Friend of a friend ... how I decided to do this!!

You know how you just run across those people in life and you have no idea why they feel so "comfortable" to you...as if you've known them forever...there's just something that draws you near them and want to be life long friends forever even though you just met???? Well, that is exactly what happened to me and that is how I am here today, leaving for Africa in 40 days for a trip that will change my life...all because of an encounter with one of those people -- that instant friend for life! 

Kim & I hiking Ecola in Oregon

Her name is Kim and the little that I've learned and gotten to know about her is amazing! We met last December, 2012 when she was out here in Maui visiting a friend of ours from a previous medical mission trip! Eric met her first and told me that when I met her, I would just love her && that is exactly how it happened! We met and chatted about all kinds of things and I felt like she was a friend from back home that I have had for years and being all the way out here, that feeling is quite special and when it happens you don't want them to leave! But we managed to hang out again while she was visiting and got to talking. I found out she is a Physician Assistant and she has been going on medical mission trips since 2011. AND it was then & there, she put that spark and that interest back in me to join onto a trip and travel to a third world country for the better good!  She has been to Bolivia THREE times, twice to the Philippines, once to Peru and is coming with me to Kenya this year along with the Dominican Republic in 2014 and another trip back to Peru.  HOW inspiring and amazing she is! From what I have learned and from what I can tell, she loves to selflessly help others.  Kim has a huge heart that I don't even know the half of yet I am sure.  We have since spent another vacation of hers here to Maui together and when Eric & I traveled to Portland this past fall, the two of them surprisingly set up a surprise dinner together! We got to talk more about what the trips are like, what to expect and how it will change you.  She came all the way from Eugene with her dog to Cannon Beach and got herself a condo for the night just to have dinner and a hike in the morning with us....instantly friends forever & we haven't even ventured on this journey yet! 

Hiking with Kim & Beau her awesome dog in Oregon

Because of Kim I decided to check out the Project Helping Hands Organization that she spoke so highly of and signed up for my very first trip! I had been begging her and asking her to come with me to Kenya (especially since she had never been either) but she ensured me that there was no way she could swing it with all her trips she had committed to.  And so, I decided regardless of her going or not, Kenya was where I wanted to go and so I set out and applied thinking it would be me and 16 strangers.  Little did I know, she was surprising me and had signed up for this trip as well! Eric & Kim knew a week before I even knew that I was accepted...THOSE two little liars!!! And the day I found out that I was chosen for Kenya I immediately texted her all of my excitement about being accepted and yet I wished she was going.  Her reply back was "Yeah, I knew you were going last week because I AM GOING WITH YOU!!!!" I was literally jumping up and down when she broke this amazing news to me!!! It will be like traveling with a forever life long friend yet, we hardly know anything life long about one another! But it's one of those connections...one of those "weird ways a person becomes a part of your life" and I cannot wait to experience this trip together!!

She has been my GO-TO person these days when talking about what to pack, what to expect.  I have been texting her non-stop with so many questions and she is so awesome with all he answers and advice.  ME: how much travel toilet paper do I need, what is a solar shower, do you really need a bug net......At one point I said "I am so sorry if I am being annoying with all my questions you don't have to talk to me right now" and her heart felt reply was how eager and excited she is to have a "newbie" to be excited for and she can't wait for me to experience this! I mean, talk about someone truly being excited for someone else...it must feel like christmas morning for her! I cannot thank that one encounter that brought me Kim & put that spark in me to do good for others and put our gift of caring and loving strangers to some serious use!  
This is one of those "People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person." 

I look forward to catching up with her on our 60 some hours of travels and our time in Portland together and invading each others personal space at an ultimate personal level and have our lives changed together! And for all of this I thank her and for our paths crossing! A true showing of people come into your life for some sort of reason!

HOW MY FUNDRAISING is going!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I can say as of today December 8th I received my last and my largest check in the mail along with a beautiful Christmas card from a very dear family friend to reach my goal of $3500!! I have teared up with pretty much every donation and loving letter that I have received. Today, what I thought was going to be a Christmas card from a dear family friend ended up being my largest donation to date and hit my goal! I started this fundraising back the end of August and have been overwhelmed with the generosity and excitement that I get to share with you generous friends & family.  YOU guys have payed it forward and taken the first step in helping these people. I know you all have faith in me and believe that I am going to do amazing things....those are some BIG shoes to fill and I'm beginning to get EXCITED inside!! Excitement to do this & excitement to have you all behind me & I hope you all are as eager as I am to learn about all we did.

