Out & about in Lome

Our first day out in Lome...and sweating already, just a regular occurance

Off to the market
Gwen & I in the market with my first purchase - the skirt the man is holding up. I paid 6000 CFA (which is equivalent to about $12 USD), that is after some bargaining :)

Micah bargaining for a soccer jersey

Swimming at the Hotel Palm Beach

This & that...

Medical Reception

As Mercy Ships partners with the Togo ministry of health we held a reception for all the dignitaries. This was to inform them of the work Mercy Ships does, to thank them for allowing Mercy Ships into their country, as well as to make contact with the local physicians and other health providers for education and followup. The reception included speeches, tours of the hospital, tables with information on the different specialties, as well as refreshments.

Dr. Gary Parker (max-fac's surgeon with the ship for over 20 yrs)

Gwen & I (both ward RN's)

Hannah & Becca (OR & ward RN's)


Day Volunteer Orientation
The ship has approx 90 day volunteers/workers from Togo who work in all different areas of the ship: engineering, deck, construction, dental, eye team, galley, housekeeping, hospital (including translators), security, etc. We assisted with their orientation and welcoming them to the ship.



Hospital Open House

The hospital staff had an open house prior to starting surgeries for the non-medical staff to be informed of what happens down on deck 3. These crew members (housekeeping, gallery staff, reception, deck, etc) have the opportunity to get involved with the hospital by our 'adopt a patient' program. They follow the patient through their stay on the ship (pre & post op) visiting them and getting to know them. The open house was also a great opportunity for the students from the Academy to learn about the hospital. There are approximately 50 students (staff members families) and 12 teachers for Kindergarten - Grade 12.


Learning about the OR

Techniques of intubation

The OR had a game representing the fistula (abnormal holes/tears) conditions. Birthing injuries that leave women incontinent of urine and sometimes feces. Target practice in OR stirrups isn't the easiest :)

Learning and practicing suturing techniques

Nasogastric tube feeds for our maxilofacial patients

Our station - learning to start IV's

The patient race - five people trying to beat each other in patient care...including giving pills, bandaging, helping to bed pan the patient, check their temperature, hilarious!

Our trouble maker patients/co-workers :)

Work Projects

Cleaning, stripping, and waxing floors, what a job! All 3 wards, corridors and then some ! But wow, did they look amazing after the fact :)

One of the wards ready for setup on the shiny floors!

Compiling charts

Ward set up - Liz & Christina

Claire making beds - can you tell we're a bit excited?

Setting up/organizing

All ready for patients!

For the admissions tent outside the ship we needed it to be lifted off the ground for rainy season. We painted many plywood sheets which were placed on pellets where the tents were set up on.


And more cleaning...

Nurses group pic

Hello Togo!!

Arrived in Togo today! Hello to continuous sweating by all...sweat rags, sweat running down your legs/back, wet clothing, and BO. The one comfort is that everyone is in the same situation. Thankfully we have airconditioning on the ship...most of the time :)

We were welcomed African style with a crowd including locals, a band, dancers, and government health officials. What an honor!

Pilot boat coming to meet us.

Pilot stepping on to our ship to guide our ship into port.

Pilot boat leaving, tugboat coming out to meet.

Locals waiting for the ship to arrive, we could hear the band playing from a distance.

Local group of dancers/drummers

A Togolese staff member of the ship carrying the flag down the gangway.Welcome speeches.

Captured a bit of the ceremony, unfortunately the dancers were breaking at the moment.

Togo Tidbits

Population: 6, 031, 808 (CIA website)
Official languages: French & approx 25 different tribal languages.
Economy: cocoa, coffee, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish.
Industry: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages
United Nations HDI (Human Development Index): listed as #152 out of 189 countries (2009). Canada is #4

Mercy Ships project plans:

- Hospital - 2400-2600 surgeries (eye - cataract, maxilo-facial, orthopedics, vesico-vaginal fistulas, general), training surgeons from Togo for these specialties in the OR,

- dental clinic onland, dental assistant training,

- 6 construction projects, well drilling, agriculture teams teaching

- mercy ministries (visiting orphanages, prisons, etc), pastors training/conferences, palliative team, mental health team,

- microeconomics projects (outcasts because of health conditions now healed, returning to their community)

- partnering with local organizations - mission organizations, health care, etc, to come alongside in assistance/encouragement/partnership to their work and to provide followup after the ship leaves.

Still sailing...

Today was such a beautiful calm day on the ocean - I'm loving sailing! Although I think the pictures are beautiful, it's so much more amazing seeing it in person! We got to see whales, dolphins, and flying fish - God's creation is beautiful!

We've been practicing fire/evacuation and 'man overboard' drills on the ship. These begin with a horn alarm followed by an overhead announcement "Attention all crew, this is the captain speaking. This is a drill, this is a drill, this is a drill. Please assemble at your muster stations you've been assigned to."

Muster Station 'D' - Tatiana, Hannah, & Becca

The Bridge

A few figures for the technical people. We're traveling at about 12 knots/hr (x1.8 to get miles), about 25 miles from West Africa coast, sea depth - 2700 meters, cost of fuel ~ $250,000 for a sail of 10 days (all $ from donations).

Bow of the ship. During rough seas the waves covered the whole bow.

Sarah & I at the front of the bow