Dear Friends: Being technically challenged, this is my first entry, and we're home already! "Tapologo Bound" was a trip of connection and contrasts. On the connection front we've begun to participate and encourage in improved connections between black and colored congregations and white congregations in Rustenburg, SA. With some front-end work by one of our members Karen Hamm, and Efraim Oppelt, the South African liaison for URCSA with North America we've helped form a bridge between three reformed churches, as well as, a community based Hospice launched by the Roman Catholic Diocese. We've worked to begin to a common focus to improve care and concern for those with HIV and AIDS. Subsequent to Rustenburg, we re-established connections with friends in Kwa Thema a Township outside Johannesburg, and friends in leadership of the Southern Transvaal Synod.
Above is a picture of Tapologo's founder Bishop Kevin Dowling with Rev. Ken Busman and I. Kent traveled with a companion group of 6 from Capital District Hospice. We were together for 3 days at Tapologo before they left for another Hospice on the South Coast. Kent is the Minister for Youth of the Albany Synod and Director of Fowler Camp and Conference Center.
Above is a picture of Tapologo's founder Bishop Kevin Dowling with Rev. Ken Busman and I. Kent traveled with a companion group of 6 from Capital District Hospice. We were together for 3 days at Tapologo before they left for another Hospice on the South Coast. Kent is the Minister for Youth of the Albany Synod and Director of Fowler Camp and Conference Center.
On the right is a view of the Township near the Freedom Park temporary settlement or squatter’s camp. We are waking,making rounds with HIV-AIDS care givers who are visiting homebound patients, some in the last stages of AIDs, some successfully on or beginning ARV drug therapy. It was hot, dusty, the buildings were less than humble; in stark contrast to suburbs or cities in the US.
On the top left is the inpatient unit of Tapologo, some 30 beds, planned in a green-environmental way. They made the bricks from mud, dung and straw, in a manner used by earlier natives, which since they don't use the techniques anymore, they had to re-learn. Also cooled and heated by a tower/underground ventilation system that uses ground temperatures and natural circulation to heat and cool. The floors are mosaics of African designs, in broken tile (leftover), which is attractive and practical. The environment is clean, and refreshing, peaceful. Was gratified to see the progress in anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) being used. With one patient I met, an 18 year old, was admitted very sick, placed on ARVs,and fed well. He had improved and was being discharged to outpatient care. He previously would have been dead.
More in a subsequent post.
Much good cheer,
On the top left is the inpatient unit of Tapologo, some 30 beds, planned in a green-environmental way. They made the bricks from mud, dung and straw, in a manner used by earlier natives, which since they don't use the techniques anymore, they had to re-learn. Also cooled and heated by a tower/underground ventilation system that uses ground temperatures and natural circulation to heat and cool. The floors are mosaics of African designs, in broken tile (leftover), which is attractive and practical. The environment is clean, and refreshing, peaceful. Was gratified to see the progress in anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) being used. With one patient I met, an 18 year old, was admitted very sick, placed on ARVs,and fed well. He had improved and was being discharged to outpatient care. He previously would have been dead.
More in a subsequent post.
Much good cheer,
Joe Dolittle
No comments:
Post a Comment