I can't tell you how humbled inside I was from the day I received my first donation to the support and interest many of you have shared with me.

There is still SO MUCH you can help us do.  Please keep donating to the Project Helping Hands website just the way the link describes:  CLICK HERE TO DONATE    You are also welcome to send me the checks.  You will still receive a tax deductible receipt if needed let me know.  The money that I raise above what is required goes to our CONTINGENCY FUND which is crucial to us for the trip.  There are medications and supplies that we cannot buy in the United States that we must purchase when we get to Kenya.  The extra funds will allow us to get certain medications and supplies to exceed our expectations!! So please continue to donate but if you could shoot me an email/message and let me know when you donated online so I can keep track and keep you updated on everything we did!
 


YOU may also purchase me a gift card for Walmart/Costco/Walgreens or send me a check to purchase stuff myself....in which I will buy supplies listed in another blog entry BELOW.  We have 2 checked bags that we must fill with a list of supplies to bring and share with everyone there.  You can also send me boxes of listed items in the entry below or I can get them from you ( my mom can help in Illinois and I can meet you out here in Maui )!!!






I have TONS of stuff to collect and I am looking forward to filling my bags with as much as I possibly can and would love to share this with you!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OF SUPPLIES I NEED TO COLLECT!!!!

An eye opening message

I received an email from my team leader to include some much needed supplies to pack! They just returned from Turkana with an update on how they are since the last trip out there and what is more specifically needed come February.  She also included some information to begin our mental preparation for the experience.  While I do think everyday about the people I will meet and what I will learn about them and their culture and I cannot wait to earn their respect and share with you all what these people have taught us...I have these thoughts in my head and pictures I see online while doing my own research about Turkana but this tidbit in our email makes it more real! And makes me get butterflies thinking about being there and experiencing their lives. 

Section of the email entitled "FISHBOWL EFFECT"

~You WILL feel like you are in a fishbowl, being watched all the time, because, well, you are! The Turkana are very curious, a lot never having seen a white person before, and will watch your every move.  Expect to hear “How are yo?” at least 50 times a day being yelled at you while you walk. They do however respect our personal space in the past, as long as we set that expectation.  The children will crowd around and will walk with us and watch us eat and set up clinic. We need to be very conspicuous when we eat. Most of the people do not have much food or any, and it is very hard to have them ask for food. If you start handing out food, they will swarm and it is overwhelming.  It is good to know and prepare for before you leave that your personal space will not be what you are used to for the duration of our trip. We will be in close quarters with each other for a long time, and with the people in the villages we visit.

Crazy to imagine that we will be the center of interest for them! Seems unfathomable to me.  Not only do I want to learn about them and learn from them, but respectfully back, I look forward to them wanting to learn about us <3 

YOU can donate more than just money!!! SUPPLIES are KEY!

Aside from money….there are other ways you can help!!!!

Medicines and supplies are the backbone of this trip to Kenya.  On previous trips, teams have treated approximately 3000 people/team and 99% of the medicines and all of the supplies were collected and brought to Kenya by the teams.  To ensure that we have the appropriate amount and type of supplies for the trip, it is imperative that every team member keep their commitment and help collect and pack medicines and supplies as identified through the orientation manual and emails from the Medical Team Leaders. 

Each team member is mandated to bring  a certain amount of supplies. I have to fill one large storage bin and another checked bag full of supplies:

                                                                                                                                         

If you would like to help donate I would take anything, 1 bottle the next time you stop at the grocery store, a gift card to Walmart/Walgreens. If you live in Chicagoland area suburbs, my mother can meet you somewhere and she will be sending me a box with stuff as things become collected. If you are here in Maui I can come pick up at any location!! Otherwise, the flat rate boxes are pretty cheap to ship here to Maui and they get here in a few short days! I’m planning on my guest room to soon be looking like my very own Walgreens!! Message me for my address or with any questions on how to get stuff to Kenya for us!

Some simple things they desperately needed like sunglasses or reading glasses will mean the world to them! Then, we would like to bring some gifts for them to enjoy like any type of BEADS for the women, small simple toys for the kids, baby/kid clothes....you will be amazed just going thru your house to find some things listed below or not listed! They will find a use for anything! 

I recently learned that they use a certain type of tree branch with some ends they use to brush their teeth so the simplest things will bring much joy and help their health! 

