Saturday, February 8th, we traveled all day to the town of Ladybrand which is near the border of Lesotho. The Bed & Breakfast was lovely and we were the only guest (the owners live on a small farm not too far away). Early the next morning they came to fix our breakfast. Sunday morning we went with Elder and Sister Olson to a small branch in Leribe, Lesotho. This picture is where they are meeting now, but they have purchased some property and will be moving soon. We enjoyed visiting and meeting the members of this small branch. We hope to return soon.
 |
| From left: Young Women's President, Sister Olson, Primary President |
The Olson's invited us to dinner that evening and told us all about their missionary adventures. They extended their mission to 23 months and will be going home in a few weeks.
 |
| Monday on our way to the hospital we stopped in Maseru, the largest city in Lesotho with a population of 227, 880 (2006). We bought native blankets and we stopped at an orphanage where ladies weave hangings to support themselves and the orphange. I ordered two hanging that will be ready in March. |
After shopping we traveled further into the country to a small town up in the mountains called Mapoteng. The Adventist Church is doing wonderful work here and the staff treated us like royalty. They fed us lunch and gave everyone a gift. At the Handover Elder/Sister Eggett told everyone that in 1984 the church asked its members to fast one day and donate the money they would spend on those meals to a special fund for Ethiopia. They raised 10 million dollars and Humanitarian aid was born. The church donated three pieces of eye equipment to help diagnois cataracts and glaucoma. Dr. Gutierrez said they performed 1300 operations last year. The hospital has "cataract finders" that go into the small villages and look for people with cataracts then help them to get to the hospital which may be seven hours away. Some people have waited so long that they can barely see or completely blind. Removing the cataracts they have their full sight again. The cost of the operation in American dollars would be $50.00. Glaucoma is a different story because they cannot restore what has been lost,but with an early detection they can slow down the disease.  |
| Elder Eggett and Dr. Rodriquez |
 |
| Dr. Gutierrez demostrating the equipment |
 |
| It was a "feel good day" at Maluti Adventist Hospital |
There are several sources in which hospitals have in order to purchase the hospital equipment that they need in order to run their hospital and give their patients the most efficient and up-to-date care. Hospitals make their money and stay open due to federal and state government allocations, legislatures, insurance companies, individuals who make donations, and other employers. All of these entities contribute to the funding of the hospital and is taken care of by the hospital administrators who try to make the best and most efficient choices for the hospital itself.
ReplyDelete