I have a good
life. I have an easy life. I've had my share of
ups and downs, but in reality - it's still been
an easy life. I've always had people around me who care, I've always had
somewhere to live and food on the table and clothes in my cupboard. I have a
good job. I've never really lacked for anything. I'm fortunate that I
have all this and still, can see that I am fortunate. I thank my parents and
God for giving me a social conscience, and I think that is why I still have
this need to go to Africa. I believe that I have something
to contribute.
Things have changed since I last wrote. That
happens. There have been some changes to my travel plans. It seems that
our government has changed it's travel advice for westerners living and working
in Somaliland to 'Do Not Travel'. After talking it over with my very supportive
better half, we thought it best to look elsewhere to see how I can continue
the pursuit of my dream and still work as a midwife in a 3rd world
country.
After looking at many options I have now
arranged to work with Moffat and Fred at FreMo Medical Clinic and Birthing Centre
in Nairobi, Kenya. Midwives that I work with have visited the clinic in
their travels and there is also a midwife here in Queensland who also supports
this clinic. Reading her blog makes me
realise that I can also work there and have the type of experience I am open to
- one of learning and sharing. Talking with Moffat via email gives glimpses of
his passion to bring good health care to his community. I am looking forward to
going now.
Because FreMo is located in a
slum, and they are doing the very best they can under extremely difficult
circumstances I have decided to fund-raise in an effort to help FreMo. Their new
project is the setting up of a second birthing room, which is appropriate for I will possibly
be working in this room. To that end, I am raffling off one of my patchwork quilts.
This is a new quilt and pieced by myself from fabrics
that I have hand dyed and hand painted. My friend Jane R. did the most wonderful
quilting which really sets off the quite simple medallion style of the quilt.
You can join in this raffle by sending moeny directly to Moffat's PayPal account
(moffat2002US@yahoo.com). For every $5 donation I will allocate 3 raffle
tickets to you. Simply post the receipt in the comments box below and I will
allocate your tickets.
My leaving date is still the
end of May. My current employers are still very supportive of my endeavours and
have gone so far as to put together a mission box of equipment for me to take. Hiccoughs
aside - the 5 year plan is progressing well.
Henry David Thoreau, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion."
Happier to see you go to Kenya instead :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful experience. xx
Thx Ami
ReplyDeleteWow Michelle, how awesome that you're going to Kenya! I've donated $20 to the FreMo Medical Centre.....Mxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteMade a donation of $20 not sure how to post the receipt here.
Transaction Details
Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID 59N86183R1103204L)
Original Transaction
Date Type Status Details Amount
27 Feb 2013 Payment For FreMo Medical Centre Unclaimed ... -$20.00 AUD
That might be it, would love to win your quilt.
Jo Ferguson, Brisbane
Hi
ReplyDeleteJust donated $50... Good luck with your adventure... I can't post receipt details but happy to email a copy...
Paid $50 31.03.13 9.38pm....
Lissa Morrow
Lissapoo@hotmail.com