My time here is drawing to a close, and by God's grace I've accomplished more than I had hoped to achieve with this trip.
Ghana Accomplishments:
* Interviewed all teaching staff at KCISS
Purpose: To discover their teaching experience and educational background, their current struggles and their desires for further learning, in order to share with future volunteers so that they can properly prepare for their workshops and training projects
Project: Special Ed Teacher Training (ThWB Special Ed Division)
* Copied Ghana's Special Education Curriculum book
Purpose: To know what the Ghanian government expects teachers to be teaching in special education
Project: Special Ed Teacher Training (ThWB Special Ed Division)
* Copied all students' current files & get their pictures
Purpose: To start ThWB's confidential files on all students/patients served by therapist volunteers which will allow volunteers to prepare for their visit as well as to have a virtual database of therapy, education, and training provided through the past/present/future.
Project: Database (ThWB Special Ed Division)
* Met staff at local hospital and its fledgling "rehab" department
Purpose: Establish official partnership so that when they receive therapist volunteers they know what to expect; also to learn about their hospital so that I can prepare volunteers for their visit.
Project: Service Expansion (ThWB Medical Division)
* Met director of a local NGO, called Project All In Motion, which distributes wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment in addition to facilitating community sensitization and patient re-integration into society
Purpose: Get to know grassroots projects to learn what's been done, their philosophies, projects and support system, and ways ThWB may be able to fulfill needs
Project: Service Expansion (ThWB Wheelchair Provision Division (WPD) & Home Healthcare Division)
* Met director of local NGO, called UNITE, dealing with healthcare and development
Purpose: Get to know grassroots projects
Project: Service Expansion (ThWB Social Welfare Division)
* Identified and profiled several individuals with disabilities, gave initial consultation
Purpose: To find out who are not currently being served and what kind of services they need; to give them hope and some guidance on therapeutic techniques
Project: Database (ThWB Home Healthcare Division)
* Met with directors of 2 other special needs schools in Volta Region
Purpose: To learn how different special education schools are run in the area, their strengths and their needs
Project: Service Expansion (ThWB Special Education Division)
* Established a 'headquarters' for ThWB volunteers in Volta Region
Purpose: Identify where volunteers will stay, how they will be treated when here, the hosts' responsibilities, and have a local person/place for Ghanian organizations to contact if they need to work with ThWB
Project: ThWB Infrastructure
Neuroplasticity: changes that occur in the brain as the result of experience
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
On the Ghana news, Wednesday, 4 May 2011
-- Increased rainfall in the Eastern area caused the Weija Dam to rise above 47 feet. An employee of the Dam explained that 4 of its 5 spillways had to be opened to release the pressure as a precaution, and said that's the only thing they can do with that excess water. They noted the irony of this water being wasted while other parts of Ghana are experiencing drought.
-- Hawking on the streets of Accra is one of the results of people flocking to the city looking for work and not finding any other opportunities. However, hawking has caused such traffic jams that they have imposed a ban over the past year to help traffic flow. Unfortunately, hawkers cannot afford the high price of renting a stall in the market and still end up on the streets.
-- Many of the main streets in Accra are now in the dark due to people stealing the street light cables and breakdowns due to weather, dust, and unreported crashes. Authorities lack funds to repair and address these issues for many reasons, including delays in their grant proposals and denials, and the thieves/hawkers trying to sell them back their stolen, stripped down cables.
-- Hawking on the streets of Accra is one of the results of people flocking to the city looking for work and not finding any other opportunities. However, hawking has caused such traffic jams that they have imposed a ban over the past year to help traffic flow. Unfortunately, hawkers cannot afford the high price of renting a stall in the market and still end up on the streets.
-- Many of the main streets in Accra are now in the dark due to people stealing the street light cables and breakdowns due to weather, dust, and unreported crashes. Authorities lack funds to repair and address these issues for many reasons, including delays in their grant proposals and denials, and the thieves/hawkers trying to sell them back their stolen, stripped down cables.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Ghana day 5
I think I lost a bit of weight in Kenya due to that small bout of food poisoning, and now am gaining the weight back (and them some!) in Ghana because my skirts are getting tight! Children are literally starving from malnutrition in Africa, and this American gains weight. Who'd've thunk it? The food I'm being served so far is delicious; initially too spicy for me but now they've adjusted for me :)
Ghana is clearly more "developed" than Kenya. Most roads are paved and smooth. Most areas have electricity and they are not solar powered. Most places seem to have access to clean water. The city of Accra has a developed traffic system with lane lines and traffic lights. That's about as far as my comparison can go re: development. Otherwise, they also make homes with mud and use a thatched roof, or tin. They also carry enormous weights on their heads hands-free. They also cook using stones, charcoal, and/or firewood. They also have regular police checkpoints along the roads where they try to get money from drivers for things like not using a proper case to hold their license.
My host boasted that "Ghana is the most peaceful country in Africa", "Ghanaians are friendly", and that while corruption does exist around here, it is not as rampant as Kenya. In fact, he said I can reliably mail something from the USA and expect them to receive it on this end!! For mail to get to our recipients in Kenya, we usually mail the package domestically to the next American volunteer to fly out and give it to them directly. Hah!
I spent Thursday through Saturday night in a village called Adaklu, Sunday night in Tokor, and tonight I am not sure the name of the next village. By Tuesday I'll be going to Kpando where I'll spend the rest of my time in Ghana, May 3-17. At Adaklu, I profiled a couple people with disabilities and had 2 meetings with local leaders and committee members. I even met with the surrounding community's chief of chiefs, who said they place their hopes on me and my organization (to help their members with disabilities and their caregivers)... but I was bold and turned it around to express our hope to assist them to help themselves... He wasn't so intimidating as his title may sound... we came across him sitting on a wooden bench under a thatched shade cover wearing a polo shirt and black pants with sandals. This is the modern day African even in the rural parts :-)
Yesterday in Tokor I met the "Queen's spokesperson" for the community. Apparently the Queen is in Accra on business, and in her absence is an older lady named Comfort. Oh yes, other Ghanaian names I liked are: Mission, Precious, and Mercy.
All day Saturday and most of the day on Sunday, hundreds from around the village of Adaklu gathered in and around my host's compound to celebrate what they told me was a rare occasion, which they see as miraculous and worth all this loud music, singing and dancing... One man survived a car accident (he stood up and showed his right collar bone, which he said broke and "they tied [his] arm back") and a woman gave birth to two healthy daughters despite medical and financial problems.
Puts life into perspective, doesn't it?
Ghana is clearly more "developed" than Kenya. Most roads are paved and smooth. Most areas have electricity and they are not solar powered. Most places seem to have access to clean water. The city of Accra has a developed traffic system with lane lines and traffic lights. That's about as far as my comparison can go re: development. Otherwise, they also make homes with mud and use a thatched roof, or tin. They also carry enormous weights on their heads hands-free. They also cook using stones, charcoal, and/or firewood. They also have regular police checkpoints along the roads where they try to get money from drivers for things like not using a proper case to hold their license.
My host boasted that "Ghana is the most peaceful country in Africa", "Ghanaians are friendly", and that while corruption does exist around here, it is not as rampant as Kenya. In fact, he said I can reliably mail something from the USA and expect them to receive it on this end!! For mail to get to our recipients in Kenya, we usually mail the package domestically to the next American volunteer to fly out and give it to them directly. Hah!
I spent Thursday through Saturday night in a village called Adaklu, Sunday night in Tokor, and tonight I am not sure the name of the next village. By Tuesday I'll be going to Kpando where I'll spend the rest of my time in Ghana, May 3-17. At Adaklu, I profiled a couple people with disabilities and had 2 meetings with local leaders and committee members. I even met with the surrounding community's chief of chiefs, who said they place their hopes on me and my organization (to help their members with disabilities and their caregivers)... but I was bold and turned it around to express our hope to assist them to help themselves... He wasn't so intimidating as his title may sound... we came across him sitting on a wooden bench under a thatched shade cover wearing a polo shirt and black pants with sandals. This is the modern day African even in the rural parts :-)
Yesterday in Tokor I met the "Queen's spokesperson" for the community. Apparently the Queen is in Accra on business, and in her absence is an older lady named Comfort. Oh yes, other Ghanaian names I liked are: Mission, Precious, and Mercy.
All day Saturday and most of the day on Sunday, hundreds from around the village of Adaklu gathered in and around my host's compound to celebrate what they told me was a rare occasion, which they see as miraculous and worth all this loud music, singing and dancing... One man survived a car accident (he stood up and showed his right collar bone, which he said broke and "they tied [his] arm back") and a woman gave birth to two healthy daughters despite medical and financial problems.
Puts life into perspective, doesn't it?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Nairobi again, en route to Ghana
My flight is at 3:30am, so I am hanging out in the in-country coordinator's apartment. I have completed my month in Kenya, and it has been a great success! I apologize for not updating the blog more often, though I have had access to internet at least once a week. The problem has been that a weird series of full page ads crop up instead of my log in page whenever I open blogger, and I haven't been able to find how to close them out or avoid them without clicking on anything on it... and since connection speeds have been, say, less than optimal, I've decided to wait it out.
Let me start by clarifying a few things about living standards in rural Kenya. I didn't HAVE to cut my hair short; as far as I know, no other volunteer does this prior to visiting and they are perfectly fine and happy! For myself, I am impatient with vanity and have thick hair that grows fast, so I wanted to cut it anyway.
Also, I have not been attacked by insects, either in the showers, toilets, out and about, sleeping, or anywhere! I had a couple bite here and there, but they were gone within 24 hours, and I haven't even been wearing repellent! They say it's mosquito time because it's rainy season, but really, considering I had suffered over 40 bites within 2 weeks in Belize last year, it must be super safe for any traveler here. I almost wondered if it were necessary to let down the mosquito net around my bed every night, since I nary saw one any evening.
Things have also changed since the last time I was here in 2008; electricity is coming to one village, and had expanded in other villages! Some roads have been paved, and a toilet has been installed at Dago village (one where you pour water in to flush) for volunteers.
I did achieve the goals I set for my trip here, except for reading Harry Potter every day... I realized the kids had enough trouble with my American accent without my having to explain things like streetlights, office buildings, and zoos for them (all in the first book).
In addition to profiling at least 30 people with disabilities in the 3 villages, I've interviewed 11 candidates for the Butterfly Project, 29 students being sponsored or needing sponsorships at Namunyak, made several series of videos for Village Volunteers' YouTube channel for fundraising efforts, discussed starting 3 special education schools and/or rehabilitation clinics at each of the programs, been introduced to a school for the Deaf in Kitale as well as a rare public school accepting kids with physical disabilities, measured 4 people who might benefit from a fitted wheelchair, talked about providing counseling/mental health services and their needs at each of the villages, and even joined in on a mobile clinic outreach effort in a slum called Kipsongo, in which hundreds of men, women and children pushed and shoved to get in to the one room where we were treating wounds, removing jiggers, dispensing medicine, and injecting shots.... I've never ever seen anything like it.
