Casualty

Just three days after the opening of our new MAF children's playground and already we have a casualty- who happens to be Esther!

Poor Esther had a nasty fall off one of the ladders this afernoon, after spending nearly all day in the playground and having lots of fun. Unfortunately, she lost her footing while descending one of the smaller ladders and fell straight backwards, landing on her back and hitting her head hard on the stony ground on impact.

There is no A+E department in Dodoma for us to rush her to! Instead, the patient was carried through our front door- which was easy, as our house is right next to the playground- admidst much crying and with a frightening amount of blood from her open head wound. We leapt into action with clean towels, a bottle of dettol, a tube of antiseptic wound lotion- and a couple of sweets for the poor little casualty.
It was thought by our neighbour, the MAF First Aider, that stitches would be needed, but we had to wait until the German nurse we know could finish work and come over to check Esther's wound.
When the nurse arrived with her medical kit, she confirmed that a couple of stitches would indeed be needed. So Esther bravely sat on Mum's knee and the procedure took place at our dining table- not sure what Health and Safety in the UK would have to say about that these days (!!), but we were VERY grateful for the medical help and are thankful that nothing more serious happened. Our brave casualty is now tucked up safely in bed with her head carefully stitched and the bleeding stemmed and she is happy and well. We are so thankful for the help we received in a place where getting prompt and correct medical care can often be a real challenge.