CCBRT - Dar es Salaam

Today was our second day at the CCBRT disability hospital in Dar es Salaam. It has been a crazy two days, as the hospital is MUCH larger than the clinic in Moshi. On our first day we met two physiotherapy students from Norway, Silje and Mari. They have been at CCBRT since the beginning of January, so it's nice that we have been able to ask them questions and follow them around a bit. Along with being a bigger clinic, means that there are more children to see. Already we have evaluated and treated children with different disabilities, including post injection paralysis, brachial plexus injury, arthrogryposis, dislocations and fractures of the extremities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and probably more. We will be much more independent in the coming weeks, but we found that we wont have a translator with us at all times like we had in Moshi, so we have been picking up a few more Swahili terms to use with the kiddos. Tembea (walk), simama (stand), lala kifudifudi (lie on your stomach), kazi njema (good work), and plenty  more.  Like Moshi, there is a club foot clinic that specializes in Ponseti casting. There were so many children at the clinic that Krista and I got to get our hands dirty too.

The front of CCBRT

This hallway is generally filled with hundreds of people waiting for services. Many people wait hours to be treated.

Outside the Ponseti casting room.

There is a very large area where they hold a private clinic for adults. They pay 50$, and this helps fund the services that are provided to children for free.

The hostel we are staying at is called CEFA. The proprietors are an Italian couple that have an adorable 3 year old boy. This place is used for many travelers who are working or volunteering for non governmental organizations (NGOs).  Many people who are working with CCBRT also stay here. The rooms have air conditioning, which is awesome because it is much hotter in Dar than it was in Moshi. Also, they offer delicious Italian food for lunch and dinner that can be arranged if you give them a few hours notice. So far we have had roasted chicken, gnocci, and pasta.

We're still getting used to the big city of Dar es Salaam, and all that comes with it. More on that a little later.


- K