After the first couple weeks, I was already on the verge of tears, having come across so many desperate, seemingly hopeless situations. The day after the overwhelming outreach clinic, I received news of the results of Kevin's doctor appointment. It's not elephantiasis - it's a tumor that has spread its infection to his thigh (not pictured), and damaged the integrity of his bones from the knee down, and will have to be amputated.
I finally allowed myself to cry that night.
How is it fair, in this world in 2011, that a boy with so much ahead of him will now have to lose his leg because something wasn't identified and treated properly earlier? It wasn't just Kevin's situation that got to me, nor the hundreds of sufferers begging for the most basic care, nor the other 30 cases I had profiled for therapeutic help. It was the gaping disparity between the two worlds I live in - the American one that suffers from affluenza and the rest of the world that seems to suffer from everything else... or sometimes from the symptoms of the former.
But I have hope, just like all the caregivers who thanked me for visiting them, asking about them, caring about them. I recovered myself from the tears with the knowledge that, though we couldn't save Kevin's leg, we can save his life. I tried to remember that the whole purpose of my month in Kenya was to discover what and where the needs are, and then send the right people, finances, and opportunities to fulfill those needs. That I just happened to be the first to find and try to help them, so it starts off appearing more hopeless and helpless. That if I didn't come around doing so at this time, we don't know who could have died waiting, or how long caregivers would have suffered in silence, wondering what their child with a disability is going to do when they die because he can't take care of himself. As soon as I can encourage others to care enough to help personally or financially, lives will no doubt get better.
We'll see what the next 3 weeks in Ghana will bring.
Let me start by clarifying a few things about living standards in rural Kenya. I didn't HAVE to cut my hair short; as far as I know, no other volunteer does this prior to visiting and they are perfectly fine and happy! For myself, I am impatient with vanity and have thick hair that grows fast, so I wanted to cut it anyway.
Also, I have not been attacked by insects, either in the showers, toilets, out and about, sleeping, or anywhere! I had a couple bite here and there, but they were gone within 24 hours, and I haven't even been wearing repellent! They say it's mosquito time because it's rainy season, but really, considering I had suffered over 40 bites within 2 weeks in Belize last year, it must be super safe for any traveler here. I almost wondered if it were necessary to let down the mosquito net around my bed every night, since I nary saw one any evening.
Things have also changed since the last time I was here in 2008; electricity is coming to one village, and had expanded in other villages! Some roads have been paved, and a toilet has been installed at Dago village (one where you pour water in to flush) for volunteers.
I did achieve the goals I set for my trip here, except for reading Harry Potter every day... I realized the kids had enough trouble with my American accent without my having to explain things like streetlights, office buildings, and zoos for them (all in the first book).
In addition to profiling at least 30 people with disabilities in the 3 villages, I've interviewed 11 candidates for the Butterfly Project, 29 students being sponsored or needing sponsorships at Namunyak, made several series of videos for Village Volunteers' YouTube channel for fundraising efforts, discussed starting 3 special education schools and/or rehabilitation clinics at each of the programs, been introduced to a school for the Deaf in Kitale as well as a rare public school accepting kids with physical disabilities, measured 4 people who might benefit from a fitted wheelchair, talked about providing counseling/mental health services and their needs at each of the villages, and even joined in on a mobile clinic outreach effort in a slum called Kipsongo, in which hundreds of men, women and children pushed and shoved to get in to the one room where we were treating wounds, removing jiggers, dispensing medicine, and injecting shots.... I've never ever seen anything like it.
After the first couple weeks, I was already on the verge of tears, having come across so many desperate, seemingly hopeless situations. The day after the overwhelming outreach clinic, I received news of the results of Kevin's doctor appointment. It's not elephantiasis - it's a tumor that has spread its infection to his thigh (not pictured), and damaged the integrity of his bones from the knee down, and will have to be amputated.
I finally allowed myself to cry that night.
How is it fair, in this world in 2011, that a boy with so much ahead of him will now have to lose his leg because something wasn't identified and treated properly earlier? It wasn't just Kevin's situation that got to me, nor the hundreds of sufferers begging for the most basic care, nor the other 30 cases I had profiled for therapeutic help. It was the gaping disparity between the two worlds I live in - the American one that suffers from affluenza and the rest of the world that seems to suffer from everything else... or sometimes from the symptoms of the former.
But I have hope, just like all the caregivers who thanked me for visiting them, asking about them, caring about them. I recovered myself from the tears with the knowledge that, though we couldn't save Kevin's leg, we can save his life. I tried to remember that the whole purpose of my month in Kenya was to discover what and where the needs are, and then send the right people, finances, and opportunities to fulfill those needs. That I just happened to be the first to find and try to help them, so it starts off appearing more hopeless and helpless. That if I didn't come around doing so at this time, we don't know who could have died waiting, or how long caregivers would have suffered in silence, wondering what their child with a disability is going to do when they die because he can't take care of himself. As soon as I can encourage others to care enough to help personally or financially, lives will no doubt get better.
We'll see what the next 3 weeks in Ghana will bring.
Monday, April 4, 2011
5-day update
Emmanuel's 3rd child, Shiloh, has been home from his boarding school for Easter break, but today he has to return to school so I came along to be able to go to a cyber cafe in a town that's on the way, called Kericho. Emmanuel's currently about town with him running errands, so he will come back in a bit to pick me up to return to the village. I'm on the computer for personal and business reasons: while I'm blogging, I'm uploading videos for another Village Volunteer project. Therefore, I don't want to insert pictures to the blog today because YouSendIt.com is being frustrating, estimating anywhere from 1 hr 45 minutes left till 10 hrs 38 minutes. Shoot me now.
Here is a pictureless summary:
3/31 Thursday
Nearly 2 hours in Nairobi morning rush hour traffic to get to the shuttle. Fortunately, that at least meant I had less wait time for the shuttle to fill before we could leave, about 45 minutes. Left the station at 9:30am.
11:00 flat tire. Fixed within 10 minutes!
12:00 arrived into town called Narok. Delayed for reasons I will explain at another time.
2:00 depart Narok
5:00 arrive Kilgoris. Reunion with Emmauel, who came to pick me up in his own car. Quick snack on chai and chapati rolled with egg. Drive 45mins-1 hr to his home from Kilgoris (Emmanuel says it would only take 15 minutes if the roads were paved or smooth)
4/1 Friday
Tour Sirua Aulo Academy. I was the first volunteer on site when the school opened in 2008. They had a couple temporary structures at the time, and about 70 students. Now they have nearly 300 students and a couple permanent buildings, including classrooms and dorms! The rest of the day was spent updating each other about our lives and goals. We also planned there rest of my stay. That evening, we tried to download Skype onto a laptop someone donated to Emmanuel, using wireless internet out in the village, but after an hour we drained the battery and didn't accomplish anything because there was basically no signal. Oh well, we tried.
4/2 Saturday
Sirua Aulo Academy had also been on Easter break, and school would start again on Monday. Staff returned Saturday to prepare and have meetings... and Emmanuel wanted me to start things off with an introduction to special needs and special education. He says it went well, though I always think my presentation skills need a lot of work. We first reviewed the book I brought, "Don't Call Me Special" to introduce the topic, and we had a bit of a discussion about it. It is such a good book that it led to a great start. The teachers said they learned that children with disabilities can and should be included in the same activities as everyone else; that they don't want to be labeled; that they can surprise us with great skills; that they can succeed given assistance. It was a new concept for everyone, they admitted.
I summarized a few of the most common disorders we encounter in the States (autism spectrum disorder, ADD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc), and they had never heard of any of them, but they said they knew people or children who matched the symptoms I described. In fact, they said there were some in the school they thought fit the descriptions, but didn't know they might have a disability. I will have my work cut out for me in the next couple weeks, identifying them and giving the teachers strategies. I did clarify that I cannot diagnose anything but communication disorders; it is otherwise the role of a psychologist or doctor to diagnose disorders.
A discussion followed, about Kenyans' perspective on disorders, disabilities, witchcraft, stigmas, fear, etc. Fascinating stuff, but we were all looking forward to a future where that's a thing of the past.
After a tea break, Emmanuel kicked off their staff meeting and I stepped out to the library to prepare for the following day's trainings.
4/3 Sunday
For the first part of an hour, I presented information based on a printout of slides from a lecture given by Iowa's Area Education Agency (AEA) on building a robust vocabulary in students. I used the "Don't Call Me Special" book to give the staff practice on the techniques, then split them into partners with a variety of books to practice and then present to the rest of us. We got to see each other teach, and gave feedback about strengths and areas for improvement. The whole thing lasted about 2.5 hours, and it was a blast.
It was the same in Peru -- teachers love pretending to be students, and the worst students at that! They tease each other, there's lots of laughing, and a lot of encouragement. Emmanuel said the staff needed this opportunity to interact with each other. One of the staff gave a speech to thank me, and then we did a closing prayer. It was a good day.
In the late afternoon back at home, Shiloh and I used another laptop of Emmanuel's to watch "The Medallion". I suspect someone donated that other laptop to Emmanuel because this one was old and the battery lasted less than 2/3rd the movie (not sure how much of the movie was left actually, bc I've never seen it). Poor Shiloh; he'd been waiting forever to watch it and now couldn't finish until the end of the month, when he returns home for another break. His school doesn't have electricity either.
4/4 Monday
This morning we stopped by Sirua Aulo to make the videos I am currently sending to Village Volunteers. We stopped by a small town on the way to Kericho to have a simple snack which I found absolutely delicious: ndazi with egg. No picture because I accidentally left the camera in the car when we left it to be washed while we ate. Maybe we'll have it again on the way home :-)
So that brings us to me here and now. Until next time!
Here is a pictureless summary:
3/31 Thursday
Nearly 2 hours in Nairobi morning rush hour traffic to get to the shuttle. Fortunately, that at least meant I had less wait time for the shuttle to fill before we could leave, about 45 minutes. Left the station at 9:30am.
11:00 flat tire. Fixed within 10 minutes!
12:00 arrived into town called Narok. Delayed for reasons I will explain at another time.
2:00 depart Narok
5:00 arrive Kilgoris. Reunion with Emmauel, who came to pick me up in his own car. Quick snack on chai and chapati rolled with egg. Drive 45mins-1 hr to his home from Kilgoris (Emmanuel says it would only take 15 minutes if the roads were paved or smooth)
4/1 Friday
Tour Sirua Aulo Academy. I was the first volunteer on site when the school opened in 2008. They had a couple temporary structures at the time, and about 70 students. Now they have nearly 300 students and a couple permanent buildings, including classrooms and dorms! The rest of the day was spent updating each other about our lives and goals. We also planned there rest of my stay. That evening, we tried to download Skype onto a laptop someone donated to Emmanuel, using wireless internet out in the village, but after an hour we drained the battery and didn't accomplish anything because there was basically no signal. Oh well, we tried.
