Trip details!

Last week we had another meeting with the wonderful ladies at the Radler Foundation about our trip!  It just makes me want to leave now as we get all the little details ironed out! I can't wait!

Trip dates

June 17 - July 9 = Kajo Keji, South Sudan
July 9 - July 13 = Italy (more to come below)

Work in the field

Preventable diseases are the main concern in South Sudan.  We'll be taking vitals, doing an overall health check, and testing for disease.  I will be testing for diseases such as malaria, typhoid, parasites, yellow fever, STI's, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc.  After we know what/if a person has a certain disease we start treatment.  There is a pharmacy that MHI has set up under a tent to prescribe medications.  I'll be prescribing these people medication so that they can treat their disease.  

I am not going over to learn or observe front of the line surgeries or innovative medical procedures.  I am not going with the purpose of showing off advanced Western medicine.  I am going with the purpose of serving the needs of the people in Kajo Keji.  

Most do not know that they have a disease because symptoms are simply not present.  They might live happy lives and just die from ‘unknown causes’ at an early age.  By treating and vaccinating people, I can directly save lives one by one.  By quick, efficient testing and treatment I can reach the masses and make a difference.  

I’ll also be helping out with water treatment and delivery.  This is a big concern because infected water is at the heart of disease in South Sudan.  If we can get clean, fresh water to these villages we can decrease the chance that diseases do not come back after treatment.  

Vaccines

I have to go get all of my vaccines this Thursday!  Needles don’t bother me so it would not be a big deal if it weren’t for the vast number of vaccines I need to get.  Here’s a list:

Yellow fever

Hepatitis A&B

Meningococcal

Polio

Typhoid

Tetanus

Malaria

I just finished my Immunology block in which we learned about vaccines.  The premise behind a vaccine is quite simple.  You inject the person with an altered form of a live virus/bacteria/toxin and your body makes antibodies to the foreign material.  If you get exposed to typhoid for example after immunization, you won’t get it because your body can attack the species with the antibodies it made against the typhoid. 

One thing I learned was that you can get side effects/sickness if you get immunizations too close to each other.  I’m getting 8 at the same time and it’s essentially injecting my body with all those pathogens at once.  I’ve heard horror stories about people getting quite sick, but let’s hope I can dodge that bullet!

I start taking my malaria medication a few days before I leave, while I’m over there, and a few days after I get back to the States.  This is something I really don’t want to get.  Most people will have malaria so in case I catch it, we have treatment. 

Political Conflict

I’m going to brief you all on the conflict in South Sudan because I know several of you have asked or are worried about it.  It is true that recently there have been developing conflicts along the South Sudan/Uganda border.  I’m sure you all have heard about the KONY 2012 campaign and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).  The news tells you that the LRA rules most of the southern border of Sudan when in actuality they have moved west and have left several areas desolated.  I will be going to the areas left behind to take care of the war-torn victims and refugees.  Most of the conflicts in South Sudan stem from cows and children….agricultural and tribal conflicts.  White Americans are not the target, unlike in Mexico.  To be honest, the conflict is natural to a developing country. 

That being said, we do have an evacuation plan if needed.  I will be getting my visa for South Sudan and Uganda and purchasing traveler’s insurance.  If we get word that our area is no longer safe, they can fly us to Uganda or Kenya or other safe territory.  Nothing happens quickly in this part of the world due to the lack of transportation and road ways.  In the case of an uprising, it typically takes 2 weeks for anyone to arrive so plenty of advance notice will be available.  

Kajo Keji is not a target for these revolutionary groups.  Our friends at the Radler Foundation have been keeping up with the situation every day and are monitoring it closely while in the States and in Kajo Keji.  They would not send us if it weren’t safe, so I assure you that everything is being done to ensure our safety. 

Italy

After I leave Kajo Keji, I will be spending a few days in Rome before my return to DFW.  I could not possibly connect flights in London without taking some time to travel abroad.  I want to go to Rome because I know God is going to change my heart in Sudan.  I am preparing now to go with an open heart and mind to whatever He is calling me to do.  I will experience true poverity and sickness and I want to thank God at the end of my trip for the opportunity to help this community, using all the blessings He has given me in my life. 

I will be traveling to Rome by myself.  I know it sounds strange for a 22 year old to be exploring a new country by herself, but I really want to.  I love this time of my life.  It’s full of open roads and opportunities and I’m doing my best to take advantage of it all!

Fundraising update

My new total is $3,150.00!! I have my goal set at $3,500.00 so I am just in need of $350!  God has been so good during this process and has blessed me with such generous donors.  I could not ask for more support and encouraging words.  You all should be receiving a little something from me in the mail soon and tax receipts will be sent out once the fundraiser ends in June. 

Thanks to all of you who have prayed and supported my cause!  Less than 2 months until I leave!