Sue Here and There

Easter!

2011-06-20T20:38:00.000-04:00

Easter at Miller McAllister United Methodist Church included an Easter Egg Hunt in from of the church!

Dusty Road

2011-06-20T20:37:00.000-04:00

Along the road to Monrovia in the dry season. At least I’m inside the vehicle and not in the back of the pick-up like the passengers in the truck ahead of us!

Calabash Tree and Fruit

2011-06-17T22:10:00.000-04:00

Calabash tree with its ‘fruit’ that is dried, opened, and used as bowls.

Scorpions!

2011-06-17T22:09:00.001-04:00

Scorpions are one of God’s creatures common along the path to my house. (One does wonder about God’s creatures, sometimes.)

Heartwarming Recognition from the Students

2011-06-11T10:32:00.000-04:00

The students living in the renovated dorm surprised me with an ‘honoring’ evening in the living room. They had prayers and comments, and then presented me with a lovely wood carving of a woman with three children around her. They said it represents the students with me. (They call me Ma Sue.) It was a very heart warming evening.

Local Plant Life

2011-06-11T10:31:00.000-04:00

Caladeums cost how much in the US? Here they are free and grow everywhere. What a beautiful addition to the mission station ground.

Ground Breaking

2011-06-01T15:37:00.000-04:00

The Gompa District of the United Methodist Church had a ground breaking for a Youth Center. Rev. James Labala who is not only the Pastor for the Miller McAllister United Methodist Church but also District Superintendent, is initiating this project to reach not only the youth of the church but also in the community. There are many young people who don’t have direction and he wants to provide a place for them to go and have guidance from mature, Christian mentors.

Student Success with Real Life Application

2011-06-01T15:35:00.000-04:00

‘Winifred’ senior student, Abu, about to administer medication to a patient. Some of the Ganta United Methodist Hospital nurses had to go to Monrovia to take a Liberian Board of Nursing and Midwifery certifying examination. That left the hospital short staffed so some of the senior students helped cover, under the direction of a staff nurse, of course. They did well, and there were many reports of praises of their skills and professionalism. It worked out well for all!

Funeral of Mr. Joseph Gbozee

2011-05-22T08:53:00.002-04:00

Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences suffered a great loss at the death of Mr. Joseph Gbozee, instructor and administrator, at 58 years old. He had a long career as a professional nurse after graduating from ‘Winifred’ in 1978. During his life, he was a staff nurse, a clinic supervisor, instructor, and worked with the Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board. He had great influence on those who came in contact with him because of his knowledge, professionalism, caring, and sense of humor. When I first came to Liberia and to the nursing school, he was a great help to me. I had to learn about…everything! – the country, the culture, nursing, and the United Methodist University of which ‘Winifred’ is a part. He died of prostate cancer- something which would have been avoidable in the US with the early detection test. So, men, don’t delay your PSA screening. Others are not so lucky to have the option.

Refugees from the Ivory Coast

2011-05-22T08:52:00.000-04:00

The crisis in the Ivory Coast has brought refugees across the border to Liberia. A camp has been set up about 1 ½ hr away from Ganta. Several of us went to visit while it was being constructed and there were only about 650 people there. Already functioning was a school and health clinic.

Inside a tent

The inside of each tent has two rooms with a small partition. Each is meant to hold 10 people! Now there are about 3,389 people there. The political situation there has settled down a little but the people are waiting to see.

Supplies for the refugees

Chicken Update!

2011-03-01T18:19:00.001-05:00

Here is a follow up to the picture of the chicken who made a nest and laid eggs
in my front yard...

Newly hatched chicks peeking out into the world under the protection of 'mom'.

The little cheepers learning to look for food.

Adams Hall is Completed!