4/2 Saturday
Sirua Aulo Academy had also been on Easter break, and school would start again on Monday. Staff returned Saturday to prepare and have meetings... and Emmanuel wanted me to start things off with an introduction to special needs and special education. He says it went well, though I always think my presentation skills need a lot of work. We first reviewed the book I brought, "Don't Call Me Special" to introduce the topic, and we had a bit of a discussion about it. It is such a good book that it led to a great start. The teachers said they learned that children with disabilities can and should be included in the same activities as everyone else; that they don't want to be labeled; that they can surprise us with great skills; that they can succeed given assistance. It was a new concept for everyone, they admitted.
I summarized a few of the most common disorders we encounter in the States (autism spectrum disorder, ADD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc), and they had never heard of any of them, but they said they knew people or children who matched the symptoms I described. In fact, they said there were some in the school they thought fit the descriptions, but didn't know they might have a disability. I will have my work cut out for me in the next couple weeks, identifying them and giving the teachers strategies. I did clarify that I cannot diagnose anything but communication disorders; it is otherwise the role of a psychologist or doctor to diagnose disorders.
A discussion followed, about Kenyans' perspective on disorders, disabilities, witchcraft, stigmas, fear, etc. Fascinating stuff, but we were all looking forward to a future where that's a thing of the past.
After a tea break, Emmanuel kicked off their staff meeting and I stepped out to the library to prepare for the following day's trainings.
4/3 Sunday
For the first part of an hour, I presented information based on a printout of slides from a lecture given by Iowa's Area Education Agency (AEA) on building a robust vocabulary in students. I used the "Don't Call Me Special" book to give the staff practice on the techniques, then split them into partners with a variety of books to practice and then present to the rest of us. We got to see each other teach, and gave feedback about strengths and areas for improvement. The whole thing lasted about 2.5 hours, and it was a blast.
It was the same in Peru -- teachers love pretending to be students, and the worst students at that! They tease each other, there's lots of laughing, and a lot of encouragement. Emmanuel said the staff needed this opportunity to interact with each other. One of the staff gave a speech to thank me, and then we did a closing prayer. It was a good day.
In the late afternoon back at home, Shiloh and I used another laptop of Emmanuel's to watch "The Medallion". I suspect someone donated that other laptop to Emmanuel because this one was old and the battery lasted less than 2/3rd the movie (not sure how much of the movie was left actually, bc I've never seen it). Poor Shiloh; he'd been waiting forever to watch it and now couldn't finish until the end of the month, when he returns home for another break. His school doesn't have electricity either.
4/4 Monday
This morning we stopped by Sirua Aulo to make the videos I am currently sending to Village Volunteers. We stopped by a small town on the way to Kericho to have a simple snack which I found absolutely delicious: ndazi with egg. No picture because I accidentally left the camera in the car when we left it to be washed while we ate. Maybe we'll have it again on the way home :-)
So that brings us to me here and now. Until next time!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Water and Power
Hi everyone! It is 1:30am in Nairobi and 5:30pm in Chicago. I arrived safely and with all my stuff intact and not stolen :)
And the Kenyan visa was only $25 USD this time, instead of $50...
I landed after 8:30pm and was picked up within an hour (after immigration, long wait for the baggage, and a quick stop at an ATM). Had a late dinner with Wendy, Kenya's wonderful in-country coordinator and city host, and we talked till 12:30am! We agreed that even though the last time I was here was 2008 it only felt like last year at the longest, or yesterday.
Nairobi is like most major cities with all the modern amenities of internet, plumbing, and 24-hour electricity. Depending on a volunteer's arrival time and preferences, volunteers stay overnight in Nairobi before embarking on the long shuttle rides out to the villages the following morning. The shuttles don't have a set departure time; they wait in the lot until the seats are filled. Since it's a weekday, people are less likely to want to go to villages, so I may end up waiting there for 3 hours... we never know! Wendy recommends leaving her home by 6am or 6:30 at the latest, so that I can at least pick a good seat. There are some uncomfortable middle seats or back seats that I'd want to avoid having to sit in for the 8-10 hour rides.
Weatherwise, I feel like it's a perfect, cozy room-temperature, indoors and out. That means some Kenyans are wearing sweaters tonight and I'll be the one sweating by the time the sun comes out. :: sigh ::
In any case, this really will be the last time I'll have internet for a while. So I figured I should take this opportunity to post something of mild interest before you have to wait a while for my next update. I wanted to show you how I sterilize water with a SteriPen, and show off my trusty universal plug.
Cleaning Water
First I fill my bottle up to .5 liter or more. Then I push twice on my SteriPen for .5 L or once for 1 L and wait for the little green light to flash.
Next I immerse it into the water and when the SteriPen senses liquid, its ultraviolet light switches on to eliminates over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and protozoa that cause water-borne illness. I agitate the water to ensure full penetration. After about a minute, the light turns off to indicate it's done.
After drying off and wiping down the edge of the bottle with anti-bacterial stuff, it is safe to drink directly from it. This is also water that I must use for brushing my teeth.
Universal Plug
And the Kenyan visa was only $25 USD this time, instead of $50...
I landed after 8:30pm and was picked up within an hour (after immigration, long wait for the baggage, and a quick stop at an ATM). Had a late dinner with Wendy, Kenya's wonderful in-country coordinator and city host, and we talked till 12:30am! We agreed that even though the last time I was here was 2008 it only felt like last year at the longest, or yesterday.
Nairobi is like most major cities with all the modern amenities of internet, plumbing, and 24-hour electricity. Depending on a volunteer's arrival time and preferences, volunteers stay overnight in Nairobi before embarking on the long shuttle rides out to the villages the following morning. The shuttles don't have a set departure time; they wait in the lot until the seats are filled. Since it's a weekday, people are less likely to want to go to villages, so I may end up waiting there for 3 hours... we never know! Wendy recommends leaving her home by 6am or 6:30 at the latest, so that I can at least pick a good seat. There are some uncomfortable middle seats or back seats that I'd want to avoid having to sit in for the 8-10 hour rides.
Weatherwise, I feel like it's a perfect, cozy room-temperature, indoors and out. That means some Kenyans are wearing sweaters tonight and I'll be the one sweating by the time the sun comes out. :: sigh ::
In any case, this really will be the last time I'll have internet for a while. So I figured I should take this opportunity to post something of mild interest before you have to wait a while for my next update. I wanted to show you how I sterilize water with a SteriPen, and show off my trusty universal plug.
Cleaning Water
First I fill my bottle up to .5 liter or more. Then I push twice on my SteriPen for .5 L or once for 1 L and wait for the little green light to flash.
After drying off and wiping down the edge of the bottle with anti-bacterial stuff, it is safe to drink directly from it. This is also water that I must use for brushing my teeth.
Universal Plug
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Goals for Kenya
Namunyak Maasai Welfare: April 1-12
Dago Dala Hera: April 12-20
Sister Freda's Foundation: April 20-27
- video clips for fundraising, website updates, and other stuff
- workshops and trainings for teachers on special education, literacy development, and other stuff
- interview, profile kids with disabilities around the community; caregiver consultation and training
- interview, gather info, discuss with Emmanuel for the book we want to write about his life
- work with Emmanuel to decide everything he wants for the website I'll create for him upon return, about his NGO and school
- profile children who need or have sponsors for website and sponsor updates
- determine people appropriate for wheelchairs and gather preliminary measurements
- Read to the children after school every day (Harry Potter!!!!)
Dago Dala Hera: April 12-20
- video clips for fundraising, website updates, and other stuff
- interview, profile kids with disabilities around the community; caregiver consultation and training
- gather caregivers to meet each other to form a support group
- determine people appropriate for wheelchairs and gather preliminary measurements
- discuss possibility of sending special education teachers to train a local teacher to run a special education program (which I had visited in 2008 but had since stopped because that teacher left and now those students with special needs have nowhere to go)
Sister Freda's Foundation: April 20-27
- video clips for fundraising, website updates, and other stuff
- interview, profile kids with disabilities around the community; caregiver consultation and training
- determine people appropriate for wheelchairs and gather preliminary measurements
- learn about the programs here: hospital, orphan feeding, clinic, etc. and determine therapy needs (this will be my first visit to this village)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sample of Expenses for 7 weeks in Africa
Medical Prevention
Travel Medicine Consultation: $42
Mefloquine (anti-malarial): 14 count = $173.18
Azithromycin (for traveler's diarrhea): 10 count = $152.59
Oral typhoid: $84
Flu shot: $9.67
Immunization administration: $21.83
Hep A vaccine: $112
Immunization administration: $23
Consult with PA about whether I should take birth control to postpone menstruation for duration of trip (conclusion was no): $113
My insurance won't pay for these because it's preventative... I haven't yet received the bill for my meningitis, MMR, and Tdap shots (and their administration costs!)
Donations
10 skirts from thrift stores which I can wear and donate: $30
25 children's books from thrift stores: about $10
5 copies of "Don't Call Me Special", which I recently discovered at Barnes & Noble (one for each village I will visit): $42
Suitcase from Goodwill: $4.99
Haircut at nice salon near downtown participating in Locks of Love: $10 tip, $3 parking, $5 in gas
Copies of documents I will use for trainings and workshops: $10
Insurance
Village Volunteers fees (covering housing, water, 3 meals/day, in-country transport, escorts, logistics coordination, etc): $2,365
Ghana visa (Embassy cost $60 + processing service $59): $119
Kenya visa (paid at airport upon arrival): $50
Flights
25 children's books from thrift stores: about $10
5 copies of "Don't Call Me Special", which I recently discovered at Barnes & Noble (one for each village I will visit): $42
Suitcase from Goodwill: $4.99
Haircut at nice salon near downtown participating in Locks of Love: $10 tip, $3 parking, $5 in gas
Copies of documents I will use for trainings and workshops: $10
Insurance
Travel medical insurance (from March 2-May 19 with $250 deductible and policy max at $1,000,000): $98.10
Traveler's insurance (for same period): $90.40
MedjetAssist Annual Membership (since I will be traveling overseas more than a few times in a year): $250
--> This is not an insurance plan. "As a member, if you are ever hospitalized 150 miles or more away from home, MedjetAssist will arrange for medical transfer to the hospital of your choice — at no additional charge. No transportation cost limitations. No pre-existing condition exclusions." <--
Traveler's insurance (for same period): $90.40
MedjetAssist Annual Membership (since I will be traveling overseas more than a few times in a year): $250
--> This is not an insurance plan. "As a member, if you are ever hospitalized 150 miles or more away from home, MedjetAssist will arrange for medical transfer to the hospital of your choice — at no additional charge. No transportation cost limitations. No pre-existing condition exclusions." <--
Fees
Village Volunteers fees (covering housing, water, 3 meals/day, in-country transport, escorts, logistics coordination, etc): $2,365
Ghana visa (Embassy cost $60 + processing service $59): $119
Kenya visa (paid at airport upon arrival): $50
Flights
Chicago to Nairobi via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Kenya Airways: $779.57
Nairobi to Accra via Ethiopian Airlines: $568
Accra to Chicago via Alitalia: $1134.70
Nairobi to Accra via Ethiopian Airlines: $568
Accra to Chicago via Alitalia: $1134.70
Dear shower in my bathroom,
We're not breaking up; I just think we need to spend some time away from each other for a while. You are strong, hot and steamy. I'm going to miss you.
