Chalice: Notes from the field...

In our second clinic site our team was divided into Women's Clinic and Children's Clinic.  The children's team were working out of the local school, a 25 minute hike away.  Twice a day the team would make the hike through the forest and foothills - a beautiful walk, but not for the faint of heart. The region we worked out of is named Mkongo and had no running water or electricity.  We all have a new appreciation of how hard it is to live without what we take for granted at home.  I can say we've all gotten much better at the art of The Bucket Shower! The stars are beautiful when there is no light pollution.

Mission Mkongo is over and a complete success. We have spent 3 busy days   at the local school and dispensary providing medical assessments and services to over   1400 children and patients.   The community welcomed us with open arms and made our stay a most fulfilling experience. Mkongo is   located in the hill areas west of the city of Songea.   It’s a beautiful location but very remote.   There is no running water or electricity so   it was a big adjustment for the team.   Despite the challenges, we ate well, we showered in creative ways and got the job done. We have had some minor setbacks with cramps, and upset tummies but those affected are on the mend and we are a happy crew again. Onward to   Mbinga and Mbangamao.

After two hectic days in clinic, we have successfully assessed over 400 children and 130 new mothers and baby. As part of the medical mission, classes are being offered for keen Tanzanian medical staff.  We have been facing some interesting challenges; despite Ultrasound transducers still en route, numerous technical glitches and language barriers, Team TanCan is getting the job done.  The linguists in the group seem to be mastering Swahili.  They have a repertoire of 5 or 6 words and the rest of us are lagging behind in skill.  The children get much pleasure listening to our sad attempts at traditional greetings. The children greet us each day with genuine joy and smiles. It makes our work day worthwhile and so rewarding.

TanCan 2014 clinic is in motion.It's been an long and eventful journey of three days.  Most of our Canadian team meet in Washington DC, on route to Tanzania with a brief stop over in Ethiopia.  A few hours of sleep and then a 15 hour bus ride across country to Songea, quick supper and shower  if you have the lucky rooms with showers that are working. We all arrived at our first clinic site in Songea on Wednesday.  Blessed to have this experience. 

Hello everyone, I am the International Manager for Africa with Chalice. The TANCAN team begin to depart this evening for our third medical mission with our Congregational partners in Tanzania but I am already on route. As the Mission Operations Manager I travel alone to arrive a couple of days in advance of the team to ensure our on Site logistics are ready for the next 3 weeks of activities. Sitting in Heathrow airport in London, England I am going over our schedule and taking in the international sites one experiences at a major air transit hub. It never ceases to amaze me the beauty and complexity of the human race as it chorines through corners of the world. There are at least seven different languages being spoken around me as I sit here typing.  The travel to our final destination is no small feat. The majority of the team will take at least 3 if not 4 flights over the course of 2.5 days to arrive in Dar es Salaam. On arrival we will proceed to gather over 45 large ...