Eye Care Kenya

quilt and the LivingRoom

2011-02-19T12:01:00.007-06:00

Hi Everyone

The LivingRoom is a hospice started by Juli McGowan in Kipkaren, Kenya. It is the very same hospice that this team helped with the garden for patients and their families to walk together. It is the only hospice that will be helping children. On February 3, 2011, Juli sent me this email and picture of the latest edition to the LivingRoom family. I thought it was extremely touching how the village and the things that are being done in the village-- come full circle. Here is that email--

DeAnn,
Today I brought a 4 year old girl named
Purity to Living Room. She is
terribly malnourished and has all of the
classic signs of kwashiorkor.
Her lethargy is telling. When she
arrived, I wrapped her in one of the
quilts the women had made. Something
about that was life-giving to me.

There is a long and hard battle that must
be fought for the sake of
this little one. I wanted to say thank
you for being a part of it.
Love,
Juli

A single idea, a single action can
move the world.  It has for this little girl.
To everyone who has contributed in anyway
to Spanda INC.  Thank you for all you do.
What would you do for any
little human being?--anything.

Thank you Everyone.

women's sewing group

2011-02-19T10:36:00.004-06:00

Good Morning everyone

It has taken a few days:) to get back in the groove at home. I have been receiving communications from Kipkaren about the LivingRoom and about our women's sewing group. I would like to continue to share those stories. Carolyn Hamilton and Jennifer Pershing did an awesome job of conducting 2 classes back to back with sewing. Some of the village women had experience but all were energetic about these classes. Talking with Michelle Kiprop, who is a missionary over in Kipkaren and the director of the eye-dental-medical clinic, we did not want the energy to wane when this team left. So Michelle had a women's meeting Monday after we left and over 100 women showed up to take part in the sewing group and classes!! Here are some of the quilts that were made.

Home Safe & Sound

2011-02-09T17:07:00.003-06:00

We are happy to say that all members of the Kenya 2011 trip made it home safe and sound on January 26. Thank you to everyone who helped make the trip and everything that was accomplished during it a reality. We are very excited to see how all the hard work plays out. Keep checking back to learn more about the Spanda Inc. events and happenings.

Changing lives onepaver--one tooth--one glass H20 at a time

2011-01-19T13:43:00.003-06:00

Hello

At 4:00pm today the village came out to say their goodbyes. Talked asbout our their lives were different because of the clinic and clean water. We all were presented with gifts that are made in Kipkaren. And 100's of handshakes and hugs and goodbyes. Cosmos was there. He was along on our first trip. Struggling with life at that time, He introduced me to his wife, he has a new son and is working for the LivingRoom. It is always good to see Cosmos--energentic and happy--he had been an optician for us for the last threee years.
Went up to the school to take pictures and the children are drinking out the new well and carrying clean water home.
It has been an incredible journey!!
This team, as my teams, give until they almost break. I confess I am very tired and would have to say the team is probably reduced in size considerably:) It's ok-- I was walking to the school and fell down on the rocks. Nervous and embarrassed I yelled out safe. What else can you do?
All I could do is laugh at myself.
We have finished dinner and need to be up early for our plane ride to the Masai Mara. Wish us luck. There won't be any further communication until we get home.
However, I will be keeping this blog site live to update our progress--a womens' sewing group will start because of Carolyn and Jen. Some men have learned a trade that they can go and make a living with--laying pavers and planting flowers. Nicklaus, who is the foreman on the job site of the LivingRoom and where the landscaping was done. Your team has given me something I can have for the rest of my life. You can give me money but it is gone in a snap!! You give me knowledge and it helps my family and friends and me for a lifetime.

chlorinatoring at clinic and flossing

2011-01-19T13:24:00.003-06:00

Hi Everyone

We were up early today the last day of our mission trip. Early to the clinic across the Kipkaren River--literally crossing the river finding the strategically placed rocks to step. This is the first time I have not anointed myself with the Rivers of Kenya. The first time I crossed and slipped in up to my ankles. I cursed myself and said how do they expect me to work with wet feet and shoes. Of course, once at the clinic--all the people waiting to be seen. I chited myself--these people had walked miles what was I complaining about. We began to see patients until the generator ran out of gas!!
Much has changed here. No running water no electricity when I did my first mission trip. The outdoor squatty potty was a barely a mud structure with a leaning door that did not close--luckily when it was hot. And a hole in the ground. Last year the "squatty potty" became a cement structure with a hole. Much more manageable, but ask Carla M. about her experience when she came in 2009:) To day I saw patients along side Julius and was able to walk in a wash my hands. In addition, they were able to convert the closet into a flushing toilet:0 Oh happy day!!
Now with the water chlorinated--the dentist and the maternity ward and the medical and optometry are safer for their patients and themselves.
After we had lunch--the whole team broke out and flossed!! In honor of Dr. Bessler!! Juli the director of the Living Room had to confess it is the first time she has ever floss with a team and she has lived here 9 years! It is a first of still many!!
This afternoon the water was hooked up and the chlorinator was running like a champ. But we weren't without excitement. We could not get the pressure in the system. So I called Carol at 1:15am--Thank you Carol for taking my call and tripping over the furniture to get John Hays' number. I called John shortly afterword. Sorry but this was our last day and thing were getting hairy. Besides it was only 11:30am for us.....I missed dialed--sorry goes out to the lady who was extremely kind to me on the phone with a wrong number...I apoloigised but John was eager to help. Told us how to build up pressure in the line. Half the team was late for Hut visits so off they went. Jims and I stayed behind--the jeep with the team wasn't gone 10-15 seconds --we had pressure we had water--chlorinated!!!!!!

A second home

2011-01-19T13:05:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,

Well, we did it. We have chlorine in the water at the clinic, we have people trained to make chlorine and maintain the system. I want to thank Rex for teaching me how to adapt when working on a project and how to make things work with what we have, Thank you Dr. Dad.

The people of this community are amazing, they have open their hearts and their homes to us. They have made me feel like we are a part of this community. I'm blessed to have been on this team to come here and work with these people. God bless the people I have met here because they have blessed my life.

Jennifer

Jambo

2011-01-19T12:37:00.002-06:00

That means "hello". Today is the last of our time here in Kipkaren. Many of the villagers turned out for a celebration, complete with signing. There were tears all around as we said our last goodbyes to the people who were our families for the last week. I have learned so much from them yet they are the ones that keep thanking me.

This morning started early with meeting at 7am for final connection of the chlorine injector. We had some minor problems but between Jen and a couple of really smart Kenyans, we managed to work all of the kinks out. I went on a couple of welfare checks today into the poorest of poor areas. The clinic works with several patience with AIDs and they check on them every few days. They have nothing in the way of possessions, perhaps are not the cleanest but in most cases are somewhat healthy, thanks to the clinic that Spanda, Inc has built. There are many grandmothers raising babies and small children because so many adults have lost their lives to AIDs.

So I'm off to another part of Kenya to experience the wildlife sanctuary and take a safari. Safari in Swahili means journey, so it shall be an adventure. The exciting times but yet I am sad that I must leave these people and this community.

I hope I can share with each of you something about what makes this village so special and close to my heart. I am humbled by their friendliness and gratitude and can truly say that I am a different person than when I stumbled into the Cedar Rapids Airport a week ago to begin this journey.

So to everyone in the states, good night and I will begin new adventures tomorrow.

Carolyn

Parting is such Sweet Sorrow

2011-01-19T12:15:00.002-06:00

7 days ago we boarded a plane leaving our homes Iowa. The snow was blowing and the temperatue was low. 2 days later we stepped out of our jeeps and into our new home in Kenya.

This trip was an amazing and beautiful trip that will stay within my heart the rest of life. The lessons I have learned about the beauty of the human spirit and the beauty of taking time to know your neigher, care for your neighbor, and to take the time to visit was a lesson many people could use every day of their life. So many times we allow ourselves to get caught up in the daily press of living life to the tick of the hands on the clock. We allow the beautiful moments to slip away and be sacraficed to moments of productivity.

This village truly took us in as members of their family. Men and women we worked next to for just a few days invited us to their homes to meet their families. Children, elders, and complete strangers go out of their way to greet us and to greet each other no matter where they may be going.

The days Lauren and I spent in the local public school working with the children was heart-warming and was balanced out by the day we spent doing home visits. Home visits were really eye-opening and grounding. It brought us down to earth and really opened my eyes to what it truly means to live in poverty. These people spend their day looking for food and water and it leaves them no time to other things that may improve their life. Their spirits are amazingly positive and they loved that we came to visit with them. They especially enjoyed hearing tales of snow-covered Iowa.

I will truly miss the people of Chabywa (che-bi-o-wa). I will make a great effort to return soon.
~Markus Cannon

How do we say goodbye?

2011-01-19T11:58:00.003-06:00

The releiving message the locals have left us with is that they don't say "goodbye"...just "we will see you again". Another powerful day here in Kipkaren. The projects were finished up with great success!

Mark, Sharon, & I spent all morning at the local school matching up pen pal letters from the kids at CR Prairie and matching up the Comfort Dolls with their child. We took pictures so you who sponsored dolls can see the light in the childrens' faces with their new dolls. It was like they weren't sure if the doll was actually for them. After reassurance it was a gift from a friend in America, they would take the doll in their arms and hug it with great love. I'm giddy thinking about it.

Mom and dad finished their work at the gardens at the Living Room and created a place of growth, beauty, and hope. The staff and residents expressed how it would chenge their lives.

Caroline, Dr. Fitz, and Jennifer worked miracles at the clinic finishing the chlorinator system at the health clinic. They were challenged with finding the right parts and compatible pieces to make the system work. They did it!

I made some amazing friends in the houseparents at the childrens' home...in particular Etna & Mark We are grateful and honored to meet such devoted and loving people.

After a beautiful goodbye ceremony full of song and speeches of gratitude, we are dizzy with happiness and the message from a people who have hope to change their conditions for the better. They expressed thanks to us, and all I keep thinking is how much they have given us.

Lauren

the circle of life

2011-01-18T12:36:00.003-06:00

Hello
Sharon our nurse was called in the middle of the night that a baby was being born. We got her an escort and she was on her way. Shortly, after 2am Sharon returned. Quiet. We found out later that the mother and child had to be taken out by ambulance and possibly at this time the mother had lost alot of blood and that the baby may be still born. It deeply effected this community. Many people were up 36 hours in an attempt to save these lives. It is met with deep sorrow that this child did not make and the mother was in surgery for several hours. Once again, if they would have been in the United Staes this would have probably been a uncomplicated c-section. It is a part of life here.
I told you about Rose and her entry in heaven on Sunday morning. Rose was one of the first patients to come to the LivingRoom and George came to the LivingRoom to die and today he is well enough to go home. Mixed so closely with sorrow is happiness. For Goerge is able to go back home. Because this community has decided to step and take care of the people who are given less than what is left. This to me shows the true heart and soul of a community not only are they there for the young but for their elderly and sick and dying.
It has been an unbelieveable adventure--this team has given 200% and with the last couple of days near, they barely rest. I have heard over and over how this team and the teams I have brought in the past have been organized and ready to move. They can't believe the things we get done in such a short amount of time. To this team--Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!

