| In May of 2003, I helped the staff of the polyclinic in my village
write a grant proposal to get money for some much needed renovations
to the clinic building. Their main needs at the time were a heat source
in the building and running water in the treatment rooms. By September,
we had received about $2,000 from various donors in America and the
renovations began.
The renovations were supposed to be completed within a few weeks.
But as I ended up learning the hard way, when money is involved,
the leaders of this small community like to start spinning a web
of corruption, deceit and excuses. Through many trials and tribulations,
we finally finished the project in late December. The clinic building
now has a working gas heating system, and the staff can now treat
patients during the winter months. And because of the addition of
hot and cold running water in the treatment rooms, the regional
health department has awarded this polyclinic with 2nd-degree status,
which will lead to new equipment and a larger staff.
Upon completion of the renovations, the clinic staff hosted a small
celebratory lunch for themselves and various community leaders.
The heat hadn't yet kicked in, so the men sat at one end of the
table warming themselves with vodka, while the nurses drank champagne
and tea. We ate osh, a national dish of Uzbekistan.
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