Salima, Malawi … Kuthandiza Osayenda Disability Outreach, or KODO for short, is usually recognized as a place to get a wheelchair, a set of crutches, or some other type of mobility device. It is also seen as a source for learning a trade, and providing a living for the person and their family. It is usually not seen as a source of heath-care. Dick and Suzi Stephens report on a recent visit to the facility just east of the Salima Trading Center.
“As we existed the car it was evident something had been added since our last visit.” Dick observed. “To the east of the training center building was a small grove of shrub like trees that had been planted recently. Near the front of this stand of trees a group of handicapped people were digging holes for still more trees. As George Chimpiko, the Malawi Director of the facility, approached he extended his handshake in the usual smiling welcome, then turned toward the trees to show us what they were doing. Obviously this part of the new KODO program is giving him a great deal of pride. We quickly learned this was sort of a ‘local pharmacy in the making.’”
“Most of our pharmaceuticals originated from herbs, plants and trees,” Suzi Stephens, Medical Director for the Malawi Project noted, “What is happening in Malawi is the result of the perpetual shortages of medicine, they are simply going back to the use of the roots, bark and leaves of shrubs and trees that have proven over the ages to work for certain diseases and problems. They are planting shrubs or plants such as Capsicum frutescens (chili peppers) a plant whose properties can be used to help with sprains, arthritis, sciatica, leg pains, and skin diseases. Another is the Carica papava, a plant (similar to the western paw paw) whose properties are used to treat infested wounds, open boils, fungal infections such as ringworm, and intestinal worms. Also, Senna alata is used to treat fungal infections, ringworm, scabies, psoriasis, and constipation. Cymbopogon citratus is a form of lemon grass that treats fever, malaria, Bronchitis, sinusitis and toothache.”
Dick concluded with the following observation, “After learning what they are doing when it comes to the ‘pharmacy’ program we moved on to learn what has been taking place in farm training, as well as in other forms of self-help and motivational efforts to help those with mobility issues to live independent, productive lives.”