Just to check--We brought dental equipment--tools, handpieces,suction,gause,fillings, etc. We brought 5 individual chlorinators to teach out reach in the community, 1 industrial chlorinator for the clinic, optometry equipment--transition lenses, tint tank, pupilometer, dolls for the school the clinic and the living room--these children come into the clinic with burns or cancer and receive an angel of comfort doll. A pen pal program between Prairie schools and Chabiaywa schools. A huge thank you to Lauren and Marcus Cannon--they took this to the limit--all the letters were treated with such care by each child that received a letter. Nothing can touch you deeper than a child thought to be forgotten receives mail from a kindred spirit across the pond!!! One of the most spectacular sites was the incredible team of Carolyn and Jen and the women of Chabiaywa. 80 quilting kits taken over--all dispensed--they made 4 quilts and the women donated them to the Living Room. You could see women under trees, waiting for their spouse or friend to walk and they would be working on their quilt. All of the women talked about the class---HEY to the ladies in Iowa City for preparing the quilts. To Jen and Carolyn--I will never do battle with needles again. We might lose an eye--JOB SECURITY!!!!!!! Brought quilts,blankets,fitted sheets,scrubs,hospital gowns--children and adult. Wound care preps and soaker pads. Computer--6 of them to start a computer lab for education. And finally the smuggling in of the the six garden hoes, 2 shovel/picks,8 pick/hoes. Because the landscaping of the the Living Room--I deeply appreciate the whole team but especially--Mother Nature and Jims---Joan and Jim Chalupsky--we put in 6 pallets of pavers, 3 loads of sand, 50 trees, 100 of flowers--so approximately 200 plants, a tressel at the end of the walk, a stone wall, 2 additional pathways for benches. And an awesome amount of love and affection for the people of Kenya---And Joan and Jim did not think they would have anything to offer:)

Off for now will blog again tomorrow--getting ready to say good-bye to our family in Chabiaywa--then to Iowa.

Dr. Fitzgerald

Dental Chair and the clinic

2011-01-18T12:13:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone
I know that some of the team is on Tuesday but I am only on Monday:) Today, early we are off to the clinic. I have a couple of patients to see and then to talk with the staff. Jeremiah, the dentist is the Kenya twin of Dr. Bessler:) Meant with deep affection. He is very good at what he is doing and very maticulate. He is doing mostly teeth extraction with 2 filling per day. I think he is doing very well.. For me I notice that the teeth in the village have a different glow!!! They definetly are doing better with teeth care.. Surprising many of the patients anymore do not want their pictures taken but we were able to get several. Jeremiah is very happy with the chair and the new equipment, I believe he sees about 8-10 patients per day with 2 of those being more complicated. Clean water has ensured the safety of the staff person and the safety of the patient. A picture of the well that was near the clinic last year was always full of children getting water. It was badly contaminated, so much so the water sample turned black immediately. Because of the water at the clinic and in the community school. The children spend less time searching for water and less time in the clinic being sick.. With the chlorinator being put on the system, it will better ensure that Jeremiah and the rest of the clinic will be in greater safety of any type of wound exposure. In addition, typhoid is still a problem that is greatly reduced with clean water but possibly irradicated with the introduction of the chlorination.
So to Dr. Bessler and her team of friends and family and staff--GREAT JOB!!! You all have had a great effect on this community. And although you all have not met them--they are eternally grateful for the dental chair, the books and hand tools that have made their way over here.
As you all might know even in American, we may never know who we touch as we walk together in this life. In Kenya, rest assured that you all have changed the lives of many women, men and especially the children. Because of you the next President of Kenya or teacher to get the Noble prize or the engineer that invents the green opportunity may have been this child that at some point in time thought they had beeen forgotten and that no one would know them or care. And yet all of you half way around the world have changed the world. Hope has been restored in this community because the tireless efforts of many in Cedar Rapids, Ia. Once again--A single idea, a single action can and DOES move the world in an unbelievable way.
May God bless us all to live with compassion for our brother and sister every day. And to step up when we see our brothers and sisters in pain. Let's walk together to end the suffering--- one tooth pulled at a time with anesthetic---Thank you to Dr. Bessler, staff, family and friends--A job well done:)
Blessings
Dr. Fitzgerald

It's a 10

2011-01-18T12:11:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone,

Every Tuesday the villagers can bring there cows to get them dip to kill the ticks. The ticks here can kill the cows. It was a blast to watch, some of the cows were not very happy about the process and were very vocal about it. Some of the cows did flying jumps all 4 legs sticking straight, others tried to refuse to no avail. All the cows got dipped. It was chilly, you could see the steam coming off there backs. I think I got some good pictures so look for the cow dipping calender for 2012.

Todays projects started out with quilting and quickly became a day of plumbing. After two trips to town we finally started laying out the pipes for the chlorine injector for the clinic today. We made good progress and the plan is to have up and working before the clinic opens tomorrow. So, Fitz, Carolyn and I will be up at the clinic by 7 am.

Good night all,
Jennifer

Chlorine almost complete

2011-01-18T11:30:00.003-06:00

Thechlorine generator is nearly complete. That means good drinking water at the clinic for patients and staff. Two very clever gentlemen assisted with the piping and tomorrow we will finish all the hook ups. It seemed like a long day for villagers and visitors. Lots of projects are finishing up. The second morning of quilting was another success. I hade 18 new quilters and 26 women from yesterday came and worked on their quilts. It was wonderful to listen to all the women sit and chitty chat and gab about what was happening in their lives.

So tomorrow is the last day and if I think about it at all I will surely burst into tears. I really now understand how people come to love this place.

But tomorrow also brings a shower so I will be in the best of spirits despite seeing the completion of your journey here.

As always, love to all of you in the states.

Carolyn

Tuesday is a great day in Kenya

2011-01-18T11:20:00.003-06:00

There have been many events in my life that I consider life-changing. There is no way to describe, once again, the events of the day and the beauty of these people and their country.
We started the day at sunrise witnessing my 1st ever "Cow Dipping" experience.
Please ask me later. It was like no other farm experience I have seen :)

Mark and I then took off for our morning of "Home visits". These are people in the community who have been tested HIV positive and were in dire need of care and attention. What a blessing Julie and ELI, as well as the clinic have been established here. They are now receiving proper medications and can live out their days in great care. They certainly live in the most meager of homes, but are happy and grateful to be alive. Their attitude about life was an inspiration to me. I thought I left the US to come offer something to these Kenyans, and instead it is me who is receiving the gifts.

Later in the day we visited the school to deliver the pen pal letters to the school children. Their happy smiling faces: priceless. After receiving their letters, they would rush back to their desks to pour over their messages from far far away (CR Prairie students).

Our evening was spent visiting the children's home to once again, witness joy and gratitude from 97 children living in adoptive care from 4 families. If there is a God, he lives here.

Thanks to all of you for all of your support for these people. They are in the utmost appreciation and gratitude.

Lauren

Three days blessed

2011-01-17T12:17:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone

Today was a day to get some new projects started. Carolyn and I taught 44 lovely women about quilting. (To be honest I think some of them are much better then I at stiching) The ladies all seemed to have fun, they were talking and laughing, maybe at us I didn't understand anything they were saying. I don't think they understood anything I said either. I brought a small sample of a quilt to show them a finished product, and I was showing it to a couple of the women while they waited for something to sew and I made the comment "It is a blankent for a mouse" one of the ladies chuckled the other just looked at me, then she said something with the word mouse, there was a reply and then the woman chuckled. The 3 blankets that were made were all given to the Livingroom. The women all got to take a quilting kit home for themselves. When we were on our way home from the school there was a woman sitting under a tree working on the quilt kit she got.

After lunch Lauren, Mark, Carolyn and I went to the school with Michelle to give pen pal letters to two of the classes. I was taking pictures of the Children and kids are kids no matter where you are. I had kids that didn't want to get there picture taken, kids that were shy, kids that would not smile. It was great fun.

We were walking back from the school we were all talking about stopping a this little shop to get a coke and I offered to buy. When we got to the shop it was closed so we were out of luck. Mark Carolyn and I went to the build site for the living center to get the rest of the team. So, Lauren took my camera back because it looked like rain. So, we get back and Mark shows up at our door a little later with my camera and a ice cold coke, he does this little dance showing off his coke, do you think he offered to share? I think not.

Night all,
Jennifer

Sunday afternoon bumps into Monday

2011-01-17T11:53:00.004-06:00

Hello everyone
After 3 hours of church and all I can say if all of church was this lively with singing and dancing there would be alot greater attendance:) They honored the team and it was very nice. We went to lunch and in our sunday best--I forgot other clothes--I was loading sand to wheel barrels, wheeling the wheel barrels and lastly on my hands and knees placing pavers while Jen and Sharon came up the back to level. I love work but the skirt has to go!! The comment has been they did not know that white people could work so hard. Or just to work. It comes originally with the British colony existence and the Brits would sit on the horse and bark orders. Kind of interesting.
Today was fabulous. Carolyn and Jen did an absolutely spectacular job of hosting a quilting bee. Forty-five women came for their class. As a group, they made 4 quilts in 4 hours. The quilts were presented to the LivingRoom to Juli. The women absolutely enjoyed presenting the quilts to Juli. Several of the women knew how to sew and several women did not. All of the women were given a quilt to take with them. After lunch, you could walk near the clinic, the livingRoom and on the road waiting--quilting. It was awesome!!
We had dinner with the engineer in charge of the World Bank project. Very nice man he has already been hear 3 months he is of Induan decent but I don't know if he is Kenyan.
Julius, our locally trained optometrist/optian came for me during the quilting bee and needed me to see a patient. The patient came to the clinic, he had just fallen into a thistle bush and one was lodged in his eye. I came into the clinic and he was patiently waiting. I could seee the thorn, saw point of entry but it had gone completely under the conjunctiva. Part of the problem, is I could not find the point of the thistle and in addition we did not have the best twizzers. Totally emerged in the conjuctiva and no ability to look in retina because he had a fairly advanced cataract. I had to refer him to the hospital. I felt bad, but if it penetrated the sclera it would be more difficult. No ambulance but we were able ot get a Piki Piki (motorcycle) to take him to the bus and gho to the hospital. I did not want to get into something and then be unable to shore it up. The conjuctiva is very vascular and if I had used a 25 gauge needle and tease it out, there would have been alot of blood. Bummer--but I am sure we got him good care. We paid for his transportation and the clinic call. His employer will reimburse him and he will pay the clinic in Chibyiwa. I started him on Vigamox that we brought in and that was helping with some of the inflammation.

Quilting a Huge Success

2011-01-17T11:36:00.003-06:00

The first day of quilting was awesome. Tomorrow we are offering a second morning of instruction. We met in the church which has dirt floors and mud walls and also is still under construction. So on top of the language barrier, I had to contend with all sorts of banging and building noises. But I learned the Swahili words for for needle, thread, sew and square. The word row was far better understood than column. Three quilts were completed and donated to the Living Room which is the hospit care center near the church. All three were mizura-sana which means very good or beautiful.

Total attendance was 44 women from the village, three babies and two lizards. Tomorrow we will probably see some new faces and many of the women from today are coming back to work on their own quilts. Walking home late afternoon we found three women under a tree working on their bright colored quilts. Everyone is so proud of their handy work and so thankful for the material.

I must move on now. Showers are few and far between and my number has just been called.

Quilts in the morning and chlorinators in the afternoonb.

Love to all those stateside.

Momma Mazzu
AKA Queen Bee of the Quilts

Visiting the School

2011-01-17T11:24:00.004-06:00

Today we continued the work on the "living room" and then we separated powers for the afternoon. A few people stayed at the living room to keep the progress of the landscaping on track while Lauren, Jennifer, Carolyn and I went to the public school.

Our mission at the public school was to set up a pen-pal conversation between the school here in Kipkarren with a school in the Cedar Rapids area. We handed out some hand-written letters from children in Cedar Rapids to students here in the public school. Were recorded the students names from Kipkaren and at Cedar Rapids and we took a picture of the Kenyan students so that the Cedar Rapids children can see the face of their pen-pal.

The entire event in the school was amazing, as have most all of the experiences here on the other side of the world. Watching the eyes of all these children light up when they saw us and then watching their enjoyment at reaching into their envelope and pulling out a letter for them was just incredible. They were tripping over each other to get in line and get their letter.