Vitamins (adult & children) NO IRON

Pain Relievers (tylenol, ibuprofen, - adult & children)

Antibiotics (ampillicin, erythromycin, amoxicillin)

Ointments (bacitracin, triple antibiotic, Neosporin, polysporin)

Ear/Eye antibiotics

Scabies/lice lotion/shampoo

Skin ointment/creams (antifungals, anti-itch with and without steroid)

Reading glasses (I can take used ones or even pairs from the DOLLAR store!!)

SUNGLASSES THEY NEED BADLY!!!

Pens/Pencils/Sharpies

            Thermometers

            Blood Pressure Cuffs

            Disposable Otoscopes

            Calculators

            Pill Cutters/crushers

            Baby wash

            Baby bottles/Nipples

            Toothbrushes

            Toothpaste

            Soap

            Laundry Soap

            Maxi Pads

            Hand Sanitizer

            Cotton Diapers

            Baby diapers

            Oral Rehydration powder packs

            Baby formula, powdered

            Urine dip-sticks

            Urine pregnancy tests

            Plastic Vaginal Speculums

            Duct Tape

            Tarps

            Rope

            Penlights

            Multiuse tool

            Baby booger getters AKA BBG’s (yup-that’s what they’re called)

            Baby Bulb Suction

            Aerochambers for albuterol

            Stethescope

            Blank sticky white labels

            Clipboards

            Snack/sandwich size baggies

            Medication reference books

            Dermatology Book

            Batteries

Small toys and gifts are also much appreciated both for individuals and for local schools and orphanages. We will talk more about how these gifts are distributed.

                        Sewing kits                                         Extra Material

     Thread/Needles                                 Bandanas

                        Soccer Balls                                       Calculators

                        Ball pumps                                         Inflatable balls

                        Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets)         Coloring books

                        Balloons                                            Crayons                                                                       

                       Hacky sacs                                       Beads and fishing line

                        Glow Bracelets                               Harmonicas

                        Stickers                                             Matchbox cars

                        Flying Discs/Frisbees                      Small Puzzles

                        Eyeglasses/Sunglasses                  Small Footballs

                        Pencil Boxes                                    Cards

                        Carrying Bags                                  Small Zipper bags

     Pocket Knives                                  Duct Tape                       

     Scissors                                            Lighters

                        Flip Flops                                          Nail Clippers/files

                        Bubbles                                            Hats

                        Water bottles                                   Jump Ropes

                        T-shirts              

                        School Supplies (pencils, pens, paper, educational material etc)

                        Baby/children’s clothes 

Also, I am planning to bring something easily packable to give to the people and children I meet.  Small things like, bracelets, balloons TOOTHBRUSHES, toothpaste, mini nailpolishes, bubbles…anything that I can bring in quantity and that is small to pack in my bag would be awesome! If you would like to help donate I promise to bring back pictures of the people with our gifts!!!

These are actual pictures of some people and children of the Turkana Region where we will be staying and doing our work. I cannot wait to meet and learn so much about these people. The stories I will have to share when I return will be possible because of my generous friends & family that have helped me get there and reach my goals!

Sharing my humbledness...some of the kindest words people share with me

CLICK HERE TO HELP me HELP them & DONATE today!!


Humble

Adjective

1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humbled although successful
2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.
3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc: lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.

"Humble: if you were to meet a humble person, he wouldn’t be the kind of person who thinks lower of himself than others think he should.  Instead, he would not think of himself at all.  A humble person isn’t interested in saying ‘I suck” or “I’m not that great”.  These statements come from a person who thinks he should be better than he is.  A truly humble person isn’t concerned with who he is or who he should be.  He isn’t concerned with himself at all, but instead he’s concerned with other people. "

As my fundraising has begun I have been overwhelmed not only with the HUGE donations by people – people I may not have even seen or spoke to in years have reached out to be a part of this with me.  As I open envelopes with some very very generous donations, I am finding some of the kindest words written inside to me.  OF COURSE I am keeping all of them as I cannot help my “pack-rat” tendencies! I would like to share some of these words that have made me begin to realize that what I am going to do is something pretty special! See, I think that to help others is just what everyone does and should do in everyday life…..but I often forget that this is something unique to my profession and that not everyone wipes butts, hugs crying strangers, “inserts what into where??”, feed those that cannot feed themselves, take care of wounds that you wouldn’t even imagine could be possible, ease peoples pain both physically and mentally..and much more that only us nurses will ever understand!  We often forget the unique lives that people live and we get consumed in ourselves and our own life and think that that is just how life is, right?? But it’s not; we all do special and unique things in our lives. And this trip, with all of these encouraging words and love that I am feeling from everyone, I know will be a reminder that we all live very different lives.  And as I will be getting a glimpse into theirs, I will be sharing it with you as well!!  As I am about 12 weeks away right now from my trip, I just love all the 'worry' people have about my trip because, honestly I am not the slightest bit worried (yet) so I think it it is wonderful that people are going to worry for me so I don't have to!!

