2015 Women's Wellness Clinic
A Women's Wellness Clinic was organized by Judy Melnyk, RNC and held in Sitarampuram, India at a Hope Ministries campus. Susan Rosier was able to attend and provide the following pictures and description of the event.
|
A women’s wellness clinic was the focus of a recent group of volunteers from Ohio who made their way to India to serve at Hope Ministries. The team, consisting of two doctors, seven nurses, two pastors, and five helpers, conducted a health clinic which served 600 women living in the Sitarampuram area near the site of High Mill Children’s Home.
After registering, the women were given “passports” and made their way around the stations in the clinic. First, they did an intake interview where they shared their primary health complaint. Then they moved to the next station where they underwent a blood pressure check. As they moved from station to station they learned about breast self-examination, tooth brushing, and hand washing. They were given toothbrushes and toothpaste to take home with them. They could visit a table of reading glasses where they were given appropriate strengths of non-prescription glasses to take home for reading purposes or to use when doing up-close work, such as hand sewing. If the women had health issues that needed to be addressed, they were able to consult with the doctors and then had the opportunity to be prayed for by members of the team before leaving the clinic. On Sunday the clinic was suspended so that team members could attend church in Mori with Jacob and Jaya, along with members of their family and Hope Ministries staff. After church, the staff was treated to lunch at the children’s home at Mori and they toured local sites including stops at the beach along the Bay of Bengal, a lighthouse, and the location where Jacob conducts a yearly crusade that touches thousands. |
On the last night of the clinic, and the last day at the High Mill Children’s Home site, the translators and volunteers who helped the team run the clinic were treated to a special dinner and given gifts of appreciation for all their help. The 72 children who live in the home were surprised with gifts of shoes and clothing, purchased with money that was donated by team member Debbie Lumley’s home church. The children were so happy and appreciative. And to top the night off, the kids all gathered below the balcony of the guest house, waiting eagerly to try to catch the hundreds of water balloons that the team tossed over the balcony. Their joy was contagious!
Members of the 2015 team are listed below. Plans for another trip in a few years have already begun. It was a life-changing experience. Balasubramaniam Chitrabanu, M.D. Priyabala Ramaiah, M.D. Judy Melnyk, RNC Cheryl Ramsey, RNC Rebekah Carlisle, RN Mary Chan, RN Debbie Lumley, RN Pam McKee, RNC Christy Koher, CST Pastor Chuck Schumacher Pastor Al Walker Donna Croston Susan Rosier Chris Samblanet Kandi Sinay Margaret Slabach |
