We're Back!

Back at St. Catherine's school, owned and operated by AILC, was like coming home for several of us on Team May 2010. The school complex has expanded by a partly completed library/dispensary and living quarters for the teachers of the school. I am again amazed at the strict regiment of the Kenya school system, and am convinced that we Americans could learn several things about education from the Africans. It was great to see the children from three to eighteen again, it was also great to see their respect and love for education.

As we arrived all the children in different age groups had prepared a welcome ceremony for us, of which brought tears to everyone team member. Some songs sung in English, some in Swahili and some in French. All of the children speak several languages very fluently at a young age. There was one little girl who caught my eye, and just thinking of her now makes me smile. She has such a zest for life, a zest that was contagious for the team.

I was also reunited with my girlfriends, Elizabeth, Susan, Lucy, and Mary. It was like we had sat with each other just a few days ago, not more than a year. We laughed, cry and caught up on all that has happened over the past few months. My girlfriends amaze me! Their desire to provide for their children is no different than ours, but the obstacles are huge for them. Never before have they ever had a paycheck for more than about $5.00, they have no welfare system to fall back on if their children become sick in hard times. They are also faced with hard labor everyday just to survive. I admire their determination so much......Mothers are just mother no matter their race, color or creed......Only a mother would sacrifice what we do...only a mother.

Off Again

Honestly I thought my first trip to Africa would be my one and only. However, on that first trip I left something undone and I promised myself I would return to bring closure to a life long promise. Even though I had fulfilled that promise of not allowing anyone to die alone, I had to return a gift to a young African mother.

So on May 25, 2010 at 3:00am, TJ agreed to take me to the SLC International Airport to met the AILC Team. With 138 pound of supplies I pushed and pulled my way to the United counter to check in. It would take a car, a plane, and a bus to get us all to Nairobi and then on to Naivasha and the Rafiki Lodge. One of my favorite things about getting into Naivasha is a giraffe park and home of Karen Blixen, author of "Out of Africa." Each guest is greeted by Daisy the kissing giraffe, not something you see in Utah.

Whoa--what a LONG ride, the flight is twenty-three hours, but with the layovers in San Francisco and London it took us forty four hours to finally arrive on African soil. Not to mention two team members lost their passports, four members lost their luggage claims tickets and three member became ill during our travels.... At about forty two hours my patience were wearing thin, I really wanted to say for HELL sakes people get with the program, your mother isn't here to tend you! However, I didn't and probably best as I would be spending fourteen days with twenty six people I didn't really know.

Second Time Around

It's has been a year since I traveled to East Africa, fulfilling a dream of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and doing a humanitarian mission. I have countless fond memories of my three and half weeks in Tanzania and Kenya. However, I still have a couple things I haven't been able to bring closure to from my first trip. So the end of May I will be returning. Returning to take a photo back to "Little Lisa's" mother, and possible spend some time with the Maasai tribe. I will be going with Africa Is Life Changing again, and the organization has several exciting things planned for this expedition. Plans are underway to build a library, and dispensary on the compound at St. Catherine's School. Plus to build a chicken feed plan and barn to enable African women to support themselves through the profit of eggs and milk.

After 37 years of the nursing field, just when I thought I had pretty much seen it all and felt the emotions of those 37 years, being a humanitarian has sparked a new excitement and desire to continue to serve others. Serve others in a much different way and 10,000 miles away.

THE END!!

As they say, "All good things must come to an end!" Though my African journey has done just that, my life changing journey will never end. I knew when I started this journey my life would never be the same. However, I really had no idea the impact four weeks in Africa would have on my life, my thoughts, nor my outlook on our American life style. There isn't a day that goes by that I am no reminded of Africa. Reminded of the smiling, beautiful people, the poverty and filth, the beauty of the lush green mountain landscape, the large number native animals, and most of all the amazing resilience for life the Africans have.

AS I look out my back door I am also reminded of climbing majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. Realizing Mt. Kilimanjaro is twice as high, twice as impressive, twice as grand. Understanding all the topography, I also ask myself, "What were you thinking?" It all goes back to that attribute I inherited and have seemed to have passed on. The attribute of, "Don't tell me, I can't do it, because I will prove you wrong!" Good Luck, Tiffany & TJ, all I can say is YOU GO & GIVE EM HELL!

Going to Africa truly was and will continue to be, "A Life Changing Journey." When I started my blog, it was a way for me to journal this amazing experience. Not only for myself, but for my children, grandchildren, and my husband. I never dreamed my blog would capture the attention and interests of so many friends, co-workers, family members and even total strangers. What started as my journey became the journey of so many. I have to chuckle when some one says to me, " I have read your blog, you are so inspiring and amazing!" I take it all as a compliment and I'm honored that I have touched and or inspired so many. After all inspiring someone was on my Bucket List, so I can check that off as done.