~ humbling words ~

“What you are doing is so amazing and we are so lucky to have such a kind-hearted friend in our lives.  I know you will do wonderful things over there for people in need, and it makes us so happy that we are able to help you on this journey. Good things happen to good people. You have lots of good things coming your way!”

“You have a big heart and are awesome”                                 

“Our prayers will be with you and we will be looking forward to hearing from you to find out how things are going.  We are so proud of you!”

“I know you will do amazing things for each person you encounter”

“You are an amazing young woman! I am honored and proud to know you.  You have for years always made a difference in people’s lives and now you are journeying to Africa to make a difference and help so far away.  You are beyond beautiful inside and out”

“I just want to thank you for what you are about to do in Africa.  When we are blessed with good health, enough income to live comfortably we should give to the poor and that is what you are about to do.  I’m proud of you for doing this. You will experience a great feeling and satisfaction from what you will be doing”

“I love what you are doing.  I can’t do what you’re going to do in Kenya but if I can help support you, it makes me feel good”

"We hope this trip fulfills your desire to help others"

"It's a huge challenge and we can't help but to be both proud of, yet worried about you at the same time"

“I’m glad I know someone who’s making a difference like yourself!”

“You can’t live your life being afraid..you go ahead and make us all proud. I’ll be here being afraid so you don’t have to!”

VACCINE time: A NURSE & A NEEDLE!!

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW YOU CAN DONATE TO HELP ME HELP THESE PEOPLE!!

I'm the patient now, not the nurse!!

I’m the one giving the injections and giving out medicine not taking it!!! Looks like I need to take care of myself before I leave to take care of others in a third world country!! Africa has quite a few things that I need to be careful of and watch out for!! Such things like Hepatitis, Malaria, Rabies, Polio, Typhoid, Salmonella, YELLOW Fever from mosquitoes and MONKEYS…

 So, I spoke with my doctor here on Maui, and reviewed the Center for Disease Control website along with what my organization requires/recommends for travel to Kenya and my goodness -- it’s A LOT!! So far, here is my checklist of all the immunizations and medication items that I need to get:  

• Flu vaccine
• Hepatitis A vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Inactive Polio vaccine
• Typhoid vaccine
• Tetanus shot
• Yellow fever vaccine
• Malaria prophylaxis – I could be taking these pills for over a month!
• Meningitis vaccine
• Rabies vaccine
• Antibiotics to bring with incase I come down with something
• Sleeping pills and EAR plugs!
• Diarrhea medicine
• Constipation medicine  ^^ cause you never know which one you may need!
• Motion sickness medicine (I get really car sick and we will be driving for 6-8 hours some days in big cruisers thru unpaved dirt roads across the Rift Valley – I should probably pack barf bags too!)
• LOTS of bug spray!!!!! && probably anti-itch cream as well! I have to spray all my clothes, sleeping bag, underwear…EVERYTHING I am bringing with this special Permetherine spray in hopes to not get bitten by mosquitoes with nasty diseases!!

With all that…I will be a walking pharmacy and immune to everything!!! While, I am not a huge believer in vaccines and never get my annual flu vaccine even, I think for this trip I should not take my chances….

~ The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them ~

The Organization I will be traveling with & how I chose it

CLICK HERE to HELP me HELP them & DONATE today!

More about this amazing organization called Project Helping Hands!! FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!! (when I am gone and have no contact with anyone they will update daily on their Facebook webpage as to how we are doing!)

I met a friend of a friend that was out here visiting Maui last year and we immediately clicked and became friends exchanging contact information & have been in touch ever since. We both shared a love for helping others and come from different medical backgrounds which I look forward to learning from her!  She told me all about her mission trips and where she has been and what she has done with this organization & she finally put that spark in me to do this!!!   More about her in another post!! Read more about this organization and check out the link below…who knows maybe you will fall in love and we can take a trip together in the future someday!! I am sure this won’t be my only trip with them. From what I have heard…they’re ADDICTING!!

