Lambarene 2008

Die ehemalige Schülerin des ASG, Christina Scheppelmann (Künstlerische Leiterin der Washington National Opera), besuchte 2008 Lambarene, mit dem Auto von Libreville nach Lambarene. Bei einem Besuch im ASG 2010 brachte sie die Fotos mit, die sie dort aufgenommen hat: Das Hospital Albert Schweitzers war in den alten Gebäuden noch bis 1980 in Betrieb und wird seitdem, neben dem modernen Krankenhaus, als Museum erhalten.
Es sind ausdrucksvolle, bewegende Bilder. Wir bedanken uns herzlich bei Christina Scheppelmann.

We are at the equator !!!! It is hot and humid and far, far away from many places ! At the equator and half way to our destination, Lambarene The market of Lambarene - take a GOOD look now and wait for later photos of the market ! Our hotel in Lambarene - it looks fancier than it was, but happy to have arrived and looking forward to dinner and some sleep A visitor at the hotel Next morning, first look at some of the orginal Albert Schweitzer hospital buildings - in the front the bell that announced morning prayer and meals We arrive at the actual original hospital. Left the medical building, right the water reservoir and housing for patients Fountain at water reservoir building The water reservoir - it simply collected rain water and there is plenty of rain here ! Simple housing for Schweitzer's patients - those are the old, original buildings The pharmacy balance and to the left a water distillation apparatus ...it sure is one way of distilling water Old vials & bottles in the pharmacy-some still contain obscure liquids...let's not try those out ! The hospital was in use until early 1980's - these prostheses and crutches were once used ! Medical tools in one of the exam rooms - some tools look strangely out-dated......and some things don't change The same exam room and a rusty exam table. It feels as if one day the doctors just left..... and somehow they still feel present So, this is were Albert Schweitzer worked....fascinating Medical dishes, siringes, cotton swaps, bandages... Some tools look a little scary. And remember that in those days morphine was the only anesthetic... if any ! Pulse and blood pressure measuring machine....made in Germany, though not under warranty anymore ! Even our guide did not know what these pressure containers were for...rusty witnesses of previous research A book shelf in Schweitzer's office - his portrait and books that belonged to him. We paged through some of the books, some have notes by Schweitzer ! Schweitzer's desk in his office His glasses, an old file and drug box We are in another exam room, next to Schweitzer's office Photos of the 1950's also picturing cases of leprosy Other offices A closer look at one of the smaller doctor's offices A microscope....its basic functionality sure hasn't changed too much over time Interesting - looks like a dentist chair, but.......the drill is operated by a foot pedal (see lower right) - ouch !!! A better look a the foot-powered drill The big tool to the right looks VERY scary. The others we all have seen at our dentist even today The gynecological exam/delievery room with oil lamp...in case the baby was born at night The X-ray room and an early x-ray machine An hommage from some of his patients - a month before he died Some of the very last patient charts are right there to look at - data protection is not a priority View from the hospital grounds over the river Ogooue' The location of the hospital was well chosen - beautiful and easy access from the river. The original Nobel-Peace-Price document ! Inside his house - his bedroom Medical tools, carpenter tools in Schweitzer's small house This was used for blood-transfusions ! His wife's bedroom A dress of his wife and the Schweitzer's shoes Schweitzer's full desk The papers under the magnifiying glass are part of the text of Bach's St.Matthew-Passion His piano.....ruined by humidity, heat and termites. Could it be restored ?! Yes, I enjoyed sitting at his piano !!! Sign at the entrance to Schweitzer's house All still part of the orginal hospital Old house - some shiny new equipment in it Our armoured car that managed all the rough roads Our driver, Donald, well, he is the driver of Mrs. Ambassador Keys to the many doors of the hospital Off we go on a boat-ride with a great local guide Remember the earlier market photo ? A fire broke out that night and burned down a large part of the market !! Some of the stands were completely burned to ashes ! People were stunned, but continued to go ahead with their day Gone ! Overnight ! Eery ! A gas station close to the fire location ! You can still see smoke ! Lumber and oil are the biggest industries in Gabon, though it benefits foreign companies, not the Gabonese Impressions of our boat ride on the Ogooue' river....... Our river-Ferrari We are leaving Lambarene Impressions from our drive from Lambarene back to Libreville