Hi friends and family,

As some of you may know, I have been volunteering at Levolosi hospital (in Arusha, Tanzania) over the past two weeks. For the majority of my time at the hospital, I have been assisting physicians in the minor theater, where a variety of "minor" surgeries and procedures are performed.  Some typical procedures in this room include circumcision surgeries, wound control and treatment, and pelvic examinations. Other sectors of the hospital provide services such as dental care, labor and delivery, and consultation in various fields (OBGYN, pulmonology, dermatology). Pictures of Levolosi are below.



Over these past weeks, I have continued to become more and more impressed with the physicians at Levolosi.  These physicians have found ways to provide excellent medical care to their communities without possessing the advanced medical technology that we're used to having at hospitals back home. With only a few autoclaves and examination tables, and the absence of cauterization machines, monitors, etc. these physicians are professionals of resource efficiency.

While physicians at Levolosi have found ways to make it work, they have received insufficient funding from the government; thus, resources are scant and some portions of the hospital are underdeveloped. Recently, the physicians at Levolosi sought to renovate the minor theater, which is one of the most undeveloped sectors of the hospital. After spending two weeks in the minor theater, I agree with the need for renovation and additional resources. Pictures of the minor theater are below.



A couple of days ago, I asked the hospital staff to organize a list of resources that the minor theater severely lacks/needs. Today, they provided me with the list. If all items were purchased, this would fully renovate the minor theater. I hope to fundraise enough to purchase a majority of the equipment listed--the equipment would be used instantly and make immediate impacts! Listed equipment includes:

(1) Operating table (1, estimated cost 2,587 USD)
(2) Macking tosh (10 rolls, estimated cost 1,078 USD)
(3) Mayo scissor (10 pcs, estimated cost 39 USD)
(4) Stitching scissor (10 pcs, estimated cost 39 USD)
(5) Artery forceps [mosquito] (16 pcs, estimated cost 48 USD)
(6) Artery forceps [straight] (7 pcs, estimated cost  36 USD)
(7) Needle holder (10 pcs, estimated cost 38 USD)
(8) Sponge forceps (4 pcs, estimated cost 21 USD)
(9) Kidney dish (3 pcs, estimated cost 23 USD)
(10) Gallipot (10 pcs, estimated cost 52 USD)
(11) Dissecting forceps (5 pcs, estimated cost 26 USD)
(12) Chromic cut gut no 2/0, 3/0 (15 boxes, estimated cost 97 USD)
(13) Silk no 2 (5 boxes, estimated cost 32 USD)
(14) Vicyril no 2, no 3 (10 boxes, estimated cost  216 USD)
(15) Polysorbs no 2 (3 boxes, estimated cost 78 USD)
(16) Polysorbs no 3 (3 boxes, estimated cost 78 USD)
(17) Gauze (10 rolls, estimated cost 151 USD)
(18) Cotton (10 rolls, estimated cost 26 USD)
(19) Gauze bandage (100 rolls, estimated cost 172 USD)
(20) Aprons (10 pcs, estimated cost 52 USD)
(21) Surgical blade (200 pcs, estimated cost 13 USD)
(22) Surgical gloves p/50 (5 boxes, estimated cost 97 USD)
(23) Ear syringe (1pc, estimated cost 32 USD)
(24) Vaseline gauze (20 pcs, estimated cost 9 USD)
(25) Lignocaine 2% (20 vials, estimated cost 17 USD)

Please consider donating! Any donation of any size would be greatly appreciated. Before I head back home (in two weeks), I plan on purchasing the equipment with everything that has been fundraised up to that point -- so, if you are considering a donation, I would love if it could be completed before I leave so that I can buy and transport the equipment to Levolosi. 

Thank you so much! Asante sana!