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Ghana Update

February 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ghana….what an amazing place and group of people to wrap up our last week in Africa. I have been working with Touch A Life now for over a year and just continue to be blessed more and more by what they are doing for children rescued from child slavery in Ghana. Yes, children rescued from child slavery. Each time I go back onto Lake Volta I am reminded of where these children started. How horrific their lives were before being rescued. Then, to see them in the Touch A Life homes, to see how they are cared for, how they are loved, how their lives have been transformed, it is just beautiful. The children Touch A Life care for know they are loved. Pam, Randy, Rachel, and the Nichols family have dedicated their lives to making sure these children know they are loved, to know that there is hope! Some of my greatest joy when I am there comes from just sitting back and watching them all interact. It is real and it is beautiful.

Over the week, we were able to medically assess all of the TAL children, including 15 newly rescued children living in Kete Krachi. My friends Dr. Jim Morrison and Dr. Whit Walker were back with us and as always, we had a blast working together. The children were healthy and are just growing so much. It is great to see their progress in all areas of their lives from when they were first rescued. And what is becoming customary in all of my Africa work, my friend Rustin Hamilton was with us providing his video expertise!

We are already looking forward to our summer trip in July! If you are medical and are interested in going, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Go to http://www.touchalifekids.org/ to see how Touch A Life is changing the lives of these children.

Best,

Brad

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Malawi Update

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

After a week in Kenya, Julie returned to the US and Rustin and I met up with Dr. Anne Alaniz and her family in Malawi. Many of you have heard me talk about Anne’s family before. Anyone who has spent any time with them will tell you that they truly are the most amazing family that are also special friends and are making such a tremendous impact in the area where they live. We have partnered with them to help build a clinic where Peter and Anne will drastically improve access to quality health care in Salima and the surrounding areas. This is not a GHI project, but a dream of Anne and her family that has come true due to their hard work and God’s faithfulness. We are just so thankful they let us be a part of it. While we were there this week we were able to unload the medical equipment and supplies for the clinic. There is so much supplies, so much medical equipment…thank you Global Samaritan (Cat and Randy) and Doc-to-Doc (Bruce), Dr. Kay North, Marie Parvi, LCF folks and Lisa Selz for making that happen. The blessing of this clinic is far-reaching and WILL change the way people in this region receive health care. They are hoping to procure meds soon and start seeing patients immediately. Currently, Peter is seeing patients in his home, so this will be a tremendous blessing to have the clinic open.

Children’s Home: Along with the clinic, Peter will also be overseeing several children’s homes for orphaned and vulnerable children on the same property. We have seen first-hand the desperate need for comprehensive, quality care for children that are orphaned in this region . While in Salima this week, Anne and Peter were able to register over 50 children for their homes, and then we were able to briefly medically assess them. To imagine how the lives of these children will be transformed once moving into the children’s home is truly inspiring. As with the clinic, there are so many good people involved to make this happen…what a blessing!

HIV/AIDS: I cannot remember a time when I have visited Malawi when we have not come in direct contact with a worker or friend that hasn’t been directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. Although the official national prevalence is 11.9%, I cannot help but think it is actually much higher, at least in this region where Anne and Peter have their clinic. We were able to visit with the HIV/AIDS director at the Salima District Hospital while there this trip. It is obvious that they are making strides in providing care for HIV positive mothers and their babies, but much more is needed. There are still so many gaps, gaps that preclude many mothers and babies from receiving the HIV care they need to live. Fortunately, many of the gaps we see there are the same gaps that we have seen in Kenya. We discussed the HITSystem with the director of the HIV/AIDS program there and we are currently in discussions to implement the HITSystem there at the district hospital if we get approval. I have no doubt that the HITSystem will improve the HIV care currently being provided by the Salima District Hospital. Our hope is to return in April and implement while there.

Thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement for Anne, Peter and Emma’s work in Salima, Malawi. It is just such a blessing to be part of such life-changing work with them.

Tomorrow, I look forward to sharing about our week in Ghana with our friends and family at Touch A Life Foundation.

Best,

Brad

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Update from Africa: Kenya

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We made it back into the USA Sunday afternoon after an amazing three weeks in Kenya, Malawi and Ghana. Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing a bit about the work we were involved with in each country. We were blessed to get to work with such incredible people and as usual, this is one of the main reasons the work continues to progress and grow so much.

