The team has returned safely...

The team returned home safely today. They were tired but all smiles. Once again their luggage did not follow them, however the airline delivered them tonight just before 9 pm. Looking forward to seeing pictures and hearing stories.

Market Madness

Today, we spent the morning at the lodge journaling & visiting with other international guests. The afternoon was spent hunting for gifts & exploring a local market. We were able to purchase beans and rice for lunches at a primary school. We experienced the sights, sounds, & smells of the busy town.  We can't wait to share more stories. We will be in touch soon. 

Masai Visit

Post- Safari - Jan. 16th

We were able to visit a local Masai tribe yesterday following our safari. We were welcomed with a traditional dance and song. We learned about their culture and customs. They do not practice western medicine, but did accept one water purifier. We were able to teach them the importance of clean water and how to effectively use the material. 

Safari time, no blog

We are all having so much fun we aren't able to blog. We love and miss you all!

Miwaleni, Uchira Community Development

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”

~Nelson Mandela 

Today was education day. We hopped in the vans to go “around the corner” to a local community dispatchery. A large majority of the community work as farmers supporting their onion crops. When we arrived, the local priest and village members welcomed us. The nurse practitioner students taught the villagers stretching exercises to help alleviate pains from the hard work they do in the fields.  They loved it and were quick to practice their stretches. We also taught about acid reflux symptoms and home remedies. The public health students made a difference by teaching them how to set up and use the portable water system so they may enjoy safe, bacteria-free water. Then they were taught to use the clean water for oral rehydration. They also brought supplies to the women of the village provided by the RED ELEPHANT PROJECT. This includes providing the women and teens with menstrual pad packs. There were two nurses that were excided to receive medication to restock their dispatchery. Treatment was provided to a few locals. We were also able to bless some of the villagers with reading glasses. We left feeling humbled to be able to make such a difference in their lives. 

            We got to enjoy two special treats after we returned. The first was strawberry ice cream, which was our first dessert of the trip! Then we visited Second Chance School, which provides education to pre-school aged children in the community. The children welcomed us with songs, hugs, and lots of smiles! We are super excited about PIZZA for dinner.  We will wake up with the roosters and head out at 6:00 a.m.making our way to the safari!!

 

Kwa heri (Good bye from Africa), 

Jolene Posthuma & Ginger Outlaw

Mt Meru

Today we went to a school on Mt Meru. It was a very long drive, but the fun started when we began our ascent up the mountain. It was a very bumpy dirt road with a lot of curves. One vehicle took a wrong turn along the way and needed to find a way to turn around. After a lot of backing up and accelerating forward, a tire got stuck in a pothole. Thankfully, some very friendly locals helped them and they made it to the school to join the rest of the group.  Some of the nurse practitioner students treated 80 patients while the rest of us passed out shoes.  The locals were very thankful to be treated and the nurse practitioner students were excited to utilize what we have learned to help the locals. The kids also enjoyed showing off their new shoes to their friends. It felt good to be able to interact directly with everyone and see changes that were being made. Once the shoes were all gone, we taught the female teachers about the Red Elephant Project so that they could pass on the knowledge to the other girls. Then we made a water purification bucket with the other teachers. The day ended with kids sprinting off in every direction on their way home.  Steph Bruder and Maddie Turner

Coffee Coffee Coffee!!!!

Today was a great day that involved a team favorite - coffee! 😃 After being able to sleep in, we visited the Kahawa Shamba coffee farm where we drank some of the best coffee we've ever had. After separating into small groups, we got a private tour of the coffee making process from beginning to end. We learned about the picking, peeling, drying, roasting, grinding and brewing of coffee beans. You can only imagine what just 2 cups of coffee did!! While we have not been a quiet group, today was full of constant chatter and laughs. We then had a traditional meal for lunch consisting of banana soup, plantanes, rice, beef and potatoes. After the tour, we escaped the sun to do more shopping while in the city and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the poolside. Overall it was another great day in Africa!! 

Much love, 

Becca & Jaime 

To learn more.......

To learn more about Hope Without Borders, please visit our website at: www.hwb-intl.org.
You can learn more about:
Joining us on a future trip
The Red Elephant Project (started by Hope Without Borders)
Clean Water Project
and more........................

THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS- we couldn't change people's lives without all of you.
Go spread HOPE......
Mama Julie

Orphanage

Jambo!

Today was an AMAZING day! We started our day with an incredible breakfast including our all time favorite hibiscus jelly on toast! Bright and early our team began our travel to St. Francis of Assissi Orphanage! When we arrived they greeted us with songs and huge smiles! We were all so excited to spend time with the dedicated nuns and children that they oversee. Their singing truly brought us to tears, it was an amazing experience. At the start of the day we handed out new shoes to all of the children and nuns. The kids also got an extra treat of bubblegum for waiting! Each child was able to pick out a pair of shoes to replace their old ones (Thank you so much to those who donated!) You could see so much joy in their faces when they were able to walk out with new shoes on. After we gave out shoes, the real fun and games began! We broke out soccer balls, baseballs, and more to play with the children. They were so excited! Each child had a different personality that touched our hearts in so many ways. Some of the young girls even took us to braid our hair! While many of us kept the children busy, a few Nurse Practitioner students were able to treat some children and nuns in need. At the end of the day, before leaving, the Public Health students were able to give out period packs from the Red Elephant Project to some of the girls. The Red Elephant Project is a movement that gives reusable pads to girls for when they have their period so they can continue to attend school. This is a huge issue in Africa because these girls do not understand what their menstrual cycle is and how to maintain it. While we were handing out the packs you could see the girls were very excited, so we hope the education we provided will allow them to continue with their education. The time to say our goodbyes came, which was emotional for many of us. Although we were sad to leave, we remembered that the children were in great hands with the nuns that take care of them. We headed back to the hotel to organize medical supplies and school supplies and then eat lunch. After a bit of relaxing, we went to Tanzania's version of a shopping mall and bought some souvenirs! Some of the cool items we saw were original paintings, beautiful scarves, and little homemade figurines. Many of us bought gifts for our loved ones, and the shop owner gave us each a free bracelet because we gave them great business! It was many of our first times bargaining, so many stories will come later! We are now hanging out at the beautiful lodge before a delicious dinner and an African Dance lesson. We are looking forward to all the opportunities we will have in the amazing country of Tanzania!

Thank you again for all your support! We can not wait to share all our stories with you! Stay warm in the cold weather, we are truly enjoying this 90 degree weather!

Tomorrow we are looking forward to the coffee plantation and a well deserved afternoon of resting!

P.S. Happy Birthday Cody Smith!!

Yours Truly,

Alex Zogran and Kay Saguiped

Medical Camp

Today was a truly amazing day!  We woke up this morning bright and early to roosters crowing, dogs barking, people singing and there may have been a monkey carrying an alarm clock... We all got into 3 vans and made a 45 minute excursion to Kilema to the medical camp.  We had an amazing view of Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the first day we got to see it well. The locals call Mount Kilimanjaro the shy mountain because it is often covered by the clouds, so we felt lucky to see such a clear, beautiful view. We were greeted by children which truly melted all of our hearts. We unloaded several bags of medical supplies and set up 3 tents in order to triage, treat, and dispense medications to patients. 

We were able to see around 100 patients during our medical camp.  Community members of all ages and reasons for seeking care were presented to the team and we worked efficiently with the interpreters to assist them with their needs. We were amazed with the gratitude that we received.  It was an honor to learn about their culture, practice our skills, and feel so appreciated. This is truly a life-changing experience.  In the wise words of Ghandi:  "To find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others".

