BURN CARE INTERNATIONAL - read the blog

Training in Tanzania - part two

2/10/2020

I am back from my second visit to Tanzania and feel very hopeful about the future of their burn program. There are so many dedicated and hard working staff that I have grown to love and admire and I look forward to visiting them again next month. This group here are the future faces of a successful program - Jackson, PT, Mwanahamisi, RN, and Ester, Burn Rehab Director. It is only through their vision and hard work that progress is being made. I am super proud of this team and can not wait to see what happens in the future there.
When you support the work of BCI, you are investing in future burn victims who will have the opportunity to receive a true rehabilitation program to heal properly. While there are so many variables that come into play as the skin heals, specific things that can be taught; proper skin grafting, frequent dressing changes, supplemental nutrition, proper positioning, aggressive physical therapy, and custom made pressure garments are some of the main aspecits. When these areas are weak, potential for poor results increase. However, when each area is done properly, potential for a good outcome is normal.
Patients can suffer from so many complications and the process can last anywhere from 12 - 24 months so patience and consistent hard work are a major part of healing. One negative complication is when a patient develops one or more contractures. Contractures, (photo left) are the norm in most countries. Contractures occur when the burn scar matures, thickens, and tightens, preventing movement. This can become permanent. But with education and hard work, they are generally 100% preventable. Money and resources help but education and knowledge are the key to improved burn healing!!

This precious little boy has lots of old burn scars and a small contracture on his neck - he is in the hospital to have a surgical release done on his neck. He is the sweetest and funniest little one, full of life and unconcerned about all of his scars. He greeted us each day practicing his English and following us around - especially Noah and his camera. I can only pray that as he grows older he will continue to be unconcerned about all his scars and just love life as he does now!
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with what is happening in BCI, it is sincerely a blessing knowing that so many of you love and support this work.
Cindy

We made it!!!

10/6/2019

Every trip I take usually ends up with an "eventful" story! Since I travel alone it generally is something that happens to me - like when I arrived in Conakry, Guinea in West Africa to the Africa Mercy Ship- Enroute to the ship, in the dark, late at night, the driver from the hotel I booked was stopped by the police, arrested and the car was towed. I was standing on the side of the road with my suitcases smiling at a huge crowd of curious new "friends" thinking "no one will believe this one". I texted Wick, shocked that my phone worked for once, and he said CINDY - CAN YOU FIND A POLICEMAN? Ha Ha That was the LAST thing I needed!!! Before it worked out and the police let the driver take me in.a taxi to the hotel, I held up a picture of the Mercy Ship with my best hand signals and the BOSS LADY of the group started grinning and pointing to her eyes. Years earlier she had cataracts removed on the ship - It is a very small world even on the side of the road in Guinea. God has shown me protection in so many ways and he always makes sure I am able to see HIS hand in it all.
Today's story, for once, does not directly involve me, even though I probably lost a few years from it. On Friday night at midnight, Juana, Maria, and I were to fly from Addis Ababa to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We had planned that Aminat would join us at the airport in Addis and fly with us to Tanzania. At about 10:00 I began to worry because she had not shown up. I could not reach her by phone so I texted Wick to try to call her. She finally answered and said her flight was the next day. NO, NO, NO I said, you are getting confused with am and pm. The flight is right now at 12:10 am thinking she thought it was noon. I doubted if she could make it with traffic and distance but I said to hurry, don't worry about packing, just bring her passport and come now. Later I found out that she was right, her ticket had been reserved for the following night at 12:10 am and she was not joining us. No one knows how that happened The next day she got on the midnight flight to Tanzania.
But, I had no way to get her from the airport at 3:40 am. Thankfully the owner of the airbnb was kind enough to line up a driver to pick her up. I set my alarm for 3:00 and waited - 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 - no word from her and the airbnb could not contact the driver. She finally called me from a borrowed phone to say no one picked her up. She was waiting at the airport and did not know what to do. The airbnb contact talked to the man from the borrowed phone, a taxi driver, and he agreed to bring her to the apartment. One hour later she had not arrived............it was a fifteen minute trip. Pendo from the airbnb had now come to the apartment and we were down the road in front of a hotel in case she was lost. He was sick with worry. - the driver would not answer the phone and we had no idea where she was. Finally, the driver answered and they had spent the hour fixing a flat tire on the side of the road and did not hear the phone. At 7:00 they drove up - Pendo and I were so relieved. It ended up that the scheduled driver had fallen asleep in his car in the parking lot of the airport and woke up with the daylight in a huge panic too! God keeps me on my toes so I will depend on him for sure!!!