2011-02-27T10:25:00.001-05:00

The dorm is completed! Praise the Lord! Thanks to all of you who contributed to this project through your prayers, financial support, and more prayers. What a blessing is it to see Adams Hall in its new condition! This 60 year old structure has really been given a new life! When I would visit the site, the contractor and the workers would always comment on the difficulty of renovation verses the ease of new construction. They would start to do the plumbing and realize there was little left they could work with. They would start with the windows, and see that bullets from fighting during the war had damaged the window frame bending it so the windows didn't close properly. Unexpected findings made the work 'interesting' and challenging but they met these with expertise. I am also thankful for Mr. Fred Gbatu and his work team who did such a professional job and put up with all my visits, questions, 'suggestions', and input. They were a joy to work with.

And fortunately, it was completed in time for the 178th Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church which was hosted by the Gompa District on the Ganta United Methodist Mission Station. The dorm was used by the conference officials.

Finished exterior:

New bathroom in the matron's quarters:

A few finishing touches being put on the interior:

Remember the picture of the second floor bathroom? This is what the floor looks like now! We still have the wall tile to finish but we wanted to get it ready at least for the annual conference. The tile will be added later.

Looking from the living room through to one room and the matron's quarters. The stairs go up to the second floor. The contractor added a skylight that brightens up the stairwell.

Safe Water Is Here

2011-02-06T20:53:00.001-05:00

Even though we haven't started the renovations on the second dorm, we did get a small grant from the Rotary Club for a well to serve two dorms and a surrounding community. What a joy for them not to worry about getting safe water. Eventually, when the dorm is renovated, there will be inside plumbing for that facility.

Life In The Yard

2011-02-06T20:49:00.001-05:00

One of the chickens in my yard found a 'cozy' place to make her nest. What's interesting is how open the area is. We added the little basin covering so she might have some protection from falling leaves, dust, and occasional rain we get in the dry season. I'll show the results of her labors in a future posting.

"Mr Tire" - Liberian Style

2011-02-06T20:47:00.000-05:00

I had a nail in a tire of my car that needed fixing and this was the place to do it!

The 'machine' to take the tirewell off was especially ingenious.

It cost all of $2.50 to fix and I was on my way to Monrovia.

Work On Adams Hall Continues...

2011-02-06T20:39:00.000-05:00

Continuing the work on Adams Hall. The interior work progresses:

Tiling the first floor bathroom.

Putting up mosquito netting on the windows.

Still a lot of work to do on the second floor bathroom because of the damage to the floor.

A painter with his son working in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The walls were all the natural wood

which is dark and, over the years, has discolored. A light colored paint will make it brighter and fresher looking.

Students Providing Health Education in a Novel Way

2011-01-09T20:58:00.001-05:00

The 2nd year students of Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences gave a skit in a program at the Miller McAllister United Methodist Church about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and that people with the illness should not be discriminated against. It was very clever and delivered a positive message that people can be touched and hugged without fear of contracting the disease themselves, and they need the support and love of friends and family.

Renovation on Adams Hall Continues!

2011-01-09T20:48:00.000-05:00

The roof has been removed and ready for repairs.

The new roof partially completed.

Even the plumbing will be done including a supersized septic tank!

The workers in process of adding a bathroom to a room that didn’t have one.

Christmas In Ganta

2011-01-08T11:12:00.000-05:00

Some scenes around Ganta at Christmas!

Students who were unable to go home for Christmas Vacation break for financial reasons gather for a holiday dinner at my house. This has become a tradition and students start giving me their names even before the vacation starts! It is great fun and a way to meet with the students in a relaxed atmosphere. They also take the opportunity to do some extra clinical practice in the Ganta United Methodist hospital to improve their nursing skills.

The Three Kings of Ganta are…students from Ganta United Methodist School who came visiting and caroling one evening before Christmas. All the students were dressed as characters depicting the Manger Scene. It was very festive!

