Approval in Ramtha

The diabetic retinopathy project in Jordan will randomly test the blood sugar in people over the age of 25 in targeted areas.  If their blood glucose reading is high they will be asked to come back to see if they are at risk for blindness.  LDS Charities has provided glucometers, test strips, and slit lamps for the project.  Medical students from Jordan University of Science and Technology have volunteered to assist with the testing.

The project will begin next week in Ramtha, a town of 150,000 north of here near the border of Syria. This week we went to Ramtha with the Strongs, our project leader and six of the medical students to get approval from the community leaders to hold the campaign.  It was all very positive, and the men we met with were very supportive.

The Project Coordinator, Aseel, was very good at explaining the project to the community leaders.  Margaret called her a "rock star."

    Everyone we talked to gave us their whole-hearted support.

 Aseel doing the "happy dance"

We made some new friends and made contacts with people who are leaders in the medical fiend and in the community.

 Posters were hung in clinics.

We were very impressed with the young medical students who accompanied us today.  They were bright, articulate and personable.  It was fun to be around them.  We wish we could share the gospel with them, but we can't.