I remember years ago when I was a young girl, way back in the late 50’s, when one particular issue of LIFE magazine arrived in the mail. It had a full pictorial spread about “Project Hope” and its ship ("HOPE" = "Health Opportunities for People Everywhere") that made stops around the world. I devoured that issue and couldn’t imagine a life more exciting than traveling and taking care of people at the same time.
I’ve done a lot of both since then; 30 years as a nurse and 20 years as a flight attendant. But it wasn’t until David and I retired that I found the amazing opportunity to do both at the same time.
How often I hear from friends: “I wish I had done what you’re doing now!” So, well…do it! Don’t wait! You’ll never be as young again as you are today! All the coulda’s, woulda’s, shoulda’s need not be a replacement for giving back and living with (at least a little) gusto! Think “global”, think ”you”, add the word "volunteer" and put it all together with the word "how". Now, add a question mark to that sentence and figure it out! Find a creative way to express your profound goodness and generosity and gratitude to our overwhelmed and overwhelming planet.
I wrote in my blog about Fikadu with the Chiari 1 malformation and about Melaku, the young shoe shine boy with such a terrible tumor. Several of you requested an update.
Fikadu was seen by Rick Hodes in his clinic last week. David had asked if he might receive treatment in the Seattle area as a charity case, but that’s rarely done for foreigners. Rick will probably send Fikadu to India where he will be seen for a complete evaluation by a top-notch neurosurgeon, at minimal cost.
Mecado is a more unfortunate case. As you can see by his photos/scan, his cancer occupies a large portion of his head, and his chest x-ray indicates lung metastatses. Radiation therapy, even if it were an option, has a 2 year waiting list in Ethiopia; chemotherapy is difficult to obtain, prohibitively expensive, and may not even be a treatment option.
Rick Hodes is just a wonderful human being…the kind we all really want to be, but somehow silly things get in our way. But Rick is different, he just doesn’t let silly things get in his way. He works tirelessly and his Foundation finances the opportunity for young kids to have a chance at life, or maybe better said..a chance at “staying alive”. What kid doesn’t deserve that? If you want to help, send $20 (or $5, or $50) to www.rickhodes.org . Don’t let some silly thing get in your way. Rick gets by with a little help from his friends. You can be his friend, too, and a friend to the kids who come to his clinic. It’s all a good thing.
Want to dive into a good book, the kind that brings a whole new standard to truly great reading? Borrow “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese from your library. It takes place in Ethiopia, and chronicles 2 young brothers/doctors as they unravel the mysteries in their lives. You’ll never want it to end.
“Our world turns on our every action and our every
omission, whether we know it or not”
Abraham Verghese
(Which would you rather the world turned on...what you do..or what you don't do?)
I hope you enjoyed this trip as much as we did!
Here's a really great idea-
Why don't YOU think about Global Volunteering?
For those who may want to read our "Volunteering in Kenya Trip 2012", you can find the blog by clicking on "About Me", underneath "Complete Profile" on the right side of our main blog page...or.... at
http://dtpit12.blogspot.com
See you in 2014!
Mara and David
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| Melaku, 18 years old with a bad prognosis |
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| MR scan: large cancer at mid-face with cerebellar metastasis |
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| At Rick's home with David. Two terrific guys- |
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| Chest X-ray showing Melaku's metastases. |
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| My dear neighbor sent me a picture of my sad kitty when he came by for feedings. "Come home, Mommy, come home soon!" . |
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| Back in Seattle we have an opportunity to share our experiences with friends and colleagues...and we do! We think Global Volunteering is for everyone! |
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| On our last day in Kenya last year, I found the small red soapstone heart at a store. I bought it right away, it felt like I was leaving a little part of my heart behind. This year, at the souvenir shop at the airport I saw another one. What if I had one for every time I thought about our Kabongo kids ... Could there ever be enough windowsills for all of the hearts? |
Here's a really great idea-
Why don't YOU think about Global Volunteering?
For those who may want to read our "Volunteering in Kenya Trip 2012", you can find the blog by clicking on "About Me", underneath "Complete Profile" on the right side of our main blog page...or.... at
http://dtpit12.blogspot.com
See you in 2014!
Mara and David
