I'm off to the Caribbean

---

---

Hello to all my friends and relatives. I am embarking on another adventure, this time with Project HOPE to provide health care to people around the Caribbean. After spending a few days visiting with my son, Daniel, in Florida where he goes to school, I’m flying to Colombia to join the Project HOPE staff, medical personnel from other agencies (Operation Smile is one - they do cleft lip and palate repairs) and a large contingent of US sailors aboard the USS Kearsarge (check out the link - this ship is amazing! And explore the site for more information about the current ship and its predecessors. Additional pictures here. ). There are two teams - one stays on the ship for the surgical procedures (there are 4 operating theaters on board) and the other team goes to rural clinics and provides primary care. I was originally scheduled to work as a bilingual educator, teaching safe birthing practices, maternal child health, and disease prevention, but my duties have expanded to include operations officer and, for a short time, medical director. (First rule: be flexible)

From Colombia, we go to the Caribbean coast of Panama (an area where the indigenous people called the Kuna Indians live in the San Blas Archipelago of islands off the coast). After a couple of weeks there, we travel to Santo Domingo, then the Dominican Republic for another two weeks or so. A short vacation follows as we stop off in Curaçao (it’s tough work, but somebody’s got to do it ) on the way to my last stop with the project in Trinidad and Tobago. On the map you can see the route I’ll be following for over 10,000 miles and almost 3 months.

I learned this week that I have to bring my hiking boots so I don’t get bitten by snakes while hiking to the clinic sites, long-sleeved t-shirts to wear under my clothing which is going to be sprayed with permethrin (trying not to catch malaria or dengue fever or yellow fever from our friends, the mosquitoes), and plenty of sunblock. I’m sure I’ll have more details in future blogs about the hazards we encounter.

I’m very excited to start this new phase of my life (I’m hoping to continue to work internationally - with luck the next one will be paid!). I hope to hear from you this summer/fall. You can send a message from this travel blog site. Apparently internet access will be somewhat limited on board ship, but I will try to respond as soon as possible. Enjoy the rest of the summer. More to follow…… Nancy

---

« Previous Entry Next Entry »

Comments

[Lynne Fulp]

Vicarious Thrill
Thanks for sending me your blog, Nancy - I intend to follow your journey keenly. Be safe, be well, keep us posted!

[Karim]

Heartiest Congraculations
Hi Nancy Heartiest congraculations on your new adventure, I am sure you will successfuly achieve your objectives. I have joined Care International in Pakistan as National Consultant, for a short assignment of one month. take care Karim

[Ellen]

Awesome
Thanks for the update! What an awesome adventure awaits you and those you will be working with! Looking forward to further postings! ~Ellen

[Diana Ely]

San Blas
B sure to check out the lobsters when you go to San Blas (they're huge :-)

[Noel Groves]

Good for you!
Nancy, Great to hear Project HOPE is going to benefit from your many, diverse abilities and knowledge. It was so exciting to see you when you were in Yakima--we'd just been wondering where you were. I look forward to staying in touch and hearing more of your new service opportunities. Noel

[footeloose]

Great to hear from you!
Hi, Mags, Thanks for the comment to the blog. Where is Megan working and living? How about Ashleigh? Is she going to graduate school? Daniel is in Florida in his senior year at Florida Southern College. He got recruited here to play soccer, but got injured just before practices started last fall, so he was out for the season. He'll still be eligible to play next year as a graduate student. He's majoring in International Business and seems to be pretty much enjoying life. Tafara started graduate school last year in the same program I completed (Master in Public Administration). However, she wasn't all that happy with the program. She is still playing serious soccer, and in 2 weeks will be participating in a jamboree-type event here in Florida to be recruited to a new professional women soccer league team. The league is starting next year, and will have 7 teams, with 2 more to be added in 2010. She's pretty excited about it, and I think she has a pretty good chance of getting recruited. She had a really good season this year, so I have my fingers crossed for her. This has been her dream since she was 8, and I love to see her moving toward achieving it. How's Paul's job? What are you doing with yourself? How's your heart? Hope all is well. Keep in touch. Fondly, Nancy

[Marelvy Martha]

Dr. Foote, I am so gland to hear from you again. Also that you are doing what you like the best" helping people" We miss you in Yakima and we dont forget about you. Love you. Marelvy

[Christina Carlson]

Greetings from Yakima
Nancy, I am loving your adventure vicariously. I just finished Mountains beyond Mountains; all about Haiti and the fantastic lack of medical care. You know you are needed: lots. I am still teaching in public school and am committed to twice a month sharing some far off locale and someone who has been there. Your blog/photo will be one of the shows! Thanks for including me and making me think. You always have. Good to read about soccer with both Daniel and Tafara. Glad both are well. Cheers, Christina Carlson