LDS HUMANITARIAN SERVICE UP CLOSE - PENYI HEALTH CLINIC

Penyi, Ghana is a tiny community about 4 hours drive east of Accra. We went there with other  Sr. missionaries to attend a "Handing-Over" ceremony.  LDS donates millions of dollars in humanitarian efforts around the world.  Our natural disaster relief is the best but so are our planned projects where we look for ways to make a substantial difference to communities who are willing to do their part in learning to sustain the project after it is completed.  Planned projects involve months of efforts to work with needy communities, usually lead by Sr. missionaries.  (FWIW, I am now doing legal contract basic work for these type of projects for our humanitarian missionaries.  I've done water boring project contracts and wheelchair initiative contracts recently.)

The idea here is to make a donation or fund and manage a project that the community maintains and it is a sustained benefit to the community.  (the Church turns down 80% of those who ask for help because the community is not willing to work and do what they can....entitlement is everywhere!)  

Here, there is a tiny health center for a very poor community.  Two women give birth here every month and our church donated birthing bed and other beds and medical equipment.  This ceremony is where the donated items are unveiled and "handed-over" to the community.  Tribal chiefs along with workers and, yes, politicians come to give thanks for the gift. Their expressed gratitude far exceeds my ability to describe it!

The white couple, Elder and Sr. Redlin (friends) in middle are the LDS humanitarian missionaries responsible for the gift with chiefs and dignitaries .

Chris & Linda back left

Sr. missionaries and health clinic workers.

"Labour Ward"

Old birthing table being replaced by a new one.

Receptacles in labour room

What's a birthing room without proper instructions for the mid-wife!!!  (this is taped to wall near birthing table!) And you thought you had reason to complain of the hospital service when you had your children!

"Lying-in-Ward" ....Post-Delivery to us

Lyin-in-Ward

Linda with the clinic administrator

Tribal chiefs await ceremony

Others wait as well

Even the chickens are ready to go!

Elder and Sister Redlin, who made this project happen

Us with the mid-wife of the clinic.  The lady could not have been more appreciative!  The interaction with this tiny community quickly teaches us that this is what serving others is all about!

The local council-woman....You can't do a good turn without a politician!!  (actually she was very gracious to the Church for its generous donation)

The unveiling.

The local LDS church leader presenting a plaque recognizing the LDS Church as the donor of the equipment.  The permanent installation of recognition of LDS Charities is part of our agreement to fund the project.

The reason for the donation.

And you thought your twins were a handful!!

Super mom!!

This boy had probably not seen so many white faces in one place...or maybe never!  Is he cute or what?
Finally, note the road up to the clinic and the transportation used by all the locals to come....we brought the only autos.