The reality check of this mission was seeing all the different ages of the children in the different classes. It reminded me of the stories of the one roomm school houses I read about growing up. There were 8 year olds in the same class as 14 year olds. Some of the children were unable to even go to school at a younger age, so they were beginning late. It was both sad and joyful to see this because it demonstrated the poverty (the major reason the children couldn't attend school at an earlier age) but also the sense of community where no one judges you baased on your age. they don't ostrasize you for being different.

It also made me see how spoiled we are as a nation becaue their classrooms are CRAMMED to the walls with students. Desks were made out of wood that looked like broken pallets, there were 3 people sharing a desk that looked only big enough for 1 person, and the building was just a concrete building with a steel roof. Yet they didn't care. The children were all glowing with joy and it was infectious.

~ Markus

Sunday worship

2011-01-17T01:45:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone
After breakfast on Sunday we all headed to church which is just down from the clinic. We had an unfortunate time as one of the first patients had passed away around 8am Sunday. Very sad for the family and the community she was 35, and leaves two children 10 and 12. The Living Room is one of the only hospice in Kenya that will be serving adults as well as children. Even the Kenyan government does not recognize the need and existence of a hospice like facility. So it was very sad, but led more determination for this team to understand the importance of what they are doing. In the service, we honored Rose's passing as a blessing and the end of her suffering and standing with her saviour. We ,on the team, all got to met Rose. God bless everyone in the world with this need and the celebration of life hereafter.
That afternoon, I had an opportunity to meet with a professor from Moi university. Very nice honor. They presented my team and I with gifts. We had a great brainstorming session about the clinic, the water and the great changes it has made and the future of those changes.
Then down to the worksite we went. Not thinking we would do much than work out all the details. We moved to truck loads of sand and began the pavers for the walkway for the hospice, the LivingRoom. We worked until the rain began, which right around 6:30pm. We quickly placed tarps over the sand that did not have pavers to save from flooding. The rain is considered a blessing and in that case this is a very blessed place and a very blessed project.
Hope all is well with everyone I will blog later day. Much to say. Kwaheri(goodbye for now:)

2 days of spiritual awakening

2011-01-16T23:30:00.004-06:00

One really cannot sum up the entire experience of being in Kipakaren among these beautiful people in a blog.
The people of this village are very caring of each other and of all their visitors. We have been welcomed into the homes of some of the members of the village for dinner and for lunch and we have also been the guests of honor at the church service this Sunday.
I don't say this lightly when I say that I am literally blown away by the sense of community here and looking out for one another and supporting each other's effort. So much of this experience reminds me of growing up in the midwest and has shown me how much times have really changed even in Mid-West America. The respect they show for each other is really a blessing and a salient reminder of how we could all live life differently if we choose to do so.
We have been making a lot of progress on the landscaping of the "Living Room" ( a hospice service being provided to the community ). We have built a wall, planted hundreds of plants, and are now installing the paver walkway to the garden area. What we have learned is that the project is less about the work and more about the working together. We learn as much from them as they learn from us.

~ Markus Cannon

Salutations from Momma Mazzu

2011-01-16T23:22:00.003-06:00

Another beautiful day in Kipkaren. Three hours of singing and praise at church yesterday. Then time spent on preparing the chlorine generator for the clinic. A scruffy dog by the name of Mazzu has adopted the team and follows us everywhere. I identify with his name. Mazzu means "Iwas on my way somewhere and instead ended up here". I have tendencies to be distraacted by all the beauty of the land, the people and the nature that surrounds us everyday here. Quilty for this morning and tomorrow as well. Afternoon is for chlorine and the clean water. I think of each of you that has given your support and warm thoughts.

Carolyn
AKA Momma Mazzu

Sunday in Kipkaren

2011-01-16T23:15:00.002-06:00

Sunday in Kipkaren is a day full of magic and joy. We started the day walking to the clinic site and current Living Room site. They sadly suffered a loss as one of their residents passed..a beautiful woman whose last days on this earth were spent with people who care and love her.
Our 3 hours in church seemed like minutes. There was lots of singing and dancing, and the children were enchanting and full of praise and hope.
The sermon was focused on "how prepared are you"? Very fitting. I've never witnessed such intense praise in a humble church with dirt floors. I cried with joy for them..so much hope when they need so much.

After church we headed back to the project where we started the walkway for the residents. It was quick work with all the help. Even local community members walked over to see what was going on and picked up hoes to help. A late afternoon rainstorm sent us running and giggling.

It is truly a beautiful land with incredible people. It is an honor to be here and serve them.

Lauren

From Joan:)

2011-01-16T23:03:00.003-06:00

Glad we came to one of the most beautiful places on earth. The people, the scenery, the projects are all very exciting. Very genuine and welcoming people. Because of there hard work and helpfulness our project will be a success. Great team we came with. So much to do here, one visit is just a start.

Here's Jim with his comments:
The project is going well. The people are more than willing to do their part and truly genuine and very obliging workers. The people here are absolutely beautiful. Having a great time. The weather is beautiful! WE're gonna "get-er-done"!
-Jim H2-Hoe

Sunday Church

2011-01-16T22:30:00.004-06:00

Sunday morning started early, we got up to watch the sunrise, it was beautiful. While we were there some kids joined us, there must have been 12 or 15 kids by the time we left. We started taking pictures of them and showing them to them and they would just giggle at each others pictures. It was great to see them smile.

We went to church today, service went from 10am to 1pm. The music was up beat and the speakers were all very enthusiastic.

Carolyn and I started working out how to in stall the clorine injector, we have a plan and we will be working with William on this project. The Living room flower garden is coming along great. We have gotten rain both days while working on it, this project is doubly blessed.

Jennifer

Sunrise at 6am Sunday

2011-01-16T22:08:00.003-06:00

Good morning
The team arose about 5:30am and were met by Michelle and William to be taken to the view of the valley and the sunrise over what they call "Hide Rock". We drove into someones's back yard and parked and walked up the side. The sun had just become to rise herself. Thinking that we would be alone, we were just a few minutes later greeted by at least a dozen children. Before the sun came up we were taking their pictures and showing them the lde screen. Some of them shied away, a couple were brave and looked and then would giggle and laugh and point on the scrren. Perhaps it was the firsrt time they have ever seen themselves in a reflection, mirror or picture. The sun rose with no disappointment just enough clouds in the sky to view a very majestic Sunrise!!
Then it was breakfast which was lovely. And then Pastor Peter was kind enough to walk with us to church. We crossed the creek without anyone falling in including me!! Normally, I get to thinking about the next rock to land on and miss step the one I am on then wouldn't you know it I am in the Kipkaren River!!
The path that I have walked to clinic so many times is now changed due to the World Bank being contracted to get water from the Kipkaren River, laod it travel it to a different area were it will be cleaned and then distributed to mainly the Kipkaren town. The challenge for our village more known as Chiebywa will not be receiving any of this water. The foreman of the project has brrn in contact with a group from Chiebywa and is attempting to write a proposal to have this community to continue to get clean water. Would be a shame that this project is on Chiebywa land and could possible not serve anyone in this community. We will hope and pray that the project manager will be able to influence the project to stay in this community as well.
As for the well we put in by the clinic, it serves the clinic, and then runs to the children's community school and serves 600 children. The clinic has noticed a drop in sickness from the children and the parents have noticed the children thriving in a different fashion. Clean water is absolutely the answer to the immediate need. Anyone who can buy the pipe to the well can hook in. The clinic well was dug to 240 feet. For days the water was a sluggy grey they must have bore through stone for several feet. So then within 2 weeks, the water was clear!!
This well produces easlily 5000 gallons/day. When the holding tanks are full, of course the well is turned off to conserve electricity. Livingrooms well produces 7000 gallons!! Impressive.
Clean water has greatly changed this community and the healthcare concerns. Still several challenges but met with greater hope.

I went to a garden party but ricky nelson wasn't there

2011-01-15T11:11:00.003-06:00

Hi Everyone

What an incredible day!! Beautiful with energy swirling. Carolyn and Jen,our water team, went to the clinic in the morning to do water samples they take 2-3 days to show results. The rest of the team headed to the new site for the LivingRoom and started to map out where all the beautiful plants, trees and shrubs. Then Jims, this is what the Kenyans call him,and I went to town to pay pavers, concrete and buckets for the water portion. No easy feat. Things just take a little longer.
On the way to town, the main road that we are on is up for reconstruction, we passed by the hiring site and there where 10,000 people waiting in line to ber hired. Unfortunately, they will only hire 6,000. The risk is that 70% of Kenyans are out of work. The average Kenyan lives on $1/day. This does not come each day, they may get a job but be unemployed for days to months.
Once we got to town it was a journey to get the things we needed. There is a bit of a language barrier they are meters and we are in feet. So a simple discussion here was a much longer conversation. And all the businesses at 1pm, close for an hour for lunch.
We got all we needed and headed home. It is Saturday here so to get the pavers delivered was a chore. But they would try.
We got back to the Living Room at 3:15pm. The area had already been transformed. All the people working planting, building a stone wall, digging the path for the pavers. It was now 5pm and the paver were on their way and it began to rain. Rain is God's blessing to the Kenyans. So as we waiting in the jeep the lorrie came with the bricks. And ther we were Kenyans and Iowans creating a line and we all together single brick by brick emptied that lorrie that contained 40 cubic meters!! Took about 1 and 1/2 hours. Job well done!
2.1 billion people are without basic sanitation --1 billion people without water. 42% Kenyans are without drinkable water. But that number has changed and today with this team we can make a difference.
Have a great day!!
Doc

Building a bridge....I mean, wall

2011-01-15T10:53:00.002-06:00

Antother amazing day in Kipkaren. This morning we all woke up at about 3am wondering: why can't we sleep?!? Oh, yeah, it's 9am back home.

The day was fast and furious and full of action!

We arrived at the new Living Room site where the plants and rocks were ready for planting. The goal: to create the outdoor plantings/retaining walls for the hospice residents who hope to move in very early this year. Working with the local Kenyans was an incredible experience. They were insanely focused and some of the hardest workers I've ever seen. Mind you, this is in blazing sun and on little food and water, it any. A few of the workers would sneak away to visit the gardening water hose (thanks to Spanda Inc and ELI this community now has a well to supply them with this water), and get a refreshing drink.

We planted roses, hibiscus, daisies, and many other beautiful Kenyan varietal plants, build a stone retaining wall, and unloaded a ton (literally) of paver bricks to build the wheelchair/walking path for the residents. Again, I am in awe of the local Kenyan team and our Iowan team. I am blessed to be here and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. These people are amazing.

ps. Dr. Fitz--get some sleep!

He ain't Heavy he's my brother

2011-01-14T12:55:00.005-06:00

We all arrived in KipKaren in one piece. All the people of the village that we have had contact with have been very kind. Fitz had a little trouble with phone and internet, as you can tell we have internet thanks to Paster Peter and we were able to call home to say Hi. Thanks to Dr. Fitz for the hours of hair pulling she went through for us all today. We are still having a problem with uploading pictures.

We went through all of our baggage today and the only thing that is missing is our soil sample kit. Not sure if it got put in the wrong bin when we were rearranging everything or it is lost? So, for all the readers that didn't think it was necessary to cross your fingers we need your help so the kit will show up.

As for title of my blog. Fitz, Carolyn and I were down looking at the river today where they have rerouted the river. As we were looking at this rock in the middle of the river a bird landed on the rock and for those of you who have had the pleasure of being around me with my camera I had to get a picture. Then another bird came to join him and then all of a sudden the second bird jumped up on the first birds back of a minute. Then off they kind of looked at each other and continued to sit on the rock. I regret that I can not share the picture of the birds at this time. We will post more pictures when the internet lets us.