Kenya: Our time spent at Pumwani, Mathare, Kericho and Kapsabet could not have gone better. Being able to directly see how the HITSystem is changing the way these hospitals are caring for HIV positive mothers and their babies was truly a blessing. As I have said so many times, our Kenya partners on the ground are the key to this success. As this program grows, we continue to hire more people on the ground to be able to facilitate this life-saving work. We hope to add six more hospitals in the coming months and also present our latest data to NASCOP on how the HITSystem is drastically improving the health outcomes of babies exposed to HIV/AIDS. We look forward to keeping you updated on this progress. Don’t hesitate to email us if you are interested in partnering with us to reach more mothers and babies impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Tomorrow I look forward to sharing with you about our time in Malawi with Dr. Anne Alaniz and her family!

Best,

Brad

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Mathare and Kericho

January 12, 2012 By 2 Comments

The past two days have been amazing. On Wednesday, we started off in Mathare where it looks as if we have found a solution to really empower the staff there to fully embrace the capabilities of the HITSystem in their pediatric HIV/AIDS program. It is a clinic that has the potential to have a tremendous impact on the HIV positive mothers and their infants living in the Mathare Slum. We will be training a new employee there next week to help facilitate all aspects of their childrens HIV/AIDS program and how it relates to the HITSystem. This is exciting and we are anticipating outcomes that will make life-saving differences in the lives of these mothers and their children.

Today we made it to Kericho District Hospital and KEMRI/Walter Reed Lab in Kericho. The laboratory where all of the HIV exposed infants in this catchment area are tested is one the highest quality I have ever seen. The District Hospital was also encouraging where we were kindly greeted. But what really made the biggest impact on me was the staff that work with the HITSystem in both the lab and hospital here. Words can’t describe the passion they have for this work, the knowledge and commitment they already have in the HITSystem…all of this translates into hope and life for these HIV positive mothers and their babies. Sharon, Anthony and Joseph. They are in the trenches working with these mothers and babies, insuring that they are not lost and insuring they get the HIV care they need to live. Being with them today encouraged me beyond what I could have anticipated before we arrived here. They are the reason the HITSystem is working here in Kericho. I love it that we get to collaborate which such special and gifted people.

I cannot sign off tonight without mentioning our KEMRI and GHI team here. Dr. Khamadi and Vincent are our KEMRI partners. I have worked with the both of them for a few years now both in Haiti and here in Kenya. More than ever I am convinced that they are one of the primary reasons the HITSystem will be successful on a national level here in Kenya. They are passionate about taking care of these children. Khamadi made a statement today in one of our meetings that sums it up for me. “It is great that we are testing and helping many children for HIV. But what about that one child that could possibly fall through the cracks, just that one child that may be saved. He could become the president of Kenya one day, we just don’t know what kind of an impact it could have just to save one.” I agree. We were celebrating here earlier this week because in the largest maternal hospital in the country, we have reduced the loss of HIV exposed babies within in the HIV program from 40% to 1% in just 9 months using the HITSystem. But Khamadi’s statement makes me realize I can’t, and we won’t, be satisfied until that 1% is actually 0%. We believe it will happen.

The GHI team…Julie and Rustin. Rustin and I have been everywhere together and his mad video skills continue to bless our work. He is able to tell a story like no other. And…he is a blast to travel with. Julie Dougherty is our newest addition to GHI. Besides being a “colleague”, she is one of our dearest friends and has been involved with our work as much as anyone for the past 10 years. She is brilliant, but also has the heart to go with it. Being here and seeing this first hand is only going to strengthen her ability to work with the HITSystem here in Kenya. Thankful for both of them.

Thanks for your prayers and support! They carry us many long hours while we are here!

God bless,
Brad

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First Day in Nairobi

January 10, 2012 By 3 Comments

Today was our first work day at Pumwani Maternal Hospital in Nairobi. It is the largest maternal hospital in the country and is also the first hospital where we piloted our HITSystem. It is just amazing to see how much the program is growing and what a positive difference it is making in the lives of mothers and babies affected by HIV/AIDS. Without a doubt, the HITSystem is improving the way babies born to HIV+ mothers are being cared for. Today we were able to see first hand children who are receiving the benefits of medication that will save their lives. Before our program was started, 40% of babies in their HIV program were falling through the gaps with no follow up to HIV care…which ultimately means death. Since starting the HITSystem in June of this year, we have narrowed that number down to 1%, with the possibility of still finding those missing children. Of the HIV positive babies that have gone completely through our system, 100% of them have been started on life-saving medication, which again, is a drastic improvement. What does all of this mean? LIFE. It means life for these children. It means that a mother can see her baby grow up to be a healthy child. My friends and colleagues always talk about what will become of these children now that they have a real chance at life. Isn’t it great to even have that discussion and we continue to pray that God will use them in amazing ways as they grow!