PHH started in the early 1990’s and has been sending teams to developing nations around the world.  Countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bolivia, Kenya, Liberia, Sudan, Uganda and the Philippines.  PHH puts together volunteer teams in countries where there is a recognized need.  They send these volunteer teams of both medical and non-medical into developing nations to provide both medical care along with preventative health services and education.  Their main goal is to hopefully see these areas as self sustaining villages. 

PHH provides a safe environment where team members are well taken care of and the food is always good. In addition, volunteers explore parts of the world very few people see while interacting with locals in a way that’s not possible when travelling as a tourist. Another benefit is the bond that develops among team members and with locals that transcends language and borders.

In 2010 PHH sent more than 170 volunteers on thirteen mission trips providing medical care for nearly 18,000 people in five developing nations!!!  In 2012 PHH expects to sponsor fourteen teams with a total of over 280 volunteers. PHH founder, Jeff Solheim a registered nurse, says the mission statement is simple: “Our goal is to provide quality health care where there is none and develop locally operated clinics in these locations. We also strive to provide an unforgettable personal growth opportunity for the volunteer.”

 

Their mission statement:

“Project Helping Hands is a non-affiliated not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating culturally sensitive growth opportunities for volunteers to provide health and medical intervention programs for those lacking access; to develop sustainable, locally-run health promotion and prevention programs, and to assist with the basic life needs of the less fortunate in developing nations.”

LINK to their website:  www.projecthelpinghands.org

AND PLEASE....even after my trip, continue to watch their website and FOLLOW THEM on FACEBOOK to see all of the amazing things they accomplish around the world.  Donate any amount of money year round to help fund the organization AND I DARE you to sign up for a trip yourself!!

EXPECT JET LAG!!!

CLICK HERE TO HELP me HELP them & DONATE today!

October 8^th ~ I received my unofficial itinerary for the trip today!!

While I haven’t booked my ticked from Maui to Portland yet because they leave from Mainland locations (so, if anyone has some FREQUENT FLIER miles they would like to donate for my extension from Maui to Portland LET ME KNOW!!) here is my itinerary:

                                                                                                                                               

Maui – Portland = 5 hours travel time

Portland – Amsterdam = 10.5 hours travel time

Amsterdam – Nairobi = 8 hours travel time

Total in-flight time being 23.5 hours !!! WOWZER………………..that doesn’t include my layover times and the night I will be spending in Portland before leaving that morning.  AND…then the same travel time back!! It’s all good though, I know my travel will mean so much to these people!!

TIPS from my manual:

• Sleeping pills in your carryon!! A neck pillow, ear plugs & eye shield! The more you sleep on the plane the quicker the trip will go and the better you will feel when you land. 
• Pack activities in your carryon! The length of these trips cannot be over emphasized. Be prepared to combat boredom!!
• Remove your shoes before take-off! Feet swell in the air!
• Wear comfortable clothes on the plane for sleeping, knowing that you will be wearing these same clothes, sometimes for TWO to THREE days!!
• Expect jet lag! General rule of thumb is that for every one hour you move from your home time zone, it takes about one day for your body to adjust.  So traveling 8 time zones, you may feel under the weather and fatigued for 8 days.  TO minimize jet lag, SLEEP lots on the flight over. Adjust your sleeping patterns and try to go to sleep at the time zone we will be arriving in. 

NAIROBI, Kenya is 13 hours ahead of me…So when I come back home I leave Feb 26^th from Kenya and travel 30 hours to arrive back to Porland on Feb 26^th!! CRAZY but FUN!!!

Upon arrival:

When we all arrive we have to purchase an ‘entrance visa’ (basically we pay another entrance fee to get in).  Fill out forms/documents yadda yadda.  Once we pass through customs and immigration, gotten my entry visa, paid my entry tax and gotten my passport stamped, I will need to get my luggage! HOLY moly, all this after about 30 hours of travel time!! When going through immigration with our luggage we are encouraged to feign being a tourist rather than a medical team member with our luggage.  If immigration personnel believe that we have valuable medications and supplies in our luggage, they are more likely to search and “confiscate” these items.  Purpose being to resell them on the black market. In my manual there are many “TIPS” given and one for the travel part is to “ALWAYS be honest with immigration officials when questioned, remain calm and polite, follow their requests and if no options seem available, surrender any supplies that are in question to avoid further problems.  ß sounds scarey when I think about it!!

                                                                                                                                                    

But after all that…we will exit the airport and be greeted by our host who will have ground transportation ready and our adventure begins!!