Guests for Christmas dinner included other missionaries: Dr. Ashwin Sakharia, the dentist teaching in the Dental Nurse Practitioner Program and providing oral health care for patients of Ganta United Methodist Hospital’s Dental Clinic. Dr. Elma Jocson, the new GBGM missionary, Pediatric Surgeon from the Philippines. Helen Roberts-Evans, another GBGM missionary who works for the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in their Education Department. There are about 120 UMC schools in Liberia providing education throughout the country and in some very remote areas.

The Construction Starts for Adams Hall: Meet the Crew

2010-12-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

The construction on Adams Hall is being done by the West Africa Construction and Enterprise Company owned by Mr. Fred Gbatu. He is well know around Ganta and has done other work for the Ganta United Methodist Hospital. His work is meticulous and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoy working with him and we collaborate on ideas and details.

Mr. Fred Gbatu

Some of the construction crew

Men at Work. What a wonderful mess!

Moving Day!

2010-12-16T21:39:00.001-05:00

Moving Day for twenty-four students of Adams Hall to various accommodations on the Mission Station while the renovations take place. Many thanks to both the Ganta Mission Station Superintendent, Brother Joseph Theoway, and the Ganta United Methodist Hospital Administrator, Mr. Victor Taryor, for helping lodge the students for the two months it will take to do the work.

Local Wildlife

2010-12-05T10:16:00.000-05:00

The local people call this a deer but I have heard it is actually an elk. It is found in the forest and people hunt them and raise them for food. They are very docile.

A Little Bit of Home

2010-12-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

One of the senior students wore this to class one day, much to my surprise! I had to explain my excitement at seeing an Oriole's shirt in Ganta, Liberia. She had purchased it from the second hand clothes market in town.

Homecoming!

2010-12-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

This Homecoming for the Alumni of 'Winifred' was the first since 1999. It was great fun for all with a parade through town, an indoor program of speeches and fund raising that went through lunch. The afternoon consisted of a girls' kickball game and the male students played another local college in soccer. After a rest, the day was topped off with dancing in the evening at a local club. It is nice to see the older graduates supporting and encouraging the current students and newer graduates. They have a lot to offer and the loyal connection is strong.

Working together for improved preventative and curative oral health care in Liberia

2010-12-01T21:04:00.000-05:00

From L to R:

Mr. Victor Taryor, Ganta United Methodist Hospital Administrator
Dr. Solomon Christian, dentist and founder of Dental Care for the World
Dr. Scott Edwards, dentist and coordinator for the work with University of Tennessee Dental School - curriculum and equipment
Suzanne Porter, Dean, Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences
Bishop John G. Innis of the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Edgar White, MDiv, MPA, CPA

There are many others who are relevant to this project who are not pictured. These include Dr. Cherian Thomas, UMCOR-Health; Dr. Emmanuel F. Bailey, President United Methodist University; and Dr. Abi Thomas, Director Christian Dental College of Ludhiane, India.

The Dental Nurse Practitioner Program Comes to Life!

2010-11-30T19:55:00.000-05:00

The dental program has been the long time dream of many different people and now it has come together! The Ganta United Methodist Hospital had a dentist in the past but due to the effects of time and the war, they have not been able to offer dental services to the people of Nimba County. The development of the Dental Nurse Practitioner Program has been dream of Dr. Solomon Christian, founder of Dental Care for the World, and Rev. Ed White, MDiv, MPA, CPA. Together with the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences in Liberia, the University of Tennessee Dental School and the Christian Dental College in Ludhiana, India, the dreams became reality. Praise God for bringing together these people from different parts of the world with their varied resources to make this happen!

The Making of a Dental Clinic and DNP Program:

It all started with an empty room...

Re-worked dental equipment from the University of Tennessee Dental School arrives in a container.

Six dental chairs installed!

The classroom for the Dental Nurse Practitioner Program. Pictured are the instructor, Dr. Ashwin Sakharia, from the Christian Dental College in Ludhiana, India with three students. The curriculum was developed by people at University of Tennessee Dental School.

