Bukoba, Tanzania

Saturday, October 25, 2014

COSAD Clinic’s First Partnership- A Success!

Friday’s partnership event with Mr. & Mrs. Butch and Karen Olson was a success on several levels! Mr. and Mrs. Olson had over 500 reading glasses available to fit and provide to our clients, they had hand-made glasses cases for the glasses made by a church group in Minnesota, and they also did other minor checking of eyes as well. We received good feedback, and many asked when/if we would be getting a refractor (I hope in time we will partner to bring one!). Many community partners from Izigo, Kangabusharo, Kagondo, and teachers from the area came to participate in our first partnership event. We also had a number of community members who came to the event as well. I don’t have the specific count yet (I will soon), but I estimate we had over 100 people come through the clinic Friday morning and afternoon.

We also found the day to be incredibly helpful to solidify minor adjustments and needs of the clinic. For the first half-hour, I kept thinking how crazy it was that I was trying to help run tactical aspects of an establishment that I know nothing (in comparison to others) about… But then I was reminded of our clinic team: thanks to Mr. Smart Baitani, Dr. Jessica Baitani, and Dr. Rwebangira, COSAD is blessed to have assembled a team of bright, competent and driven medical professionals that know exactly what they are doing. Praise God. I am continually amazed how things manage to fall into place (even after a lot of hard work)! Our team did awesome!

*Special thanks to Mc Baraka & Bukobawadau (again!) for providing photos.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

COSAD Clinic’s First International Volunteer Partnership: Reading Glasses

Butch and Karen Olson are in Bukoba, TZ this month with over 300 pair of reading glasses to fit & sell* to kick-start the COSAD Clinic! Mr. and Mrs. Olson are from Minnesota, USA and are Board Members of Vision Honduras. We are thrilled they are in Bukoba to offer their expertise! Individuals of many talents, Mr. and Mrs. Olson have also offered to take over the construction of the clinic’s outdoor resting pavilion’s renovation the week prior to the their reading glasses event at the clinic.

As you can see in pictures below, our pharmacy is looking fantastic after a van full of medicine & supplies arrived from Mwanza early last week. Dr. Jessica Baitani has really pulled every aspect of the clinic together with the help of COSAD personnel, and we are excited for what is ahead (especially for Friday’s first International “Medical” Volunteer Partnership Event with the Olson’s!!! - More pictures to come this weekend!)

*All proceeds will go to support clinic operations.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Faces of the Grand Openings: Behind the Scenes

I tried to find a few pictures & portraits of our close-knit community of workers and volunteers who worked tirelessly during the week of & week before the Grand Openings. They were hardworking, flexible and wonderful staff and volunteers- simply the BEST! Judging by these photos, you would never know how tired we all were! I love these people so much! THANK YOU! -Special thanks to MC Baraka who provided most of these great pictures- I'm sure it's obvious which ones were done by the pro..)!

-I haven't had time to compile ALL the pictures yet, so I hope I didn't miss anyone (so sorry if I did!)- you all deserve an awesome vacation ;) !!!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

THE GRAND OPENINGS: The COSAD Clinic & Conclusion of all Grand Openings

Saturday afternoon, the final Grand Opening and the culmination of all of our Grand Openings was held at the COSAD Clinic near the Bukoba Airport. Honorable Lazaro Nyalandu, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, flew into Bukoba for the afternoon to open the COSAD Clinic and conclude the Grand Openings. Joining him was Bishop Dr. Benson K. Bagonza of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Mr. Vincent Spera, Dr. Pamela Sawa, Dr. Jessica Baitani, and Dr. Francis Rwebangila, Founder and Managing Director of Kigoma International Health Center & COSAD Clinic Consultant MD.

We enjoyed fantastic performances from The Voice, Abasinga Group, traveling guest choirs, local church choirs, and village choirs in between speeches from our chief and special guests and a delicious lunch.

Each Grand Opening turned out be be far more “Grand” than I could have ever imagined when we started preparations. I am completely humbled and grateful for each person who came, contributed, worked and supported COSAD through this exciting weekend! Thank you all!

A forty-minute rest to re-group before going to greet Hon. Nyalandu at the airport!

Hon. Nyalandu's airport arrival!

Arrival and speech at the COSAD Clinic Grand Opening.

Dr. Jessica Baitani (left) and Hon. Nyalandu (right)

Pastor Ben addressing the guests at the Clinic.

COSAD Clinic Special Performances!!

Izigo Village Performers

The Voice, from Dar es Salaam

The Final, Grand Opening!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

THE GRAND OPENINGS: Friday Concert & Women’s Cooperative Goat Farm- Kiteyagwa

Friday evening, the COSAD Team welcomed Mr. Vincent D. Spera, First Secretary Political and Economic Section Chief from the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam, to Bukoba. He joined Hon. Amb. Kagasheki and the local community at an evening concert at the COSAD Volunteer house. We enjoyed great singing and dancing from our local and traveling guest performers!

Saturday morning, Mr. Spera and Dr. Susan McCormick Hadley began the day at Kiteyagwa Primary School where the future Teachers’ Goat Farm will be established as an extension of the Women’s Cooperative Goat Farm. All of the teachers and a hand-full of students contributed speeches, songs and dances. We are so excited for this development to really take root!