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TAB:prn April 14, 2010.
NEWS
FROM BURUNDI: (Norm and Nancy Wetterau returned to the US
March 13th after a 2 weeks in Burundi, teaching students at Hope
Africa University School of Medicine. Here is their
report.)
We
taught a second year course in Medical Psychology. The 45-hour course
was condensed into 2 weeks with the 40 students meeting for 3 to 4
hours in the morning and 2 to 3 hours in the afternoon. I was
impressed with their social and spiritual awareness. They already
knew what the biopsychosocial approach to health is. We taught
them how the brain could effect emotion, stress, and addictions. This
included an introduction to the autonomic nervous system and how the
hypothalamus and pituitary glands communicate stress through the
endocrine system.
Six
hours was dedicated to substance abuse, including tobacco. They
were very interested, as these problems exist in Burundi too. We then
introduced them to basic psychiatric diseases including depression,
anxiety, dementia, and psychosis. We had them give doctor patient
skits to illustrate these diseases. Groups of 4 also gave reports on
the health of prisoners, refugees, homeless, abused woman, those with
HIV, survivors of disasters and other special groups.
The
final project was a an essay about their own lives, a family member
or a friend who had suffered a traumatic event. Nancy and I
cried as we read them. We do not know what real hardship is, and we
also have no idea how great God can be in the midst of hardship. Some
of the testimonies in these essays were amazing, but so is our
God.
What about the school? Three new physicians were hired to
be part of the faculty. One, Dr. Marx, had graduated from medical
school in Bukavu a year ago, and had worked a year in our hospital in
Nundu, Congo. He is teaching virology and is full time at Hope
Africa. I took him to him a cyber cafe and showed him how to download
material from WHO, from Google images, and had him sign up for
Medscape. I showed him how to project things on the new
32-inch flat screen TV, which I used while there.
The faculty
could see the value of computers and video systems for illustrations,
but so far only one classroom is equipped. I plan to talk to Lebeni,
the bishop's son in Chicago, to see if he can help figure this out.
They have computers, but very few work. One problem is power surges
in the electrical system. I am not sure what the other problems are,
but I am sure they can be solved. Bishop Elie and other faculty
members really want things to change. As time allows, I plan to look
into other teaching materials.
The students managed to
function with our English, but French material is more easily
absorbed. I brought a website in French: http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/
Check
this site out in either English or French. The Canadian government
gave me a copy on CD. A number of students had access to laptops and
copied it. On the class evaluation, most who took a copy indicated
that they had used it, planned to use it in the future, and it really
helped. Let me assure you that what is on this site is more advanced
that most of what we taught, and way beyond what I know, but is a
great resource that the students really liked. It is the future of
education, but currently there is no reliable high speed internet at
Hope Africa. The material has to be brought in on CD or downloaded
onto a local server, which is all very possible. How many more
resources on physiology, anatomy or pathology can we provide?
The
clinic building has been started. I understand that building itself
has been funded, but money will be needed for equipment.
I
plan to return next winter to teach the same course again. Hope
Africa University, with all its current needs, is an important
part of the future of Burundi. Islam has a tuition free university in
the country. The Chinese are proving funding for development. Without
this Christian University Christianity might become irrelevant for
the educated class in this nation.
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR SERVICE AND GIVING:
Volunteers are needed to teach courses
at the University, located in Bujumbura, Burundi. Clinical
instructors are needed to round with medical students at Kibuye
Hospital. Funds are needed to equip the clinic under
construction in Bujumbura. A major fund campaign is underway to
upgrade the physical plant and infrastructure at Kibuye Hospital.
We will keep you posted as to what progress is being made and how
each of us might get involved as this major program moves forward.
If you are interested in volunteering time and need contact
information, let me know.
NEWS FROM NUNDU:
Much
is happening at Nundu Hospital, in the Congo. (Nundu is
located across the lake from Burundi, some 4-5 hours away by
road.) There are three doctors on staff and the school of
nursing started back in the late 1980's is still functioning.
Randy and Alice Mathewsons are there assisting with refurbishing
buildings and rebuilding the infrastructure. The government has
requested that a separate building be constructed to house the
school. Presently the students meet in a classroom just down
the hall from surgery. Linda Stryker is the only career
missionary assigned to the Congo. Norm Wetterau is working with
Linda coordinate a shipment of medical supplies and equipment needed
for the medical work in the Congo.
CAHO
ANNUAL MEETING:
Don't forget the annual meeting in Spring
Arbor, MI, April 34-36. Among the topics of discussion will be
the Churches reponse the the Haiti earthquate and relief efforts
underway. Dan Snyder and others will be there to give a
first-and account.
HOLD THE DATE:
Then FMMF
Consultation will be September24-26 on the Greenville College
campus. John Patrick will be our speaker. He is very
much looking forward to meeting with us again. This will be his
third presentation to the fellowship. You will not want to miss
this gathering. Make plans now to attend.
I
have limited computer time as I share our one computer with my wife
Connie, who works with VISA from our home. So I am ending this
off without any further editing. Thanks for taking the
time give this a read. I value you ongoing support of FMMF and
your interest. God bless.
Tim Kratzer, President
FMMF
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