The last off ship site is the Hope Centre. The Hope Centre is one of the favorite places for the crew to visit patients. The purpose of the Hope Centre is to provide housing for patients coming from further distances. The patients can arrive pre-surgery and until they need to be transferred to the ship for surgery. Most of the patients though stay for post surgery follow up. Several surgeries require daily dressing changes or wound care. If they do not live in the Lome area, it can be too much of a burden to return to the ship for continual care.
During the 2010 Togo Field Service, Mercy Ships renovated and used the front half of this building. After the field service ended, the building was released back to the Ministry of Health and it is currently is use as a maternity ward and a health clinic.
In November/December when the Advance Team was looking for a building, the Ministry of Health offered us the back half of the building we used before. Mercy Ships, once again, renovated the building and is using it for the current Hope Centre. When we leave Togo, it will once again be turned back to the Ministry of Health.
Barry (above) and Cheryl (below) are the Hope Centre co-ordinators. They do a fantastic job juggling patients, educating day workers, and manage the overall running of the Hope Centre.
Inside the Hope Centre.
Kids having a relaxing time playing with Playdough.
The kitchen area where the meals are prepared three times a day.
Lunch...yummm...
Many of the patients and care givers prefer to be at the Hope Centre than on the ship wards. It is a more relaxing and relational area. Barry and Cheryl and their team do an incredible job! Thanks team!!
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