Tomorrow we head to Mathare North Hospital in the Mathare Slum. Rough place but beautiful people. They have not had many people who are willing to be a voice for them, so we are honored to bring the HITSystem to their hospital to help mothers and their babies!!

Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue our trip these next three weeks.

Best,

Brad

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On Our Way!

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Heading out to East Africa today! We are looking forward to connecting with our partners and keeping everyone up to date on what we will be doing. We will be starting at KEMRI and then on to Pumwani Maternal Hospital in Nairobi. As always, thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

Best,
Brad

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WORLD AIDS DAY 2011

December 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In remembering WORLD AIDS DAY today, please join us in praying for those affected by this disease. Thank you for your partnership in allowing us to provide life-saving programs in areas where HIV/AIDS care is desperately needed.

Best,

Brad and the GHI Team

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HIV/AIDS Work in Kenya

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This week is an amazing milestone for GHI’s HIV/AIDS work in Kenya. We are close to having 800 individuals (HIV+ mothers and their infants) enrolled into the HITSystem©. Close to 400 HIV exposed infants in Kenya are being tracked with the HITSystem©. This allows us to insure that all of these babies born to HIV+ mothers are tested and treated if positive within a timeframe that has proven to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with AIDS. In simple terms, it allows the hospitals in Kenya using the HITSystem© to provide the care needed to allow these children to live….LIFE! As I was corresponding this morning with our partners (KEMRI) on the ground there, I was reminded how none of this would be possible without them. Solid and trusting partnerships are essential to success. We have been so blessed to have this partnership with Dr. Khamadi, Vincent and all those working in the KEMRI lab and hospitals. We have a common goal of facilitating the best possible care for these babies to insure LIFE!

Thanks to everyone who helps make this possible. I am truly overwhelmed this morning by the grace God has shown us in allowing the HITSystem© to work and make a difference in the lives of these mothers and their babies.

Best,

Brad

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Update on Work in Africa

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I want to thank you for your support of the relief efforts for the famine in East Africa.  Since returning from our trip there, enough funds have been donated to purchase over 200 TONS of food! Our amazing partners on the ground, CRF, are insuring 100% of the funds donated go directly to distributing food for those who are being hit hardest in the Turkana region and Dadaab Refuge Camps. We look forward to keeping you updated on the progress there.

Our children’s HIV/AIDS work in Kenya is continuing to go strong.  There are currently over 300 infants enrolled in our HITSystem.  We will be implementing this program in another hospital soon in western Kenya where HIV prevalence is among the highest in the world.  Please prayerfully consider partnering with us through your prayers and financial support as this life-saving program continues to grow. Donate here if you want to be part of this work.

If you are in the Kansas City area and would like to join us and learn more about the work we are passionate about around the world, we would love to see you at the WynBrick Center in Liberty on November 3.  Email brad.gautney@gmail.com for more information.

As always, we thank you for your continued support.  Without it we could not continue to “Offer Hope through Health”.

Best,

Brad Gautney

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Update from Kenya

August 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We made it back into Nairobi yesterday and are scheduled to head back to the US tonight. It is honestly hard to put into words how this past week has been. I am just so thankful, honored and humbled to be here. Brian, Rustin and I continue to discuss how difficult it is to wrap our minds and hearts around what we have experienced and seen. I was sending a brief email to my church this morning telling them that the reality has hit me that this is really happening “right now” in the lives of people. It is not just something we see on the news, but it is something real. Real people who are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, etc. This is their life for the time being, and the question for me is what can I do to make a difference? I keep thinking that it is all so complex and big (which it is), that my help will be so small. But I think that is ok. I have to believe every little bit helps. We cannot believe the lie that we cannot make a difference, I truly know with my heart we can. Your support and prayers have been amazing this week. I am blown away by the people and churches who have stepped up to send money for food or medicine. It WILL get to the people here who need it. In the coming week, I will be updating how we plan to start moving forward with all of this in the coming weeks. We can’t do it alone…your continued support and prayers are a blessing. Again, thank you!!

Best,

Brad

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