|
|
ZAMBIA MEDICAL MISSION 2011
On July 6, 2011, Marjorie Bronk will leave for Zambia, South Africa, for a 3 week medical mission sponsored by the University City Church of Christ in Abilene, TX. This is the fourteenth year for some of the team members, but a first for Marjorie. Last year, the team saw 19, 500 patients in 3 weeks. The mission is a Christian medical ministry dedicated to serving God by providing health and spiritual care to the people of Zambia. Poverty is prevalent, but does not imply laziness or ignorance. Zambia has a population of just over 12 million. Half of the population is under age 15; less than 1 percent is over age 65.
The ministry is to the poorest of the poor in Southern Zambia. Patients number about 3000 a day. Some crawl, walk, are transported in ox carts, in wheelbarrows or carried in the arms of a loved one. They filter through the various stations that are set up and end up at our pharmacy for their medicine. The average life expectancy is 38 years.
Namwianga is the village where the medical mission is located. The team will go into the bush to serve 4 villages for several days at each location. They are: Njabalombe; Chawila; Kasukwe and Natale. When we are in the remote villages, we will sleep in tents and work from sun up to sun down. There is no water or electricity available in these bush areas.
A cultural difference is the concept of time. Many people travel for days and stand and wait patiently with no pushing or shoving to be seen. Zambians say "Americans keep time, but we Zambians have time."
The "team" includes volunteers from throughout the States. Young and old alike make a serious commitment to work under difficult and challenging conditions. Many return year after year. The team consists of about 50 registered nurses, 8 medical doctors, 2 dentist officers, 1 optical officer and 2 registered pharmacists. Top health concerns are nutrition deficiencies, upper and lower respiratory infections, eye infections, malaria, and HIV. Medicines most needed are: multivitamins for children, adults and prenatal, pain relievers, like Tylenol, antibiotics and antihistamines as well as cough drops and cough syrup. Clean delivery kits are given to women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Cataract surgery and dental extractions are done as much as possible.
The physical care given may be short lived, but the goal is to exemplify Christ as we work with each other and minister to the people. This is not a vacation but an opportunity to put our faith into action. We ask for prayers for the success of this mission.
The web site is www.zambiamission.org and the facebook page is Zambia Medical Mission. It will be updated regularly during the mission time in Africa. The Zambian greeting is Leza Amuleleke meaning-God Be With You.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
From Newspaper Article - "BRONK GETS HONOR"
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and MetLife Foundation will honor recipients of th 2011 MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards on Friday in Washington, D.C.
Marjorie Bronk, 72, of Burnet, has been selected for her extraordinary volunteer service and will be honored for her work with the Alzheimer's Association Care-giver Support Group for 13 years.
Marjorie is a hospice volunteer, a second grade reading and math mentor, and provides desserts weekly for her local community kitchen.
She is a member of Seton Highland Lakes Associates that does fundraising for Seton Care-a-van which provides daily on site care for uninsured children in the community.
Comments from Marjorie
I was nominated for this award by Christian Wells of the Capital of Texas Chapter, Alzheimer's Association located in Austin.
Hundreds from many of the States are nominated every year and a panel reviews every application. We got to meet several of the judges. This is the ninth year for the award program.
It is sponsored by the MetLife Foundation in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). It is called the Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards.
Twenty six were honored. 3 received Gold awards and 23 received silver. I got a silver award for Team Spirit. We ranged in age from 52 to 92.
The Foundation is committed to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide, through empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities.
|
|
