One of the long-term goals of The Siraba School Village is to fulfill a request made by the Dagabo School Committee (DSC) and Women’s Committee, to establish a “Health House” in the village – which will be called the Hawa Clinic, in honor of Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne who was named Hawa (“Eve, mother of the prophets”) by the Dagabo Chief in 2008. Until we are able to build, staff, and support the eventual Hawa Clinic, we do what steps we can to address healthcare needs in Dagabo.
In 2014 the DSC elected Molobalitié “Mambey” Doumbia to be the local Hawa Clinic representative. Mambey is literate, has taught literacy classes in the village, and is the liaison to CAP, the local arm of the Education Ministry in Mali. Our partner United Aid Foundation (UAF) generously donated a Heart to Heart “Ready Relief Box” full of first aid supplies, and other basic wound care and standard medicines were purchased or donated to fill a large supply bag. Dr. Tammy and Dr. Brandon Pomeroy reviewed with Mambey the relevant diagnoses and dosages for each clinic item, and Koro recorded these instructions for later reference.
This year thanks to UAF and other donors we were able to replenish the Hawa Clinic bag. Mambey reviewed his record book with Dr. Tammy, listing names, ages, diagnoses and supplies dispensed – he keeps impressively clear and detailed records. Since our 2014 visit he has provided medicines and materials to over 190 patients in need.
During our April 2015 visit (a partnership with Medical Missions Foundation) Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne, Dr. Brandon Pomeroy, and RNs Cassie Yano and Kay Johnson ran a STD-specific clinic for adults in Dagabo. The team screened, educated, and provided medicine to 121 patients. Kay and Tammy also made a “house call” visit to the Chief of Dagabo.
Later that night after a dinner cooked by Boi’s mom, Nassira, the men of the village and our team sat outside the compound’s wall so that Dr. Tammy, Kay, and Cassie could host an informal chat with the village women, answering questions on everything from infant care to breast-milk to healthy pregnancy to ulcers. Having Koro on our team has enormously increased our ability to connect directly to women and girls in Dagabo. We have been able to build trust and strong relationships over the last few years, which in turn sharply increases our ability to understand and address the real needs of this community.
We look forward to the day when the Hawa Clinic opens. The clinic will be a great boon to the people in Dagabo and surrounding villages, and a fitting tribute to our “Hawa”, Dr. Tammy Neblock-Beirne, and her passion and dedication to the health and well-being of these villagers.