Dr. Ashwin with the students and the dental technician about to provide care for a patient!

2010-08-24T09:53:00.000-04:00

The CLASS OF 2010: The 18 New Graduate Nurses of Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences

Even animals get medical attention in Ganta

2010-08-24T08:54:00.000-04:00

Veterinarians Without Borders visited Liberia and Dr. Julie Hunt, a returnee from a few years ago, came to Ganta to treat animals for various conditions. Mostly, she did de-worming but also gave rabies vaccine. Besides de-worming, the goats also received a vaccine for Peste des Petits Ruminants, a disease that can cause pneumonia and gastrointestinal problems, and ultimately, death. The list of animals she treated included dogs, cats, poultry, pigs, rhesus macaques, and even two guinea pigs. This is a program we hope can be continued in the future. Especially the distribution of rabies vaccine for which there is no treatment for in Liberia and it is usually too expensive for people to get from Guinea.

Nursing Students' Capping Ceremony

2010-04-29T13:02:00.001-04:00

The 24 students who were Capped and Striped

The students are reciting the Nurses' Prayer.

The capping ceremony is nursing tradition that goes back to the days when nurses wore caps and their cap identified the nursing school they graduated from. Each school had its own destinctive design. Students are capped at a particular time in their studies when they are recognized as being successful to that point. We include 'striping' in the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences ceremony. For each year of study in the three year program, a stripe is added to their student nurse uniform. These students now have 2 strips.

After being capped and striped, the students light a candle and recite a nurse's prayer. The candle represents Florence Nightengale who is known as the Lady of the Lamp for when she would check the ward of wounded Crimean War soldiers late into the night.

This was a special day for the nursing students. Parents come to the school for the day to participate and help recognize their accomplishments so far. The guest speaker for the program was the Hon. Jackson Findor, a member of the Liberian House of Representatives who is a nurse and graduated from 'Winifred' in 1979. After a lunceon, they all relaxed with some sports - the women played kickball and the male students played soccor against another local college.

It was a great day and a refreshng weekend without clinical practice and studies...I know they all were glad for the free time for now its back to the books and midterms this week! We wish them this best for the rest of this semester.

RECENT EVENTS

2010-03-15T17:06:00.000-04:00

RECENT EVENTS:
The 177th LIBERIAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE took place at the W.V.S Tubman High School and Gbargna Theological School of the United Methodist University in Gbanrga, Liberia. It was an event filled with hymns, praise, and good preaching along with committee and district reports. I enjoy listening these as I am usually in Ganta focusing on my work in the nursing school and not involved with the daily ongoings of the church so find them interesting.

The theme of the conference was “Following Jesus in this Present Age” Text 19:27-29“Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will inherit eternal life.”

Unfortunately, Bishop Innis who presides over the LAC has been in the US for medical reasons. In his place overseeing the conference was Bishop Arthur F. Kulah,the Acting Bishop of Nigeria and former Bishop of the Liberian Annual Conference. Although Bishop Innis couldn't attend, he was with us in spirit, and Bishop Kulal was well received and did a fine job with the proceedings.

There were many special events such as a ground breaking for a new library for the Gbarnga School of Theology which is located next to the Tubman School property and, as usual, there was the ordination of the new ministers.

REGISTRATION FOR SEMESTER II OF THE 2009-2010 ACADEMIC YEAR
Registration for the second semester was held on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6. It is nice having the students back again. It is awfully quiet when they are not around! There will be 20 third year senior students eligible for graduation in July with their Associate Degree in Nursing, and 23 second year students for a total of 43 students. These students are serious and focused in their studies and I wish them all a good semester. (The first year students are still taking their prerequisite courses in Monrovia and they will be eligible to transfer to Ganta in September.)

What you won’t see during registration are any computers, credit cards to pay tuition, or other electronic processing. Everything is still hand done in triplicate. The registrar will take the information back to the main campus in Monrovia for data entry to the computer there. The system here is still tedious and full of errors. They are trying, however, and over the three years I’ve been here, there has been much improvement.

