July 4th

July 3, 2012

Finally some of the packages arrived. It’s been a nightmare trying to get them. Apparently some people don’t know how to do their job. The package was sent a little over 2 weeks ago. They arrived last Thursday with conformation. I had spoken indirectly with Claire through Angel about the packages. Since today (July 3^rd) Claire has denied they were here. Finally I called her Monday basically saying I know they have arrived and I don’t understand why you keep denying it. I told her if the issue was transporting the packages I would go down to Kigali myself and pick them up. She began to get frustrated with me and I basically laid it out very clear for her, if I don’t hear from you by tomorrow (July 3rd) about the status of my packages I will call your boss in New Zealand and clearly explain to her that you are keeping my packages hostage. I then nicely reminded her volunteers like me pay her salary. I don’t like to get that direct with people but it worked, today I have 2 of my boxes and the other 3 will be here Monday!!!! It didn’t need to be that hard! Seriously this is why people are so hesitant to donate.

Tonight I opened the first two boxes and I am sooooo soooo soooo excited!!!! Thank you all so much! I know a lot of the stuff in one box is from Holly, so shout out! I recognized a lot of the clothes. Tomorrow I will start to bring the toys, books, clothes, bottles, diapers and more more more to the orphanage.  I can’t explain how thankful I am. Your donated items are going to make such a difference, now these kids will have shoes to wear and toys to play with. This is seriously one of the highs of my trip, although I am realistic and realize this is not enough for 600 kids, it’s a start. One of my favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi “you must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Imagine if everyone donated a little something each year, think of how we could transform the world together.  Once again thank you all, and thank you Dad and Patti.  I love you.

New volunteers came today. Ugggg first impressions are so powerful. I have no clue how I’m going to survive the next two weeks with these people. One is a dentist and her son, both seem very nice but she is in her late 40’s and he is 16.They are from the UK. The other is a gynecologist who is in her 50’s from New Zealand. I have always hated doctors and I have come to the conclusion I always will. I don’t know what it is about gynecologist but they always have a chip on their shoulder. From the second I met this lady she made it known she was a Doctor and studied so long at this school and blah blah blah. I honestly wanted to tell her I don’t give two shits about her or her studies. I know she deserves respect but when I met her I was in middle of running HIV tests. I have been here for 5 weeks now and I have great relationships with the staff and a very good routine. This lady came in the lab and took my microscope and started messing around with my samples, RUDE! Then she started talking about Viral load and CD4 counts and asked if they do it here. I responded we don’t have that capability, in disgust she responded I don’t believe that and asked Angel the same question. First of all Angel doesn’t even know what a viral load is, she truly believes you can cure HIV by praying to god. Please don’t come in my lab acting like I am ignorant and can’t answer your medical questions. If I say they don’t do viral load I’m not lying to you… idiot! Anyway I will try to be nice but she is making it very hard. I HATE when doctor or people for that matter act like they are superior. I would just like to remind her it’s not doctors who spend time with patients its nurses. On a happier note one of the nurses told me she did not like this lady because she is rude. Good thing I understand some Kinyarwanda because she said it right in front of her face.

July 4^th

Happy Liberation day Rwanda. Today was an amazing day, I brought some of the donated items to the orphanage. The kids went nuts! I will post pictures so you can see your donated items with the children. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who donated. I gave the children the toys, and the mommas the diapers, wipes, bottles, cups, etc. I should have gone through the director but I have noticed unless the items are given directly to the mommas they are not used, which once again is soooo frustrating. I literally almost cried today when the babies were drinking out of bottles and the toddlers were using sippy cups. The mommas looked at me a little strange when I handed them the new cloth diapers, but overall the donations were well received. The babies even had dolls to cuddle, it was so amazing to see them smile when the mommas handed them a doll. The older kids love the Jacks, jump ropes, books, and dolls. Unfortunately they love them so much I had to scold several of them for trying to steal the new books out of the library.  I didn’t realize how much was donated; I still have several trips to make to bring all the stuff to the orphanage. Once again thank you, I wish you could have seen how happy the mommas and kids were.