Outpatient clinic open for 2 years...

Two years ago today (well actually last Thursday but it has taken forever to finally upload this), marks the opening of the clinic. My first two months in Sierra Leone (March & April 2005) were spent preparing and se tting up the outpatient clinic. It wasn’t an easy time- figuring out what kind of clinic to set up, problems with some of the community leaders, etc. It was also an exciting time- hiring staff, watching the completion (for the most part) of the main building, etc.

On May 10th the clinic doors opened and the first patients came in. It was not a busy day at all with three patients showing up. However, the first patient that showed up at the gate, at the age of 9 months, still comes to the clinic. He came five times in 2006 and he’s been once in 2007. It’s great to know that his family is still pleased with the clinic. And of course numbers have increased!!

I was pretty nervous when I opened the clinic, and the first couple of months were a big stretch for me. But here we are, two years later, having had days with over 60 patients and I'm still here! Two years ago I thought 20 patients would be a heavy day. Now 40 patients is just an average day. Of course, it’s not always a breeze but it’s been quite the journey and I am so glad I have had this experience. What I love the most is the fact that I have gotten to know a number of the families in the area and actually build a patient base. There was no major celebration today but we gave the children that came in today a small gift which they really enjoyed. On to the next year…