That is all for now.
Jennifer

Salutations from Jelly Bellies in the Sub-Sahara

2011-01-14T12:46:00.003-06:00

Hello from the far side of the world. Today we traveled through the city of Kipkaren. Although they are 36,000 in popluation, they must be spread out for miles literally. All those villagers have lot of chickens, goats and cows. And they wander all over the place, the animals that is. I love the chickens running hither and yon and one villager smiled with great pride when he should us his 20 chicklets. And there quite a few of our dog friends here as well. They are very friendly so you could say I have made a lot of friends today.

I best close now. Very little sleep but tons left to do and each moment is special and makes another memory of this beautiful country and friendly people.

Bye for now. Love to all of you on the other side of the world.

Carolyn
AKA = Jelly Belly in the Sub=Sahara.

You've come a long way, Kenya

2011-01-14T12:01:00.002-06:00

Hello Everyone

We were up and gone by 5am. And at the airport. Things have changed, when I first came to Kenya to do my first mission trip-- the co-pilot did not show and we traveled at very low altitude and the plane would do very deep dips as the air changed. Today we had a very large plane with coffee and juice served. You have come a long Kenya!! And a very soft landing.

After the political turbulance in 2008, all sim cards have to be registered. People don't buy plans for phone and computer they prepay for minutes. We wanted a phone and mine did not work because the sim card was purchased in USA. So several minutes later, we found that the new sim card did not work in my phone from the states. So we purchased a new phone and bought 500 minutes. Unfortunately, my phone did not recognize the sim card. After visiting with Kipkaren IT they were able to fix my phone problem and now we have an internet problem but as you can read that has been resolved as well:) Life is good!!!

We got into the clinic and the children form the community school came out to greet us and sing. We were very welcomed and visited the clinic now with running water. The new and beautiful dental chair is being used every day. And Julius, our locally trained Kenyan optometrist is seeing 8 patients a day and making the glasses. We were able to bring supplies that included lenses that turn color--transition. The light is really bright with Kenya being very close to the equator.

We visited the new construction on the LivingRoom which is a hospice. Very nice dedicated staff and all the patients were well served.

Joan and Jim Chalupsky were in their element--pictures to follow tomorrow--this is the cliffhanger--tune in tomorrow I promise you will not be disappointed.

First Day in Kipkaren

2011-01-14T11:28:00.003-06:00

As Pastor Peter just said moments ago "God Bless for this". In as few words as I can say as precise as possible, these people are exactly that: a blessing from God. They are beautiful and incredibly eager to bring their community a step forward, one day at a time.

Today we were greeted by children singing and smiling faces--wild clapping and eager glow upon seeing Dr. Fitzgerald return to their village! So much to say in so little time. The clean water project has brought so much wonderful change in their lives. The medical clinic bringing education, teasting, and treatment, and Jenifer's Living Room/Hospice showing love and care...and hope.

The new passion fruit fields are almost satisfied with empty dirt holes waiting for their 1st plantings. Mom and dad caught on fire getting their plans ready for the new garden plantings surrounding the newly constructed living room.

I am honored to be here and feel incredibly humbled being amongst these people who have certainly got it all firgured out: what it's all about. I know this is just the beginning. Thank you, people of Kipkaren.

Lauren Chalupsky-Cannon

Passport to Kenya

2011-01-14T11:20:00.002-06:00

Today, the first day of actually being IN the village of Kipkaren, was incredible.

After racing across the hilltops of Kenya in a couple jeeps, avoiding potholes that would sink the Titanic (if it were still afloat today) and stopping briefly to pick up a special device that would allow us to access the internet from all over Kenya, we arived in Kipkaren.

We were greeted in the most amazing way. It appeared as though the entire village was there for arrival and all the kids were dressed in their school uniforms and singing to welcome us to their village. We were guests, but they treated us like we were returning home from a long vacation. They hung a rope with flowers tied to it and asked Dr Fitzgerald to cut the rope to bridge the gap between our countries and then proceeded to give everyone in our party a bouquet of flowers. It was awe insipiring, breath taking, and an experience I wish everyone could enjoy at least once in their lifetime.

We were then swooped up and shown around the premises so we would know what is all going on and where it is going on. We were shown the new well, the Living Room, the clinic, and then our rooms.

I would write more, but I am finally suffering a little bit of jet lag, so I will pass the baton to the next blogger.

~Markus

Up and a'tem!!

2011-01-13T19:04:00.003-06:00

Jambo! Everyone
I felt the adrenaline rush of all that is to happen and I could barely close my eyes and sleep. But alas my eyelids became very heavy. It is 3:59am and soon I will roust up my team mates. We'll get a little bite to eat, perhaps a little java and be on our way to the local airport and go to Eldoret and eventually to Kipkaren. Juli tells us that much has changed and it is all for the good. The wells and all the things that have changed have really brought things forward. It is not without alot of future work but things are moving along. I amm very excited to see all our friends. Hoping all of you all out there days are good as well. We will be writing now throughout our trip. Tally-HO!!!!
Doc

No worries, no worries!!

2011-01-13T16:04:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone

On my very first visit to Kenya our very large plane was beginning its decent when all of a sudden the plane jerked up. Everyone was stunned and quite, after what seemed like a very long time but was really a few minutes the pilot came on and said "No worries, no worries we just have to clear the livestock off of the runway!" Well we certainly did not have to slear any of the live stock off the runway--the landing was smooth. The Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport has done some renovation and looks very good. Getting our visas went without a hitch and then it was to retreive our baggage. It all went pretty well--all of our bags made it. Now customs--Lauren had made a connection with one of the customs officer so she lead the way. Some of the bags were damaged in flight and he began inspecting them--we quickly handed him a packing slip. We are a pretty large group and he began to address the whole group and then I stepped up and said who I was and that this was a medical mission. At first he would not make eye contact with me and I thought in that moment that I was about to lose this effort and have to try and negotiate a payment plan. "You have medicines?" "No", I replied "I am an eye doctor." "You are eye doctors?" and he immediately waved us through. He must have had a second thought as we were making our way through the doors "Wait, what is in this box?" "Handles for garden tools", I replied. By this time half of the team had met Juli McGowan one of our mission contacts. He looked at me, looked at the packing slip looked out of the door and once again waved myself and the rest of the team through. Yee-haa!! The team smiled and high fived one another as we made our way to the waiting vans to take our supplies to Kipkaren and the other waiting van to take us to Mayfield, which is a very pleasant and beautiful home that has been made into a hostel. It's only 3:30 in the afternoon in Cedar Rapids but it is 11:30PM here and we need to get up at 4am to be at the airport by 5am to catch our 6am flight to Eldoret. So I am going to sign off soon for now-- but all I can say, if I am a cat with nine lives, getting through customs, I am grateful to the "powers that be" that I have a few lives left.

Mayfield Hostel

2011-01-13T16:03:00.002-06:00

We made it to Kenya and in good order, but what a long day. Not to often you travel with little or no issues. (knock on wood, we still have to get home) The biggest problem we had was that a lot of our action packers were open when we got them. No lost bags or totes, we won't know if anything is missing until we get to the village. (Keep your fingers crossed) One more leg of our journey tomorrow and we will be in Kipkaren. Everyone is excited to be here and ready to get to work.

Hello to everyone back home, hope all is well there.

Jennifer

Jelly Bellies over the Sahara

2011-01-13T15:59:00.001-06:00

Hello everyone

We have arrived, at least as far as Nairobi. And yes, I got a little homesick somewhere over the Sahara Desert. Fortunately a modest handful of Jelly Bellies brought me back to the reality that I am on the most exciting adventure of my life. Okay, I may have eaten the entire bag. The flights were fine. I've seen enough movies to last me for a while. I did watch 15 minutes of one movie before realizing they were speaking French. Guess I should have been napping instead.

At this moment we have checked into Mayfield Hostel and it is so much like a camp retreat center that I feel right at home. Even a dining hall. It will be a short night, though, as we will be up and off to Kipkaren by 6am. I suppose I should try and sleep but who can sleep when there is so much excitement. Sleep is highly overated, as my friend Fitz would say. So I shall save my sleeping for sometime in March.

My love to all those who have given me the encouragement and support to step out of my comfort zone and travel so far to help other people.

More Jelly Bely tales later.

Going to sign off now.

2011-01-13T15:50:00.000-06:00

Settling in the Mayfield Hostel

2011-01-13T14:44:00.002-06:00

Wow, our adventure has been wonderful so far. Smooth and relaxed. I am very grateful.

Even the trek through customs and immigration was without problems here in Nairobi, Kenya. A gentleman in uniform was checking out our 28 parcels and plastic bins of supplies, wondering what we were doing with it. He watched the team piece by piece pulling more bins from the luggage belt and dropping them off in the corner. I pointed to the handsome man with the white hair: "That's my dad!" I told him. He commented: "Strong man...your mother must be even stronger!"
No worries, though. When Dr. Fitzgerald reassured him we were there with medical supplies: "We are eye doctors," she said. He waved us through. I love the instant promotion--can I start giving exams now?! Thanks, doc :)

Just took one of the best showers in my life, and settling in at the Mayfield Hostel ( aka summer camp luxury stay) in Nairobi for the next 4 hours--until we're up to hit the airport for the final leg.
The team is really an awesome group of people, each with their own special talents. I am really excited to meet the villagers and all the wonderful people I have heard about in Kipkaren tomorrow morning.

Cheers to you all!

Lauren Chalupsky-Cannon

In Flight Movie reviews

2011-01-13T14:28:00.003-06:00

Whew! What an exhausting day of travel. 7 1/2 hours of flight time from Detroit to Amsterdam and then 9 hours of flight time from Amsterdam to Niarobi can sure wear on a guy.

The flights were flawless, the food was decent and the movies were ups and downs. I am really looking forward to spending the next few days with these peolpe on our team. The more I learn about them, the more I like them. They are fun, creative, and genuine people. I even like the person who didnt wake me up for the ice cream on the plane (Jennifer).

This is my first time travelling overseas so it was amazing to fly over the Sahara desert and see a sea of sand.

We had a very nice selection of movies to choose from to meet our entertainment wants and needs. This traveller will list the movies he chose to view along with his personal ratings of each
film.

Inception - 1 air sickness bag and 3 bags of peanuts -This movie, although well acted, was predictable and didn't live up to the hype. The trailers for this movie were better than the movie, even with the cliff hanger ending with the spinning top.

Toy Story 3 - all the peanuts - this movie rocked

SALT - 2 air sickness bags and 2 bags of peanuts - good story but Angelina Jolie was not the right actress for the role. Her physical skills (running and punching) have lost their luster and she is no longer believable as she once was as Tomb Raider.

Valkyre - 2 bags of peanuts - good story, not well told. Nice try Tom, better luck next time.

So, see Toy Story 3, the rest of them can wait for cable.
~Markus

Note from Jim

2011-01-13T14:10:00.001-06:00

I think this is an awesome group. I feel lots of energy, and GREAT things are going to get accomplished!

Note from Joan

2011-01-13T14:09:00.000-06:00

Great cause, great people, great trip--how much better can it get?!?

Greetings to all

2011-01-13T14:08:00.000-06:00

Wow, do I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing team H2-Hoe 2011!
Sharon's awesome experience and words of the wonderful people we will meet, my parents' energy and knowledge, my husband's resourcefulness, Jennifer's task-driven focus, Carolyn's fabulous sense of humor, and all backed by Dr. Fitzgerald's world-moving power! ...and this is just the first few hours in.
We have made it quickly and safely to Detroit and are mentally preparing for the next few weeks of our lives...it is such a gift to be here. Thank you for your support as we take off into the beautiful world.
~ Lauren

Hello from Detroit!

