty much wraps up our work week. On the weekend we plan to get away from the bush for awhile so may take the team to a nearby dam that has a pool and crocodiles to see. And no, the crocs don't get to swim in the people's pool. They have their own. Although the people are welcome to swim there any time!

Oh yes, and last but not least, last Sunday a Mozambique Spitting Cobra dropped in for a quick visit. He just slithered right into our house uninvited and went unnoticed until he bumped into my foot (it was his tail whipping around I think). When I saw that it was a snake that had bumped my foot I called Dwight who thankfully wasn't too far away. As the snake disappeared under the couch we grabbed our glasses (for eye protection), a broom and a shovel. We very carefully moved the couch and as Dwight tried to pin him down with the broom (so we could see what kind of snake he was) he suddenly spread his hood and reared up ready to aim into our eyes. That little offense pretty much sealed his fate. We immediately took our trophy to show to our guests who weren't terribly excited at the sight of a snake! Either way, they had a little teaching session on local snakes.

If we weren't all keeping our doors closed and tents zipped before this little drop-in visitor arrived, I can guarantee you we are now afterwards!