Gruezi and daughter's amazing trip to Tanzania
Aug 10th, 2009, 12:01 AM
#21
nukesafe - thanks for coming to the Africa board and reading!
Leely - I have been trailing my husband for so long I think he'd be delighted to reverse the roles! I love the idea you have for me!!
Percy - thanks for reading and for your nice feedback - yes, the people and culture were the highlight for us. Still, I felt it was important to see the natural beauty of this country too, as well as support this very important part of their economy. Some volunteers were feeling a bit guilty about mixing in a holiday and I reminded them how they were supporting those who worked in the industry and that with the global economy suffering, tourism in Tanzania also was...
gruezi
Leely - I have been trailing my husband for so long I think he'd be delighted to reverse the roles! I love the idea you have for me!!
Percy - thanks for reading and for your nice feedback - yes, the people and culture were the highlight for us. Still, I felt it was important to see the natural beauty of this country too, as well as support this very important part of their economy. Some volunteers were feeling a bit guilty about mixing in a holiday and I reminded them how they were supporting those who worked in the industry and that with the global economy suffering, tourism in Tanzania also was...
gruezi
Aug 10th, 2009, 07:28 AM
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I recently returned from a trip to Moshi, and was also impressed at the wonderful warmth and generosity of the people. Hopefully I'll be inspired by your example to write a trip report of some sort.
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:11 AM
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Gruezi,
I am rendered speechless but what you wrote about the aspect of nursing while you were there. Wow... I wish I could respond in a grand fashion and say something of meaning but you have left me as I said speechless. I will simply say again thank you for what you did - you make a difference.
Dawn
I am rendered speechless but what you wrote about the aspect of nursing while you were there. Wow... I wish I could respond in a grand fashion and say something of meaning but you have left me as I said speechless. I will simply say again thank you for what you did - you make a difference.
Dawn
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:41 AM
#26
Dawn,
You are so sweet. Honestly, I didn't feel I made a difference as a nurse. None of the other volunteers had as much experience as even my limited amount. I was there with a pre-med student, a nursing student, and a young man who is considering studying public health but his undergrad was unrelated. I think the most important thing was to show that we wanted to learn about their health issues and that we care. Tanzanians are proud of their country, recognize it is poor, and WELCOME you with open arms. The medical professionals there were teaching us - and we all had a lot to learn.
If (when) I go back, I will have a better idea of how I can 'help' and will prepare in advance. For instance, much of what I knew about HIV there was a bit dated - they have new protocols since the studies I had read this past spring. Also, I really didn't know the signs and symptoms and treatment for malaria (duh, I know) which is one of the biggest killers. Nor do I know a lot about treating burns except the kind of fluids to give and the need for protein. I've dressed a lot of wounds, but none of them looked like the wounds I saw there, and I never have dressed a bad wound without giving morphine or something similar beforehand.
One way I thought I could 'help' was to work with the volunteers to find ways we could be useful in addition to the learning we were doing. That is how I got the idea to write a guide for volunteers at the hospital. Also, I felt it would be helpful to know in advance what kinds of things to read about beforehand and to bring prophylaxis for yourself if you plan to assist in surgery or those areas where you may be exposed to infected bodily fluids. Even in terms of what to wear our information was a bit spotty.
So, I hope I will make myself helpful by providing structure to the program for new volunteers in the year ahead.
A silly way to be helpful, we discovered at the end of the third week - simply playing with the children and giving them stickers and blowing bubbles. So obvious, but we were so busy trying to do medical things we overlooked the obvious!
Well, Dawn, I could talk about all this for hours as you can see!! Thanks for listening to me and for your enthusiasm. I really appreciate it.
gruezi
You are so sweet. Honestly, I didn't feel I made a difference as a nurse. None of the other volunteers had as much experience as even my limited amount. I was there with a pre-med student, a nursing student, and a young man who is considering studying public health but his undergrad was unrelated. I think the most important thing was to show that we wanted to learn about their health issues and that we care. Tanzanians are proud of their country, recognize it is poor, and WELCOME you with open arms. The medical professionals there were teaching us - and we all had a lot to learn.
If (when) I go back, I will have a better idea of how I can 'help' and will prepare in advance. For instance, much of what I knew about HIV there was a bit dated - they have new protocols since the studies I had read this past spring. Also, I really didn't know the signs and symptoms and treatment for malaria (duh, I know) which is one of the biggest killers. Nor do I know a lot about treating burns except the kind of fluids to give and the need for protein. I've dressed a lot of wounds, but none of them looked like the wounds I saw there, and I never have dressed a bad wound without giving morphine or something similar beforehand.