I simply want to say thank you for following my journey, thank you for being there in spirit, and thank you for putting me in your thoughts and your prayers. To my family, I love you all so very much. Thanks for supporting this crazy idea, even if you were unsure and nervous about my safety. Though this experience is over and I will end my blog with this post, I have made a personal goal to go on a humanitarian mission every year. My thinking is, "Learn like you'll live forever, but live like you'll die tomorrow!" China or the Philippines here I come, and just think a new chapter in my life, not to mention a new blog for so many to read.

Faces of Africa

The many faces of Africa will forever be embedded in my mind. Of the fifteen hundred photos I took, these are several of my favorites. I looked for the unusual opportunities to shoot these beautiful people. Their eyes speak volumes of hardship, sadness, joy, love, and life itself. When looking at these photos I can smell the smells of Africa, hear the foreign language along with the broken English, the laughter of children, and feel the love they had for us.

Team February 2009

Team February 2009

L-R Back row ~~ Lynn-Dentist, Mary-AILC In Country Director Kenya, Norma-Dental assistant/housewife, Deb-Hematec and Sales Rep, Ashley-CNA, Leslie-Veterinarian, Mike CEO of Pier 49 Pizza, George-Plumbing contractor, Shosho -Founder of AILC, Marilyn-Midwife, Jill- ICU Nurse, Sana-Co-Founder of AILC, Lauri-ER Nurse, Emily-Insurance Agent/Student, Christine-Physical Therapist, Jody-Clinic Nurse, Kay-Middle School Student.

What an awesome team we were and will forever be.....

Last night Team February 2009, had a "Picture Party--Dip Party." It is a tradition when each team returns home, a few weeks later each member brings the photos they took along with a copy of a CD of them to share. Also each member brings a dip of their choice for everyone to enjoy. It was funny in Africa is sort of started as a challenge to see who had the best dip recipe. Knowing that everyone would be thinking of chips and dips, I chose to make a fruit dip, and took huge fresh strawberries for dipping. After all who doesn't like fresh sweet strawberries, especially if you can dip them for added calories....

Everyone was also amazed at my photos. The AILC Organization wants to redo their brochures, their video, and their visual aids for public speaking, using my photos. WOW! I am a little shocked, somewhat honored, yet a bit protective about my photos. The founders, Shosho and Sana, just keep saying, "Oh my what an eye you have for photography!" Sana, also laughed and commented, I remember you lugging all that camera equipment everyday, but now I am so glad you did.

It was nice to see everyone last night. Shosho hugged me and commented, "You clean up pretty nice." I took that as a compliment, and thought to myself, boy I must have looked a sight in Africa! I guess we were all pretty "plain" in Africa and seeing each other all day and most of the night just "plain" it is quite a shock to see each other when we get back to America all dressed up, hair neatly done, make-up on and smelling so nice!

One team member from our expedition said to me at our Picture Party; "I hardly could tell that is you Lauri, without your ball cap and your camera fanny pack!" That's pretty bad that we feel we have to do so much with our hair and faces here at home. Yet, while in Africa we had so much love and appreciation for one another and yet, we were just plain ole plain.

It's kind of sad that we judge others worth and status in society by their outward appearance, their make-up, expensive clothes and a stylish hair do. When what we should judge is the genuine person on the inside, along with the passion, and compassion they exhibit each and everyday!

Before our mission I know each member of Team 2009 had different expectations and visions of Africa. However, I truly feel after our two weeks in the poverty of the country this poem sums the feelings of the entire team. I, myself, hope that the touch of my hand, the compassion in my voice, and the hugs from my heart will always bring a ray of hope and happiness in the lives of those women and children ten-thousand miles away.

Human Touch

Ti's the human touch in this world that counts

The touch of your hand and mine.

That means far more to the fainting heart

Than shelter, bread, or wine.

For shelter is over when the night is gone

And bread only lasts a couple of days.

But, the touch of a hand and the sound of a voice

Sing deep in the soul always.

Wisdom Beyond Years!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of spending the day with My Little Buddy Brykn. It was so much fun as I have really only got to see him once since I got back from Africa and that was at the airport. From the minute I picked him up from daycare, we both had big smiles on our faces. However, there's is just one problem, Brykn still wants to know where his elephant is.... We played all day, inside and outside with all his toys. I explained to Brykn the kids in Africa don't have toys. His reply was "No toys, me will give em some of mine." Wouldn't it be so nice if we all had wisdom beyond our years, and we were all so willing to give to others without hesitation like a two and half year old. Brykn again made me smile when I was showing him a few of the 1251 photos I had taken in Africa. As he sat looking at one particular photo of two African children, he replied, "Oh my gosh that kid is black, him is so cute, me want to play with him!"

I am convinced the world would be a better place if we lived and loved like children do. As children see no barriers, have no prejudices, and consider another child, a child just like themselves.