April Update: Medical Clinic Among the Dagara in Burkina Faso

As one of the least developed nations on earth, Burkina Faso suffers from a lack of adequate medical care. There just aren’t enough doctors and resources to go around to meet all the demands of a people who live off the land to survive. The ratio of doctors per capita in Burkina Faso is six doctors to every 100,000 people compared with the United States where there is 230 doctors per 100,000 people. In Burkina Faso the average amount of money spent on healthcare per capita per year is just 7 US dollars. Imagine living with chronic illnesses, most of which could be cured if the person had access and money for good healthcare. Imagine suffering disgrace and shame from debilitating diseases. Can you feel the desperation of the poor who lack not only healthcare, but adequate food and clean water as well?

As Christians we believe God requires us to love our fellow man by demonstrating His loving kindness in the way we treat one another and testifying about the good news of Jesus Christ. Ministry is proclamation and service, word and deed, faith in action. For a long time our team has dreamed of being able to help the Dagara people in this much needed area of medical intervention but simply were unequipped and understaffed to meet such a challenge.

In early April all of that changed. One of our good friends from Ouagadougou, a Belgium doctor named Dr. Peter Van Dingenen, came to Dano along with his team of doctors, technicians and interns. His medical association, called Palm Laafi, has been doing medical outreach clinics all across Burkina Faso for several years now serving thousands of children through the public school system. In addition, Joel Hayslip and his ministry team came to Dano to conduct children’s ministry and training.

Two schools outside of Dano in the villages of Soriane and Gnikpiere were targeted as places where there was a great need and a strong church presence. The participants included the teams from Ouagadougou, our mission team in Dano and numerous volunteers from among the Dagara churches. Before conducting this clinic we had to receive permission from local authorities. From the High Commissioner’s office to the local heads of health and education, we were met with unbelievable support and enthusiasm. The Mayor of Dano even honored us with a brief visit. After all, Soriane is her home village. Of course, who could imagine local officials turning down an opportunity for their children to receive free medical consultation from a doctor, tests, and medicine? All of this was done in the name of Jesus through the local church and demonstrated the Father’s love.

Over the course of two very full days, 450 children received medical care; 192 the first day, and 258 the second. For most of these children this was the first time that they had ever seen a doctor! Many children suffer with common illnesses and pains, some with more serious diseases and problems. Not only did each of these children get to see a doctor, but all of them received a physical touch, a touch of love and concern. In this culture, this is the only place where children can be touched and loved on openly. Our daughter London, who was involved in the registration process, got to physically hold every child’s hand and write a number on the back of their hand for verification throughout the clinic process.

After registration, a urine test is given followed by a vision test, and then weights and heights are measured and recorded. Next, it’s time to see the doctor for a physical exam and consultation. Almost all the children receive some sort of medications for various problems. Almost half have some blockage in their ear canals which disables them from hearing well in school. A simple ear wax cleaning station is effective but messy. Finally, a blood test is done to be sent to the lab to look for more serious problems.

While all of this is happening, Joel Hayslip and his team gave health and hygiene teaching through songs and drama. Just as Dr. Peter is especially gifted in the area of medicine, so Joel is incredibly gifted in the area of children’s ministry. Joel’s program was not only entertaining but very effective as well. You need to remember that these children do not have televisions, much less electricity or indoor toilets. Therefore, drama skits are very powerful and the children remember the lessons easily since they live in an almost total oral culture. Joel spent one afternoon teaching about 25 Dagara leaders how to do children’s ministry and then in the evening between the two clinics, they went out to another nearby village and conducted night evangelism. His training really lit a fire in our leaders because they’ve always wanted to reach and teach the children, they just didn’t know how.

Out of all the students there were 15 who needed special follow up treatment in the area of vision, dental, hernia surgeries, and wound care. We are so blessed to have a highly trained Christian nurse in Dano named Daniel to help us with all the follow up treatment. He is doing an outstanding job of coordinating with students and their parents and is accompanying each of them for their exams and treatment. Please continue to pray for those receiving further medical treatment, like deep wound care and surgeries. We’re waiting until school is out to have the surgeries done since they are not life threatening. Pray that they will all come to know God more fully.

Conducting a medical clinic on 450 children over the course of two very long and hot days was extremely exhausting. At one point, we moved out of the stuffy building and retreated outside to the shade of a big tree. The medical team from Ouagadougou was unbelievable in the individual attention and care that they gave to each student. Normally, the clinic procedure is to only attempt 150-200 children per day. Yet, on the second day not only were 258 children treated, but it was done when half of the medical staff had to return to Ouaga after lunch because of other commitments. When it would have been easy to turn children away and say that it couldn’t be done, Dr. Peter pressed on with determination and the spirit of Christ. We were all touched by his example and continued on till the setting of the sun until the last child had been seen. Extremely fatiguing, but extremely rewarding knowing that by God’s grace and strength we had made a difference in these children’s lives. They will remember the ones who came to offer a touch of love and give a gift of time. They will know that they are important and are not forgotten.

We want to give thanks to all of the medical and children’s ministry teams, the volunteers, and of course our financial partners in the United States who funded the medical supplies and tests for this clinic which costs $15 per child. With such an overwhelming positive experience, we can’t help but think there’s another medical clinic in the future for the Dagara people!

Geoffrey and Suzanne Richter
Caleb, Seth, London, and Micah