One way I thought I could 'help' was to work with the volunteers to find ways we could be useful in addition to the learning we were doing. That is how I got the idea to write a guide for volunteers at the hospital. Also, I felt it would be helpful to know in advance what kinds of things to read about beforehand and to bring prophylaxis for yourself if you plan to assist in surgery or those areas where you may be exposed to infected bodily fluids. Even in terms of what to wear our information was a bit spotty.
So, I hope I will make myself helpful by providing structure to the program for new volunteers in the year ahead.
A silly way to be helpful, we discovered at the end of the third week - simply playing with the children and giving them stickers and blowing bubbles. So obvious, but we were so busy trying to do medical things we overlooked the obvious!
Well, Dawn, I could talk about all this for hours as you can see!! Thanks for listening to me and for your enthusiasm. I really appreciate it.
gruezi
Aug 10th, 2009, 08:47 AM
#27
One more story...
One of the surgeons I became friendly with found out I worked in oncology/hospice and immediately called a friend who does the same thing in Arusha. She came all the way to Moshi to meet me! She was held up en route and missed our appointment, and the doctor drove her to our homebase, found out where I was (in another village visiting HIV patients in their homes) and drove there to meet me. The woman was leaving the next day for the US to visit a famous hospice in the midwest. The doctor knew we could communicate via email, but he thought it was really important that we met each other in person if only for a few minutes.
I was overwhelmed by this...
gruezi
One of the surgeons I became friendly with found out I worked in oncology/hospice and immediately called a friend who does the same thing in Arusha. She came all the way to Moshi to meet me! She was held up en route and missed our appointment, and the doctor drove her to our homebase, found out where I was (in another village visiting HIV patients in their homes) and drove there to meet me. The woman was leaving the next day for the US to visit a famous hospice in the midwest. The doctor knew we could communicate via email, but he thought it was really important that we met each other in person if only for a few minutes.
I was overwhelmed by this...
gruezi
Aug 10th, 2009, 09:15 AM
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d to bring prophylaxis for yourself if you plan to assist in surgery or those areas where you may be exposed to infected bodily fluids. Even in terms of what to wear our information was a bit spotty.>>>
I admit again I am stunned that this was not communicated to you. I think the text you could write would be REALLY helpful.
regarding the story about the woman coming to meet you - I have heard stories like this before - long travel and insistence on meeting - and am too always slightly surprised - as if "we" have that much to offer... it is overwhelming in so many ways.
I admit again I am stunned that this was not communicated to you. I think the text you could write would be REALLY helpful.
regarding the story about the woman coming to meet you - I have heard stories like this before - long travel and insistence on meeting - and am too always slightly surprised - as if "we" have that much to offer... it is overwhelming in so many ways.
Aug 10th, 2009, 11:28 AM
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Hi Gruezi,
I remember responding to your post about your pre-trip apprehensions, and now having read your post trip report, I am very proud of what you and your daughter have done. Doesn't it feel good ?
As one whos lived in Kenya before, I am very familiar with your experiences and the warm African people you encountered. Doesn't it really show us how 'spoilt' we are in the west, while how happy some people are making the best with what little they have ?
Theres no way any of us can solve the problems you saw, but we can only do our own little bit to help at that moment of need.
Theres also no getting away from the simple, selfless sense of duty, love and compassion that is so common among the average African person. The politicans seem to be the exception here.
You'll now realise why the annual fundraising concert for children's AIDS charities that the choir I sing with here in Canada each April is so important to me. We support 5 charities in the Cape Town area for children battling AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses. Except for 1 charity, which exclusively helps grandmothers caring for such babies because both parents have died. Your work and report only inspires me to try to do more.
Well done.
PS There is NOTHING like the wonderful red soil in East Africa. Its the first thing I see when looking out the plane window near touch down and it always gets to me.
I remember responding to your post about your pre-trip apprehensions, and now having read your post trip report, I am very proud of what you and your daughter have done. Doesn't it feel good ?
As one whos lived in Kenya before, I am very familiar with your experiences and the warm African people you encountered. Doesn't it really show us how 'spoilt' we are in the west, while how happy some people are making the best with what little they have ?
Theres no way any of us can solve the problems you saw, but we can only do our own little bit to help at that moment of need.
Theres also no getting away from the simple, selfless sense of duty, love and compassion that is so common among the average African person. The politicans seem to be the exception here.
You'll now realise why the annual fundraising concert for children's AIDS charities that the choir I sing with here in Canada each April is so important to me. We support 5 charities in the Cape Town area for children battling AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses. Except for 1 charity, which exclusively helps grandmothers caring for such babies because both parents have died. Your work and report only inspires me to try to do more.
