Read more about the article Ready for Departure – Mission 2023: Post Pandemic

Ready for Departure – Mission 2023: Post Pandemic

As we finalize our packing, review our checklists, sit on that suitcase to get it closed....our team is in the final stretches of readying themselves for departure, and are extremely excited. Tomorrow will be a day of emotion...for those who are reuniting once again to carry out our mission and for those who will be joining us for the first time. Some may be experiencing some anxieties or trepidation, uncertainty of what to expect, but mostly excitement at being able to see our wonderful friends and colleagues in Kenya. Some will be able fulfill some life long career and life goals, to provide some measure of help and hope to those who do not have the ability to obtain the necessary care that they need. The first few days or our journey will be long full days of travel... think plains, trains, and automobiles...well maybe not trains but you get the idea. We depart at 1835 hours April 27, 2023...at least that's what my ticket says, from Toronto to Nairobi. Some of our team will have a longer day as they travel from their homes across the country. We have some members scattered around southern Ontario and a western contingent coming from Alberta. I will…

Continue ReadingReady for Departure – Mission 2023: Post Pandemic

2023 Mission

The final countdown is on for our 2023 Mission. Merely 3 more sleeps until we depart. Are we excited??? Heck yes!! Some trepidation? Probably. After 3 years of not being able to provide care to the people of the Vihiga District what is in store for us remains a mystery. I anticipate that our clinic numbers will be over 1000, but we will have to wait and see. As we travel to our location the first few blogs will be an introduction to our 2023 team. We have 12 nurses participating this year, all very experienced, willing and excited.

Continue Reading2023 Mission

The 2023 Mission

At the time of writing, late July 2022, we are planning to proceed with our next mission in late April 2023. Naturally, many factors must be considered in making this decision, COVID-19 and Monkeypox being the primary concerns. The safety of nurses travelling to Kenya to work, as well as the risks posed by congregating large numbers of people visiting our clinics must be balanced with the needs of those seeking the medical care we provide. We are fortunate to have a member of our advisory board with advanced training in infectious disease to help guide us in making these important decisions. We will be selecting the next team of nurses in early September, giving priority to nurses who were accepted to the last mission that was cancelled due to COVID restrictions.

Continue ReadingThe 2023 Mission

From Gail Wolters, CNFA President and Founder

Dear friends, family and supporters,It is hard to believe the 2012 mission is behind us and we are on our way home.  The numbers again are staggering.  In the 11 days of clinics, we treated 8,342 patients. Of those, we treated 22 in hospital and will be following up with further care. We treated 130 patients with wounds, some of them horrific. We also made 5 home visits to patients unable to come to the clinics.  We conducted sexual health clinics for approximately 30 girls and women every day. At these classes, we were able to distribute the reuseable sanitary pads and drawstring bags made by our wonderful sewers in Saskatchewan and Ontario.  The recipients love them! Such as simple way to ease some of the difficulties facing these women.Our school deworming program was successful in treating approximately 5361 school children. For the first time, we introduced a jiggers eradication program which you can read about on the blog. These people are the poorest of the poor and having the jiggers treatment gives them hope and the ability to help themselves. The jiggers patients, mostly mothers and young patients, received the beautiful donated blankets and baby clothing to protect them during this cold and rainy season. In…

Continue ReadingFrom Gail Wolters, CNFA President and Founder