XOXO,
Linda
XOXO,
Linda
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Travel plans
Here's how it will work: I fly from Chicago to Amsterdam (4 hr layover) to Nairobi, arriving at 8:15pm March 30 via Kenya Airways.
March 31: take 8-10 hour bus ride to Oronkai village, transfer from bus to matatu (mini-van taxi) or be picked up by Emmanuel, local host
April 12: Go on to Dago village
April 20: Go on to Sister Freda's Foundation in Kitale
April 27: Return to Nairobi to catch a flight at 3:30am on April 28 via Ethiopian Airlines to Accra, Ghana
April 28: Arrive in Accra at 11:35am; work in Volta region
May 17: Return to Accra and depart at 11:45pm to Rome (3 hr layover) to Chicago by May 18 at 1:35pm.
March 31: take 8-10 hour bus ride to Oronkai village, transfer from bus to matatu (mini-van taxi) or be picked up by Emmanuel, local host
April 12: Go on to Dago village
April 20: Go on to Sister Freda's Foundation in Kitale
April 27: Return to Nairobi to catch a flight at 3:30am on April 28 via Ethiopian Airlines to Accra, Ghana
April 28: Arrive in Accra at 11:35am; work in Volta region
May 17: Return to Accra and depart at 11:45pm to Rome (3 hr layover) to Chicago by May 18 at 1:35pm.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Less hair = More water
I don't like having long hair in Africa. Besides it being uncomfortable in the hot weather, there is a very practical reason for preferring shorter hair while out there: to conserve time and resources.
Depending on the village, families might have rain collection tanks as their water source, or river water, or if they're lucky, they have a well. In most places, you use bucket of water and a cup for your "shower". In some places, you might be lucky to have running water and a stand-up shower like you're used to in the West.
I don't mean to discourage anyone from volunteering. It's just like going camping. In fact, you can also use camping shower bags that past volunteers have donated. You can bring one of your own, of course.
In the end, less hair means using less water and firewood or coals, and spending less time in the stall with uninvited flying guests. Also, the haircut, valued at over $50, was free because the salon was a partner with Locks of Love and I had 10" of untreated hair to donate.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Workshop
As usual, I spent a long time preparing to present something that ended up being scrapped anyway! I meant to present for at least 45 minutes on visual aids for expressive/receptive language, but we miscommunicated about where we would meet for the session and started a full half hour late. However, we did end up doing a full 2 hours anyway, and I think it went well.
Having skipped that part of the lesson, we quickly reviewed that communication is based upon expressive/receptive language, then dove right into how to use their limited material/toys to target many areas of development at all levels of difficulty. This brought on many other areas that I didn't expect to talk about or teach, such as how to contain a child who cannot stay seated, pay attention, or even keep hands down. Celeste and I demonstrated how to position ourselves and one or more children who are wild, and how to use immediate reinforcement and praise. We also talked about using the toys and a token system to increase kids' ability to work. The teachers listened, observed, asked questions, and finally paired up to practice these techniques. Then each pair took it in turns to present to the class what they practiced and learned, and we reviewed what the teachers did well and discussed areas of improvement.
It was a great time for all; the information seemed to have been well-received and it was great to see them try out what we just talked about. Definitely a very rewarding day. Tomorrow I'll follow up and see if the teachers can incorporate the lessons immediately into real time situations where kids are pulling hairs and throwing toys, rather than the laugh fest we had with teachers only pretending.
It's been a great week overall. Even though we didn't really have exact plans for my visit, I think it worked well for me to have observed each class for part of the day each day, then taken that and turned it into some valuable lessons for the teachers. It wouldn't have been as respectful or productive if I had just dropped in and tried to push my agenda without having seen what they're up against, absorbed their culture a bit, or determined their current abilities.
I hope to never get tired of being a travel therapist. And I hope to be able to give others the same rewarding experience and knowledge exchange soon, with Therapists Without Borders. This is what it's all about.
Having skipped that part of the lesson, we quickly reviewed that communication is based upon expressive/receptive language, then dove right into how to use their limited material/toys to target many areas of development at all levels of difficulty. This brought on many other areas that I didn't expect to talk about or teach, such as how to contain a child who cannot stay seated, pay attention, or even keep hands down. Celeste and I demonstrated how to position ourselves and one or more children who are wild, and how to use immediate reinforcement and praise. We also talked about using the toys and a token system to increase kids' ability to work. The teachers listened, observed, asked questions, and finally paired up to practice these techniques. Then each pair took it in turns to present to the class what they practiced and learned, and we reviewed what the teachers did well and discussed areas of improvement.
It was a great time for all; the information seemed to have been well-received and it was great to see them try out what we just talked about. Definitely a very rewarding day. Tomorrow I'll follow up and see if the teachers can incorporate the lessons immediately into real time situations where kids are pulling hairs and throwing toys, rather than the laugh fest we had with teachers only pretending.
It's been a great week overall. Even though we didn't really have exact plans for my visit, I think it worked well for me to have observed each class for part of the day each day, then taken that and turned it into some valuable lessons for the teachers. It wouldn't have been as respectful or productive if I had just dropped in and tried to push my agenda without having seen what they're up against, absorbed their culture a bit, or determined their current abilities.
I hope to never get tired of being a travel therapist. And I hope to be able to give others the same rewarding experience and knowledge exchange soon, with Therapists Without Borders. This is what it's all about.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Cusco 5-day summary
March 2 - Chicago to Mexico City. 11:20pm flight to Lima, Peru, was canceled. Stuck in Mexico for 24 hrs.
March 3 - Fun sightseeing Mexico City. Caught next 11:20pm flight to Lima.
March 4 - Lima into Cusco 9:15am. Very quick tour of Camino Nuevo's campus (but no school in session yet), quick lunch with Director of Manos Unidas, who suggested I take the next couple days to adjust to the high altitude, culture, language, and jetlag. So I napped till evening's dinner party with said Director and her friends.
March 5 - Walked around San Blas area of Cusco and took a "city tour" of 5 archeological sites.
March 6 - With Director & her friends to Pisaq's Carnival festival, during which children enjoy throwing water balloons, dumping buckets of water, and squirting water guns and spraying foam on people... Loved it!
March 7 - FINALLY spent the day meeting staff and students at Camino Nuevo! First day of school back from break; Came home more fulfilled and excited than 3 days of being a tourist. This will definitely be a primary destination for professional therapist volunteers. They are receptive to outside assistance, have a vast list of needs, and have plenty of work for any therapist. I still would love to get trained Spanish interpreters for therapists involved!!!!
Today I only spent assisting in 3 classrooms. In one class, the teacher was feeding a child with severe cerebral palsy when I came in. His head was rolled to the side and he was tied to a wooden upright chair so he wouldn't fall over. She reported that he doesn't chew and drools a lot. Boy am I glad (or, boy are they lucky) that I've got a dysphagia background. I taught the teacher how to support his head and body upright (since his wheelchair is too heavy to bring from home, apparently), use a smaller spoon with a soft tip, mash/puree all food, present only a half teaspoon amount, have him help hold the spoon and watch it approach his own mouth, and activate his lips to clear the bolus rather than bite on the spoon... And lo and behold, he chewed and swallowed and minimized drool almost to none, and feeding was a happy experience now he gets to participate. I also taught the teacher how to clean his mouth after each meal (which is extremely important since all his teeth looked like cavities, his gums were 100% inflamed as well as his cheeks... You betcha I said he HAS to be seen by a dentist ASAP), and how to give him drinks (using a sippy cup instead of from an open cup)
In another classroom with children with autism and down's syndrome, things were ... out of hand. Kids (about 6-7 years old) were putting blocks and toys in their mouths, one kid kept grabbing and pulling and trying to bite another kid's hair, another pulled his pants down to indicate he needed the toilet, another freaked out (tears, screaming, jumping, pulling others' hair and clothes) for no apparent reason and couldn't be calmed... There's a lot of work to be done... And finally I observed the afternoon class with the young adults, and helped a bit there too (though it was very calm in comparison hehe)
The plan now is that Tuesday I'll observe and help the rest of the classes.
Wednesday I'll actually go out into the rural villages to see how ThWB therapists can support families in the homes and communities.
Thursday afternoon I'll host a workshop for the teachers on communication and the many ways to use toys to teach different lessons (esp. regarding expressive/receptive language).
Friday I suppose I'll wrap things up in the classes, and in the evening I'll take a train up to Machu Picchu to spend the night.
Saturday Machu Picchu and then return in the evening.
Sunday all day outdoor rock climbing!
Monday fly back to Chicago via Lima and Mexico City again...
Tuesday finally arrive home.
I do have a lot of pictures, but as I am quite exhausted and slightly overwhelmed tonight, I'll post them another day. Buenas noches!
March 3 - Fun sightseeing Mexico City. Caught next 11:20pm flight to Lima.
March 4 - Lima into Cusco 9:15am. Very quick tour of Camino Nuevo's campus (but no school in session yet), quick lunch with Director of Manos Unidas, who suggested I take the next couple days to adjust to the high altitude, culture, language, and jetlag. So I napped till evening's dinner party with said Director and her friends.
March 5 - Walked around San Blas area of Cusco and took a "city tour" of 5 archeological sites.
March 6 - With Director & her friends to Pisaq's Carnival festival, during which children enjoy throwing water balloons, dumping buckets of water, and squirting water guns and spraying foam on people... Loved it!
March 7 - FINALLY spent the day meeting staff and students at Camino Nuevo! First day of school back from break; Came home more fulfilled and excited than 3 days of being a tourist. This will definitely be a primary destination for professional therapist volunteers. They are receptive to outside assistance, have a vast list of needs, and have plenty of work for any therapist. I still would love to get trained Spanish interpreters for therapists involved!!!!
