Yesterday, Tuesday, November 9th was our first total overview and complete walk through of the hospital and the electrical system. WOW!!
They do not have any ventilators to assist breathing of infants and newborns. Dr. Karen Asher said, with tears in her eyes, “I have had to stand by and watch babies die do to lack of basic medical equipment and electrical supply.” I have asked her to please give me a letter describing her needs. I am not a Dr. and I want to accurately describe her situation.
This is a very big week here as they are having their 50th year celebration. We were not able to bring the survey team that really needs to be here but, with God’s help we will do what we can to get enough information to develop an accurate survey proposal.
They have four generators sitting in the generator house and only one is functional at this time.
It is only a small 30kw unit not large enough to meet their total needs. When they need water from the well they disconnect the power to the current buildings in order to run the well pump.
It is only a small 30kw unit not large enough to meet their total needs. When they need water from the well they disconnect the power to the current buildings in order to run the well pump.
They have no manuals or any information on the generators. I will try to gather all the information I can to properly discuss their needs when I return. Some things are out of their control due to a war that devastated the area and nearly destroyed everything. Most of the national staff, prior to the war, never returned and may not even be alive.
What is in their control is so hampered by lack of funds that priorities are made to buy medicine rather then oil for necessary maintenance of the generators. As a result everything continues to deteriorate. They do, however, have an accurate account of how many hours and how much fuel it takes to run the generator, but there is NO record of when the oil was last changed.
They have had surgical medical teams decline to come due to the lack of necessary power and equipment. Kamkawie Hospital has a great need for surgical help. They once had 15 people scheduled for surgery, but do to the lack of surgical teams, 14 of these individuals died. Stories like this are heart breaking and go on and on.
They have a small basic solar system to provide lights ONLY for night time care of patients. There is a great need for this lighting to be drastically increased. This looks like a perfect location for a “new” concept for I-TEC – Solartainer! A 20 foot shipping container with solar equipment completely outfitted in the I-TEC warehouse in Montoursville, PA and transported to this remote location.
God has brought us here for His purposes, now we must rise to the calling He has given us!
Galatians 6:10 says “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Galatians 6:10 says “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Thank you for your prayers for wisdom, and endurance.
Serving Together, Tom & Linda (for the I-TEC team)
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