Finally, after months of training in barracks, warehouses, out in the bush, or anywhere else we could find, The clinic was complete enough to begin the work we had all been anticipating. In this photo, I am teaching the medics to start an IV with needles that allow for only a plastic cannula to remain in the arm (Jelco). Previously, they had to use a needle with no catheter. This means the needle had to stay in the arm as long as the IV was in use. This could cause severe tissue injury while trying to transport the patient(s) off the battlefield. Also, as the ANA is comprised of people from all over the country, I have to wait while my Interpreter has to translate each of the step-by-step instructions first into Pastu and then into Dari. In essence, one phrase has to be translated twice. Imagine the time involved in teaching everything in this environment!