UpdateNow!
June 2009
At this time of year we usually hold a fundraising dinner event where we showcase both the beauty of Africa and its culture as well as the desperate need that exists for access to effective healthcare. In 2009 we have decided to take a different approach.
We spent several months in the early part of the year totally reconstructing our website to better demonstrate the work of the CareNow Foundation as we expand into new areas in Africa (www.carenowfoundation.org). Considering the current economic challenges, we felt our theme for SafariNow 2009 should be “Gone to Africa”. This is where the real work occurs. This is our focus. We invite you to have a look at our new website, read the stories and measure our progress. Please know that we cannot do this work without your support and encouragement. In lieu of a fancy dinner at a wonderful venue, we invite you to stay home with your loved ones, be thankful for the blessings you have, even in the midst of economic uncertainty. We also ask that you consider making a donation to CareNow so we can continue to serve those who are suffering and provide hope to the hopeless.
Make a donation SafariNow 2009.
In March the CareNow Foundation Board approved initial support for the Tanzania Christian Clinic in Ngaresh Juu, Tanzania. Their mission statement includes educating health care providers in the areas of tropical and missionary medicine, alleviation of sickness by treatment and prevention, and to share the teachings of Jesus the Great Physician to all who are receptive.
This clinic is located in the Monduli district which is designated as medically underserved. A myriad of tropical infectious diseases are prevalent such as malaria, typhoid, schistosomiasis, tuberculosis and various forms of severe enteritis. In addition, HIV-AIDS is prevalent with all its manifestations. Hypertension occurs frequently as well as occasional diabetes. Dental fluorosis is a universal problem among the indigenous people.
The staff of the Tanzania Christian Clinic consists of both volunteers and employees. Current volunteers include the founders, Danny Smelser, MD and Nancy Smelser, RN, MSN, Ed.D; They are joined by volunteers Stephanie Stafford, RN; and Shasta Brown, CPA. Employed staff includes Tizo Joseph, Clinic Facilitator; Innocent Alfayo, Chaplain; and Samwel Grace, Security Officer.
The initial support from the CareNow Foundation is providing the salaries of a Registered Nurse and a Clinical Medical Officer. CareNow is excited about helping to establishing this new clinic focused on serving the needs of this rural area of Tanzania.
On February 10, 2009 Geoff Bowen, the Chairman of Mission Medic Air (MMA), and members of his team met with Susan Hundshamer and Stephanie Brink in Lusaka to coordinate the transfer of the remaining assets of the Zambia mobile clinic to Mission Medic Air. These assets consisted of the Toyota GX Cruiser, which had faithfully served Susan and Stephanie as their mobile clinic during their time in Zambia, and approximately $20,000 in medicines, equipment and supplies from Sinazongwe. Geoff and his team reported being overwhelmed by the generous donation to their efforts. MMA had been in great need of a vehicle to travel to certain locations that cannot be reached by air, but can be by road.
MMA wasted no time in putting the mobile clinic, medicines and supplies to work. On February 19th they began a 4 day trip to Mambilima, a small town located in the Luapula Province of Zambia. It has a population of about 23,000 and is situated near the Luapula River. It has one District Hospital and a Special School for the physically handicapped. Volunteering on this trip was one medical doctor, three nurses, one lab technician, one dentist and several administrative team members. During the two days they held the clinic, they treated over 400 patients for a wide variety of illness and medical needs including 120 receiving dental care. The majority of the medicines used during this trip were from the stores transferred to them by Susan and Stephanie. This is just one of many examples of the work that MMA is doing on a routine basis in serving the healthcare needs of those in rural Zambia. At CareNow we were very pleased to begin working with MMA at a providential time, and be able to seamlessly coordinate not only this transfer of assets but also the continued provision of healthcare for the least served people of Zambia.
A big THANK YOU! to Susan and Stephanie for their dedicated services to the people of Zambia. You will be missed!
THANK YOU for your on-going support to the CareNow Foundation and helping to make a difference
in the lives of thousands of people who are desperate for basic healthcare in Africa!
We are very excited about our new website.
Please visit it today
With your support, we can meet their desperate need and fulfill our mission of
"providing essential healthcare to the world’s least served."