Well done.
PS There is NOTHING like the wonderful red soil in East Africa. Its the first thing I see when looking out the plane window near touch down and it always gets to me.
Aug 10th, 2009, 07:04 PM
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Gruezi
I have been enriched if that is an appropriate word-from your report. Having just returned from a pure wildlife trip to Africa, I can't wait to find a way to get back as I know I have just experience only a small part.
I am in the rehabilitative medical field, and would like to find a way to use my skills there. I read through all the posts, but I must have missed a link to get more information on the organization you went with.
And I do think that your goal of organizing the volunteer experience is a a wonderful thing, and will help many many others.
amy
I have been enriched if that is an appropriate word-from your report. Having just returned from a pure wildlife trip to Africa, I can't wait to find a way to get back as I know I have just experience only a small part.
I am in the rehabilitative medical field, and would like to find a way to use my skills there. I read through all the posts, but I must have missed a link to get more information on the organization you went with.
And I do think that your goal of organizing the volunteer experience is a a wonderful thing, and will help many many others.
amy
Aug 11th, 2009, 09:01 AM
#32
Thanks to all of you for continuing this conversation about Tanzania. It really warms my heart!
Mathieu - What a wonderful note and wonderful work you are doing. Yes it felt good to have done this trip and I suspect it is just the beginning of things for both me and my daughter. But I love when travel changes us!! It's so exciting. My daughter is working on a poster with photos of "her kids" to mail them. She really misses them. I love that you are using music to raise money - we are a family of musicians (my girls) and music appreciators (my husband and I). Best wishes to you in your work and may you have many dreams of red earth and banana trees...
Amy - I don't know if your specific skills would exactly translate (mine certainly didn't) but you can go and have an amazing experience anyway. I just caution you that I learned infinitely more than I ever contributed. That was hard sometimes to feel that I wasn't "really helping". Yes, you would only get a small taste of the people from safari travel whereas this kind of trip really makes you feel a part of the community. The organization is Cross Cultural Solutions and the website is:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
It's definitely not inexpensive but you get a lot from the program. Support up front, cultural experiences, safe housing and food, and the placement for your volunteering experience. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. I'm happy to help if I can. There is assistance in helping you to do fundraising if you need/want to. My daughter did raise over $1000 of her fees just by asking close friends and family.
Seetheworld - what a wonderful gesture. We (my daughter and I) are not allowed to make donations as we are part of the partnership between CCS and the school, however I can't imagine that another donor such as yourself would interfere with that relationship. We were specifically asked not to give any donations to the organizations we worked with as it creates expectations for volunteers in the future that are not always positive - ie it becomes less of a cultural exchange and more of a financial exchange. I came to understand and appreciate this policy, as frustrating as it sometimes seemed, but CCS is very professional and seems to know what they are doing. Do you have an email you feel comfortable sharing? If not I guess I could give you the address here. My daughter does have it. Additionally, another possibility is to sponsor a student who is going on to further their education. This is something I think we will look into - perhaps a nursing student. I actually did donate my white uniform to someone who asked me before I left. It clearly wouldn't have fit her, so I imagine it was for a daughter or friend.
Boy it was tough being back in the office today!! I'm still not quite feeling back here in reality yet...
gruezi
Mathieu - What a wonderful note and wonderful work you are doing. Yes it felt good to have done this trip and I suspect it is just the beginning of things for both me and my daughter. But I love when travel changes us!! It's so exciting. My daughter is working on a poster with photos of "her kids" to mail them. She really misses them. I love that you are using music to raise money - we are a family of musicians (my girls) and music appreciators (my husband and I). Best wishes to you in your work and may you have many dreams of red earth and banana trees...
Amy - I don't know if your specific skills would exactly translate (mine certainly didn't) but you can go and have an amazing experience anyway. I just caution you that I learned infinitely more than I ever contributed. That was hard sometimes to feel that I wasn't "really helping". Yes, you would only get a small taste of the people from safari travel whereas this kind of trip really makes you feel a part of the community. The organization is Cross Cultural Solutions and the website is:
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
It's definitely not inexpensive but you get a lot from the program. Support up front, cultural experiences, safe housing and food, and the placement for your volunteering experience. Let me know if you have any questions about anything. I'm happy to help if I can. There is assistance in helping you to do fundraising if you need/want to. My daughter did raise over $1000 of her fees just by asking close friends and family.