Today I only spent assisting in 3 classrooms. In one class, the teacher was feeding a child with severe cerebral palsy when I came in. His head was rolled to the side and he was tied to a wooden upright chair so he wouldn't fall over. She reported that he doesn't chew and drools a lot. Boy am I glad (or, boy are they lucky) that I've got a dysphagia background. I taught the teacher how to support his head and body upright (since his wheelchair is too heavy to bring from home, apparently), use a smaller spoon with a soft tip, mash/puree all food, present only a half teaspoon amount, have him help hold the spoon and watch it approach his own mouth, and activate his lips to clear the bolus rather than bite on the spoon... And lo and behold, he chewed and swallowed and minimized drool almost to none, and feeding was a happy experience now he gets to participate. I also taught the teacher how to clean his mouth after each meal (which is extremely important since all his teeth looked like cavities, his gums were 100% inflamed as well as his cheeks... You betcha I said he HAS to be seen by a dentist ASAP), and how to give him drinks (using a sippy cup instead of from an open cup)
In another classroom with children with autism and down's syndrome, things were ... out of hand. Kids (about 6-7 years old) were putting blocks and toys in their mouths, one kid kept grabbing and pulling and trying to bite another kid's hair, another pulled his pants down to indicate he needed the toilet, another freaked out (tears, screaming, jumping, pulling others' hair and clothes) for no apparent reason and couldn't be calmed... There's a lot of work to be done... And finally I observed the afternoon class with the young adults, and helped a bit there too (though it was very calm in comparison hehe)
The plan now is that Tuesday I'll observe and help the rest of the classes.
Wednesday I'll actually go out into the rural villages to see how ThWB therapists can support families in the homes and communities.
Thursday afternoon I'll host a workshop for the teachers on communication and the many ways to use toys to teach different lessons (esp. regarding expressive/receptive language).
Friday I suppose I'll wrap things up in the classes, and in the evening I'll take a train up to Machu Picchu to spend the night.
Saturday Machu Picchu and then return in the evening.
Sunday all day outdoor rock climbing!
Monday fly back to Chicago via Lima and Mexico City again...
Tuesday finally arrive home.
I do have a lot of pictures, but as I am quite exhausted and slightly overwhelmed tonight, I'll post them another day. Buenas noches!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Packing
When I volunteer overseas, I take 2 suitcases filled only of donations so that I can leave everything there and return with only my backpack of personal items. We haven't opened or distributed the suitcases for Manos Unidas yet, so I'll just summarize my personal packing list. Maybe it'll help you in your travels; it doesn't matter if I'm traveling for 2 weeks or 2 months. I don't take more than this. You can always wash clothes in the sink, launder them, or donate and buy. You can also purchase toiletries locally if you run out.
Here are my two things: backpack from REI and a personal bag (this time it's a slingback but the personal bag varies). I like having a backpack because I don't have to drag it over curbs and dirt roads and and it is convenient for all manner of vehicles (crowded bus, motorbike, shady taxi...).
In the carry-on (which fits under most airplane seats):
Toiletries
camp towel
<3oz>Sleeping
sleep sack (actually, sleeping bag liner. I haven't read anywhere that it prevents bedbug bites, but I prefer to think that I'm at least making it harder on them to get to me! also, it's the kind that can keep me cooler when it's hot out and warmer when it's cold out)
anti-allergenic pillow case cover (same reasons)
Clothing (I count clothes that I wear to the airport)
5-7 pairs of socks and underwear
pants for sleep
2-3 jeans/pants, including 1 outdoor pant that zips off into shorts
4-5 matching tops (mix and match all tops and pants!)
2 sweater-like layers + jacket if traveling to a chilly area
soft baseball cap
shower sandals
Electronics
universal plug
head lamp (in case I stay in a mud hut without electricity, or a hostel where others are sleeping)
SteriPen to disinfect unsanitary water for drinking or brushing teeth (in Africa it's rain or river water; in Latin America right now it's tap water)
chargers for: camera, cell phone, and netbook
Travel extras
book(s)
notepad/paperwork
snacks + multivitamins (in case the local diet is not nutritious enough)
tissue
neckrest collar for sleeping on the plane
2-3 spare ziplock and plastic bags (you'll always find a need for them)
In the personal bag:
netbook (I won't bring this to Africa)
eyedrops, chapstick, brush
wallet
ipod (rarely used)
sunglasses
tissue
hand sanitizer
passport + copies of travel health insurance and other docs in ziplock
small notebook + pen
cell phone (turned off; only used for emergencies)
camera
(gorillapod is missing in my house somewhere!)
[Note that depending on where you are, you wouldn't want to carry important items like your passport and netbook with you; OR you wouldn't want to leave them in the place you're staying unless there's a safe. You have to know your location and your activities.]
Here are my two things: backpack from REI and a personal bag (this time it's a slingback but the personal bag varies). I like having a backpack because I don't have to drag it over curbs and dirt roads and and it is convenient for all manner of vehicles (crowded bus, motorbike, shady taxi...).
In the carry-on (which fits under most airplane seats):
Toiletries
camp towel
<3oz>Sleeping
sleep sack (actually, sleeping bag liner. I haven't read anywhere that it prevents bedbug bites, but I prefer to think that I'm at least making it harder on them to get to me! also, it's the kind that can keep me cooler when it's hot out and warmer when it's cold out)
anti-allergenic pillow case cover (same reasons)
Clothing (I count clothes that I wear to the airport)
5-7 pairs of socks and underwear
pants for sleep
2-3 jeans/pants, including 1 outdoor pant that zips off into shorts
4-5 matching tops (mix and match all tops and pants!)
2 sweater-like layers + jacket if traveling to a chilly area
soft baseball cap
shower sandals
Electronics
universal plug
head lamp (in case I stay in a mud hut without electricity, or a hostel where others are sleeping)
SteriPen to disinfect unsanitary water for drinking or brushing teeth (in Africa it's rain or river water; in Latin America right now it's tap water)
chargers for: camera, cell phone, and netbook
Travel extras
book(s)
notepad/paperwork
snacks + multivitamins (in case the local diet is not nutritious enough)
tissue
neckrest collar for sleeping on the plane
2-3 spare ziplock and plastic bags (you'll always find a need for them)
In the personal bag:
netbook (I won't bring this to Africa)
eyedrops, chapstick, brush
wallet
ipod (rarely used)
sunglasses
tissue
hand sanitizer
passport + copies of travel health insurance and other docs in ziplock
small notebook + pen
cell phone (turned off; only used for emergencies)
camera
(gorillapod is missing in my house somewhere!)
[Note that depending on where you are, you wouldn't want to carry important items like your passport and netbook with you; OR you wouldn't want to leave them in the place you're staying unless there's a safe. You have to know your location and your activities.]
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tears of the Giraffe
We have a tendency to fall prey to apathy when some event does not affect us directly. How many Americans cared about the oil issue till gas prices inflated? Who mourned for the losses of 9/11 the longest, or continue to mourn to this day? Unless you or someone you know have been involved in a tragedy, it's just normal to not care... either after a while, or ever.
This is something I struggle with, and which compels me to keep working. Western Kenya is currently suffering from drought. Plants, animals, and now people are dying. They can't plant their next crop; it's too dry and dusty. Their rain collection tanks are empty now, and women and children have to walk to the river and carry the dirty water in jugs back to the village. Life is based on subsistence farming out there, and they are at the mercy of the seasons and weather. Seeing my friend Edwin, for the third time this week, write another plea on his FB status for people to help pray to God to send rain, made me cry.
I get this way sometimes, when I'm on my own and thinking about the people I've met and lived with, who struggle day by day to make it another day. And I re-imagine myself flying in there, getting a taste of life in another's shoes (if only they all had shoes), then flying back to the safety and comfort of the American Dream. And I start to feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Not just Kenya, but also Belize and Vietnam; you never ever forget when you make eye contact with sadness looking back at you with hope (remember I'm the foreigner they see as healthy and wealthy coming to bring them solutions). And then when the senseless violence began in Libya, even though I've never been there or know anyone there, I immediately sympathize with them because when life gets tough, it's tough no matter where you are, and I hurt for them.
Shana, the wise director of Village Volunteers and my role model, warned me about this earlier, about caring for everyone I visit, and will be tempted to spread myself too thin by wanting to help every project, thereby not being of help to anyone. This is another reason we've postponed India.
So as I visit these new villages and programs for the sake of Therapists Without Borders, my remedy to the pain I feel for the oppressed poor and neglected, I must guard my heart. But when I say "guard," I don't mean avoid feelings toward them; I mean shield it with the knowledge that I'm there to try to make a difference. Not to feel sorry for them. With that last thought, I must finally turn off my iPhone and be on my way to Cusco.
This is something I struggle with, and which compels me to keep working. Western Kenya is currently suffering from drought. Plants, animals, and now people are dying. They can't plant their next crop; it's too dry and dusty. Their rain collection tanks are empty now, and women and children have to walk to the river and carry the dirty water in jugs back to the village. Life is based on subsistence farming out there, and they are at the mercy of the seasons and weather. Seeing my friend Edwin, for the third time this week, write another plea on his FB status for people to help pray to God to send rain, made me cry.
I get this way sometimes, when I'm on my own and thinking about the people I've met and lived with, who struggle day by day to make it another day. And I re-imagine myself flying in there, getting a taste of life in another's shoes (if only they all had shoes), then flying back to the safety and comfort of the American Dream. And I start to feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Not just Kenya, but also Belize and Vietnam; you never ever forget when you make eye contact with sadness looking back at you with hope (remember I'm the foreigner they see as healthy and wealthy coming to bring them solutions). And then when the senseless violence began in Libya, even though I've never been there or know anyone there, I immediately sympathize with them because when life gets tough, it's tough no matter where you are, and I hurt for them.
Shana, the wise director of Village Volunteers and my role model, warned me about this earlier, about caring for everyone I visit, and will be tempted to spread myself too thin by wanting to help every project, thereby not being of help to anyone. This is another reason we've postponed India.
So as I visit these new villages and programs for the sake of Therapists Without Borders, my remedy to the pain I feel for the oppressed poor and neglected, I must guard my heart. But when I say "guard," I don't mean avoid feelings toward them; I mean shield it with the knowledge that I'm there to try to make a difference. Not to feel sorry for them. With that last thought, I must finally turn off my iPhone and be on my way to Cusco.
Monday, February 28, 2011
India? Not this time...
It has been decided that taking on projects in India is just too much for this trip and for the controllable size of Therapists Without Borders.
All those great reasons to visit the New Light organization in Kolkata still stand. They are in the center of the sex district and prostitution is a primary way of life out there. New Light attempts to stem the flow of children heading toward that fate, and give young women new opportunities for positive development. There's no doubt that psychotherapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers would make an immense impact on their mental and emotional health.
However, after months of debating with myself, talking to a few key people about the situation out there, and taking a hard look at all the projects I'm already trying to take on as a newborn non-profit, we've concluded that India is too immense to take on at this early stage. Not only are there language barriers, but also deep cultural values that I feel I would need to give much more time to understand in order to better serve them in the future. In fact, Kolkata is not the only place in India that would stand to benefit from that kind of help. I almost took on another project just by hearing about another organization in the city of Kushalnagar!
