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Hope
Picture: Tarangire
NP, near home
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Dear Augustus Lutheran Church,
One year ago we were in the midst of wondering whether we should
stay in Tanzania or leave in very questionable times. When we
think back to "what we knew" then, in the midst of
pandemic uncertainty and closing borders, we were living on the
edge. Though there are still unknowns and risks, it seems our
feet have landed on more certain ground. At the same time, we are
aware of great losses for so many of our friends and supporters.
Loss of loved ones is at the top of the list. For those of you
who have lost close family members or friends, we hope you find
comfort and peace.
Here in Tanzania, the top of our news headlines was the death of
our President John Pombe Magafuli. The country held 21 days of
mourning and a smooth transition to the incoming, former Vice
President, President Samia Suluhu Hassan. She is the first female
president of Tanzania, coming from Zanzibar. We are very hopeful
that she will preside with wisdom and grace over this country.
There is an air of hope that can be felt in Tanzania, and a deep
joy over the peaceful transition that characterizes the people of
this country.
In so many ways, hope has risen in our hearts even in the midst
of that which remains unknown. As of yet, there is no Covid
vaccine available in Tanzania, Covid statistics have not been
released since May 2020, and the country still struggles to meet
demands on it's healthcare system. But there is relief over
having survived the last year, and a sense of changes coming. It
could also be that hope is rising with the arrival of the long
rains as everything has burst out in color! Whatever the reason
may be, we hold on to hope.
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Dr.
Evelyine Mushi
Holding a former NICU graduate (L) and working with Dr. Swanson
(R)
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In 2019, we recruited Evelyine to work with us
after her internship was completed.
Dr. Evelyine Mushi is among the top 1% of all doctors I have ever
worked with in Tanzania. All who know her admire and
respect her work ethic, intelligence, dedication, humility, and
compassionate care for mothers and their children.
Her story is even more remarkable when one realizes that she
became an orphan while still in primary school. Against a
backdrop of personal suffering, childhood loss of both parents
and 2 siblings, she is a testament to resilience and grace.
Evelyine is committed to children, to serving in Tanzania,
and to one day becoming a neonatologist -- perhaps the first Tanzanian
neonatologist in northern Tanzania! I have been privileged
to serve as her clinical mentor, supervisor, and friend.
Later this year, we will be sending her off to a 4-year
pediatric residency program in South Africa. I couldn't be
prouder of her.
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A NICU Year in Review:
325 babies (a record!)
93% survival (another record!)
144 premature babies (still another record!)
20 area hospitals and healthcare facilities sending us their
sickest babies
Our smallest survivor ever, 612 grams (1.3 pounds) - Left
Middle Photo
$160,000 raised to support NICU babies through donors and
churches
No baby ever turned away due to money issues
Using only appropriate technology for our setting
Training at every opportunity (bottom left)
Our Motto:
Every Breath Counts, No Matter How Small.
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Kids'
Corner
We have come to the end of Caedmon and Indya's Spring Break from
their school in Kenya. We've had some small trips, just the 4 of
us, but mostly we have been home and the kids have taken a good
long rest. In the meantime, the Covid curve took a rise and Kenya
issued a lockdown around Nairobi, closing all schools for 6 weeks
which meant they began their next term here at home online. This
week we received the good news that Kenyan schools are
re-opening, and our children will be returning back to their school
this coming weekend for their 3rd and final term of this school
year.
Caedmon took his ACT a few weeks ago and so begins the journey of
searching for a college. There are many factors to consider and
the combination of a pandemic and living an ocean away from the
US certainly poses some challenges to visiting college campuses.
Meanwhile, he is enjoying his classes (in particular Computer
Science and Chemistry), and has found time to camp in the forest
or climb the trees (with his rock climbing equipment). Hammocking
is so much more fun at 60 feet above the ground!
Indya has also settled in well. Besides her regular classes,
she thoroughly enjoyed cooking class (eating her homework
was the best!), and sewing has become a new passion. She is now
making bucket hats for friends. Though art and pottery are
in her future next year, she has a passion for the ocean and
marine science. We will see where that takes her! She's been an
avid reader this break though it is a rare day that she doesn't
draw or paint something new.
Hannah is pressing through challenging exams and long research
papers and is eagerly awaiting bluer skies and warmer
temperatures in MN. St. Olaf College in MN continues to have
strict Covid protocols in place, which has been a bit isolating
though she has had a few opportunities to see extended family.
She was able to receive her first Covid vaccine in April, and the
second is soon to follow. She has found a number of international
students to whom she has connected which has lifted her heart.
She will finish her first year the end of May (and what a
challenging one it was!)
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We are always grateful for your interest and
support. We have a few requests for you to keep in your
prayers:
- Jodi's work permit and resident permit renewal to be granted
(thank God that the nursing license has been granted and should
be "in hand" next week!)
- Wisdom for Steve as he makes many decisions regarding the
future direction of the NICU and local physician/nurse training.
- Ongoing financial needs and fundraising efforts for the needs
of the Pediatric Department, NICU, hospital bed fees for
malnourished children, and salary support for pediatric trainees.
(To donate towards these programs, please click here)
- Covid vaccine to become available to Tanzanians
- Health and well being for all our family and protection for the
kids as they travel back to Kenya.
- Thank God with us for the glorious rain and the growing crops
With gratitude,
Jodi and Steve Swanson
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