Seetheworld - what a wonderful gesture. We (my daughter and I) are not allowed to make donations as we are part of the partnership between CCS and the school, however I can't imagine that another donor such as yourself would interfere with that relationship. We were specifically asked not to give any donations to the organizations we worked with as it creates expectations for volunteers in the future that are not always positive - ie it becomes less of a cultural exchange and more of a financial exchange. I came to understand and appreciate this policy, as frustrating as it sometimes seemed, but CCS is very professional and seems to know what they are doing. Do you have an email you feel comfortable sharing? If not I guess I could give you the address here. My daughter does have it. Additionally, another possibility is to sponsor a student who is going on to further their education. This is something I think we will look into - perhaps a nursing student. I actually did donate my white uniform to someone who asked me before I left. It clearly wouldn't have fit her, so I imagine it was for a daughter or friend.
Boy it was tough being back in the office today!! I'm still not quite feeling back here in reality yet...
gruezi
Aug 12th, 2009, 05:08 AM
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Aug 13th, 2009, 09:56 AM
#34
dear seetheworld,
my daughter is going to send you the address and also some photos of the children either today or tomorrow. You will really smile when you see them. They are priceless. She says they mostly need things like notebooks (they use something like our old blue books from college) pencils and erasers and little pencil sharpeners - There is one class sharpener for the school with 90 kids. Probably children's books would be good too - very basic ones and with letters and counting and simple math. They really don't understand too much English but it is important that they learn it in order to continue to secondary education. You will see in the photos that they use bottle caps for counting. In the photos they are all holding little plastic mugs. That is the porridge they get for lunch. The day of the photos my daughter had bought them bananas as well which was a very special treat. She told me she used to give them the fullest cups of porridge she could
Do you know we are from Ridgefield, CT? Bet not to far from you in westchester...
gruezi
my daughter is going to send you the address and also some photos of the children either today or tomorrow. You will really smile when you see them. They are priceless. She says they mostly need things like notebooks (they use something like our old blue books from college) pencils and erasers and little pencil sharpeners - There is one class sharpener for the school with 90 kids. Probably children's books would be good too - very basic ones and with letters and counting and simple math. They really don't understand too much English but it is important that they learn it in order to continue to secondary education. You will see in the photos that they use bottle caps for counting. In the photos they are all holding little plastic mugs. That is the porridge they get for lunch. The day of the photos my daughter had bought them bananas as well which was a very special treat. She told me she used to give them the fullest cups of porridge she could
Do you know we are from Ridgefield, CT? Bet not to far from you in westchester...
gruezi
Aug 14th, 2009, 04:47 AM
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oh, gruezi, when I read your daughter's account of these school children, I get teary-eyed (especially about the porridge). I am looking forward to the photos and address and doing what I can to help!
I thought you were from CT (have you always had your screen name?) -- you would not be too far from me then.
I look forward to the email from your DD!
STW
I thought you were from CT (have you always had your screen name?) -- you would not be too far from me then.
I look forward to the email from your DD!
STW
Aug 29th, 2009, 04:06 AM
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Hello Gruezi,
Today was my first opportunity to check my gmail and log onto Fodor's. I can't believe I returned from Portugal less than a week ago and now I'm just swamped at work.
I did receive the email with the school information from your DD. I just responded to her. I was very moved by the pictures she included -- just priceless.
I hope to get the first box of materials on its way to Tanzania next weekend.
STW
Today was my first opportunity to check my gmail and log onto Fodor's. I can't believe I returned from Portugal less than a week ago and now I'm just swamped at work.
I did receive the email with the school information from your DD. I just responded to her. I was very moved by the pictures she included -- just priceless.
I hope to get the first box of materials on its way to Tanzania next weekend.
STW
Aug 29th, 2009, 11:48 AM
#38
Dear STW,
You are really something!! Portugal, important birthday, GTGs, and still sending materials to Tanzania!!
What a good soul you are.
My daughter will be really touched by what you have done.
Thank you for your support of the school it means so much...
Somedays I wonder why I "waste" so much time on Fodor's and then things like this happen and I realize it is just such a great little "world" here.
XO gruezi
You are really something!! Portugal, important birthday, GTGs, and still sending materials to Tanzania!!
What a good soul you are.
My daughter will be really touched by what you have done.
Thank you for your support of the school it means so much...
Somedays I wonder why I "waste" so much time on Fodor's and then things like this happen and I realize it is just such a great little "world" here.
XO gruezi
Aug 29th, 2009, 02:24 PM
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Marija, I will check that out (would I have to pay the duty or will the recipient?). My MIL gave me a generous birthday gift and I will use that for the shipping and any other expenses necessary to ship.