2011-01-13T14:01:00.002-06:00

This is Markus from the 2011 team. We have just finished our first leg of our journey to KENYA!!The entire group seems to be getting along famously. We are already joking and picking on each other just like you would a sibling.
Our focus is going to be split between working with cleaning their water supply and working in the soil. As a nod to both areas of focus, we have nicknemamed oursleves "Team H2-Hoes".
I think Tom Petty said it best when he uttered the words, "The waiting is the hardest part ". Now that we are all on the path to Kenya, we all want to get there right now and get started. All of this "sit and eat and drink and watch movies, sit and eat and watch movies" on the plane waiting to get there is really quite taxing on the mind and body. Thankfully, this group is awesome to be a part of and every member brings more joy and energy to it than you would believe.
All in all, a great start to what is certain to be an awesome experience.
~ Markus

2011-01-12T14:26:00.003-06:00

Just want to let those of you who might be concerned Carolyn did find her missing passport in time to board the flight. She claims sleep depervation for her missing passport.
jennifer

Up, Up and Away

2011-01-12T14:13:00.003-06:00

Hello Everyone
We left Cedar Rapids a little late but Delta connections and the whole crew were absolutely fabulous!! All 28 bags and boxes of supplies got on board with little problem. Can't say that for the team:) just kidding. Everyhing went extremely well. We have a name--because we are a water,irrigation,crop, medical team we are officially Team H-2-h(O)e--to everyone in Kenya we are Team H2O but to everyone back home it will be Team H-2-h(O)e because of the shovels,hoes, dirt picks etc that we are taking with us on this trip to help get water chlorinated and do irrigation with crop. I will be steady to blog often and keep everyone updated. Thanks to Julie Gorman and Crescent Electric for using their van and getting up early to move so many Action Packers,bags and boxes of medical, dental, water equipment. We always take everything we need to do the jobs we are sent to do. I am so grateful to an understanding supportive and loving family,staff and friends. Withoout all of you this would never be possible thank you for all your love and encouragement. Out for now--A single idea, a single action does move the world!!

The Journey Begins!

2011-01-12T13:09:00.002-06:00

Its 6:30am on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 and it is the coldest of the previous years of mission trips. We start off at the Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport, Delta airline arrival terminal. I pull up to see Julie Gordman standing in the back of her van, rear doors open and the team members pulling bin after bin out in such an orderly fashion that gives an assurance that we only send the best of the best over. I join the team inside and start the process of accessing the 18 action packers, 4 bags, and 2 boxes of equipment.

Now is the fun part, checking them in. How this works is the airline allows the 1^st bag free, 2^nd bag at a cost of $100 or less, and any additional bag for $200. So our team members only check one personal bag each and then we allot an action packer, bag, or box to each person until all are checked baggage. So this means that each member could be checking in up to 4 bags per person (Spanda Inc pays for any additional bag cost). We take equipment and supplies over in this particular manner because, it costs less than shipping, equipment is more secure and efficiently delivered.

The most amazing part of the process of packing this equipment and supplies is that we are spot on in weight. It amazes people how, considering our method of weighing is having someone stand on a scale and have them hold the container to measure its weight, thank you Jennifer Hicks Pershing for being that person.

So it is 7:15, all baggage has been checked in, tickets issued, now the next hurdle making it through security. I watched carefully while the machine was flagging our checked baggage. Each bin that was flagged was carefully opened and searched. The Delta security were friendly and even asked my help to instruct on how we put the zip ties on the action packers correctly so they could secure the items for us.

At 7:45, all baggage was cleared and tagged to Nairobi, Africa where it would meet up again with the team. As I gave my hugs and thank you’s to these wonderful and gallant people, I walked away with the sound of Mark Cannon and Jim Chalupsky coordinating a team cheerleading shout out “GO TEAM” and “GO DELTA”. Today is a good day, let’s all pray for safe travels for both the team (pic left to right: Carolyn Hamilton, Jennifer Hicks Pershing, Lauren Cannon, Jim Chalupsky, Mark Cannon, Joan Chalupsky, Sharon Dieter, Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald) and the equipment/supplies.

Trip #4 Begins

2011-01-11T13:18:00.004-06:00

The Spanda team is packed and ready to embark on the 4th trip to the Kenya health care clinic. The flight takes off early tomorrow morning from Cedar Rapids and will arrive in Africa 20-22 hours later.

As well as the hand-knitted dolls mentioned before, the team will be bringing with them supplies to help the dental clinic expand, an industrial chlorinator for the clinic well, ideas for irrigation and hearts ready to help.

Check back often while the team is gone to learn progress and updates as Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald blogs about their experiences.

Kenya 2011: Embarking on Trip Number 4

2010-12-21T11:58:00.009-06:00

Spanda Inc. is excited to embark on its fourth trip to Kipkaren, Kenya. The team will leave Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on January 12th and will return January 26th.
The 2011 team includes: Mark and Lauren Cannon; Jim and Joan Chalupsky; Sharon Dieter, Carolyn Hamilton; Jennifer Pershing; and Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald.

This year’s team will focus on the following goals:
· Installation of an industrial chlorinator for use at the clinic well
· Soil testing and analysis for a possible passion fruit farm
· Irrigation strategies and methods for crop production
· And, 500 dolls hand-knitted by Cedar Rapids, Iowa, volunteers Mary Uthe and Lorie Meyer will be distributed to the village children.

“This is an exciting time for all of us at Spanda Inc. It will be gratifying to see the wells in operation as well as the new dental chair being used at the clinic! A huge thank you to everyone supporting Spanda with your time, money and positive thoughts as we embark on this awesome journey," said Spanda Inc. founder, DeAnn Fitzgerald.

Clean Water at the School

2010-11-02T13:53:00.004-05:00

Last month's Dental Banquet was huge, we are still so greatful for all those who participated and made the fundraiser a success. However, a new dental chair at the Kipkaren Clinic wasn't the only exciting thing to happen last month. September also brought clean water to the Chebaiywa School. Check out these amazing pictures to see how excited the school children were.

KipKaren has a dental chair!

2010-09-20T15:04:00.004-05:00

Saturday was the big banquet! We had a great turnout with over 250 people present in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza. Local channel 9 news anchor, Beth Malicki was our Mistress of Ceremonies; and both Dr.'s DeAnn Fitzgerald and Karen Besler gave presentations. The night included a fabulous silent auction with over 60 items and a live auction with 6.

Thanks to our awesome sponsors and our many volunteers who worked to make this event a success, we were able to meet our goal and send a brand new dental chair to the KipKaren Clinic! Jeremiah is still in training, but when he gets back to the clinic he will now have a great place to treat his patients.

Downtown Farmer's Market

2010-08-06T16:32:00.004-05:00

Spanda Inc. will be at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmer's Market tomorrow morning, Saturday August 7. We hope you will come see us at our booth and learn more about our fundraisers and projects to help our friends in KipKaren. Don't forget, we have the KenYa See MY Future In Your Eyes Dental Banquet coming up next month. Visit www.spandainc.com to learn more about how you can attend or donate!

Dental Services are Vital!

2010-06-21T15:57:00.005-05:00

Won’t you help us help others? Here is the type of dental services currently received in Kipkaren, Kenya:

“Today at the clinic, we saw some interesting patients. We saw a boy with an infected tooth cavity and he needed to get it removed. The extraction was intense and pretty hard to watch. There was no dental chair, spotlight or x-ray machine. Teeth must just be pulled. I watched as the dentist just climbed over behind the poor boy with one leg up and loosened, then yanked the tooth out.”
~Nursing Student at Kipkaren Clinic (8-11-09).

September 18, 2010, is the KenYa See MY Future In Your Eyes Dental Banquet at Crowne Plaza in downtown Cedar Rapids. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.spandainc.com or by contacting Dental Associates, (319) 363-0267; Dr. Fitzgerald & Associates, (319) 366-3500; or Spanda Inc., (319) 364-2311. All proceeds will benefit the Kipkaren Clinic and help them to receive those vital dental services. Tickets are $40, $25 fair market value, or $350 for a table of 10. The evening will include a live and silent auction, and feature Kenyan food. Hope to see you there!

Find your May Basket Treasure

2010-04-21T08:17:00.003-05:00

Help Spanda Inc. raise money for the Kipkaren, Kenya health care clinic by attending our garage sale on May 1st from 8 AM-3PM at 1925 Parkland Drive in Ely. Be prepared to find almost anything at this "cadillac" of garage sales: children's clothes/toys; holiday decorations; tools; fresh baked cinnamon rolls; and much, much more. You are sure to find a perfect "May Basket" gift.

2010-04-06T16:02:00.008-05:00

"Life is not a dress rehearsal"~Rose Termain

For the people living in the village of Kipkaren, Kenya, what a true statement. Each day they go about the business of surviving. When the Spanda team visited and worked at the clinic and in the village this past October, it was a common sight to see the villagers carrying water on their heads, bundled tree limbs on their bikes (if they had a bike) so they could boil the dirty water they had retrieved from a ditch or the river, all in the effort to survive. Amazingly, they did so with smiles on their faces and praises of thanksgiving for another day.

Julie McGowan who founded the Living Room, a nonprofit dedicated to providing hospice care for the villagers of Kipkaren who are facing life-ending illnesses, recently provided some sobering statistics on the stark and harsh realities of poverty. Did you know?

According to UNICEF, 24,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they"die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."
Water problems affect one half of all humanity.
Almost 2 in 3 people lacking access to clean water survive on less than $2 a day, with 1 in 3 surviving on less than $1 per day.
Millions of women each day spend several hours a day collecting water. (UN Human Development Report, 2006).

You bet life is no dress rehearsal.

What does that mean for you and for me? I believe it is telling us that if life were truly a dress rehearsal, we could have many do-overs, several takes, before we got things absolutely right. But we don't. We have this one chance. And with this one chance, we should seize the opportunity to put our hearts, our knowledge, and our passion to work together for the advancement and betterment of all.

If you would like to learn more how to support this village and be a part of the Spanda team, please visit our website at http://www.spandainc.com/. There are many opportunties for all of us to work together to be a part of one of life's greatest acts. You will receive much more than you give!

2010-03-18T17:58:00.009-05:00

"Water Is Life!"

"The truck arrives to start drilling the borehole"

At 3:25 AM on March 18, 2010, the Kipkaren well project officially began! Michelle Kiprop, clinic director, reported on the arrival of the trucks and the resounding cheers of the villagers shouting "Maji ni uhai ~Water is Life". By the end of April, the pump should be supplying fresh, clean water!

We will provide updates as we receive them.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this possible--and to Dr. Fitzgerald for her fervent perseverance in making this a reality!

"The Healing Power of Nature" Photography Book

2009-12-17T13:44:00.003-06:00

Zebra Smiles

While in Kenya, Dr. Fitzgerald has taken some amazing pictures of the native wildlife and landscape which illustrate the beauty of the land. In order to further our mission, we have compiled over 30 of her photos into a hard-back picture book. Dr. Fitzgerald also writes about her passion to start a nonprofit and how each of us through a "single action" can truly move the world.

The book will be available for sale on December 21, 2009, at a cost of $35.00. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the dentistry and clean water project at the Kipkaren clinic.

If you would like to help us by purchasing a book, please download an order form at our website: http://www.spandainc.com/ (fundraising tab) or call 319-364-2311.

We appreciate your support and happy holidays!

We Made It!

2009-10-19T10:06:00.002-05:00

Just a quick post to let everyone know we made it home yesterday afternoon (10/18) at 4:30 PM. All of us are so grateful to our family and friends for supporting us during this trip. Your support and love is truly amazing.

