Two ends of the spectrum

Well, Laura has pooped out on the blog so I'm picking up the slack. In all fairness, she needs to work on an assignment. Since our last submission from Mayoka Village we have been very hard at work at the Embangwani School for the Deaf. This is a residential school of ~120 kids ranging in age from 6 to 20 years. It seemed we tested everyone of them and fit or re-fit 62 hearing aids (using the Audioscan). We spent 4 nights and 3 intense clinic days. One of the side clinics while in Embangweni was a hearing screening at the primary school. Our goal was to randomly select 200 children to possibly get an estimate of potential hearing loss among the pediatric population in the regular school. Well, who knew it would be early dismissal for teacher training. We were able to get 62 children completed before they all escaped from the classroom. Not enough to tell us anything, but excellent practice for the ABC students. One of our goals was to try out an automated note pad screener. Although the idea is a good one, it did not do well in our conditions. Lesson learned: touch screen technology is a stretch for this population. Many of the children were too reticent to touch the equipment. While walking back to the deaf school, a woman from the village stopped us to request that we test her hearing also. She is a teacher at the pre-school. She heard we were in town and went to the primary school to find us but we were located at the hospital. She went to the hospital, but we were already gone. So, finally we connected. Turned out she did have a hearing loss and we were able to fit her a Phonak Valeo. PINK, as a matter of fact. Prior to our departure on Thursday, we went to daily devotion where we were treated to the best signed rendition of "Oh Happy Day". Following prayer we passed out note pads and pens provided by Rebecca and Peter Bartlett. These were definitely cherished gifts of all the children large and small. During our screening at the school the previous day, one of our team borrowed a pen from a 12 year old. He waited around to get his green pen back and would accept no other. Simple things we take for granted. Departing the school was difficult for both our team and the students. We developed strong bonds during just a few days. Many tears were shed. At this point we parted from our Malawian friends from ABC also. Peter led us in a reflection which was so perfectly timed to deal with all our feelings. Tears....again. We had one night back at Mabuya, then off to Zambia for another stamp in our passports. We are at Thornicroft Lodge just outside of South Luangwa animal preserve. Today (6-22) we went on two Safari's into the park, sunrise and sunset. Our driver, Martin, was the best. Sort of Morgan Freeman with Zambian accented English. We saw so many animals today that I can't even begin to list them. However, the highlights include: elephant, zebra (Ingrid's favorite because you can't have enough black and white in your wardrobe), giraffe (Gail's fav for unknown reasons), lion's, lion's matting (YES!), and thanks to Laura's excellent spotting skills, a leopard. Now this was not yards way, but feet!! Such an exceptional experience that we are all ruined from ever enjoying a plain 'ol zoo. Our list is huge and tomorrow we have two more Safari's. The food has been the best so far of the entire trip. GOURMET!! This has been a much needed rest. We work really hard and really appreciate the time we have to relax. I'm hoping we are modeling this skill as it is so easy to forget about recharging our batteries, and I don't mean otoscope batteries. I'm actually writing this from the bar, and no it is not for the liquid inspiration. It's actually very quiet as everyone is off to bed at 8:30 to rise before the sun for our next Safari. So by the time you get to read this (no internet here) we will be on the road to Blantyre for our next clinic. Stay tuned for more adventures from HFH 2013!! G