Just another day!

I just got home from a wonderful day of home-based care. It was actually one of my favorite days of HBC so far. The patients that we saw today didn't seem to be too sick. Most of the patients today are on TB treatment and/or antiretrovirals. From what we could assess they seem to be taking the treatment properly- this was very encouraging. The visits with the patients today went very well but a day is never without excitement.

Today Pasqua (Carlos, the project directors, wife) and their 4 month old daughter came with us. Pasqua often comes with us to translate which is so wonderful. This first picture is of me carrying Jessica on my back as we walk through the bush to visit our patients. It was the first time I have tried carrying a baby the "African way" and I loved it. It's so wonderful to have this little bundle of adorableness nestled up to you.

Just moments after we took this picture there was a bit of commotion as we came across a Spitting Cobra on our path! At first I didn't know what was going on. I saw this snake with it's head in a hole and part of its body on the path. Soon the volunteers that were with us and the husband of one of our patients started throwing rocks (big rocks) at the snake. Pasqua was screaming and I didn't know what to do- so I stood back and took pictures. After just a few moments the snake was apparently dead and we were ready to carry on. But just before we did, the husband of our patient picked up the snake to show us. THEN...our patient (with TB) was there holding the other end of the snake ready to have their picture taken! So here it is- priceless!

After that, we carried on- no big deal. I am just thankful today that this time there were men around who were willing to kill the thing for me! I didn't have to get close to it!