Irindi

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Institute of Agriculture vehicle and Roger Blomquist picked up Tessa and me at 9:15 AM.  We walked to meet them, since the main road in Iringa is torn up to put in a storm sewer.  There is a big trench, scheduled to be back-filled by tomorrow.  Didn’t go to see if it had been done.  (It wasn't until Saturday.

We drove to Irindi.  It is this side of Ruaha Mbyuni.  (Say “Ruaha Mbyuni” three times if you can.)  Irindi itself is a way off the asphalt.  Pastor Felix met us.  We drove another 6 km to the demonstration plot.  They are growing rice, not corn, since their plot is quite wet.  It has been a little dry until now, so the planting is about two weeks late.  With some rain the crop can catch up.

We had the opportunity to ask some nutrition questions after Venance gave his instruction about the rice crop management.  We learned a great deal.  One important item is that they would like nutrition information.

 The photo below is a field of tightly packed rice seedlings.  To the right is a field of newly planted seedlings in rows.  It is the first time the Institute of Agriculture has done a demonstration with rice.  About one third of the plant should be under water and the plot is about two weeks behind.  This was Thursday and it has rained the last three nights, so tthey should be fine now.  We hope.

On the way back to Ilula, my friend Beate from Amani orphanage asked if I could look at a couple kids.  On Sunday we saw a little girl with a fungus infection of the scalp that is generally the product of poverty and dirty living conditions.  Now apparently a boy at school had been identified with a rash on the scalp too.  I went to see him.  I think it is just impetigo, but we will know in a few days if it doesn’t quickly respond.  They have a couple other kids at Amani with impetigo too.  I don’t think it is an epidemic, but a couple kids are pretty uncomfortable.  Also, since there are a number of kids with HIV, fungal infections are quite common.

Luisa, Beate, myself and one of the Amani staff as translator went to deliver the antifungal to the little girl from church.  Her mama was holding a newborn and I recognized the woman from the hospital last week.  Of course, the little girl from church was not the only child with Tinea capitis.  We gave another girl the remaining pills we had.  At least they know what is needed and how to use them after we leave next week.