2018 Looking Back...
We did it again!
(September) BHIWC was able to provide school supplies for 140 orphans in Jos and Gombe States in Nigeria. I am humbled and blessed to have the support of Columbia Town Center Rotary Club, Nurses of Global Health UMSON Shady Grove campus and the entire BHIWC team (Nigeria & USA) to make it possible to do this for the 4th consecutive year. Thank you all.
A Day to Educate And Celebrate African Culture
(August) Spreading the word and fundraising too at the Universal African Festival. A day out celebrating African culture with various vendors, performances, great speeches and community bonding at Springwood Park, Asbury, NJ.
We Don't Just Walk the Walk, We Talk the Talk
(April) On April 16th, our fearless leader gives a Presentation at University of Maryland School of Nursing Shady Grove to let them know why and how we do what we do and to talk to the Nurses for Global Health about BHIWC's Literacy for Orphans program. They also began hosting a School Supplies Drive for Orphans campaign at University of Maryland School of Nursing Shady Grove.
Saving Just One Life Is Worth Every Effort
(February/March) We discovered one of our follow up cases from our 2017 Cancer screening event was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The good news was that we identified it at the early stages. Doctors recommended surgery. We sought out your help to get her the surgery she needed..
Aishatu was diagnosed with cervical cancer as a result of our screening and follow up tests. Doctors had determined that her uterus needed to be removed to keep the cancer from spreading and killing her.
Aishatu has been faced with other difficult times. She was widowed when HIV claimed the life of her first husband. She fought to survive in conditions that were less than favorable and rebuilt her life. She since re-married and has 2 children. This diagnosis was the beginning of another battle where Aishatu has to fight to survive.
The pictures above show Aishatu's hospital stay "...When her father came to the hospital to see her and her family members, they were all crying saying that if it is not because of BHIWC, they don't no what will happen to their daughter because they don't have that kind of money to treat her... " (Reported by our Field Angel, Maryam Bukar)
By way of donor generosity, Aishatu was finally operated on, February 26th, 2018, the surgery was successful. A hysterectomy was performed to removed the cancer infected uterus. She was discharged from the hospital. March 7th, 2018.
She fully recovered and was able to continue her life with new found education and understanding of her body. She is in this video (above) giving a special "Thank You" to BHIWC for her surgery and the blessing of a chance at healthy life.
Cervical Cancer Screening 2017
March 13th marked the second Cervical Cancer Screening for BHIWC. We began our mission in Ashaka Funakaye LG in Gombe State. Prior to the Cervical Cancer Screening event 232 women were surveyed with 95.5% of them unaware of the deadly disease. Four Cervical Cancer presentations were held with approximately 500 women in attendance. Over 1,000 pamphlets providing important education Cervical Cancer were distributed to the women and men of the LG. This sensitized the community about cervical cancer and prepared them for the screening event.
Collaboration between BHIWC, Gombe State Teaching Hospital and AshakaCem Medical Center ensured the successful Cervical Cancer Screening of 100 women.
At the beginning
The day had arrived where Ashaka Funakaye women were to make the conscious choice to take the first steps to prevent cervical cancer. March 13, 2017 started off as a clear sunny day, even nature was ready for the activities to unfold. Nurses from Gombe State Teaching Hospital and AshakaCem Medical Center prepared the maternal ward as the community women, with their children, began to arrive. Security was on stand-by, BHIWC staff and volunteers were ready, it was time to begin.
The journey continues
Nurses and BHIWC staff provided a pre-screening education session of the purpose for the event, what to expect for the day and instructions to adhere to. This was followed by participant registration conducted by BHIWC staff and volunteers. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and a positive attitude as more women arrived at the clinic to take part in the village’s 1st cervical cancer screening event.
Now we screen
Registration for 100 women is complete, time to get screened. Women were led into the medical center, batch by batch, to ensure order is maintained and all 100 women were screened. Pamphlets and lunch packs were distributed to reinforce the importance of cervical cancer prevention and to encourage the women to spread the word. After screening, smiles and words from the participants conveyed a sense of accomplishment at getting screened..