HOMEMADE BATH SALT FUN!!!!!

12/19/2018

Last night we had such a fun Christmas party to pamper our essential oil customers complete with yummy snacks and several DIY essential oil crafts. One was this cute test tube of Lavender Bath Salts! Check out the recipe below!
One way that I raise funds for this ministry helping burned patients in developing countries around the world is by being a distributor for essential oils! These are products I love and use for my own family! I am committed to living as toxin free as possible - what I eat, what I put on my skin, and what I breathe. We use Young Living products for all things CLEAN - over the counter products, body care, makeup and skin care, supplements, oils, etc. Ditch the chemicals and GO CLEAN!! It's good for your budget and good for your family!
To purchase your own 100% pure essential oils visit bit.ly/burncareessentials

Lavender Bath Salts
(Test Tube recipe - full one below)
1/3 cup Epsom salt
1 teaspoon lavender buds
3 drops Young Living lavender oil
Mix well and add to test tube

Enjoy!!

***NOTES: Epsom salt, named for a bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England, is not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Stress drains the body of magnesium and increases levels of adrenaline. When dissolved in warm water, Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body. Magnesium helps to produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Research shows that magnesium also increases energy and stamina by encouraging the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy packets made in the cells. The sulfates in Epsom salt help flush toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances. Your skin is a highly porous membrane and adding the right minerals to your bathwater triggers a process called reverse osmosis, which actually pulls salt out of your body, and harmful toxins along with it. Experts believe that bathing with Epsom salts a minimum of three times each week is beneficial to your health. Ideally you want to use 1-2 cups of salts in your warm bath and soak at least ten minutes so make up a bulk supply. 3 cups epsom salt, 2 cups sea salt, 1 cup baking soda, 15 drops essential oil!

Beautiful feet.....

11/17/2018

Our patients come in all shapes and sizes and so it is important for each patient to receive their own custom made pressure garment for their burns – two or three sets – one to wash, one to wear, and one to dry (if it's the rainy season). This little girl, Negat, had a very old burn scar on her legs and palm that needed some reconstructive surgery and so now we are working hard to get the best possible outcome for her skin as it heals. Only God could have orchestrated the events that would put me in the presence of this sweet little girl today and thousands like her each year and I feel incredibly humbled and blessed. Join me in this work - You can help make a difference. When you donate to BCI you are giving children like Negat a chance!!! Please consider making a generous gift to our DECEMBER - GIVE A CHILD A CHANCE CAMPAIGN – tax deductible – 0% administration fees – truly making a difference! mail your tax deductible gift to Burn Care International 419 Woodland Drive Florence, SC. 29501 or use the PayPal link on this site (PayPal keeps 2.2% + .30)

University of South Carolina Alumni Award

10/28/2018

What an unbelievable honor to be chosen as the recipient of the 2018 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from the University of South Carolina! The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, named for the great humanitarian and philanthropist, honors an outstanding graduate demonstrating professional excellence of character and service to humanity and is the highest honor awarded to Carolina alumni. My entire family enjoyed a wonderful weekend of celebration hosted by the amazing staff from the Carolina Alumni Association! I was humbled to be honored for my work with burned patients around the world and give God the glory for this privilege.
https://www.sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2018/10/algernon_sydney_sullivan_award_cindy_jackson.php#.W_AMpy2ZO9Z

One year anniversary in Ethiopia!!

