Sunday, August 3, 2014

Getting there is part of the adventure

The month before we left we were informed that a couple that was signed up to go and help with the well drilling had to cancel. Darren asked my husband Mac and I if we were interested in doing both trips ( a total of 18 days rather than the 9) We figured what the heck, the cost wasn't that much more.

Before we left for Africa we were assigned items to collect to take with us, and we were given jobs to do while we were there. The first part of the trip was a large group of flight attendants, mostly from American Airlines. I will add now, that they were a HARD working group of men and women. They got along so well and fell in love with the kids while they were there. Their plans were to work in an orphanage with the kids that were there. It is really  more of a school, the kids come early in the morning and go home in afternoon, most to aunts and uncles or grandmothers. Most of the parents have died from AIDS or other illnesses. These kids are pre K and kindergarten. I signed up that week to reach an art class. I am a mosaic artist as well, so I decided to teach them mosaics with paper.

We also had items to collect that would be handed out while there. I mostly collected medical supplies, since I was going to do medical work, but we also collected shoes. Adults shoes and kids shoes, whatever we could find. The 2 checked bags we had each were filled to the brim, 50 lb limit, they were at their limits! Our personal belongings were kept to our carry on suitcase and backpacks. (I really think they each weighed 50 lbs as well, I over packed)

We left the afternoon of February 27, 2013. We flew out of Houston, we were scheduled to fly to Detroit and meet up with 2 more volunteers, but our flight got changed and they rerouted us through  Atlanta. From there we went to Amsterdam and then Nairobi. The Amsterdam airport was a blur because we had to hurry through to catch our next flight. In Amsterdam you have to go through security again at each gate. It was there they took one of our carry ons and made us check it. At first I was irritated, then I realized that was one less bag to keep up with. We also met our first other Project Humanity volunteer there, a flight attendant names Jeff Jurges, a nice guy, a hard worker and just an awesome person. He was a great add to the team!

After 30 hours in the air via several flights we arrived at the Nairobi airport at around 11pm, tired, stinky and excited! While waiting in line for customs we met the next member of our group, Mame Fancett, an AWESOME nurse from California, she had flown the entire way on her own, she saw the Project Humanity patches on our bags and flagged us down. We spent a better part of the next hour waiting on and getting our bags, well most of them, Mame's were missing. We filed a report and head to meet up with Darren, Kirsten and Teddy, and wait for the remaining flight attendants (FA's) to arrive!

As we came around the corner tired, but filled with excitement our eyes met a cardboard sign with the words Project Humanity on it, my dream was becoming a reality.... I AM IN AFRICA! You can see our arrival video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kz8QR_ApXs&feature=youtu.be


When Mac and I started traveling abroad we bought a Texas Tech gnome(Little Guy) to go with us and share the adventure. Before leaving for Africa some dear friends, Tim and Jennifer Odom (who happen to be Chic-fil-a operators) gave me a Chic-fil-a cow to travel with us, his name is Raider! Little Guy and Raider had a blast on the trip, you will see more of them later, this was at the Houston airport before leaving.

Well I guess the Purple Slip part will have to wait, there is a lot that happens in between that leads up to the story and makes it that more special. I promise it is worth the wait.

For more information about Project Humanity  and upcoming projects/trips and how YOU can volunteer or donate, go to www.projecthumanity.com

No comments:

Post a Comment