Asanta Sana: Thank You Very Much!

It is with a grateful heart that the Tanzania Team of Zumbro shouts out in joy, “Thank You!” Your generosity in giving allowed us to surpass the goal of $10,000 with matching funds.  

There are two areas that the funds will go towards for Iambi Lutheran Hospital (ILH): one anesthesia machine for the surgical suite, and an expanding the information technology (IT) system to support an electronic medical record.

First, an update on the anesthesia machine. The Tanzania Team is partnering with Global Health Ministries and Zumbro’s Dr. Paula Craigo to determine the best fit for a Universal Anesthesia Machine (UAM) and how to get it to Iambi Lutheran Hospital. Dr. Craigo, a retired anesthesiologist from Mayo Clinic, has been to Iambi more than once and knows well the need for the UAM. She raised the awareness a few years ago, and now Iambi can look forward to providing a safer surgical suite environment for the people in the surrounding villages.

Second, the IT system we started at Iambi in 2014 is still functioning, along with the four laptops Zumbro provided at that time. Tanzania team members have been partnering with Joshusa Ngiliule, hospital administrator at ILH. Leadership at ILH has identified the number of computers needed and where to expand the connectivity of the system.  It is yet to be determined if items will be purchased in the US and shipped to ILH, or if the items will be purchased in Tanzania.

The Hospice Kits are another way in which Zumbro is supporting ILH. Thank you to all those who assisted in putting together the kits; tying them together, and packing them in boxes to be sent to Global Health Ministries to be shipped across the ocean to the port of Dar Salem in Tanzania where then they will be trucked to ILH.

To celebrate the generosity of Zumbro Lutheran members there will be an African coffee hosted by the Tanzania Team set for Sunday, October 23 at 9:35am in the Gathering Place.  More videos of previous visits to Tanzania will be shown during this festive occasion. African coffee and “mandazi” African donuts will be available to taste. Thank you again to everyone for your support of prayers; hands-on work, and funds to help sustain our mission in Tanzania.   

Julie Neumann and The Tanzania Team at Zumbro