On top of that, I have already been feeling like there are a million things I need/want to do for Therapists Without Borders without even leaving the country yet. By the time I come back from Cuzco, I will have my mind buzzing with work for them (ThWB will set itself up to screen, interview, and prepare volunteer therapists for them). Then I will be visiting 4 villages in Kenya and a school AND orphanage in Ghana. More information about those projects later. Needless to say, that's plenty enough work for the rest of the year!
What made the decision final, is that I have not yet heard back from the director of New Light. I am given to understand from the various people who have worked with her that she is an extraordinary woman, but is also extraordinarily busy. She has created many many projects beyond, and in support of, New Light... and has worked with the Dalai Lama (yay, my first name drop). It has been difficult to coordinate my visit with her for the past couple months, and with the trip coming up so soon, I just don't feel comfortable flying by the seat of my pants on this one, unless I'm a tourist.
Speaking of the trip, it's a good thing I still had not purchased plane tickets. I had been waiting to get things confirmed with New Light, and waiting to hear back from a pro bono travel agent who helped me look for humanitarian fares for flights. Now I can rearrange my time in Kenya and Ghana, and save money and stress from the issue of getting India's visa (I'd have had to pay $200 in total, for all the components of the application and to get it expedited).
:: phew ::
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Vaccinations & Medications
My past (relevant) immunization history:
SO I received only the flu shot, Hep A, and oral typhoid. Firstly because I did not want 5 shots in one go. Secondly because some things aren't to be mixed with other things. Thirdly, I do not need all of them yet because the greater risks areas are in India and Africa.
Side effects of the flu and Hep A have been minimal. Flu (0.5cc) was nothing. Hep A (1.0cc) was super sore where it was injected, but lasted only a day. Oral Typhoid... I have to take on an empty stomach so that it can travel all the way to the small intestine. It has been causing some mild headache and nausea.
Prescriptions:
- Hepatitis A -- 2008
- Hepatitis B -- 1994, '95, '96
- IPV (Polio) -- 2007
- MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella) -- 1994
- Td (Tetnus, Diphtheria) -- 2004
- Typhoid -- 2007
- Varicella (from prior infection) -- 1986
- Yellow fever -- 2007
- Flu: primarily because of being in enclosed airspace during my looong and multiple flights
- Hepatitis A: because this is a 2-dose series to get lifetime immunity, so I just need one more.
- MMR: because I will be working in close contact with people with disabilities who have unknown diagnoses, I should get a booster
- Oral Typhoid: because the first vaccine I received was a shot, which lasts only 2 years. Oral typhoid, which are 4 pills taken across 7 days, lasts 5 years.
- Tdap: Even though it hasn't been 10 years since I received my last Td, the physician recommended I get this new Tdap as an early booster because it also protects against Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Meningococcal (Meningitis): this has caused epidemics in parts of Africa. I couldn't remember whether or not I had received a shot for college (that was over 10 years ago, after all!), but the physician suggested I get a booster regardless.
First, a side note. I asked not to receive any of those vaccines on the day of the consultation because I had not had eaten yet. Instead I scheduled to get them through my primary physician a day later, as I also wanted to consult with her about delaying my menstrual cycle through birth control pills. (There are many reasons for considering this, but the fascinating aspects of toileting in rural Kenya will have to be explained in another post. For now, consider yourself so much luckier if you are a guy.) After a long talk about the risks and benefits, I decided not to take those pills not only because I dislike taking pills/meds if I can help it, but also because they need to be taken at the same time every day, and the last thing I need is to keep track of the hours across 4 countries' time zones!
SO I received only the flu shot, Hep A, and oral typhoid. Firstly because I did not want 5 shots in one go. Secondly because some things aren't to be mixed with other things. Thirdly, I do not need all of them yet because the greater risks areas are in India and Africa.
Side effects of the flu and Hep A have been minimal. Flu (0.5cc) was nothing. Hep A (1.0cc) was super sore where it was injected, but lasted only a day. Oral Typhoid... I have to take on an empty stomach so that it can travel all the way to the small intestine. It has been causing some mild headache and nausea.
Prescriptions:
- Mefloquine (anti-malarial): I take this once a week and have to start taking it 2 weeks before traveling and continue until 4 weeks after returning to the USA. The most common side effect of this is vivid dreams. Not nightmares, but vivid and very weird dreams. I've taken this before, and the most memorable dream involved my flying on a broom through walls at a generic Hogwarts. I kid you not ;-)
- Azithromycin: for traveler's diarrhea. They called me "iron stomach" in Kenya, until I got food poisoning my 3rd time visiting and spent the night throwing up. No diarrhea though. That, I got in Vietnam.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Visit to the Travel Health Clinic
Next week will be my 6th trip to a developing country. But this week was only my 4th visit to a travel clinic since 2007. I had skipped a couple times because I don't like to shell out $$ to be told the same things... but this time I'm heading to new territories, and it's been a while since my last visit. Plus, I can't get anti-malarial medication without a prescription from a travel doctor... believe me, I've tried!
1) You fill out a form explaining your health/medical/medicinal history as well as where you are going, when, and for how long. They make copies of your immunization history if you brought it.
2) Then the receptionist prints out general advisories for the countries you write down. For my four countries (Peru, India, Kenya, Ghana), I was given 113 pages. Some excerpts for you (pages turned to at random; emphases copied from text):
It's definitely fun bedtime reading!
There was a secondary packet that is only 11 pages. It was a summary of general safety, security and other precautions... like not rinsing your toothbrush in tap water and avoiding rabid animals.
Check and check.
3) You go into a private room and talk for at least an hour about your past immunizations, places you intend to visit, activities in which you intend to participate, the seasons of your destinations, altitude considerations, flight lengths, time zone changes, diet and medical history, travel experience, and on and on. That all boils down to what kind of warnings they'll give and vaccinations they recommend. They don't do physicals or checkups like that.
At the time of my visit, there was a new hire RN who was observing the staff and procedures. As the doctor knocked on my door to enter, she glanced at my chart, paused, and turned behind her, saying to the nurse, "You might want to sit in on this one. This could be interesting."
That was funny :-)
4) Conclusions are made and prescriptions are written. I was prescribed 6 vaccines and 2 medications. This I will write about in a separate post. Needless to say, I will be immune to pretty much everything. And probably glow in the dark.
Good times!
1) You fill out a form explaining your health/medical/medicinal history as well as where you are going, when, and for how long. They make copies of your immunization history if you brought it.
2) Then the receptionist prints out general advisories for the countries you write down. For my four countries (Peru, India, Kenya, Ghana), I was given 113 pages. Some excerpts for you (pages turned to at random; emphases copied from text):
It is illegal to wear military-style or camouflage clothing. Photography of sensitive installations, including military sites, government buildings, bridges, and Accra's international airport, is prohibited. Permission should be sought before photographing official buildings and individuals.
- Pg 8, under Ghana's country profile
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a buildup of fluid in the lungs that can occur along with HACE or as a separate illness. Like HACE, it is a medical emergency. Those affected will be breathless and very tired when walking and have a sense of fullness or pressure in the chest. Eventually victims will be short of breath even while resting. At this point the illness can rapidly progress to death. Victims must be guided back down and receive drug and oxygen treatment as soon as their illness is recognized as HAPE. They should be kept warm and assisted as much as possible, since exertion will make their condition worse.
- Pg 30, under "Altitude Sickness" (relevant for Cuzco, Peru)
Swimmers are especially at risk in choppy, windy conditions, when tentacles can get wrapped around an arm or leg. Waders, beachcombers, and divers who may see the float but not the tentacles are also at risk. Envenomation causes instant severe pain, local wheals, blisters, and necrosis of skin. General symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cardiac and respiratory difficulties, and loss of consciousness leading to drowning. Deaths have occurred in the Atlantic coast of the U.S. (including Florida) and some Carribbean islands.
- Pg 75, under Marine Hazards
It's definitely fun bedtime reading!
There was a secondary packet that is only 11 pages. It was a summary of general safety, security and other precautions... like not rinsing your toothbrush in tap water and avoiding rabid animals.
Check and check.
3) You go into a private room and talk for at least an hour about your past immunizations, places you intend to visit, activities in which you intend to participate, the seasons of your destinations, altitude considerations, flight lengths, time zone changes, diet and medical history, travel experience, and on and on. That all boils down to what kind of warnings they'll give and vaccinations they recommend. They don't do physicals or checkups like that.
At the time of my visit, there was a new hire RN who was observing the staff and procedures. As the doctor knocked on my door to enter, she glanced at my chart, paused, and turned behind her, saying to the nurse, "You might want to sit in on this one. This could be interesting."
That was funny :-)
4) Conclusions are made and prescriptions are written. I was prescribed 6 vaccines and 2 medications. This I will write about in a separate post. Needless to say, I will be immune to pretty much everything. And probably glow in the dark.
Good times!
Monday, February 21, 2011
To Do List
By 2:55pm March 2nd (time/date of departure)
Make a to-do list3 discharge reports for my remaining early-intervention clients10:45am 2/22/2011 Travel Health Clinic appointment to make sure my vaccinations are up to date and to get anti-malarial medication for the Africa/South Asia part of my trip... and emergency meds for traveler's diarrhea11:00am 2/24/2011 Follow-up appointment to get shots- Cancel YMCA membership because I won't be here for 3 months.
Call credit & debit card companies to notify that I might use them out of countryGet travel health insuranceRegister with US Embassy so they know where I am in case of emergenciesBuy plane tickets from Chicago to Kolkata to Nairobi to Accra and back to Chicago, using a discounted humanitarian fare, if possible.Collect Spanish children books, educational toys (things from Peru's list of requests) from people and from Goodwill storesPack 2 suitcases full of donations; make sure they weigh under 70 lbs (these will stay in Peru)Pack my backpack of my own clothes and necessities (sanitizer, infrared water purifier, insect repellent, camp towel...)Get multivitamin chewables (bc I am NOT good with pills), in case the food is not nutritious enough (this is more relevant for Africa; I bet it'll be fine in Peru), and non-perishable, healthy snacks- Get a pocket Spanish-English dictionary
- Get things to do during the 17 hours of travel on the way there, and 23 hours on the way back (upload e-books!)
Saturday 2/26/2011 phone meeting with ThWB's Psychotherapist Consultant, part of the new ThWB Advisory Board- Make sure I bring enough memory for my camera!
- Constant contact with India, Kenya, and Ghana people to keep planning/preparing
Find my passport. I swear it's somewhere in my room.
- Submit my passport and other required items to Passportsandvisas.com to get my India and Ghana visas expedited. Kenya visa can be purchased upon arrival.