Jen Halbach & Jen Demmer

My Kilimanjaro trekking entrance, Chagga caves, and Ndoro waterfall

Jambo! Today we got a jump on our Swahili vocabulary with the help of our drivers that were quite kind to us on our excursions. First we stopped at the Mt Kilimanjaro trekking entrance! We got to see porters weighing in their gear and leaned about how Mt Kilimanjaro effects the local and surrounding ecosystem. The drive to the entrance was quite high in elevation and our ears felt the change in pressure. The air was already quite cool and we could feel the effects of this great mountain/volcano, which looks even larger in person than via photograph. Then we were off to see the Chagga caves and learn about the dark and troubling history these people endured and how they survived rounds of ambush attack by nearby enemies by hiding in caves. They even hid their cows with them! The caves were fun...until the light bulbs went out because of a downpour! (Not to mention the bats flying overhead!) A heavy rain came through as we took cover under a corrugated rooftop while we ate peanut butter, jelly, and MAYO sandwiches and "chips" (fries). Then we took a hike down the steep path to the base of the beautiful waterfall and took a refreshing dip to cool ourselves before heading back up the 200+ft elevation gain. After our return to the lodge, and a much needed shower, we were pleased to see that our bags arrived!!(the SIXTEEN bags that were lost). We are all ready and excited to assist those in need of our medical training and support starting early tomorrow morning. We just finished a beef stir fry and curried sweet potato dinner and are enjoying each other's company and the warm breeze that surrounds us. We love you and thank you for all your support. 

Merissa Lauzon, RN and Kristin Brzycki, RN (publishers).

We Made It....Our Bags May Not Have

Jambo!

After 30 hours of travel, 23 team members arrived to 90 degree weather, quite a difference compared to the below zero temperatures we started with. 25 out of 41 team bags made it after the 2 minute layover in D.C. The team re-enacted a scene from Home Alone trying to catch the connecting flight.  We hope to get the rest of the team bags tomorrow that contain important medical supplies.

We were all excited to see Mt. Kilimanjaro today but it was hidden behind the clouds. We are all hoping for a clearer view tomorrow. Today was a great adventure sight seeing from the bus, and we all can't wait to see what new and exciting adventures this trip has to bring over the next few days. Family and friends keep checking in to hear about the days exciting adventures.

Sorry we are short tonight. We haven't been in a real bed since Monday night. More to come!

All the way from Africa,

 Katlyn

Team arrived safely in Tanzania

Got a text at 3:45 am that team arrived safely in Tanzania. Only 16 bags are missing but all team members are accounted for, they must be exhausted from their 26+ hour journey. Hopefully the bags will arrive tomorrow. Also received a phone call from our Kenyan Executive Director Duncan M. who is with the team, they are settling in and waiting for Dr. Furaha (Tanzanian MD who volunteers with Hope Without Borders), she should be in around 8 pm their time (around noon Wisconsin time).

Team in Ethiopia...

Just got a text that the team has landed safely in Ethiopia. They have a 2 hour layover after a 13-1/2 hour flight and are probably happy yo stretch their legs. It is 7:45 am there. After that they have a 2 hour flight to Tanzania. Will keep you all posted until they are able to blog.

Mama Julie

They're off.....

Our house sounded like a busy beehive at 1 am this morning. The bus came at 2 am (sorry neighbors) and loaded 21 team members and 42 duffel bags full of purchased and donated supplies. You could feel the excitement and no one stopped talking until they stepped out in the frigid weather without coats to load the bus! No one appeared to be sad to be leaving the chill behind and were talking about 90 degree weather and sunshine. In Chicago their flight was delayed due to the weather, but they were able to have a smooth check in (thanks to their fearless leaders). The next flight in DC was a different story as they scrambled to connect to their Ethiopian flight and were then told by the airlines that all their bags may not make it. The good news is they carried on their important belongings. They can now settle into their seats for a 13 1/2 hour flight. They also connected with Ginger (Texas)  and Kristin (South Carolina) so once they get to Tanzania and connect with Dr. Furaha, the team of 24 will be complete.

We look forward to sharing their adventure with all of you.......

Mama Julie

PACKING PARTY 1/3/15

The packing party is an event where our team gets together to pack the “checked” luggage for the trip. 

These bags are filled with donated items such as school supplies, medications, medical supplies, shoes, soccer balls, children's games, personal hygiene items, water purifiers, books, and more.

Our first team challenge - Each person is allowed two 50 lb. bags.  We attempt to have each bag full to capacity and weigh exactly 50 pounds. This way we can maximize our ability to bring supplies. We do this by weighing each bag over and over again with a luggage scale.  Many times this involves the tedious work of unpacking and repacking. 

This gathering gives the group another chance to meet and to start working together as a team.

We have a great TEAM for Tanzania 2015. 

We can’t wait to show you all that we will do & accomplish together!