Including today, I have just 5 days until I embark on this adventure. I’m still working through many last minute details but things are coming together.
Housing in Kampala: My student and I will be staying at the home of the medical researcher who I’ve been in contact with over the past year and a half as I’ve been planning this trip. This wonderful opportunity will allow me to not only have contact with someone who knows how to get around Kampala, where to go, what to do, & how to be safe, but I will also be able to talk with her about her research in Kampala over the past 4 years and gain another perspective about the healthcare challenges of this region. This friend is not a native Ugandan but has been expatriated to Kampala for her research. She also offered to introduce me to her collaborators.
Pay It Forward Projects: I am totally overwhelmed with the amount of dresses, hats, and miscellaneous toys (including some homemade dolls that are just adorable that a friend made) that have been donated for the children of Tanzania and Uganda! Thank you to all of you!! I am still trying to figure out how to get it all packed in a way that I can still manage my luggage by myself, but somehow, it will be done. I brought all the gifts to church yesterday for a blessing and shared my plans with the congregation. They were all excited for me and as as they pray for me and my team from home, I will be bringing their love and prayers for the children with me to Africa!
Research: I heard from the Pharmacy Dean at Makerere University today that one of the pharmacy students and a faculty member will be able to accompany us to Masindi to help with the Research which is fabulous news! But now I need to work on those logistics. 🙂 I am so glad that I am writing about this process as I go so that in the future I will be able to look back and recall what needed to be done and maybe this will help other schools who might try their hand at developing a similar global experience.