Although the trip has been completed, our work is not done. Each of us have ideas and goals we hope will have a positive impact on the community of Kipkaren. We will be sharing with you our continued work through the blog.

Thank you again for your support,

The Eye Care Kenya Team

Ready to Come Home!

2009-10-17T10:47:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone--We have arrived back in Nairobi and will be leaving for London tonight at 11:45 PM (that is 3:45 CST). We have much to share with everyone and will try to do some more posts upon our return--the internet connections have been challenging!

We plan to be at the Cedar Rapids airport around 4:00-4:30 tomorrow afternoon. We are looking forward to seeing everyone, while at the same time remembering our Kenyan friends.

The Dolls Are A Hit!!

2009-10-14T06:38:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Mary Uthe, we were able to take over 300 dolls to the children of KipKaren. Each child that received a dental cleaning from the Children's Home received one of the dolls. To see there bright shining faces as they received their dolls was an amazing experience!

We also went on hut visits today. One of our stops was to check on a woman who was very sick due to HIV/AIDS Yesterday, her 18-month old son had been trying to feed her with one of his spoons. The medical team provided her with antibotics and medical care. Today, when we stopped she was doing much better. We were able to give the little boy and his brother dolls. They were so happy. They immediately started playing with their babies--rocking them to sleep and then putting them to bed on a rock.

We have much more to tell--but thank you Mary for all of your kindness!

Rotary Kakamega!!

2009-10-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

We are in pursuit of the finalization of the paper work for the well to be dug in Kipkaren near the medical-dental eye clinic. Thank goodness for google and safaricom so that we were able to find the rotary contact but instead of Eldoret which is forty five minutes away we had to go to Kakamega which was 2 hours away. The clinic let us borrow the ambulance and with Adele at the helm and Randy pushing we were on our way!!
I'll clarify--the ambulance won't start but it's a clutch so today Randy is "the pusher man!!"
Making our way to Kakmega the roads have potholes the size of a kitchen table and can be 1-2 feet deep. Most of the potholes are from the rioting in 2008 where they started fires in the middle of the road. So daylight is our friend. We finally arrive in Kakmega and we now have to find Mama Watoto Supermaket!! We parked the ambulance carefully so that we could push it out. And proceed to walk down a street out of who knows!! 3 people who look out of place standing in the middle of a busy street in front of Mama Watoto Supermarket and we see a very kindly man wave at us. We cross the street to his shop that sells clothing. "Welcome, welcome" "Don't say a word you have come a long way. And you are thirsty I will get you an orange Franta!! For those of you who may remember that I am sensitive to sugar--Adele whispered "Do you think it's a good idea for you to have this?"
It was cold and good. All went well. He signed off on the paperwork and we thanked him--gave him the two rotary flags--I don't have any flags here!! I said no problem I'll be back to collect the flags because Jack Hardin and Dr. Kingus will be after me!!Good, good you'll come to the meeting then...?!
A very successful trip and we got to see Olive Baboons on the way back sitting on the side of the road!!
Adele got us safely back before dark and lots of stories to tell and friendships made....Thank you Adele.

Oh and Randy...how fabulous he did an awesome job I only wish we could have see the footage of him and me pushing the Ambulance out into the road-- the engine starting and we both jump into the jeep. Straight out of a hollywood movie!! Randy and Adele --You Rock!!!

Simon

2009-10-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

Today is Tuesday and some of the folks from Ilula came to have their eyes checked. Simon is a 30 year teacher we saw in 2007 he had a -18.00 prescription. He originally, he had no glasses. We did an exam and made his glasses in the US and had a team bring them over. I was walking into clinic this AM and saw a man with very thick glasses. "Simon is that you?" "Yes, Daktari!" " How have you been? " " You and your team have changed my life. I was a teacher and I could not see, now I wear the glasses all the time and I can see and now I am the headmaster of the school!! His glasses were held together with bailing wire and one of the nose pads was missing. Roy in his usual wizardry fixed Simon's glasses like new. We rechecked his eyes and are making him a pair of glasses and these may become a back up. It was marvelous to see Simon and how well he was doing!!

Jambo!!

2009-10-12T15:18:00.001-05:00

Haberi (Hello)

It is Monday night in Kipkaren. As all the posts have cited everyone is doing and doing "well." No pun intended for Randy the "water guy". The clinic was busy and so were we. Carla, Carol and Bridgit were having a lot of fun and excitement with the teeth cleaning and education. You guys are the bomb!!
Roy and Dr. K were busy with getting all the parts together for the lens grinder. Julius takes about 2 hours to make a pair of glasses-- with the lens grinder and Roy's fabulous tutelage he can make a pair in 15 minutes (Roy name that tune!!) Dr. K is removing foreign bodies and refining the refraction for patients.
Michele and Sharon are doing very well with teaching the ultrasound and helping with seeing patients.
Dr. Fitz wants to thank all of those who help make this happen - family, friends, and patients - who feel like extended family, and of course this fabulous team. And much appreciated team leader Adele Booysen--this absolutely could not have been done without her leadership.

To Iowa--Tally Ho for now and may God bless,

Dr. Fitz

First Day of Clinic - Well Water

2009-10-12T13:24:00.000-05:00

Randy Luth spent the day walking miles and miles to different wells around the clinic, training center, Children's Home, and other neighboring wells. He was able to get a water sample from each well. The water sample tests take 24-48 hours to develop, and Randy will report back with his findings as soon as they are available.

First Day of Clinic - Dental

2009-10-12T13:21:00.000-05:00

We had a successful day of dental cleaning and fluoride treatments - 44 children were treated. She commented that all the children we saw today had excellent teeth. They are really brushing well, and very few patients had cavities. We recorded the names of the patients with cavities for further treatment in town.

Carol brushed their teeth and painted on a fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment adheres with saliva, and is activated for 4 hours. Each child will receive a new toothbrush after they have brushed the fluoride treatment off their teeth tonight.

Bridgit gave each child a sticker and a Duduza (comfort) Doll, and took a picture of each child. The children really loved the dolls, especially since they got to pick from 3 or 4 choices.

Noella is in charge of Health at the clinic. She assisted us with calming a few scared patients, and they found it did not hurt at all. She translated to the younger children whose English is not strong yet. She also taught us, "meza", which means "swallow". Carla started the day standing and bending over each patient, but Noella was able to find a low bench for the children to sit on, so Carla could sit. Carol was kneeling on the concrete floor to brush teeth, so Noella found a well-padded cushion for her knees. A dental chair would be most beneficial to the dental clinic here in Kipkaren.

At the children's devotions tonight, Carla demonstrated how to brush their teeth. They all tend to have deep grooves in their back teeth, so she stressed really scrubbing those teeth, and not forgetting to brush their tongues. Many children came up to show us their clean teeth tonight.

First Day of Clinic - Optometry

2009-10-12T12:59:00.000-05:00

Dr. Kingus saw approximately 20 patients today. Joseph returned for a re-check of his eye. The swelling had gone down somewhat, so Dr. Kingus was able to determine there was a foreign body in the eye. Dr. Kingus removed a tiny piece of plastic and gave Joseph more eye drops for the swelling.

Another patient was in her 20's, diabetic, and she previously had cataract surgery. She has had blurry vision lately. Dr. Kingus found that her eyes had developed fibrotic tissue, which creates strands or sheets of tissue that run together and impede vision. Unfortunately, only a laser treatment can remove the fibrotic tissue.

Roy organized the optical supplies, including many donated eyeglass frames. He was able to assemble the lens edger that arrived a few days after the team's previous trip in 2007. Tomorrow the edger will be calibrated and fine-tuned. Roy will teach Kenyan Julius Kimboy to operate the edger and make custom lenses. Currently, Julius hand-grinds each lens, a very time consuming process. Roy will also train Julius to adjust glasses.

First Day of Clinic - Medical

2009-10-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

Michele gave a training session about burns to the clinic staff. They were very attentive and appreciated her time. Michele saw some medical patients at the clinic, including a young boy around 9 years old. The Kenyan children typically run through the corn fields, and the corn husks sometimes injure them. This young boy had been stuck in the leg with a corn husk the day before, but he pulled it out himself. Today, his leg was very swollen and hurt too much to walk on it. Michele cleaned the wound and dressed it with a bandage.

Sharon trained the clinic staff on the portable ultrasound machine. They hope to use it more tomorrow during the Mama/Baby Clinic scheduled for Tuesday morning.

A Rare Treat in Kenya

2009-10-12T12:45:00.000-05:00

Sunday night we enjoyed a rare treat in Kenya - cold Fanta soda pop. We Americans were grateful for the treat while we were at David and Allison Tarus' home for supper. Randy offered to test the water in their well. Once again it rained, but it stopped in time for the team to return to our cottages for the night.

Duduza Dolls in Ilula

2009-10-12T12:37:00.000-05:00

After we greeted the children, we were given personal tours of their rooms and the grounds. One child was especially excited to show us their cows, rabbits, and chickens. They milk the cows and collect the eggs, and the rabbits will be used as meat when they grow more. They also have a very large garden and an oyster mushroom house. We were served a mushroom stew that was delicious! The Children's Home in Ilula was very self-sufficient, growing and producing most of their own food for consumption.

That evening we joined the children for their devotional time. The team members gave each child a Duduza (Comfort) Doll of their very own. We have lots of pictures of the children with their dolls. Please refer to the earlier post about how you can support the Duduza Doll project.

We had supper with the staff, and shared many ideas about community development. Empowering Lives International (ELI) really works with the surrounding villages as well as the childrens' home. Due to continued jet lag, we turned in early.

After breakfast Sunday morning, we had a relaxing team meeting with a lot of laughter. Sunday morning we joined the children, parents, and staff for church service. Many groups off children sang and danced, including a visiting school from Sudan. We heard beautiful singing in Swahili, and we were able to sing along to the English songs.

Welcome to Ilula

2009-10-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

After lunch on Saturday, the team headed to Ilula. We picked up Adele and Dr. Fitzgerald at the Eldoret Air Strip and continued to Ilula. There will be an additional update at a later time regarding their trip to Korr, Kenya.

The team was again greeted by singing as we arrived at the Children's Home in Ilula. Each team member went around the circle and greeted each child individually. Everyone was so welcoming! We were also given red, yellow, and orange roses. Then the older children treated us to three songs on their flute-a-phones, or recorders. Then they sang more songs and recited Bible verses and chapters.

Each team member was asked to introduce themselves and was greeted warmly by the Children's Home director and staff members. When the formal introductions were done, the children immediately came to us for hugs and personal greetings.

ELI School Tour in Kipkaren

2009-10-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

The ELI Brook of Faith School tour began with a report of the students' performance. There are 285 students at the school. This includes children from the orphanage, children that board at the school, and local children from the community. The students grades (marks) are very high. They participated in a district-wide test for the first time this year. There are nearly 250 schools in the district, and the ELI Brook of Faith School placed 9th for the whole district. Many students go on to higher learning at the national schools - a prestigious honor.

The children begin school at age 3, the "baby class". Next is the "middle class", and then the "top class". After that, there are standard grades 1-8. The students attend school from 8:00-3:20 p.m. The teachers are at the school from 6:30-5:00, and then from 7:00-9:00 p.m. to help students that learn slower than others. The teachers are very dedicated to the students' education.

Kipkaren Children's Home Tour

2009-10-10T13:46:00.000-05:00

The team got to meet and play with the children at the Kipkaren children's home today. The children are all very friendly and love hugs! Many of the team members got a buddy for the tour. They especially liked to swing between two of us holding their hands.

There are two parents for 24 children - Baba and Mama. The young children live with the parents until age 4. Then they go to either the girls' or boys' dormitories. Twice a day the children and parents gather together for devotions. They also eat their meals together. There is one kitchen for the entire Children's Home, which provides the meals for everyone. This allows the parents to focus on the children's emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. There are approximately 90 children, and they are all full of joy and smiles.

