Things have been going at a very Malian pace on the project lately! This can be frustrating from an American perspective, but I think we are all working on our patience. You can’t change the world in a week, right? Last Friday I met with Modibo Kouyate, who is the health guy at the mayor’s office. In order to get the clinic built, we need funding to come from the government, and it looks like we are going to be able to get that help! Of course we still need to get it in writing, but it was exciting to hear nonetheless. Basically, if the community can fund at least 10% of the cost, Sigida Keneyali and any grants we receive can build the maternity portion of the clinic, and the government will then be obligated to build the rest of the clinic! Our next biggest steps are collecting the necessary 10% from the community—not an easy task in an area where people can’t always feed their families.

Later in the day today I will be going out with a member of the community health action group as he completes a survey of the number of pregnant women and unvaccinated children in his sector of the community. These numbers will be useful when we try to schedule appointments at the clinic so that these people can all receive mosquito nets.

Personally the last week has been a little more difficult due to the persistent, but escalating mal au ventre, stomach troubles! Niang, our director here, has told me that he is going to make sure I get better because he is my mother, my father, my grandfather, and my grandmother in Mali. So don’t worry, I’m well taken care of!

We had a new arrival on Sunday morning! Gowri will be working on the women’s occupational training program for the next month. It has been really nice to have another English speaker in the neighborhood!

I miss you all very much and send lots of love your way!