Gripping the sides of their seats, Operation Blessing representatives made the 18-mile journey across horrendous roads from Kazakhstan's capital of Almaty to the Chemolgan Station area. The contents of MedEx Kits could be heard shifting in the back as the passenger's anticipation rose while approaching their first destination of mercy. The car stopped and the adventure began...

Nestled in a rural village of southern Kazakhstan, approximately 5,000 men, women and children live a hand-to-mouth existence. Closed factories contribute to high unemployment. Some survive through farming, making the equivalent to $20 per month. Imagine the nearest affordable medical facility being 93 miles away! Because the villagers' primary modes of transportation are horses, wagons and walking, that journey can take several days. Simple bandages, antiseptic and cough medicines are unaffordable and unobtainable. This is changing now due to unsung heroes that are sponsoring MedEx Kits in Kazakhstan as well as local medical professionals and churches there who will use them to provide care.

Earlier this year, a local doctor named Nina and a couple of other church members greeted Operation Blessing representatives from Almaty and the USA. They had brought the contents for the first MedEx Kit to be placed in Kazakhstan! Enough for 200 people, Nina quickly inventoried the various articles including stomach relief, pain relief tablets, adhesive bandages, rubber gloves, rubbing alcohol and a sutcher kit among many other desperately needed items.

When funds for medical services in this town evaporated, this unemployed doctor had decided to stay in her remote village and continue to care for the needs of neighbors instead of moving far away for employment in the big city. Without medicines or supplies her ability to help is hampered. Dedicated to serve in managing the MedEx Kit program in the village, this humble hero will be on call around the clock in spite of having regular office hours at her ad hoc clinic offered through the local church. Within one year, this program should be fully supported by the community.

"I'm looking forward to see this program grow," shared MedEx Program Manager Kreg Vaughne'. "MedEx will allow churches to offer tangible assistance to the neighbors and become the community center. People will come to the church for help which we hope will be a catalyst for change in the community."

Later that afternoon, a MedEx Kit was given to the Enbekshy Church. As a midwife, an excited woman named Kumesi will oversee the program in this village where 70 percent of 1,500 persons are unemployed and there are more than 20 street children. Access to emergency vehicles is nonexistent and most babies are still born at home. Birth defects are commonplace due to past chemical exposure from a now closed factory. MedEx Kits were placed in both of these communities as well as in a youth prison housing approximately 300 inmates between the ages of 14-18.

This was successfully coordinated on the Kazakhstan side by Roman Dudnik. Each location was given two logbooks. Participants will record the patient's name, symptoms and treatment given in one while recording stories of those helped in the other. Roman will receive monthly progress reports. "Kazakhstan's MedEx program couldn't have been put into more capable hands," stated Kreg.

MedEx Kits are both a practical and life-saving way to help rural communities in need around the world! We can't continue without you, your group or church's participation.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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