Power of Healing - Two Seaside nurses help save lives in Nigeria
By Kera Abraham
Posted: Thursday, 3 July 2008

POWER OF HEALING: Richard and Gertrude Anyanwu Photo by Nic Coury

Richard Anyanwu’s smile is radiant, even as he describes the water damage inflicted on his home by a broken pipe while he was out of town. The couches are still damp, the floor is warped and the family photos are water-streaked, but he just laughs: “It could be worse!”

Anyanwu spent the first three weeks of June administering medicine to nearly 800 poor Nigerians, and feeding half as many. You could say he has perspective.

While Anyanwu drew blood samples in the Igbo region of southern Nigeria, his wife, Gertrude, fortified the home front– working as a nurse, collecting medical donations and looking after the couple’s five children.

Seated side by side at their Seaside home, the Anyanwus discuss their nonprofit, Africare Meds. Gertrude lets her husband do most of the talking, occasionally murmuring to him in their native Igbo language.

Richard presents a video and photos of his recent trip, describing the long line of villagers waiting for care; the dedicated nurses and doctors who helped him treat patients; the pride of Gertrude’s mother and siblings. In one video clip, the king of Umueze praises Africare, saying he hopes it will grow to support a permanent clinic in the region.

Reflecting on his energy for the exhausting work, Richard recalls the old Army slogan, “Be all you can be.” It’s a phrase that means a lot to the Nigerian, who immigrated to the United States 26 years ago and graduated from Monterey Peninsula College. He joined the Army, trained at Fort Ord, was deployed to two wars, and earned a nursing degree. Along the way he returned to his home village of Umueze, married Gertrude and brought her back to Seaside.

But more than his education or military training, Richard Anyanwu is motivated by his faith. He refers to the story of Jesus multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed the masses. “If you think it’s important in your life, you will find time to do it,” he says.

As if their schedules aren’t already filled to busting, the Anyanwus are also ordained as deacon and deaconess of the Holy Assembly Missionary Baptist Church in Marina. Richard’s task is to care for the homeless and widows; Gertrude’s is mentor to young women and girls.

The idea for Africare grew from tragedy in 2001, when Richard’s mother died of a cerebral hemorrhage while visiting from Nigeria. It turned out she had undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes, Richard says. Back in his home village for the burial, Richard reflected on the faces of the people gathered to mourn her, and wondered: “How many were in my mother’s situation but didn’t know it?”

The next year the Anyanwus, both nurses– Richard works for the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula; Gertrude for the county jail– began collecting medicine for their tribe. Dozens of local donors, including churches, clinics and pharmacies, proffered supplies and money. Richard began traveling to Umueze once a year with suitcases full of medicine. This year he will go twice; his next trip is planned for December.

Associate Minister Gregory Smith of Holy Assembly, who serves on Africare’s board, says he hopes to one day accompany Richard to Nigeria. “He’s always had a heartfelt need to go back and give back,” he says. “I really take my hat off to him, because he has the passion for this, and it’s really contagious.”

Monetary donations may be made online at http://www.africaremeds.com. Tax-deductible gifts of money, medical or office supplies may be dropped off at 640 Elm St., Seaside. (831) 899-2280.
 

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Donations to MAHAFA (Formerly AfricareMeds) can be in the form of monetary, office equipment, office supplies (stamps, paper, etc), vehicles - donated vehicles will be sold and proceeds will be used for purchasing of supplies.

Your gift, donation or assistance will enable us to provide much needed medical care and medications to children and adults who desperately need it. We submit receipts for all donations.
Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.