KRB Update #2199 – Preparing for Benin
Keith R. Brinkman                                                       01 July 2014

Greetings from the shipyard in Gran Canaria, Spain after almost a two week sail from the Republic of Congo as we finished our ten month field service in central Africa.  It was a good sail for most of the time and I was able to accomplish much work on Congo and Benin during that time.  Sailing provides a time of transition to close out one season and to begin to prepare for the next season and for us that is technical and the field service to Benin.  I am thankful for the time of transition.

You may ask what are you doing in Gran Canaria – well the answer is shipyard and drydock work.  We have two possible location options: Canary Islands (geographically Africa just off Morocco) and South Africa.  The decision was to return to the Canary Islands for the work needed which includes removing the drive shaft, propellers and rudder for inspection, repairs and maintenance plus work on our fresh water pipes throughout and some renovations in the hospital on flooring, etc.

Our Advance Team is already in Cotonou, Benin to prepare the way – with all the relationships with the government, church, port, sites for the Dental Clinic, Eye Clinic and HOPE Center, immigration, healthcare education participants, advertising for patient selection, and many other duties.  Our managing director always encouraged us to try to accomplish as much as possible ahead of time to allow a smoother and quicker start once the ship arrives.  Some have asked “What are the plans for Benin field service?” – we plan to offer maxillofacial, plastics, eye, pediatric orthopaedics, women’s health and general surgeries, dental care, palliative care, eye care and Education projects including mentoring for surgeons, anaesthesia providers, ward nurses, operating room nurses, sterile processing technicians and courses in Basis Surgical Skills, Radiology, Primary Trauma Care, Medical Leadership, Leadership for Community Leaders, SAFE Obstetric Anaesthesia, WHO Checklist/Lifebox Team Training, Newborn Resuscitation and others – it will be an exciting season.

I have finished most of my work on 29 individual project reports from Congo – the sections most important in these reports are Challenges/Responses/Recommendations and Worked Well in addition to the financial sections on our budget and actual expenses.  We want to identify challenges and suggest recommendations to improve our future projects.  I am now taking a break to rest and also to see some friends in Europe, thanks to cheap airfares with Ryan Air.  After my break, I will work diligently preparing for the Benin field service.

Please pray *Our advance team in Benin preparing the way *Safety for everyone during the technical phase of the ship  *For the right day crew to join us in Benin  *For the patients and healthcare education participants from in and around Benin