9/24/2018

Exactly one year ago, I traveled to Addis Ababa to officially begin the work of Burn Care International in Ethiopia. I am honored to partner with Dr. Einar Eriksen in this life changing work. I brought an excellent seamstress on board to work with us and she immediately understood the reason for using a pressure garment and has done an excellent job this year. I am looking forward to traveling to Ethiopia this fall to give some training to the medical staff on the use and importance of pressure garments for reducing scar formation and preventing contractures as well as catch up with the Ericksens and spend some time with Aminat! Working with burn survivors has been such a blessing for my life and I thanking God today and everyday that he gave me this ministry!

VIedma Hospital

9/18/2018

This may look like an ordinary sidewalk, but it actually leads to one of my favorite places- The pediatric burn unit at the public hospital in Cochamba, Bolivia! I am headed there tomorrow and cannot wait to walk through the hospital doors into a place that feels like home!

Belinda - 5 years

9/16/2018

Cute little Belinda is not a happy camper today but isn’t she still a cutie pie! I try to post happy photos but we all know that it’s kind of unrealistic to think that burns, doctor visits, pain, medicine, tight garments, little children and the word happy would often go together? The first few visits are traumatic because the kids are afraid of clinics in general and worry what we are going to do to them. Thankfully it doesn’t take long for us to build trust and start seeing some smiles! We do all we can to make this a positive experience for our patients and their families!! Your involvement helps us make a difference everyday!

Dusan Raul - age 7

9/15/2018

Isn’t he the cutest!! Meet seven year old Dusan Raul, accidentally burned with hot oil! Everyone has their own story to tell but all have patients have one thing in common, they share a long rehabilitation plan that requires a lot of patience! We do our best to add a little fun! No little boy wants to wear a face mask 24/7 but we got our hands on a little blue for special occasions! This is definitely a special occasion- that smile says he’s as happy as we are with this cute little pressure garment ❤️

Clinic in Bolivia

1/13/2015

Hey everyone! My name is Emily...I am Cindy Jackson's oldest daughter. I am down here in Bolivia, with my husband Nick, for the next three months. Just yesterday, I visited BCI's Burn Clinic and I wanted to guest post to this blog with some photos and stories of the burn victims.

In 2001, my family was involved in an accident and my mom was burned very badly. Over 30% of her body was 3rd degree burns. We were living in Bolivia, South American at the time, but had to move to the USA to save her life! After 5 months, we returned to Bolivia and my mom made it her mission to help burn victims like her.

Burn victims need special treatment and need to wear a Pressure Suit or Garment for up to two years!!! It depends on how badly they were burned and how much of their body was burned. Most people don't know how devastating burns are and how, if not cared for properly, can destroy a person's life. Once burns have grown new skin, the hardest part begins! The skin is an incredibly strong organ and can pull a persons body into positions that create handicaps...this is why Pressure Suits and Garments are SOOOO important!!!!! My mom saw this need and created Burn Care International!!! Although BCI does many things, the main focus is creating the Pressure Suits and Garments so that skin can heal correctly, smooth and flat.

BCI's clinic is found in three small rooms inside Hospital Viedma in Cochabamba, Bolivia...a Patient Room and a Sewing Room, with a Bathroom in between. Once you have arrived at the hospital grounds, you enter this door to the Physical Therapy area of Hospital Viedma.

Then, take the first door on the left to enter BCI's Pressure Therapy Clinic...when you walk through this door, you are in the Patient Room (you can see the sink straight ahead).

Once you are inside the Patient Room, you turn to the right (walk past the bathroom door) and you arrive in the Sewing Room. The room looks big because I took a panoramic shot, but when four of us where in there, there was no room to move.

Right outside of the bathroom door is this shelf full of materials. It looks like a lot, but they go through this stuff fast and are constantly needing more!!!

Maria is the head seamstress and she keeps her work organized on this shelf...you can see some small Pressure Garments waiting on patients to come get them. Not only does BCI's Clinic get new patients all of the time, who need measurements and new Pressure Garments and Suits, but they also have returning patients who need adjustments made so that the fit continues to be very tight. Maria has a lot of work cut out for her!!!

