Hello from lockdown!
Although we may be out of lockdown by the time you receive this letter,
while I write this we have just finished the second of three weeks of national
lockdown. Unfortunately, from what I
hear, a large percentage of the population isn’t really staying at home so I
suspect things will go on for quite a while.
Although South Africa is nowhere near being a third
world country, there are still around 15 million people here without running
water in their homes to wash hands. Many
villages only have a few water taps that everyone uses. How do you effectively lockdown in those
situations? And huge numbers of
households share outhouses. You cannot
stay isolated in your house if there is no toilet in it!
The lockdown started about mid-term here at the
university. Starting next week, they are
hoping to resume classes online, but at this point there is still doubt about
all students having reasonable internet access.
Most homes in the villages and townships don’t have wired or wireless
internet access. The university has been attempting to work out a deal with
cell phone services to allow access to the university’s websites for free so
that students can use their phones without needing to buy data. Hopefully that
can be finalized before we start again.
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| The first rotation group of the year back in February |
I’ve converted the last missed test into multiple
choice and short answer questions that can be randomly chosen for each student
through an online platform. The final
lectures in my module still need to be recorded and uploaded for students to
listen to and watch. We can handle the
lecture side of things online, but the practical, hands-on rotations for the
final-year students may be a complete loss.
The clinic has been slow, with limited hours and
limited staff. Yesterday though, I
assisted one of our new grads with a double enterotomy and gastrotomy (took
stuff out that was blocking the intestines and the stomach). We removed a bunch of bones and this very
strange grey putty like material that had packed up to block the
intestines. I have no idea what that dog
ate! Next week is my rotation in the
clinic so we will see what comes in.
Please keep the students in your prayers. Both those in the animal health program that
I teach and those who participate in our Bible studies and witnessing
training. Pray that the Lord would be
their foundation and strength so that they do not live with a spirit of fear
during these difficult times, but with His love and power and a sound mind.
Pray that they will be lights shining in the darkness offering peace and hope
to those around them.
For myself, I am safe and healthy with plenty of food,
a lovely garden, and two feline companions.
Thank you for all for your prayers and emails.
