As we near
the time of departure of the first wave of our group – you can see who most of
them are on the photos below, I think almost all of the details are
complete. I guess we will know when we
get there! We are already planning the
2018 trip, with a number of committed students and faculty. As those numbers grow, it will be a challenge
for only one trip a year. My hope would
be to have two trips a year, the January one, of course, and one later in the
summer. There are specialties that are
unable to go in the winter due to coursework obligations that might be able to
go in August.
Meanwhile,
our troops are getting their “stuff” together for the trip. We have quilts to bring and other jifties or
gifties (Kiswahili for gifts). As many
as can will gather at Olson Manor for a Packing Party. Should be more party than packing, although
crucial logistic decisions will be made and resources pooled. Some who cannot be here in body will surely
be here in spirit. Randy and Michael
will manage two bags of quilts. Leslie
and our friend, MamaNatalie, will be traveling together, albeit MamaNatalie in
a duffle. Sounds cruel, I know, but she
will be padded with a quilt or two. She
is a mannequin naturally, a gift from Shoulder to Shoulder and the efforts of
Leslie, who has also become an instructor for the Helping Mothers Survive
program through JPIEGO (I think).
John Zurek
has generously offered an operating microscope.
It doesn’t weigh too much but we are unsure whether or not it can be
used effectively at Ilula – probably not.
We will have the unwelcome responsibility of determining whether or not
to bring it. Worst case, I think is
offering it to our friends at GHM who have a wider grasp on what might be
requested. This is the first time we
have had the luxury of an ENT specialist.
He wonders what he will contribute.
I truly believe he will be rewarded finding how useful his experience
and wisdom will be.
The first
group will be meeting two in Amsterdam, Louise Myers and Margaret Perko, both
experienced African travelers. Michael
Madalon will be traveling with the group, himself coming from Madison. Margaret travels separately catching a
different flight out of MSP. And finally, Prosperity Eneh, visiting her family
in Nigeria will meet them at Wista’s. I
will count on the group for a photo of those missing from the two below!
That’s all
from me folks! Kristi Hembre is also one
of the blog administrators, so expect wisdom from her on this side of the
pond. I hope to coax someone from the
group to write a pre-departure note too!
