CLICK here to see the people of Turkana
^^ this video inspired me to pick this region
I have decided to take my love for people and passion for helping others to another level! My dream of helping those in a third world country is starting to become a reality as I took the first steps in applying for a medical mission trip. Before looking at the 2014 line up of different countries to apply for, for some reason unbeknown to me, Africa was where something was telling me to go. And in 2014 there were three scheduled missions heading that direction. After looking at all three trips and where they were headed and what their plans were, my heart was hoping for the Turkana Region in Kenya. There was another trip in a different region in spring that I figured if I didn't get chosen on the smaller trip to Turkana, I would plan for the May one and told myself that wherever I am supposed to be is where I will be sent (even though, deep down Turkana was the location I wanted badly!) So, with much anxiety, questions and doubts that I would be accepted for my first one on an "extreme" rated trip....I filled out my application, wrote my essay , made my donation and hit the send button on the very LAST day applications would be taken! That was August 15th and 12 days later, after receiving multiple applicants, I received my email congratulating me on being 1 of 16 chosen for the Turkana trip this February!! I didn't read the email myself I made Eric read it to me! Little did I know (in a later blog entry I will write) he knew a week before I did that I was going!
And so, it has been four days since receiving my email, and while it definitely hasn't hit me that I am traveling 10,000 miles half way around the world...I am beyond blessed to have been chosen and have already shared excitement with some family and friends. My heart kinda races when I think about it and about how I will be helping some amazing nomadic people in a world I cannot even imagine. This will change me as a person, and to believe that my travels and skills as a nurse have the ability to heal people half a world away that live a life we only read about, is something I am ready to accomplish. To imagine that people don't have all that we do is something we all think about and believe to be true...and I get to actually live it and bring it back to my family and friends first hand.
These next few months will be spent researching this region and these people to learn about them and bring them respect. I will be preparing physically due to disease, walking miles every day and carrying our supplies, I have to get a lot of immunizations before I head out there, and preparing myself mentally to absorb as much as I possibly can from this experience. AND, I will also be busy with funding!!
I plan to use this blog to teach you more about this trip, the organization, what I will be doing and about the people as I learn and research myself. This blog will also help you join me in being a part of helping the people of Kenya. This trip is funded by myself & hopefully some assistance from you. I must pay my own way and all expenses from the day I leave Maui until my return, is my financial responsibility. I will write a blog more about the Project Helping Hands, but this is a non-for profit non-affiliated organization that puts together these teams for medical missions all over the world. I must fundraise and gather donations to help pay not only my way there but for medical supplies that we all must bring with us in order to help these people. Each one of us 16 volunteers will be responsible for obtaining all kinds of medication, supplies and sanitation items to bring to those in Kenya that will be awaiting our arrival for help. ANY amount of money, or a donation that can be sold at silent auctions will be ever so appreciative on my part and the people of Turkana. My goal is to bring as much money to these people in the forms of the basic things they need like toothbrushes, soap, medication, reading glasses, surgeries.... I like to think of myself as a giving person and I enjoy surrounding myself with nothing but good people and look forward to watching the generosity my family and friends are willing to selflessly share and maybe even help get some strangers involved!
I can't even express how excited I am for everything I will be working on these next few months. I will be gone in Kenya only for a few weeks that I am sure will fly by and yet I already know that when we have to say goodbye my heart will wish to stay longer.
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
~Maya Angelou
click below for different options to help!
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION!!!
I THANK YOU and will share with you the difference you help me make!
***You can mail me a check directly and just note inside if you need to receive an official tax deductible donation receipt or not. You may address it to me and write PHH in the memo field please!! (click link above for other options)
160 Keonekai Rd 9-101
Kihei, HI 96753
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