The older children were eager to show us how they shuck the maize (corn), then they dry it in the sun on tarps. Every part of the maize is used. The cobs are ground in a diesel-powered grinding machine. The ground maize is then mixed with other grains and fed to the cows.

ELI Facility Tour in Kipkaren

2009-10-10T13:28:00.000-05:00

Today the team had a full tour of the Empowering Lives International (ELI) facility in Kipkaren. This included the training center, community building, the kitchen, and a small store run by women from the village. These women are generally single mothers or widows. They make crafts and sell them at the small store onsite to provide for their families. They are very talented, and the team will certainly bring back some souvenirs.

The outside of the grounds features a very large garden and a tomato greenhouse. The garden includes lettuce, kale, cucumbers, papayas, and many, many other vegetables. The garden is an example of other produce that be grown besides maize (corn). Kenyans traditionally have grown only maize, which is dried in the sun and sold. However, due to drought all summer, and now a late rainy season, the maize harvest is very, very small. When other vegetables are grown, the Kenyan people can feed their own families, and sell the excess to make a profit for themselves.

There is also an agri-forestry area where fast-growing trees are cultivated. The philosophy is when you cut down one tree, plant two others in it's place. The agricultural students tend the gardens and agri-forestry areas as part of their studies. The garden also has an apiary - a bee-keeping area, as well as a tilapia fish pond.

First Day Setup in Kipkaren - Other Projects

2009-10-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

Randy and Carol Luth brought a water filtration system to make clean drinking water. Randy observed several youths filling containers from a nearby well. He asked them if they drink the water, but they assured him they boil it first at home. Randy is currently testing a water sample from the well, which will take 24-48 hours to complete.

Carol Luth prepared the Duduza (comfort) dolls for distribution in both the Kipkaren and Ilula Children's Homes in the next few days. We have 320 dolls in all, enough for all the children! Please see this previous post for additional information about how you can adopt a doll.d

Carla McDowell, dental assistant, organized her dental supplies and toothbrushes. Bridgit Brandt will be assisting her with fluoride treatments.

First Day Setup in Kipkaren - Medical and Eye Care

2009-10-09T14:19:00.005-05:00

When we arrived at the ELI compound in Kipkaren, we were greeted by a large group of ELI staff and agricultural students singing to us in their beautiful language. Pastor Peter warmly welcomed us, then each team member greeted each and every person. We were also given fresh red and yellow roses.

Despite incredible jet lag, we spent most of the afternoon at the clinic unloading supplies and equipment. Michelle Kiprop (P.A.) is the administrator of the clinic. She was able to email Michele Burnes several times before the trip with a specific wish list of items needed at the clinic. As we unpacked the action packer totes, Michelle Kiprop just kept exclaiming how overwhelmed she was by all the supplies!

The doctors did not officially start seeing patients today, but Michele Burnes (P.A.) treated a few patients that came in, and Dr. Kingus (O.D) had 1 patient as well. A young man named Joseph got something in his eye a week ago, and it was red and swollen - very sore. We weren't unpacked yet, but Dr. Kingus examined Joseph's eye and determined it was an abrasion. Dr. K went through the totes until he found some eye drops for him. The young man is coming back on Monday for a re-check.

Arrived in Nairobi

2009-10-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

Everyone has arrived safely in Nairobi, including all 28 pieces of baggage! All flights were normal and everyone is in good health. We are currently staying at the Mayfield Guest House in Nairobi. The team will be leaving at 5 a.m. tomorrow for KipKarin.

Ready for the Adventure!

2009-10-06T17:57:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow the team from Iowa will depart for Kenya, a two-day plane trip. Please follow us on our journey. We will update as often as possible.

Every Blogger Needs a Good Computer

2009-09-14T19:36:00.002-05:00

This year Spanda, Inc. will be taking two laptop computers to give to the KipKarin health care clinic. During our ten-day trip, we will be using the computers to report back to our families, friends, and community detailing our daily activities and observations.

Spanda prides itself on being an environmentally friendly organization. This year we were pleased to obtain two laptop computers from the Midwest Electronic Recovery Company, which is quietly located in Walford, Iowa. They are the largest computer and electronic recycling center in Iowa and are the proud recipients of the Governor’s Iowa Environmental Excellence Award and the 2002 Recycled Product Manufacturing Award.

As chronicled recently on 60 Minutes, electronic recycling is a huge problem facing developing countries. Over 80% of the United States electronic waste is sent to overseas countries for recycling purposes. Midwest Electronic Recovery does not export computer or electronic equipment to developing countries like China, India, or Pakistan where child labor is often exploited and the enforcement of safety and environmental standards are sorely lacking. We were proud to learn that we had a recycling company of such high standards in our own back yard.

Midwest Electronic Recovery also operates an outlet store where you can find great deals on hardly-used computer towers, laptops, printers, and much more. The next time you need computer equipment, consider checking them out. For more information on their products and services, visit www.mcbia.com. Recycle, Reuse, and Protect Our Environment—it takes only a single action!

Making a Difference, One Drop at a Time

2009-09-14T19:25:00.003-05:00

The Pure Water Foundation, Inc. - John & Mary Jo Hays

During our upcoming trip to Kenya, we will be taking two water chlorination systems for use at the KipKarin clinic and village. The systems were developed by Iowa’s own John Hays. Mr. Hays is the water superintendent of Washington, Iowa, and has taken on the personal mission of supplying water systems to developing countries. The need for clean water remains the number one need as nearly 40% of our world’s population lacks basic sanitation, while one billion of our world’s citizenry lacks access to clean drinking water. That is a staggering 20% of our world’s population! Uganda has the largest population without safe drinking water—followed closely by Kenya.

The Hays’ have founded their own nonprofit, the Pure Water for All Foundation with the aptly stated mission statement, “Making a difference, ONE drop at a time”. Through their efforts they have supplied villages in Africa, India, Asia, Russia, Europe, Nicaragua, Haiti, Mexico, Columbia, and Venezuela with water filtration systems.

Their chlorination system uses a salt solution that runs through a solar charged chlorine generator several times. The result is chlorine that can treat several hundred gallons of contaminated water.

This picture, courtesy of John Hays, shows a baby cemetery in Tanzania, Africa. When Randy and Carol Luth met with Mr. Hays, he shared with them that he thought this odd looking field was some sort of tribal garden. Unfortunately, he quickly learned this was not a garden but a cemetery where the villagers buried their babies-- many victims of diseases caused by dirty water. Before introducing his water chlorination system to the village, there were over 120 cases of typhoid per month. Today the village is down to just two cases of typhoid per month thanks to clean water! No more baby cemeteries!

Spanda, Inc is pleased to provide the chlorination system as well as the training to use the chlorinator to our Kenyan friends. We are all very excited to work with Rotary International to drill a well which will provide a fresh water supply to the entire KipKarin village. The initial survey has been completed. We all greatly appreciate our Rotary partners and the Hays’ for helping us to bring clean water to our Kenyan neighbors. It truly does take only a single idea and a single drop of clean water to move the world!

Join Us for an Evening of Wine Tasting

2009-09-11T12:22:00.007-05:00

Metro Rotary North Fundraiser to Benefit Spanda Inc.

Drinking wine is a luxury many Americans can afford. But imagine for just moment what it would be like for you if you did not have this luxury. Or if water, for that matter, was the luxury. We turn a knob on our faucet and out comes clean drinkable water. This is not true for far too many people on the African continent. While there are millions of Africans without clean drinking water, we can only focus on a relatively small area in the east African country of Kenya for now.

Two years ago Dr. Fitzgerald raised money to build an eye and health care clinic in KipKarin, Kenya. The village needed to add a health clinic. But it’s just not that easy. One need leads to another to another. In order to build the health clinic, the village needed a constant source of clean water. Most of us cannot begin to understand the absence of such a basic human requirement. We need not feel guilty for having clean running water; however, after witnessing conditions where this is not the case, there is a sense of appreciation and pride for having a clean and constant source of drinkable water.

From that pride stems a burning desire to help someone gain what we know to be possible. What is possible is that with money raised here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through our partnership with Metro North Rotary, a well will be drilled supplying the village with a fresh and clean water supply. It is the goal to begin digging the well this fall. But that creates another need. We have the clinic and we have fresh water (or we will soon). What more is needed? We have identified two new projects. The first is buying an ultrasound machine for the new clinic. The second will be to help KipKarin locals establish a supply of a “Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food” product, which will help to combat severe malnutrition faced by the Kenyans. When given to a child this product can provide life-sustaining vitamins and minerals and the ability to stave off hunger during the current drought and famine. It’s a fascinating food supplement that you can look up on the web for more information.

We are raising money (with the help of Metro North Rotary) to provide a supply of this product to the Kenyan village. Amazingly simple! All we need is the money to provide this life sustaining product. It’s always about the money, isn’t it? In this case, we are drinking and tasting wine as a social event in order to raise money to meet the basic needs of our friends in KipKarin.

On September 17, 2009, Metro North Rotary is sponsoring a fundraising event where we have the privilege of drinking and tasting wines or beers at the First Avenue Wine House in Cedar Rapids. The money we raise will go toward funding of our next two projects. This was the avenue for funding the well project and I believe it will prove just as successful this time. Join us (the Spanda board of directors and staff) for an evening of wine tasting and delightful company.

Sincerely,

Juli Hardin
Spanda Inc. Board Member

Roy and Bridgit Brandt - Eye Care and Blogging

2009-09-09T20:45:00.003-05:00

Roy and Bridgit Brandt are excited to go to Kenya. This will be Roy's third trip and Bridgit's first. Roy is an optician at Dr. Fitzgerald and Associates, and Bridgit is a customer service representative at an auto finance company. They are members of Noelridge Park Church in Cedar Rapids, as well as the ScinergyIA Scion Owners' Club.

Roy will be installing and calibrating an edger for the optometry lab at the Kenyan clinic. He will be training the local Kenyan staff to operate the edger, so they will be able to manufacture eyeglasses. He will also be assisting optometrist Dr. Rob Kingus in establishing a small dispensary area in the optometry clinic. This will display eyeglass frames so patients can choose their own frames, and then the lab can custom fit lenses for the frames. Roy will also be assisting Dr. Kingus and Dr. Fitzgerald with eye exams and fitting eyeglasses for patients.

Bridgit will be interviewing team members and posting updates and pictures to the blog during the trip. She will also be assisting with distributing the Duduza (comfort) dolls and photo-documenting each child with their very own doll. For more information on the Duduza dolls, please click here.

Roy has been to Kenya twice with Dr. Fitzgerald, and cannot wait to return again. The chance to serve those who would not have had access to routine eye care is an opportunity he could not ignore. Roy also enjoys using his skills to train native Kenyans to help their own people after the team is gone.

Bridgit has heard Roy's first-hand accounts of the Kenyan people and the clinic in KipKarin. She loves hearing his stories about the Kenyan people, from sharing “chai” with Mama Chiri, to the beautiful singing (in Swahili) during the church service. Bridgit is excited to immerse herself in a different culture and to appreciate the simple life of the Kenyan people.

Randy and Carol Luth...Ready To Do Anything

2009-09-09T20:36:00.008-05:00

Randy and Carol Luth are first-time travelers to Africa. After surviving all of the travel shots, sending their first child, Jacob, off to college, and granting their daughter, Sarah, the privilege to drive, they are officially ready to go! Although not sure what to expect, they both are excited and proud to be a part of this dynamic team.