So, classes have started and the routine and rhythm of the school is in a nice flow. We have some new faculty and some returnees. I'll introduce you to them in a future blog. But all for now....

Winifred J. Harley CHS Dorm Renovation Advance Number

2010-02-20T17:35:00.000-05:00

Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences - Renovation of Student Dormitories
# 3021119

Help us renovate three dormitories that were destroyed during the civil war in Liberia. Nursing students live in two substandard facilities with leaking roofs, unsafe electrical wiring, and plumbing that works… sometimes. They are willing to live in these facilities because they are close to the hospital where they do their clinical nursing practice, the nursing school library and the classrooms. If they don’t live on campus they have to find housing in town which is difficult especially when they are required to do evening clinical and they leave the hospital at 10pm at night.

The third dormitory is uninhabitable - has no roof and was completely gutted.
With your donations we can make these three dormitories habitable so the students can concentrate on their studies rather than worry about their living conditions or personal safety.

How gifts can be sent through The Advance:

1. By Church Offering:
You can make a check payable to your local church. Write the name of the ministry and the Advance code number (3021119) on the check. Drop your gift in any United Methodist church offering plate or give your gift to your church treasurer, so that your church and annual conference will get Advance credit.

2. By Phone:
Credit card gifts can be accepted by phone. The telephone number is: 888-252-6174

3. By Mail:
Donors can make checks payable to ADVANCE GCFA. Write the name of the ministry and the Advance code number (3021119) on the check. Send your check to:
Advance GCFA
P.O. Box 9068, GPO New York, NY 10087-9068

4. Give Online:
Donors can give to any of the ministries, missionaries and projects currently supported by The United Methodist Church through Global Ministries. To view the Advance site for this project you can go on-line to: GBGM-UMC.org/advance/projects/search. Type in the number 3021119.

Newsletter December 31, 2009

2010-02-20T17:14:00.000-05:00

Greetings! FYI - Here is a copy of the newsletter I sent the end of 2009.

December 31, 2009

Greetings from Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences in Liberia! I hope everyone’s Christmas Holiday was blessed with the reminder of the love and hope that comes with the birth of Christ, our Savior! Best wishes to you all for this coming New Year!

As I look back on 2009 I think of where I’ve been and what the New Year will bring. This past year has been busy with the completion of two large funding projects, another graduation, and home assignment. The New Year will bring refinement of the two existing nursing programs at the College of Health Sciences and, hopefully, the addition of two new programs.

FUNDING PROJECTS:

‘Winifred’ submitted two large grants to fund the rebuilding of the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences Ganta Campus. During 2003 when the civil war was concentrated in Ganta much of the Ganta Mission Station was destroyed including the hospital and the school of nursing. So while the programs have been rebuilt and there is direction for its future programs, the physical plant is still in horrendous condition.

One application was written for the US government USAID/ASHA grant. This funding gives aid to ‘American Schools and Hospitals Abroad’ to assist with facilities improvement. I hope to be approved for monies to build a new health sciences and administrative building. This building will not only have new classrooms and offices but it will also have science laboratories and a resource center with books and computers.

The second funding grant was to the United Methodist Advance Program for renovation of the student dormitories. I am happy to report this Advance Number has been approved! The Advance Program allows for donations to be collected towards the work of the project. The best part of this is that 100% of any donation goes directly for the project. There are no administrative costs included. I will monitor donations to make sure they all come through the New York/GBGM offices to Liberia and, finally, to the project (please see the attached information sheet).

Why am I so happy about getting this Advance Number? There are 4 dorms for the students to live in. One is ok. One has no roof, windows, or doors so no students can live it in. The remaining two have students living in them but are in terrible condition! As a matter of fact, I’m very glad it is December with the end of the rainy season so I don’t have to worry about the leaky roofs! The electrical wiring is scary and the plumbing…well, it is non-existent in one building and works (sometimes) in the other building.

