Sunday was quiet but nice. Since I am directionally challenged and not yet familiar with my surroundings, I havent been brave enough to wander around town alone yet, so the ever patient Molly took me on a walking tour of the market place etc. Since most were in church this was a quiet day though to me the streets seemed full. The market was full of fresh veggies, fruits, eggs, and anything else you could want. After passing by the meat stand with carcasses hanging out, I think I will not be eating meat for the most part while I am here. We then had a delicious dinner with friends from Team Rwanda and home for the evening.
I awoke monday morning full of excitement, ready to be helpful instead of a bump on a log as I had been. I met Noel (A recently graduated Rwandan Veterinarian) accross the hall at 8 am to being our work. First we were to walk to a nearby partner farm to collect some blood and feces for us to practice with at the lab. This is a very rudimentary farm with 3 cows in a makeshift barn. My cow friends would be proud as I helped to restrain the cows head. As Noel was unable to hit the vein, I offered up my skills. Unfortantely nobody told me that what i thought was a puddle was actually a bottomless pit of cow waste. Yup. I slipped in it. I am not quite ready to discuss the details, but it was the most foul experience of my life.
Back in the lab, after multiple showers, it became clear that Noel was very enthusiastic to learn new techniques. I finally felt useful. We practiced making blood smears and identifying cells. He learned to count platelets, differenciate between cells, and is beginning to learn RBC morphology. There are no books here for him to look at and rarely anyone around to ask, so he has pretty much been self taught. I have done some drawings for him, but hope to have someone at home send me real picturesi can print out for him to have in full color.
Dr. Magda then took us with her to Karisoke Research Center to visit some dogs that had belonged to a famous researcher who passed away last year. There is a local man who's entire job is to look after these two dogs. Unfortunately, during their owner's illness, they were improperly medicated for years and suffer many maladies due to that. We were just doing a general wellness check. One of the dogs has tendon issues ( and is probably cushinoid and has horrible allergies plus a white dog does not fare well in Africa) and one of her back legs doesnt work well. I am brainstorming a way to fashion her a removable splint so that she can get around easier. Both dogs were friendly and very overweight. The diet had been changed to an appropriate one, but they do not get enough excersize due to the one's injury and her sister not wanting to leave her side. They are well taken care of but it is not a great situation. The part of the research center that I saw was beautiful although I did not get a full tour.
We then headed to Magda's home where we visited her 20 month old donkey and her 3 dogs. She has a lovely little set up with a mini barn, fenced in areas etc. Magda was on the Polish Dressage team several years back and is a very accomplished horsewoman. She wanted to show me how she was trimming his feet becuase they dont have any trimmers, nippers, or files. She was creative and brave using an electric circular saw to do his hooves. I was shocked by how well behaved he was for all of this! Quinn would never pick his feet up so nicely and stand for that noise! Although the donkey was not very happy with his back feet being done, he tolerated it way better than I would have anticipated. We are awaiting a hoofknife from a traveling friend. Magda even has this guy lounging nicely! Impressive! Don't worry...I took video!
While finishing up there, Magda recieved a call from the gorilla orphanage. There have been some majoy electric fence issues and one of the more clever girls kept getting out. They have been trying to get an electrician to fix it, but in the meantime they are trying to figure out a long term sedation solution. Since I am not allowed near the gorillas due to having been in the US so recently, I never imagined I would be invited, but Magda said, hop in the car we are going! We parked the truck outside the fence and I climbed onto the roof where I was able to watch the babies frolic, eat, and just hang out. Although the experience was short, it was truly amazing to watch these gentle giants act just like human kids. On the way home we stopped to help a chicken that a motorbike had run over...interesting...
So what started out as a "crappy" day ended up pretty amazing! Molly and I decided to eat leftovers and watch a movie...those of you who know me well can guess the first movie I introduced her to...Stepborthers has now officially entered Rwanda : )
I don't expect I will be able to give this detailed of an update everyday, so I am taking advantage while I can!
Off to the market to shop for dinner!
I awoke monday morning full of excitement, ready to be helpful instead of a bump on a log as I had been. I met Noel (A recently graduated Rwandan Veterinarian) accross the hall at 8 am to being our work. First we were to walk to a nearby partner farm to collect some blood and feces for us to practice with at the lab. This is a very rudimentary farm with 3 cows in a makeshift barn. My cow friends would be proud as I helped to restrain the cows head. As Noel was unable to hit the vein, I offered up my skills. Unfortantely nobody told me that what i thought was a puddle was actually a bottomless pit of cow waste. Yup. I slipped in it. I am not quite ready to discuss the details, but it was the most foul experience of my life.
Back in the lab, after multiple showers, it became clear that Noel was very enthusiastic to learn new techniques. I finally felt useful. We practiced making blood smears and identifying cells. He learned to count platelets, differenciate between cells, and is beginning to learn RBC morphology. There are no books here for him to look at and rarely anyone around to ask, so he has pretty much been self taught. I have done some drawings for him, but hope to have someone at home send me real picturesi can print out for him to have in full color.
Dr. Magda then took us with her to Karisoke Research Center to visit some dogs that had belonged to a famous researcher who passed away last year. There is a local man who's entire job is to look after these two dogs. Unfortunately, during their owner's illness, they were improperly medicated for years and suffer many maladies due to that. We were just doing a general wellness check. One of the dogs has tendon issues ( and is probably cushinoid and has horrible allergies plus a white dog does not fare well in Africa) and one of her back legs doesnt work well. I am brainstorming a way to fashion her a removable splint so that she can get around easier. Both dogs were friendly and very overweight. The diet had been changed to an appropriate one, but they do not get enough excersize due to the one's injury and her sister not wanting to leave her side. They are well taken care of but it is not a great situation. The part of the research center that I saw was beautiful although I did not get a full tour.
We then headed to Magda's home where we visited her 20 month old donkey and her 3 dogs. She has a lovely little set up with a mini barn, fenced in areas etc. Magda was on the Polish Dressage team several years back and is a very accomplished horsewoman. She wanted to show me how she was trimming his feet becuase they dont have any trimmers, nippers, or files. She was creative and brave using an electric circular saw to do his hooves. I was shocked by how well behaved he was for all of this! Quinn would never pick his feet up so nicely and stand for that noise! Although the donkey was not very happy with his back feet being done, he tolerated it way better than I would have anticipated. We are awaiting a hoofknife from a traveling friend. Magda even has this guy lounging nicely! Impressive! Don't worry...I took video!
While finishing up there, Magda recieved a call from the gorilla orphanage. There have been some majoy electric fence issues and one of the more clever girls kept getting out. They have been trying to get an electrician to fix it, but in the meantime they are trying to figure out a long term sedation solution. Since I am not allowed near the gorillas due to having been in the US so recently, I never imagined I would be invited, but Magda said, hop in the car we are going! We parked the truck outside the fence and I climbed onto the roof where I was able to watch the babies frolic, eat, and just hang out. Although the experience was short, it was truly amazing to watch these gentle giants act just like human kids. On the way home we stopped to help a chicken that a motorbike had run over...interesting...
So what started out as a "crappy" day ended up pretty amazing! Molly and I decided to eat leftovers and watch a movie...those of you who know me well can guess the first movie I introduced her to...Stepborthers has now officially entered Rwanda : )
I don't expect I will be able to give this detailed of an update everyday, so I am taking advantage while I can!
Off to the market to shop for dinner!
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