Barbara is a volunteer who comes twice a week and has been coming for years. She takes care of a lot of the organizing, staying on top of stock, keeping in touch with my mom, handling the money, etc. Barbara is so important to this ministry and we really appreciate how much she willingly and freely gives to us!!!

Nick is organizing in the Sewing Room...behind him is the bathroom and through that door is the Patient Room. You can see that BCI's Clinic doesn't have much room to work with, but they make it work well!!!

This little patient below is named Emily!!! I really like her name :) She was so cute and so sweet. We kept asking her if she wanted a toy while she waited and she kept saying, "no". Then, we starting asking her what her favorite toy is and everything we named, she would only reply, "no". Obviously, she is a child and I'm sure she loves toys, but she was top secret around us! Maybe the giant Americans were throwing her off :) All of the children who walked over from the Hospital Viedma had shaved heads...boys and girls alike. The hospital does this so that they don't have to deal with the child's hair much during their stay!!!!!! Imagine what parents would do in the USA if they came to the hospital to visit their child and found their head shaved without permission!!!!

Emily was burned by boiling water...this is VERY common among the children who come in for help!!! The hospital staff had her wearing a bathrobe and crocs that would fit a child 5 years older than her!!! See how they have the sleeved rolled WAY up?!?!!? But, she had no idea that she shouldn't be the happiest little girl in the world...so sweet...

Juana (on right) and Maria (on left) are a great team!!!!!! Juana invites patients in...she is so friendly and welcoming, especially to the scared little children. Then, as Maria measures, Juana jots down notes so that Maria can sew the perfect fit for each patient. You wouldn't believe how many measurements they take down for each part of the body. The Garments and Suits must be tight like a glove in every surface of the skin, even in the difficult places like chest, neck and all of the curves and places that bend.

Neymar (the boy below) was so scared and cried the entire time that he was in our Clinic. He cried when he came in, when they got him to stand on the table, when they got him to sit down, when they took off his clothes, when they looked at his burns, when they measured him, when they put his clothes back on, when his dad picked him up to leave and even, as they were leaving the building, he continued to cry until they were too far away to hear him anymore. It was so sad because he had such horrible burns all over his body...even his private area had been mostly burned off. He was a difficult patient to witness...

Neymar, just like the little girl Emily, was burned with boiling water...

After Juana and Maria measured Neymar, Maria sewed this entire Pressure Suit within minutes!!!!! They put him in his new suit to make sure everything fit just right before sending him off. He will have to come back every few weeks to get his suit re-adjusted. As long as his parents continue to bring him, he will need to wear this suit everyday for the next two years.

Each patient goes home with two of each piece needed to cover their burns...two sets of pants...two sets of gloves...two sets of shirts...etc. One is to wear and one is to wash. The patients must wear their suit 23 out of 24 hours a day!!! I'm telling you, getting burned is a horrible experience. It is more than just waiting for your burns to heal, it is years of work and your life is never the same.

Juana and Maria have now been working here with the burn victims for 10 years!!!

These burned patients need OUR help.

These burned children need OUR help.

Burn victims around the world need OUR help.

Please support BCI so that WE can help them...ALL of them! Getting burned is a terrible experience, but imagine being burned in a country without good health care!!! Imagine your burned skin turning into thick scars that continues to grow tight until you are left handicapped for life!!!! Imagine not having the options that we have in the USA!!!! Most people can't imagine...but, for many, this is their life!!!

By supporting BCI, you will be providing material, thread, zippers and foam for the Pressure Garments and Suits, silicon for the difficult scars, essential oils and creams for itching skin, salaries for Juana and Maria and basic supplies for the Clinic.

Please DONATE ONLINE by scrolling to the bottom of the BCI website and clicking the DONATE button. Or you can MAIL A CHECK to: Burn Care International, 419 Woodland Drive, Florence, SC 29501. All donations are tax-deductible and will change the life of a burned victim!!!