A smooth day.

Today marks the half-way point of this journey. Seems like forever and like just yesterday that we left in the freezing rain.

Full day of medical camp at the second school today. We really rocked, finishing 6 of 9 classes. We will have to pick up those absent today, but should still finish in the early afternoon tomorrow. Part of the reason today went quickly, other than the team working well and a good flow to the system, was that very few parents showed up today. John says that the number of meds prescribed and the number of referrals ordered is in direct proportion to the number of parents present. We had one parent, whose child had been seen earlier in the day yesterday, bring the child back and tell the nurses that "My son forgot to tell you that he has had a stomach ache for the last 2 weeks".

A highlight today was seeing a girl we first saw last year. She has a rare skin disease, and last year she was very downtrodden, no emotion, very detached from the rest of the kids. Today, she was sitting with other girls, talking to them, had a fabulous smile on her face. Such an incredible change from a year ago.

It’s been fun seeing the kids from last year, many of them remember us. Had a couple of 7th standard girls helping me today with making sure kids got to the right places. They helped me last year, one of them wants to be a doctor. Such precious kids!!

Did a little shopping today after medical camp, got 3 of 4 gifts purchased, plus something for the house. Ran herd on about 8 shoppers, the construction crew hadn't returned by the time we left. You haggle price on an item to purchase, get a receipt there. Then you take the receipt to the cashier, then you take your receipt to the packing area. Takes about as long to check out as to shop in the first place.

Watching a little cricket now. Then finish up medical tomorrow.

Stan