GRADUATION:

Someone recently asked me what my happiest, most rewarding moment was in my 3 years of being in Liberia. I had to answer that there were three of them – the three graduations that I have been part of! Ah, the students – the reason for my being there. It is wonderful to see them grow, learn, and graduate to serve the people of Liberia.

In July the Winifred J. Harley College of Health Sciences graduated 25 students. In the 56 year history of the nursing school, this is the largest number who participated in commencement. It was a joyful time for the students and their families who have struggled to meet the difficult demands of the program, and also to meet the financial challenges that many have to pay tuition and fees. But they have persevered and been successful so they have a reason for celebration…and so do I!

HOME ASSIGNMENT

- church visits
It has been a joy to visit a great number of my supporting churches over the past 4 months. It is always a wonder to me to see the many different faces of the church, and see God’s work in so many different ways all to meet the needs of His people. I am sorry that time and distance prevented me from visiting all of you. However, for the churches I was not able to visit, I have included a timed power point presentation which will hopefully put pictures to the work being done. I hope this can be shared with your congregations, missions committees, or administrative councils.

- program development
Besides visiting churches I have been working on programs for the nursing school. The two programs we hope to start in the near future are a dental nurse practitioner program (DNP) and a physician assistant (PA) program of study.

There are only 5 dentists serving the people of Liberia and they are located in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Consequently, there are not only few oral health care providers but they are concentrated in one place. By starting the DNP program, WJH-CHS hopes to fill the need for most of the oral health problems. Also, the DNPs will conduct outreach to communities and schools to educate people on oral health care as a preventative strategy.

While home, I’ve continued work with Dental Care for the World (DCW) located in Memphis, Tenn. DCW has been working in international dental care since the early 1990’s and ‘Winifred’ has been collaborating with them since 2007. DCW has worked with UMCOR-Health, and University of Tennessee Dental School. They have visited Liberia, and they are now busy procuring equipment needed for training and patient care at the Ganta Hospital and the Camphor Clinic. Besides DCW, I have met with people from the University of Maryland and University of Michigan Dental Schools. Both of these schools are excited about working together for the development of the DNP training program. All these organizations have already helped in curriculum development, and we look to the future for other ways of working together to reach our common and ultimate goal of improved oral health for the people of Liberia.

Besides the DNP program, I have also met with Mr. Anthony Miller of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia about creating a physician assistant program. This is another level of health care provider that can care for patients in a country with a scarce number of doctors.

It is with a heart full of the hope and confidence given us through our Living God that I return to Liberia on January 9, 2010 for another three year assignment. I take with me all the memories of my visits with you, and the knowledge that you are with me in spirit and prayer. I couldn’t be more blessed; it is quite humbling. Thank you for all you do in so many ways – in your churches, communities, and across the waters.

In His Service – Sue Porter

Back in Liberia

2010-02-11T12:50:00.000-05:00

While you are coping with al the snow, I've got HOT here in Liberia! In addition, I have had to be in Monrovia, the capital, for work, and its is definitely hotter here than in my home in Ganta.

The United Methodist University is on semester break until March. This gives me time to work on program development and be more a part of the Liberian Nursing and Midwifery Board activities that take place in Monrovia. During the semester, it is too difficult to leave Ganta for all the meetings that take place in Monrovia so this is a nice chance to be involved.

I'm looking forward to the students next semester. There will be a good group of smart, enthusiastic, motivated learners and that makes it exciting to teach.

The Annual Conference of the Liberian United Methodist Church starts next week. It will be nice to attend the meetings and hear what is happening in Methodism in Liberia. I'm sure there will be much singing and worshipping and praising the Lord, also! I'll write more about this next week.

Well, this was my first attempt at blogging...I'm sure I'll become a better at it as I go along. All for now...Blessings - Sue