Thursday, December 29, 2016

Closer and Closer



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!