Well, I've started the Avenue and the Philippines group on Facebook cause I thought it would be a good way of publicising this even more, plus everyone who joins the group can upload photos, I've put all mine on there of the Joyland kids, adorable. :)
We all came back from this trip with something extra. For some, it was a new found meaning in life, a new love for people living far away, for children, for others, it was new friends and new relationships with old aquaintances. Glen just came back with a hole in his head. (What a day...) Nah. It was seriously awesome.
However, went to the Doc's today, I have a mosquito bite on my leg thats been looking a bit dodgy and my legs been a bit achy these last few days, doctor took one look at it and put me on a course of anti-biotics. Its a bit awkward, going to have to try and keep it dry and remember to take the tablets an hour before I want to eat. Still, would I change anything about the trip? Not for the world.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Health Warning
This is not to make you worry, but I'm adding this as I'm researching about Tuberculosis.
On Tuesday I took about 20 children from Joyland and Dacutan to the health clinic, as we are trying to set up medical records for them so that we can monitor their health. Today we have had the results back for the TB tests and many are positive. This is not actually surprising as many of the kids at Joyland have lost parents to this disease - but what is surprising us is the fact that TB is now endemic here - and many of the people we work with in the villages are carrying it. I've just discovered that a teacher friend of mine has tested positive as well, which has really saddened me.
Please, please, please ensure that you have had your BCG vaccinations (and if you are not sure, get a HEAF test to find out). You will be exposed to tuberculosis when you are here. It's normally not a problem for healthy adults, and is fairly easily treatable with antibiotics - if medicine is available, which it is not for so many people in the Philippines. The BCG will give you an immunity so that you don't need to worry about picking up such an infectious disease - that way you'll be able to simply enjoy these children.
Thank you!!
On Tuesday I took about 20 children from Joyland and Dacutan to the health clinic, as we are trying to set up medical records for them so that we can monitor their health. Today we have had the results back for the TB tests and many are positive. This is not actually surprising as many of the kids at Joyland have lost parents to this disease - but what is surprising us is the fact that TB is now endemic here - and many of the people we work with in the villages are carrying it. I've just discovered that a teacher friend of mine has tested positive as well, which has really saddened me.
Please, please, please ensure that you have had your BCG vaccinations (and if you are not sure, get a HEAF test to find out). You will be exposed to tuberculosis when you are here. It's normally not a problem for healthy adults, and is fairly easily treatable with antibiotics - if medicine is available, which it is not for so many people in the Philippines. The BCG will give you an immunity so that you don't need to worry about picking up such an infectious disease - that way you'll be able to simply enjoy these children.
Thank you!!
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