OK Back in Canada

The last two weeks I was unable to get any internet access, as we were in some very remote areas of Nigeria, so i am sorry for not posting. Communication here is a challenge, along with the transportation situation. In Ebonyi state we visited many orpahnages, and in some very far away places. We were introduced to a family of kids whose parents died of aids, and the daughter who was 17 was caring for her own child and her brothers and sisters, two of which were infected with the HIV virus. The house in the village where they lived was tiny and pretty much a shack ready to crumble. We wondered what the agency was doing right now to support these kids? The next day we had an all day clinic in town for all the kids (vulernable and HIV kids) and their caregivers. Lizzy dispensed medication, Donna King held art & drawing sessions, Donna Cross applied her nursing skills to those in need. I had 6 or 7 groups of kids (ten at a time) and had music programming for them. They all had a blast. At the end of the day the kids were given clothing items. Today was a real hands on day and we were really seeing results of our work. We were very tired, but very happy and grateful for this day.

The roads here are really bad. The people here survive by selling farm produce , mainly rice. We also witnessed some quarries along the roadside that had young women and kids, breaking stone by hand, hauling rocks on their heads in this dusty dirty environment. One village we visited took 3 hours to reach, through a muddy trail. The kids were obviously orphaned with both parents gone (about 75 kids or so). None of them were ever tested for HIV. They werent very responsive to me playing music at first, they got into it eventually. Some of the kids did not speak any english, and most of them didn't know how old they were. The team did their thing, and was wisked out of there in about an hour. This was starting to get frustrating, as we could have spent days here.

Onto Abia State

Donna Cross had left to go back to Canada. Although she saw Umahia, Abia, I'm sure she would have liked to stay and help. We will miss her expertise, and Nigerians will miss her motherly ways!

The roads have improved, but the traffic is still insane! Most of our time here was spent at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC). After meeting the head physician, we were given a tour of the grounds. It was obvious that the need here was great. Immediately the team identified a handful of people dying of full blown aids, in the last stages of the disease. This was most difficult for me (and I'm sure the team) to see. The team had assessed each one of them individually, and a plan was put in place, to see if we could help their situation out any way. For some of them it was too late. I can't describe the conditions of the wards, it was shocking to me. The hospital and it's staff are doing the best they can though with what they have. I am learning so much about this disease and the Stigma attached to it that kills people.

I will write more when I rest up, as I just got in from 2 days of flights. Maybe Donna K. can add her two cents. She has become an expert and can write like a pro. I will eventually post some pictures when I sort through the 2000 or so I snapped, along with 14 hours of video.

Thanks
Terry

Wednesday in Enugu

After a crazy 5 hour bus ride to Enugu, Enugu State, from Okene we are tired but good. This week we are really going to be at work. Yesterday we met with officials from the Lifeline Plus foundation and an official from the UN. We will be attending to Orphanages and many children who are living with HIV here this week. Our plans are to stay here until the 21 of July.

Stay tuned for more.

Terry

ebiraview.net

The ACRT team has spent it's last day in Okene. Tuesday we will be on the move to another state though I am not sure which one. Our schedule has been very erractic. The last few days we have been working directly in the community visiting and walking through some small remote villages in Okene, and delivering some short term relief in the form of medications and small start-up funds. The team has also been visiting a nursing school, talking and testing the students for HIV. Lizzy has been testing everyone. I have been interviewing and getting the impressions from the people that are being tested. The two Donnas are doing well and Donna Cross is now the "Mom" of Nigeria. On saturday our boys here introduced us to his royal highness Dr. Ado Ibrahim Atta iii of ebiraland, and we got to visit him in his palace and speak with him about the crisis not only in his land, but globally. We got to meet the King. Cool. And he gives us his support. Lizzy is still testing people constantly at the hotel, and Donna K has been a wonderful speaker and counsellor to those in need. Today thou was quite tense as we met with local government officials in the centre of town and they had decided to test themselves for HIV to set an example. During this a crowd had gathered outside the compound and we heard very loud cannon like shots being fired to disperse them. Our boys quickly wisked us back into the room and kept working during this commotion, which apparently is normal.... The shots continued for about 15-20 minutes, and we left to recharge ourselves. I am still slightly shaking from this, though also laughing. (Lizzy didn't hear a thing) We have been interviewd by the local TV station and will be on Nigerian TV. Our team here is absolutely wonderful. They have created a wonderful blog, and have been keeping it up to date with photos, videos and stories of the ACRT's progress here in Okene. An excellent partership has been formed. I have been exploring the town a little by motorbike taxi - driving here is an extreme sport. Please visit www.ebiraview.net to see what is happening here. I hope to update everyone in the next few days again. We are running out of supplies as we have at least 5 more states to visit.

Terry

Friday in Okene, Benue State

Well I am not sure what day it is but we are here and adjusting to the time and surroundings of Nigeria. There are so many stories to already tell- lost luggage and the craziness of Lagos airport and the traffic streets are really chaos - motorbikes everywhere going in both directions, people screaming and the public urination is just strange! - and the smell of jet fuel and sweat fills the heavy air of this crowded city. Some of the things we have seen have not been pretty by our standards, yet there is a beautiful and warm welcoming from the people of Nigeria, and some amazing sights, but it is evident that help is needed here. Just as we arrived in Lagos, we already recieved emergency calls and Lizzy and Donna King have set up a temporary clinic in her hotel room, providing care to about 12 people. The ACRT team also visited a church and we spoke and I got to jam with the congregation. That was really fun!

After a very interesting, crazy 7 hour drive to Okene from Lagos thursday we are very busy and meeting with government officials and organizations today. We will also be providing nutritinal supplements and seeing people who are in need of services here, which will we be staying for 4-5 days. The ACRT team will be also going out to the local villages to assess any needs that are required this weekend, so we have yet to get to the most impoverished places.

So we are all fine and hoping that I can update everyone on our progress in the next few days. Connection services here are minimal, and the power seems to be intermitent, so please stay tuned, and I will post more when it is possible. We miss all of you in Canada, and we thank you for your support,

Terry

ACRT Bake sale in Downtown Huntsville a success!

Thanks to all who have contributed to the Bake Sale, which was a success, masterminded by Jillianne King (AKA Canadian Tire Spokesperson on behalf of Shania) The muffins, cookies and brownies, didn't even have time to melt in the hot Muskoka Sun! (photo by Terry Sebastian)

The Countdown is on!

5 days to liftoff to Nigeria for our team. We received our visas to get into the country just yesterday, in the nick of time. We are not sure If we will have access to internet services on our mission starting July 7 and returning on July 28. I will try to keep things up to date as much as possible, but I am not sure what to expect. We have been receiving donations also from everyone and we would like to thank you for your generosity! We will be delivering the much needed supplies ourselves to make sure they get to the people that need them the most.

Terry