Randy is a 22 year employee of the United States Department of Labor where he works as an investigator for the Wage and Hour Division. His interested in international aid and relief work was peaked when he served as a post-Hurricane Katrina recovery volunteer. He hopes that in the future, after retirement, he may be able to combine both of these experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Randy has been researching water filtration systems (read more in a future blog post) to assist the clinic and village with a sanitary water supply until the planned well can be dug. Rotary has been working with Spanda Inc. to drill a well which will serve this community.

Randy is also working to establish a supply of Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food products to serve this region. This food product will be used to combat severe malnutrition faced by the Kenyan people. (Please read more about this product in the post of Help Us Name Mary’s Babies.)

Carol works as the Director for the Cedar Rapids Vision In Motion clinic. This is the second program of the nonprofit, Spanda Inc. The clinic is an outpatient occupational therapy clinic serving the vision wellness and rehabilitation needs of low vision clients, neuro-vision rehab patients, and the needs of young adults and children. The goal of this unique program is to help each patient achieve maximum success in their daily living activities----school, employment, or in their ability to remain living independently.

Carol, along with Bridgit Brandt, will be blogging and writing about the team’s African experience. She also will be compiling information for future grant applications and micro-lending opportunities to assist the villagers in sustaining their clinic’s business operations.

Dr. Rob Kingus - Eye Care Team Member

2009-09-09T20:10:00.003-05:00

Hi! This is Dr. Rob Kingus. I have been an optometrist with Dr. Fitzgerald and Associates since August 2006. I graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry, and moved to Cedar Rapids soon after. I have enjoyed working with my patients in our office, as well as working at Vision in Motion as the primary low vision optometrist. I enjoy my job very much, and it is very fulfilling to help people improve their vision and the health of their eyes.

I am married to Heather, who is a veterinarian in Cedar Rapids. We have two young daughters, and enjoy spending time together as a family. We like to visit Clear Lake, Iowa each summer, and also travel to Duluth, Minnesota so I can participate in an in-line skating marathon each fall. Other interests of mine include watching most sports on TV, playing Nintendo Wii, spending time outside, and catching up with friends and family.

I am very excited to go to Kenya again this year. I was fortunate to go there in 2007 to help open the eye clinic, and I am happy to go back to further the work that we started. It is nice to know that I can make a difference in so many people’s lives by just doing what I’ve been trained to do.

Meet Carla McDowell-Dental Team Leader

2009-09-09T18:34:00.011-05:00

The need for dental services at the KipKarin clinic is great. When local Cedar Rapids dentist and owner of Dental Associates of Cedar Rapids, Dr. Karen Besler, DDS, heard of Spanda Inc.’s need for dental services at the clinic, she immediately knew she wanted to help.

Dr. Besler is pleased to send one of her experienced dental assistants, Carla McDowell, on the upcoming October trip. Carla will be providing dental training to the Kenyan health care staff, assisting with patient dental screenings, and determining clinic dental equipment needs.

Carla has been a practicing dental assistant for 27 years and has worked for Dr. Besler at Dental Associates of Cedar Rapids for the past five years. She is a member of the Professional Women’s Network and of the Business Network International organization. She attends Antioch Christian Church in Marion and enjoys spending time with her fiance David, her son Charles, and her cat Monster.

Carla is very excited to share her dental knowledge with the Kenyan people and is inspired by Dr. Besler’s and Dr. Fitzgerald’s vision of bringing dental services to an area where toothbrushes and toothpaste are seen as luxury items.

Will You Help Mary Name Her Babies?

2009-09-03T19:23:00.013-05:00

Sitting quietly in her sun-drenched family room Mary Uthe knits….and she knits….and she knits. Why is Mary knitting so fervently? On a mission, Mary’s story offers both a simple message of love while illustrating the amazing interconnectedness we all share. It truly leaves one feeling that it does only take “a single idea, a single action to move the world.”

The Connection

Mary has been a long-time patient of local Cedar Rapids optometrist, Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald. While in her office for a routine eye exam in the summer of 2007, Mary noticed a lone postcard at the reception desk. It described an upcoming wine tasting fundraiser event to benefit Dr. Fitzgerald’s newly founded non-profit organization, Spanda Inc. Dr. Fitzgerald would be returning to KipKarin, Kenya, to help build an eye and health care clinic. Spanda Inc. was founded to combine Dr. Fitzgerald’s passion for optometry with other health care professions to improve the lives of all regardless of personal situation throughout the world community. Mary and her husband, Jack, attended the event in which Mary describes as “awe-inspiring” to be surrounded by individuals so passionate and enthusiastic about helping the KipKarin people realize their dream of having a village-operated health care clinic.

Later that year, Mary, along with her sister-in-law, made a trip to the New England States to enjoy the fall colors. While vacationing, she visited a local yarn shop. Her eyes were immediately drawn to a basket filled with colorful, hand-knitted dolls. Mary recalls feeling overwhelmed with how cute and special the dolls looked. When she went to purchase one, however, there was no price tag. The store owner explained these were special babies called “Duduza (Comfort) Dolls”. They were created by an organization, Children In Distress Network International (CIDNI). Knitters throughout the United States and the United Kingdom were knitting these dolls with the sole purpose of giving them to African children affected by HIV/AIDS. The store owner gave Mary a web address where she could obtain the pattern to make dolls with the promise that the dolls would not be made for private profit. Upon her return to Cedar Rapids, Mary read the CIDNI story and immediately thought of Dr. Fitzgerald and Spanda Inc.

At the same time, Dr. Fitzgerald had been researching “Ready-To-Use-Therapeutic Foods” (RUTF) to stave off the effects of severe childhood malnutrition. Most concerning was the recent drought affecting the Kenyan people—resulting in the loss of grazing pastures for their cattle and goats. Over a quarter of all children living in the area served by the Kenyan clinic had become victims of malnutrition.

The RUTF is a peanut-based product enriched with vitamins and minerals. It does not require water to manufacture nor refrigeration and has a shelf life of two years. When given to a child, twice daily, for four weeks, it can restore the child to near normal weight. True to her philosophy of “wouldn’t you do whatever you could to help a child” Dr. Fitzgerald set out to discover how this food product could be introduced to this region of Kenya.

300 Babies Are Born

Within days of her return, Mary called Dr. Fitzgerald to tell her about the dolls and to see if she would like to take some with her during her next mission trip. This is where great ideas between two dynamic individuals are launched. Not only would the 300 children living in the two orphanages served by the KipKarin clinic receive a doll, but the dolls would become the major fundraising tool to introduce RUTF to the area. For an adoption fee of $35, the donor would be given the special honor of supplying a malnourished child with a month’s supply of RUTF as well as giving a child in the orphanage a doll of comfort!

The Knitting Continues

At the time of this article, 265 dolls have been hand crafted by Mary. Using the softest of yarns, each doll is unique. All are knitted with love, given a kiss upon their completion by Mary, and blessed with this message of hope---“Somebody out there believes you are special!”

Mary is also pleased to report that her “community of knitters” has grown. As more people learn of her endeavors, she is receiving the support of fellow knitters throughout Cedar Rapids.

Would You Like To Help?

The need for RUTF will be on-going. Spanda Inc.’s long-term goal is to help over 10,000 malnourished children in this region. Presently, discussions are being held with a distributor of the product to ensure sustainability.

We need your help to realize this dream. If you would like to adopt and name one of “Mary’s Babies”, please contact us at spandainc@yahoo.com. You will receive an adoption certificate and, upon our return from Africa, a picture of the child receiving the doll you have adopted.

The $35 adoption fee will provide a Kenyan child with a month’s supply of RUTF, which will help restore the child to a near normal weight.

Through your donor efforts, Mary’s knitting, Dr. Fitzgerald’s vision, and the volunteer work of many others—it really does only take a single idea, a single action to move the world! Won’t you be a part?

Meet Michele Burnes - Medical Team Leader

2009-09-03T19:10:00.010-05:00

Michele is excited to return for her second trip to Kenya. As a physician’s assistant practicing at the Urbana Family Medical Clinic and the Virginia Gay Hospital ER, Michele will be leading the team’s medical efforts this October.

Michele is looking forward to working with the Kipkaren clinic’s nurse, Michelle Kiprop, in developing clinic protocol for patient care and treatment. The duo will also be conducting continuing education sessions for the rest of the clinic staff.

This year Michele is very pleased to bring a portable ultrasound machine with her for the clinic’s use. Spanda Inc. is nearing its goal of raising close to $6200 to acquire this machine. The clinic staff is ecstatic to be receiving the ultrasound machine as it will aid them in providing obstetrical care and in the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. (If you are interested in contributing towards the purchase and delivery of the ultrasound machine, please contact spandainc@yahoo.com).

Although not easily put into words, Michele relates, “You cannot help but be changed by the kindness and faith of the Kenyan people—even in the midst of extreme poverty. My circle of family, friends, and neighbors has grown through this life-changing experience.”

Team Leader Adele Booysen

2009-09-03T19:07:00.010-05:00

Adele Booysen joins us from Taiwan, where she is currently working as a teacher. Before returning to Taiwan (where she had previously worked as a magazine editor), Adele spent three years with Empowering Lives in Kenya. "Living in a rural African village was one of the biggest joys and challenges of my life," Adele admits. Though she herself is African (she is from South Africa), Adele got to know a different side of African life by serving at ELI's orphanages. Adele's work at ELI included photojournalism as well as hosting teams. She'll be the one to make sure we get from one place to the next without any hassles, and even learn some things about the country and culture along the way...

The Visionary Behind Eye Care Kenya

2009-09-02T09:56:00.017-05:00

As our team begins preparing to depart on our upcoming October Kenyan mission, it seems only fitting to introduce you to a true visionary and the founder of Spanda Inc., Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald, OD.
Doc, as her patients, family, and friends call her, has been a practicing optometrist in the corridor community for the past 25 years. Her private eye care practice provides comprehensive eye care services to over 10,000 patients annually. Realizing her passion for optometry and health care as well as her desire to do more for our local and world communities, she founded her own nonprofit, Spanda Inc., in 2006.
Spanda Inc. is based on the notion that “it takes only a single idea, a single action to move the world”. With that thought, she has sponsored two mission trips to Kipkaren, Kenya. Through fundraising efforts and her own generosity, a health care clinic was built and local villagers were trained to operate the clinic. Doc also purchased a satellite, which has enabled her to keep in contact with the villagers. Currently, she is working with Rotary to provide fresh water to the clinic and village. She is also working with Dr. Karen Besler, a local Cedar Rapids dentist, to bring expanded dentistry services to the clinic. She is also working to establish a supply route for a therapeutic food designed to combat malnutrition. (Please stay tuned to future blogs describing all of these projects in greater detail.)
When asked why she began this mission work, Doc replied, “The moment I knew I wanted to do this---it became a process. I never thought “little ole me” could ever be able to do something like this. It was like a steamroller---other community members, businesses, and colleagues all became involved. I have been outside of my comfort zone as I embarked on this journey. But it did not matter. I realized that a piece of my destiny was to bring hope and humbly empower and inspire my Kenyan neighbors. I totally believe there is something bigger than each of us. It is amazing to be a part of all of this!”
One need not look any further than Dr. DeAnn Fitzgerald to see a leader with tremendous heart and spirit ready to “take a single idea”, create a strong team, and develop dreams that make our community and world a much better place to live.
Please join us on this journey…..

Welcome to Kipkaren

2009-08-19T18:39:00.006-05:00

These videos were taken when the team arrived in the village of Kipkaren, Kenya in 2007. The first video features John Busche, the director of the children's home, welcoming the team from Iowa. In the second video, the team was treated to a traditional dance and singing by the children.

Previous trip pictures

2009-08-12T19:21:00.002-05:00

Past trips to Kenya

2009-08-12T18:50:00.004-05:00

As we look forward to our departure for Kenya coming up in October, please enjoy a look back at our previous adventures.