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