Mon 8th March 2010

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VISITS VOM AS VIOLENCE REAPPEARS

John Earwicker, MAI Executive Director, visits Vom Hospital in Plateau State from Tuesday in the aftermath of reported renewed violence just south of Jos, capital of Plateau.  Late on Sunday, the BBC carried reports that more than 100 people had been killed in two villages.

John's visit has two purposes.  First, MAI is seeking through Vom Hospital Enterprises to establish a strong table water production business to generate another income stream to support the hospital.

Second, John will have meetings in Jos and Abuja with representatives of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria.  They have requested that MAI undertake a major training initiative as a result of the very successful workshops run by a MAI volunteer team last November at the Vom School of Nursing.  It is hoped that MAI can assist by providing a "Training the Trainers" 4 day workshop later in 2010.

Mon 8th March 2010

OLONGA WOWS CROWD

Henry Olonga proved a very popular draw at the recent MAI charity evening in Abingdon (pictured above with MAI's Director).  Drawing on his many talents, Henry held the audience spellbound with his singing and anecdotes from his life in cricket.  He was very forthright about his faith which determined his decision to wear a black armband during the 2003 Cricket World Cup to protest the policies of President Mugabe in Zimbabwe.

Asked about scepticism around supporting charitable work in Africa, Henry replied "find a charity that you can trust; that gives its funds directly to the people on the ground who are making a difference."  MAI is glad to have that kind of endorsement!  Thank you Henry!

Mon 8th March 2010

VISITORS FROM EMBO

Pastor Leonard Gcabashe and Zama Sibisi will be visiting the UK from 8 to 19 April.

Full details of their programme will be available on the web site by the end of March.  There are one or two openings for midweek daytime events if anyone would like to host them.

In the meantime, it has been confirmed that the 10 Care Givers and Supervising Nurse will receive the Government training at the end of March that will ensure that they can undertake testing for HIV status.  This is a major event in the life of the community since previously people had to leave their locality for testing.  This was a major cause of people not being tested and therefore of increased HIV prevelance.

Wed 20th January 2010

CONSULTATION ROOM FITTED AT EMBO

New equipment and facilities at the Embo Church mean that the previously monthly Health Authority mobile clinic can come more frequently to this needy community and work out of the church.  MAI was able to cover the costs of this adaptation of a room thanks to a grant from a Foundation in Northern Ireland.

Besides basic adaptation of the room to have a dedicated sink, reception desk and examination couch, the grant has made possible the purchase of refrigeration for vaccines and medical equipment to enable a more regular clinic to be held.

Embo, with a population of more than 60,000 people has no permanent clinic.  It is hoped that this will be a first step in that direction.

Wed 20th January 2010

PLATEAU VIOLENCE ERUPTS AGAIN

Violent clashes between Christian and Muslim groups have taken place in Plateau State again in the last few days.  Sunday 17 January saw some killings in churches in the capital, Jos.

Reports vary significantly on the numbers killed in these attacks and the curfew impedes the collection of accurate data.  Reports vary from around 150 deaths to many hundreds.

Vom Hospital, which receives significant support from MAI, is currently caring for some 20 victims of the violence, which has reached to the town next to Vom as well as Jos and Bukuru and surrounding villages.  One victim being cared for at Vom Hospital claimed to have been shot in his own home by a member of the military sent to Jos to quell the riots.