UpdateNow!
December 2009
During the months of October and November, four CareNow board members were able to visit each of CareNow’s clinics in Africa. Ed and Wendy Bjurstrom met the Mission Medic Air (MMA) board of directors as well as the pilots, doctors, and nurses who volunteer with them in Zambia. Ed and Wendy went along in the MMA airplane to two remote clinics, one in Mambilima and other in Chalabesa, Zambia. Ed Bjurstrom commented that “the needs we saw in Zambia were very great, and it was gratifying to see the results of the work being done by CareNow through Mission Medic Air.”
Ed and Wendy also made a short, but eye-opening visit to the 1000 Hills Clinic and the Lily Medical Centre in South Africa. “We visited the sick in their mud huts and Ed rode in an ambulance to get a patient out of one of the settlements” commented Wendy. “We were sobered by the living conditions of the poor in South Africa, but we were also encouraged by the work being done by both of these clinics.”
For board members Ed and Sally Maliski, this was their first visit to Africa. They joined the Bjurstrom’s in Kenya and visited CareNow’s clinics in both Kenya and Tanzania. The clinic in Karero, Kenya is only able to provide limited services while they wait for their water supply to be completed. “Despite their obvious need, the people were very welcoming and greeted us with big smiles,” commented Ed Maliski.
“The Tanzania Christian Clinic run by Nancy and Danny Smelser was truly impressive”, said Sally Maliski, RN. “They set up their clinic to deliver high quality care.”
“Africa is a land of tremendous potential where just a little makes a huge difference,” concluded Ed Maliski.
CareNow had a busy Fall sharing the CareNow story through several fundraising events. Two wine tasting events were held in August and September, one at the home of Steve and Marguerite Edwards, and another at the beautiful Eden Gardens, owned by George and Debra Tash. Background music was provided at both events by Santa Rosa, along with a marvelous selection of wines and delicious appetizers, chocolates and desserts. Susan Hundshamer, RN, shared her story about working as a nurse in rural Africa at both events.
On November 15, our annual Walk For Africa was held in Crescent Bay Park in Santa Monica. The weather turned out to be ideal for a gorgeous 5K walk along the Pacific Ocean. There were water stations along the route representing each of the clinics we support in Africa. Walkers were given passports that were stamped at each clinic “stop”.
Thanks to all of our generous sponsors for your support, as well as the many volunteers who helped make these events a success.
By Edward Bjurstrom
During our trip to Africa, one urgent priority stood out; a replacement engine for the MMA Airplane which provides a life saving link to more than 6 remote clinics in Zambia. According to Zambian law, due to the age of their airplane, they must replace the engine with a new (or refurbished) one by March of 2010––just 3 months from now. The cost will be approximately $50,000 including shipping, customs and all the mechanical work on the airplane to refit it with a new engine.
This plane is a lifeline for rural clinics that serve men, women, and children who have nowhere else to turn. It carries everything from sutures to antibiotics to ARVs for AIDS victims––life-giving supplies which do no good if they cannot actually be delivered to the people who need them! This plane brings hope to patients who have run out of options; I think of Waddington, a 9-year-old boy we met who had broken his leg and hadn’t been able to find help for four months! He was in terrible pain. But this plane carried him to help and health, and he is now recovering. He is just one of tens of thousands whose lives have been touched by the efforts of Mission Medic Air since 1966.
If the funds for this engine do not come in, Mission Medic Air will be grounded. Critical supplies and personnel will not get where they are needed, and lives will be lost.
We urge you to consider how you might ensure that those who need help get it. As of this publication, we have already raised $25,000 toward this need, leaving $25,000 to go. A gift of any amount—perhaps $50, $100, $500, or even more––would be a help to keep this plane flying!
Please visit our website at www.carenowfoundation.org. and make a donation today.
Note: All gifts given through our website by mid-night December 31st will be receipted for the 2009 tax year.