- Start the anti-malarial medication (2 wks before travel)
- Pay volunteer fees to Village Volunteers
- Get more suitcases and more donations to fill them with
- Upload all pictures and clear memory to prepare for more
- Update ThWB website as much as possible with new information!
- Finish my guidebook for caregivers of people with disabilities
- Cut hair and donate to Locks of Love
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sponsorship Request: Medical need
Addendum: What a quick response! Within 6 hours of my posting this, a lovely Seattle couple has volunteered to pay the full cost of his visit! Thank you for all others who considered supporting him! Believe you me, there will be many other opportunities to help.
-------------------------------------------
Therapists Without Borders aims to have a sponsorship/scholarship fund in the future, where people can donate to support people with disabilities to get medical assistance, supplies, and an education.
For now, Village Volunteers will accept donations on ThWB's behalf, to support the people who need help as soon as possible.
Kevin Ochieng is "16 years old but orphaned, and is now staying with his grandma. He is in class 8 and has been ill for the last 7 years." (as was described by Edwin, co-director of Dago Dala Hera)
At this time, his leg's growth has increased to the point that it is becoming difficult for him to walk. See pictures below.
If you or someone you know can help pay for all or part of a trip to the doctor, that could change (or save, depending on whatever is causing this growth!) his life!
Here is the breakdown of costs:
Transportation for him, his grandmother, and Edwin (who can negotiate and facilitate the process) to the town of Kisii, to Aga Khan Hospital (70km away) = 3000 KSHS or KES (Kenyan Shillings) = $36.85 USD
X-rays = 6000 KES = $73.71
Doctor fees + consultation = 4000 KES = $49.14
Total = $159.7 USD
Extra buffer for miscellaneous/unexpected charges (including transaction fees from banks to withdraw our wire transfers) and to round it up to an even $200 = $40.30
To Donate: Click here and follow instructions to donate specifically to "Kevin Ochieng"
And let me know when you do it so I can tell them the good news and update this post! Thank you!!!!
-------------------------------------------
Therapists Without Borders aims to have a sponsorship/scholarship fund in the future, where people can donate to support people with disabilities to get medical assistance, supplies, and an education.
For now, Village Volunteers will accept donations on ThWB's behalf, to support the people who need help as soon as possible.
Kevin Ochieng is "16 years old but orphaned, and is now staying with his grandma. He is in class 8 and has been ill for the last 7 years." (as was described by Edwin, co-director of Dago Dala Hera)
At this time, his leg's growth has increased to the point that it is becoming difficult for him to walk. See pictures below.
If you or someone you know can help pay for all or part of a trip to the doctor, that could change (or save, depending on whatever is causing this growth!) his life!
Here is the breakdown of costs:
Transportation for him, his grandmother, and Edwin (who can negotiate and facilitate the process) to the town of Kisii, to Aga Khan Hospital (70km away) = 3000 KSHS or KES (Kenyan Shillings) = $36.85 USD
X-rays = 6000 KES = $73.71
Doctor fees + consultation = 4000 KES = $49.14
Total = $159.7 USD
Extra buffer for miscellaneous/unexpected charges (including transaction fees from banks to withdraw our wire transfers) and to round it up to an even $200 = $40.30
To Donate: Click here and follow instructions to donate specifically to "Kevin Ochieng"
And let me know when you do it so I can tell them the good news and update this post! Thank you!!!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Updates and FAQ
Updates
~~ Whirlwind Wheelchair International, inventor and manufacturer of the rugged RoughRider wheelchair, invited me to train and meet with their team last weekend at their headquarters in San Francisco. It was an amazing experience to have been in the same room with these brilliant minds and open hearts. They taught me about wheelchairs (particularly how to measure and assess candidates for them, since that is my plan for my upcoming trip) and we eventually discussed how we can help each others' goals. We concluded that they will focus on making and delivering their wheelchairs by the hundreds, and Therapists Without Border will focus on recruiting and sending volunteers (who are wheelchair specialists) out to measure, fit, and orient new riders to their chairs upon delivery. It's a perfect match! I can offer my registry of wheelchair therapists to other wheelchair donating organizations, as well.
~~ Also present at the training was Carolina, the co-founder of The Walkabout Foundation, which seeks to fund research to cure paralysis and provide wheelchairs to people around the world. They also partner with Whirlwind and the Christopher Reeves Foundation. I mention Carolina because she is this amazing woman who has already accomplished more in her life than most people I have ever met, and all for the sake of people with physical disabilities. She is my new role model.
~~ Tickets have been purchased for flights from Chicago to Cuzco, Peru, and back, March 2-14. Staff at Manos Unidas and I are excited to meet and help each other. The co-founder, Celeste, and I decided that I can do my observations and interviewing in the first week and in the second week I'll jump in as a therapist to give ideas for language goals for some students and speech therapy techniques for the staff. Perhaps over the weekend I can do touristy things... Usually excursions are the last thing on my mind during volunteer trips, though, so I only know of Cuzco's proximity to Machu Picchu because other people have told me so. I haven't yet done any research on what else I might want to do out there.
~~ The Therapists Without Borders website is being renovated by a friend with an artistic eye and simplistic style that I like. He has already given ThWB a fantastic new logo, which you can see in the Facebook link in the column to the right. Now to recall the 250 business cards I ordered from Vistaprint a couple months ago...
~~ The Kenya part of my trip is being organized. I will interview people with disabilities and their families to create a list of their profiles for future volunteers to review before they visit, as well as for the volunteers to update as they return. If there are any adults who might benefit from a wheelchair, I will assess and measure them out to be put on a waiting list to receive wheelchairs. (Only adults for now; Whirlwind is working on a prototype for pediatric wheelchairs to be distributed by the end of the year.) In addition to these profiles, Emmanuel and I will discuss future plans for a rehab center on the grounds of Sirua Aulo, as well as methods of incorporating children with special needs into his school at Namunyak Maasai Welfare.
~~ ThWB staff are planning on creating a fund (bank account) for itself as an organization, so that when people donate to ThWB (through Village Volunteers), the money can be set aside to sponsor people with disabilities to get medical treatment, sponsor purchases of rehabilitation equipment, wheelchairs, and prostheses, and even perhaps sponsor future volunteers through scholarships.
~~ On a personal matter, I have 8-10 students left on my caseload who need a new speech therapist to start within the next two weeks. Otherwise these students will suffer a gap in services. I had a caseload of 33 clients back in December... that means I have a ton of discharge reports that need to be written and I am very behind on them! I keep saying that, yet I haven't been doing them because I have been trying to keep up with Therapist Without Borders work!
FAQ
Will you keep a blog to keep us updated?
Yes, you are reading that blog right now :-) In reality, I don't know how often I will be able to update this blog while in the field. The places I am going to are, in fact, quite poor. Access to internet is questionable, but not impossible. I haven't decided yet whether I will bring my netbook. If I do, I will be able to use battery power to write blogs to later upload at a place with internet. Some villages in Kenya will have cyber cafes nearby (i.e., in Kenya, they can have internet via their cell phones. It's the craziest thing -- you're sitting in a mud hut where you drink rain water and use oil lanterns for a light source, yet you have cell phones with internet. Not touchscreens or iphones, but internet nonetheless. I might be able to borrow or rent one and keep y'all updated. We'll see :)
How can I help?
Yes, in two ways. I can add an area on the ThWB website to acknowledge partners, sponsors, and donors, as well as format a newsletter with the same.
How will you sleep? Get around? What will you eat?
These I will answer in future blogs, as I describe my current location and lodging situations. You can be sure I will document the food I eat :-)
Will you be safe?
Well, I am up-to-date on all my immunizations (including Hep B, typhoid and yellow fever; I only need a booster shot for Hep A) and in areas with malaria risk, I will take prophylaxis. Otherwise, I have traveled alone to several countries before, including 3 developing ones, and do feel that I have a certain sense of street smarts and knowledge of what's edible for my western stomach. In addition, the countries I will be visiting are currently quite stable, politically. Furthermore, Village Volunteers ensures that escorts are provided where necessary.
That said, I still cannot guarantee my own safety. Tribal warfare still exists; dangerous bacteria will still hide in innocuous places; insects will continue to attack me despite the gallons of DEET I poison my skin with; I can still be suckered, cornered, or attacked by devious men; I am not immune to the hazards of unpaved roads and reckless drivers... But I can assure you that I will take all necessary precautions to ensure that the probability that I will return safely will be higher than not.
Are you crazy?
Perhaps. But someone has to be, right?
~~ Whirlwind Wheelchair International, inventor and manufacturer of the rugged RoughRider wheelchair, invited me to train and meet with their team last weekend at their headquarters in San Francisco. It was an amazing experience to have been in the same room with these brilliant minds and open hearts. They taught me about wheelchairs (particularly how to measure and assess candidates for them, since that is my plan for my upcoming trip) and we eventually discussed how we can help each others' goals. We concluded that they will focus on making and delivering their wheelchairs by the hundreds, and Therapists Without Border will focus on recruiting and sending volunteers (who are wheelchair specialists) out to measure, fit, and orient new riders to their chairs upon delivery. It's a perfect match! I can offer my registry of wheelchair therapists to other wheelchair donating organizations, as well.
~~ Also present at the training was Carolina, the co-founder of The Walkabout Foundation, which seeks to fund research to cure paralysis and provide wheelchairs to people around the world. They also partner with Whirlwind and the Christopher Reeves Foundation. I mention Carolina because she is this amazing woman who has already accomplished more in her life than most people I have ever met, and all for the sake of people with physical disabilities. She is my new role model.
~~ Tickets have been purchased for flights from Chicago to Cuzco, Peru, and back, March 2-14. Staff at Manos Unidas and I are excited to meet and help each other. The co-founder, Celeste, and I decided that I can do my observations and interviewing in the first week and in the second week I'll jump in as a therapist to give ideas for language goals for some students and speech therapy techniques for the staff. Perhaps over the weekend I can do touristy things... Usually excursions are the last thing on my mind during volunteer trips, though, so I only know of Cuzco's proximity to Machu Picchu because other people have told me so. I haven't yet done any research on what else I might want to do out there.
~~ The Therapists Without Borders website is being renovated by a friend with an artistic eye and simplistic style that I like. He has already given ThWB a fantastic new logo, which you can see in the Facebook link in the column to the right. Now to recall the 250 business cards I ordered from Vistaprint a couple months ago...
~~ The Kenya part of my trip is being organized. I will interview people with disabilities and their families to create a list of their profiles for future volunteers to review before they visit, as well as for the volunteers to update as they return. If there are any adults who might benefit from a wheelchair, I will assess and measure them out to be put on a waiting list to receive wheelchairs. (Only adults for now; Whirlwind is working on a prototype for pediatric wheelchairs to be distributed by the end of the year.) In addition to these profiles, Emmanuel and I will discuss future plans for a rehab center on the grounds of Sirua Aulo, as well as methods of incorporating children with special needs into his school at Namunyak Maasai Welfare.
