WRAPS: A Ministry of Dignity for Women

Disclaimers:
(1) I'm a guy.
(2) I have no sisters.
(3) I have no daughters.
(4) I am thankful for #1-3.

I can honestly say that a ministry to young women using menstrual pads has NEVER crossed my mind prior to two weeks ago. However, WRAPS has changed that and opened my mind up to opportunities of which I never dreamed.

WRAPS (Washable, Reusable, Affordable Pads) is a ministry here in Soddo Ethiopia that works with young women providing them with clean, reusable, and washable menstrual pads in order to "empower Ethiopian school girls to embrace their femininity, learn proper hygiene, and stay in school."  Dr Mark Karnes, an OB/GYN here at Soddo Christian Hospital, and his wife Allison have lived and worked here in Soddo for the past 5-6 years and Allison is the champion of this ministry. 

Taken from WRAPS Facebook page.

When young women here in Ethiopia (and probably many other places around the world) begin their menstrual cycle, they often wind up dropping out of school because of the shame associated with their menstrual bleeding. Depending on when their cycle begins, this means girls drop out of school somewhere around 5th grade and with minimal education, many wind up forgoing dreams of further education, careers, and/or other interests. In order to make money, many unfortunately wind up in prostitution. Though a normal physiological process, many do not understand it and they do not have access to women's care products that the western world enjoys - and takes for granted. They often use very unsanitary methods of controlling their cycles predisposing them to infections and social shame.  

WRAPS seeks to change that by hand-sewing these menstrual pads and providing them to young women while also educating them about the natural menstrual cycle. In doing so, they restore dignity and self-worth to these young women empowering them to become and do whatever God calls them to.

Image taken from WRAPS Facebook page of young women holding their WRAPS.

 

I encourage you to check out their Facebook page called WRAPS and support however you feel inclined. You can also look at the website for Global Outreach International www.globaloutreach.org to learn more about the Karnes, this ministry, and as well as others.

Extreme Orthopedics

The level of orthopedic pathology here is staggering! Soddo Christian Hospital has become a trauma center for the southern regions of Ethiopia in part due to the recent acquisition of a CT scanner but moreso because of a consistent presence of orthopedic surgeons here for the past ten years. The combination of shared streets, poor road conditions, minimal traffic regulation, abundant motorcycles, overstuffed taxis (aka minivans), and congestion is a recipe for a never-ending stream of terrible injuries. The orthopedic wards (hospital rooms) are filled with young people, mostly men, who are (were) the providers for their households who leave their families - wives, children, parents, siblings - exposed to fall even more into poverty. In this region of the world, many people live on less than $2 per day. The reason Dr Anderson and Dr Greene - both American orthopedic surgeons - both serve here is that by preventing permanent disability from these injuries, they are helping prevent poverty for entire families. This is also the reason I am here - to learn how to better treat these injuries for future trips.

WARNING: Disturbing pictures below!!!! 

Below are some of the injuries and interesting pathology I've seen while I've been here.

Dislocated knee for 3.5 months. Underwent surgery and is doing very well.

Young female (20yrs) with the results of Tuberculosis of the lumbar Spine. TB is so common here and has devastating effects on these patient's lives. For those not accustomed to low back xrays, it's not supposed to look like that.

Dr Anderson (right) teaching an Ethiopian orthopedic resident how to treat a broken femur with a rod.

Horrible soft tissue injury to young lady's leg. Our wards have 12-15 patients with legs that look like this from the epidemic of road traffic accidents. She will likely need an amputation.

Young boy with a 3 week old ankle fracture with the bone (medial tibia) sticking outside his skin. Perhaps the greatest challenge of orthopedics in the developing world is how long it takes for some of these injuries to get to the hospital. Untold challenges and opportunities to help people.

"Preventing disability in the lives of patients prevents poverty for entire families!"

Ethiopian Coffee

The coffee bean is so small and yet commands such a presence in our world. From casual drinkers to full-blown coffee snobs, it is perhaps our world's drink of choice for having a conversation or for a personal quiet time alone with a newspaper, book, or journal. 

I didn't drink coffee growing up - probably because Mom and Dad didn't drink it. I always loved the smell but hated the taste of coffee through high school and college. However, in graduate school I figured out that one could obtain a serious jolt of energy and if enough additives were placed with the coffee, it tasted good too! (I like a little bit of coffee with my cream and sugar)  I survived/stayed awake through graduate school, medical school, residency, and fellowship in large part due to coffee. I hate being a wimp and I really wish I was man enough to drink it black - but I'm not! I am a "coffee +' drinker (aka sissy)...until now!

Coffee is a foundational part of Ethiopian life, both economically and culturally.  Living in the the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopians drink coffee at every possible opportunity given to them.  And the Ethiopians drink it with alot of sugar!!!  If the people in the birthplace of coffee drink "coffee +", I feel way better about myself! :)

Freshly roasted coffee beans on our counter! Awesome!

  'Coffee ceremonies' are part of the culture here and are performed by some families multiple times per day! It is a time where people gather - family, friends, co-workers, strangers - while coffee is roasted, ground, brewed and served to all in attendance. Beautiful coffee pots/kettles and coffee cups are used to serve the best coffee you've ever tasted in your life! Such ceremonies are woven into the natural fabric of life for the people here such that life happens around the coffee kettle. Ethiopians don't pop in a set of headphones with a cup of coffee off in a corner. They sit around, talk, and enjoy one another...along with 2,3,4 cups! Sounds like a great idea!  

Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony hosted by one of our friends

Why yes I'll have another! #ethiopianbuzz 

Ethiopian macchiato. It looks awesome and tastes even better! And it costs like $0.75!

Bayleigh learning to roast coffee from a pro! She rocked it!