~~ ThWB staff are planning on creating a fund (bank account) for itself as an organization, so that when people donate to ThWB (through Village Volunteers), the money can be set aside to sponsor people with disabilities to get medical treatment, sponsor purchases of rehabilitation equipment, wheelchairs, and prostheses, and even perhaps sponsor future volunteers through scholarships.
~~ On a personal matter, I have 8-10 students left on my caseload who need a new speech therapist to start within the next two weeks. Otherwise these students will suffer a gap in services. I had a caseload of 33 clients back in December... that means I have a ton of discharge reports that need to be written and I am very behind on them! I keep saying that, yet I haven't been doing them because I have been trying to keep up with Therapist Without Borders work!
FAQ
Will you keep a blog to keep us updated?
Yes, you are reading that blog right now :-) In reality, I don't know how often I will be able to update this blog while in the field. The places I am going to are, in fact, quite poor. Access to internet is questionable, but not impossible. I haven't decided yet whether I will bring my netbook. If I do, I will be able to use battery power to write blogs to later upload at a place with internet. Some villages in Kenya will have cyber cafes nearby (i.e., in Kenya, they can have internet via their cell phones. It's the craziest thing -- you're sitting in a mud hut where you drink rain water and use oil lanterns for a light source, yet you have cell phones with internet. Not touchscreens or iphones, but internet nonetheless. I might be able to borrow or rent one and keep y'all updated. We'll see :)
How can I help?
- Donate: If you want your donation to be tax-deductible, donate through Village Volunteers and indicate "Therapists Without Borders" in the "other" field, either through a check or online. If you don't mind skipping the tax-deduction, you can donate directly to me by cash, check or money order. Contact me for my mailing address.
- Pray
- Spread the word
- Find me more therapists, especially wheelchair specialists
- Comment on this blog or email me to remind me that you are following my work and that it is worth my while to continue documenting my journeys. Through past experience, I have found it highly encouraging to receive such notes of interest, especially when the going gets tough, as they say.
Yes, in two ways. I can add an area on the ThWB website to acknowledge partners, sponsors, and donors, as well as format a newsletter with the same.
How will you sleep? Get around? What will you eat?
These I will answer in future blogs, as I describe my current location and lodging situations. You can be sure I will document the food I eat :-)
Will you be safe?
Well, I am up-to-date on all my immunizations (including Hep B, typhoid and yellow fever; I only need a booster shot for Hep A) and in areas with malaria risk, I will take prophylaxis. Otherwise, I have traveled alone to several countries before, including 3 developing ones, and do feel that I have a certain sense of street smarts and knowledge of what's edible for my western stomach. In addition, the countries I will be visiting are currently quite stable, politically. Furthermore, Village Volunteers ensures that escorts are provided where necessary.
That said, I still cannot guarantee my own safety. Tribal warfare still exists; dangerous bacteria will still hide in innocuous places; insects will continue to attack me despite the gallons of DEET I poison my skin with; I can still be suckered, cornered, or attacked by devious men; I am not immune to the hazards of unpaved roads and reckless drivers... But I can assure you that I will take all necessary precautions to ensure that the probability that I will return safely will be higher than not.
Are you crazy?
Perhaps. But someone has to be, right?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Therapists Without Borders: Spring 2011 Research & Development
Dear Friends,
Therapists Without Borders (ThWB) will take its inaugural research and development trip this spring to several rural villages that we have identified as focus points as we begin our work to bring highly skilled, trained therapists to villages with diagnostic and treatment needs. For at least three months, I will travel to Peru, India, Kenya, and Ghana. Each development site has been carefully reviewed by our team of advisors and partners, and our initial work is dependent on my visiting each site personally, to connect with the in-country staff, analyze the specific needs of the community, and determine together how ThWB can best support them. Furthermore, thanks to a new partnership established with Whirlwind Wheelchair International, I will also assess and measure candidates for RoughRider wheelchairs.
1. Cuzco, Peru
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Manos Unidas Peru
I’d like to learn from this organization because it is successfully doing, on a local level, what ThWB aims to do at a global level. People with disabilities in Peru are seen as burdens, cursed, worthless, just like they are in Kenya and Ghana. Very few children with special needs get an education, as they are thought to be hopeless cases. Manos Unidas is working to desensitize the communities to people with disabilities, to instill a sense of value in them, and to train local people to become self-sustaining. The desire for a bilateral partnership is also there: they want to receive therapist volunteers as much as I want to send them.
2. Kolkata, India
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: New Light India
New Light is a safe house "to protect and educate young girls, children and women at high risk” of sex trafficking. I will explain to the program staff how ThWB volunteer counselors and social workers can help their girls and young women with their social/emotional development, coping skills, conflict resolutions, and identification of any psychological issues resulting from trauma. In the future, I would like to see to set up training programs for locals to do the counseling on their own.
3. Western Kenya
Trip length: 3 weeks
Organizations: Dago Dala Hera, Namunyak Maasai Welfare, Sister Freda’s Foundation
Directly from India, I will fly to Kenya, where I will visit at least three villages to develop ThWB infrastructure and prepare them to receive therapist volunteers who can help liberate people with disabilities and their caregivers. In these areas, they do not have electricity or clean water and rely on private farming for their livelihood. It becomes extremely difficult when they also have to take care of a child or adult with a disability in a community that does not understand or support them. In addition, for the young women suffering from societal disempowerment and forced genital mutilation/circumcision, for the widows and orphans suffering from the HIV/AIDs epidemic, for the young men struggling to make the right decisions… I would also like to set them up to receive and benefit from ThWB counselors.
4. Volta Region, Ghana
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Kpando Community Inclusive Special School
Finally, I will go to a special school for people with disabilities in Ghana. Kpando has 40-50 students (up to age 35) and a few dedicated teachers who are desperate for volunteers who can train teachers, diagnosis students, and plan treatments. My time at Kpando will be spent doing therapy and teacher training, as well as setting them up to receive ThWB volunteers.
How You Can Help:
Therapists Without Borders is quickly setting itself up to be a viable, vital organization. The future development and success of ThWB depends on my personally visiting these areas with great need. However, all costs of travel are to be paid out-of-pocket.
ThWB’s 501(c)(3) partner, Village Volunteers, is organizing my in-country transportation, accommodations, meals and escorts through payment of volunteer fees amounting to approximately $3,000. If you feel moved, please consider giving tax-deductible donations toward these fees by specifying “Therapists Without Borders” either in the memo line of a check payable to Village Volunteers (5100 S. Dawson St., Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98118), or in the “other” field if processing online.
Donations can also be made to me personally to cover airfare, immunizations, visa fees, anti-Malaria medicine, and other costs amounting to approximately $4,500. I can receive cash, money orders, or checks (payable to Linda Szeto; contact me for mailing address).
Thank you! I'm touched and encouraged that so many people share this vision. Your support is greatly appreciated, and is the backbone of Therapists Without Borders. You can follow my travels here on this blog.
Sincerely,
Linda Szeto, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder / Executive Director
Therapists Without Borders
www.ThWB.org
Therapists Without Borders (ThWB) will take its inaugural research and development trip this spring to several rural villages that we have identified as focus points as we begin our work to bring highly skilled, trained therapists to villages with diagnostic and treatment needs. For at least three months, I will travel to Peru, India, Kenya, and Ghana. Each development site has been carefully reviewed by our team of advisors and partners, and our initial work is dependent on my visiting each site personally, to connect with the in-country staff, analyze the specific needs of the community, and determine together how ThWB can best support them. Furthermore, thanks to a new partnership established with Whirlwind Wheelchair International, I will also assess and measure candidates for RoughRider wheelchairs.
1. Cuzco, Peru
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Manos Unidas Peru
I’d like to learn from this organization because it is successfully doing, on a local level, what ThWB aims to do at a global level. People with disabilities in Peru are seen as burdens, cursed, worthless, just like they are in Kenya and Ghana. Very few children with special needs get an education, as they are thought to be hopeless cases. Manos Unidas is working to desensitize the communities to people with disabilities, to instill a sense of value in them, and to train local people to become self-sustaining. The desire for a bilateral partnership is also there: they want to receive therapist volunteers as much as I want to send them.
2. Kolkata, India
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: New Light India
New Light is a safe house "to protect and educate young girls, children and women at high risk” of sex trafficking. I will explain to the program staff how ThWB volunteer counselors and social workers can help their girls and young women with their social/emotional development, coping skills, conflict resolutions, and identification of any psychological issues resulting from trauma. In the future, I would like to see to set up training programs for locals to do the counseling on their own.
3. Western Kenya
Trip length: 3 weeks
Organizations: Dago Dala Hera, Namunyak Maasai Welfare, Sister Freda’s Foundation
Directly from India, I will fly to Kenya, where I will visit at least three villages to develop ThWB infrastructure and prepare them to receive therapist volunteers who can help liberate people with disabilities and their caregivers. In these areas, they do not have electricity or clean water and rely on private farming for their livelihood. It becomes extremely difficult when they also have to take care of a child or adult with a disability in a community that does not understand or support them. In addition, for the young women suffering from societal disempowerment and forced genital mutilation/circumcision, for the widows and orphans suffering from the HIV/AIDs epidemic, for the young men struggling to make the right decisions… I would also like to set them up to receive and benefit from ThWB counselors.
4. Volta Region, Ghana
Trip length: 2 weeks
Organization: Kpando Community Inclusive Special School
Finally, I will go to a special school for people with disabilities in Ghana. Kpando has 40-50 students (up to age 35) and a few dedicated teachers who are desperate for volunteers who can train teachers, diagnosis students, and plan treatments. My time at Kpando will be spent doing therapy and teacher training, as well as setting them up to receive ThWB volunteers.
How You Can Help:
Therapists Without Borders is quickly setting itself up to be a viable, vital organization. The future development and success of ThWB depends on my personally visiting these areas with great need. However, all costs of travel are to be paid out-of-pocket.
ThWB’s 501(c)(3) partner, Village Volunteers, is organizing my in-country transportation, accommodations, meals and escorts through payment of volunteer fees amounting to approximately $3,000. If you feel moved, please consider giving tax-deductible donations toward these fees by specifying “Therapists Without Borders” either in the memo line of a check payable to Village Volunteers (5100 S. Dawson St., Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98118), or in the “other” field if processing online.
Donations can also be made to me personally to cover airfare, immunizations, visa fees, anti-Malaria medicine, and other costs amounting to approximately $4,500. I can receive cash, money orders, or checks (payable to Linda Szeto; contact me for mailing address).
Thank you! I'm touched and encouraged that so many people share this vision. Your support is greatly appreciated, and is the backbone of Therapists Without Borders. You can follow my travels here on this blog.
Sincerely,
Linda Szeto, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder / Executive Director
Therapists Without Borders
www.ThWB.org
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