Volunteer w/me in Kenya summer 2000?

[Hank]

Hello everyone-
I am new to this forum, so please bear with me! I am going to begin med school this August, and will most likely be at KCOM. Before I begin that long road of 4 more years of school, I am going to spend this upcoming summer in the Western Province of Kenya volunteering. During the summer of 1998, I lived & worked with members of a non-governmental organization implementing sustainable community development projects. I have founded an Indiana University student organization called Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers (www.indiana.edu/~okdv) to continue the work. For the past 2 summers, AIDS education has been our main area of focus. This summer we plan on expanding and developing a microenterprise for women program to help fight the increasing feminization of poverty, as well as a "Building Libraries in Kenya" campaign. As some of you may know, AIDS in Africa has been getting a lot of press lately.....Clinton mentioned it in his State of the Union address and Newsweek devoted 10+ pages to the topic in the 1/17 issue. Well, after finishing med school (and hopefully while a student)I plan on going back and working w/ the locals on health care issues. There are many areas where health care is nearly non-existent.....something that I would like to try to change! I realize that even as a 1st yr student, there's not much "medical work" that I/we could do. But until I/we start rotations, there is always the curoisity/need for educational programs, especially AIDS education. Well, I just wanted to throw this idea out to some of you! If any of you are interested in learning more and/or possibly joining me this summer, please get in touch with me ([email protected]) or visit my organizations web page (www.indiana.edu/~okdv). Hope to hear from some of you! Take care,

Hank

[This message has been edited by Hank (edited 03-24-2000).]

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[Ranger]

Hank,

Though I don't have a lot of time this morning to respond to your post, I do want to say that I'm interested in what you are doing this summer. I lived in Oaxaca, MX in a small, indigenous fishing village for over 2 years before becoming a pre-DO and I also plan on doing missionary medical work when I finish medical school. I did similiar type programs (sort of) while I was there in Mexico. I loved the mission and it really changed my life! I can't wait to go back to that kind of life! Are YOU the next Albert Schwitzer?!!! I thought that I was going to be!!! Ha!

Take care and keep me in mind,

*Robert*

 

[JamesBond]

Hank:
What part of Kenya will you be going to? Coastal? Midland? Rural or urban? What city/town/village? I have--for more than 20 years--lived in East Africa (Kenya included), and I would be interested in learning more about your engagement. That part of the world is one of the most scenic places I have travelled to. Also (if this would help in any way), I happen to speak Swahili fluently and a few East African dialects too . . . and, as a side bar, I am currently planning to visit neighboring Uganda around late April through early May of 2000.

 

[Hank]

Hello JamesBond-
I will be heading to the Western Province of Kenya. The family I/we stay with lives in Bungoma (actually they live in the small rural village of Kabula, b/n Bungoma and Mumias....not too far from the Ugandan border). If you'd like more info about what I have done, please visit my organizations web site: www.indiana.edu/~okdv . However, since I will be starting med school in August, I have other/more plans for things in the future. PLease drop me a line: [email protected], so we can chat more! I'd love to hear your plans about Uganda this summer. I was actually thinking about traveling there while I am in Kenya this summer! Do you have contacts there? What did you do for the 20 years you lived in Africa? What "drew" you to Africa? Just curious! I have quite a few questions, and am sure I didn't answer yours adequately enough, but I have to get going now! It'd be great if you'd be interested in getting involved! I have already had several others email me....so there's definitely interest! Hope to hear from you soon! Take it easy,

Hank

 

[Hank]

Hello Catherine, Elizabeth, James Bond, Melissa, Michael, Robert & Tim-

It was great to get your messages!!

It's always nice to meet others
who are interested in a good cause! Before I get started, I should let
you know of my intentions for posting my message. I am really interested
in meeting others who are going to med school and might be interested in
a rather difficult task of providing health care in areas of Kenya, and
possibly other 3rd world developing countries, where it is non-existent.
Obviously not until the 3rd and 4th years of med school and/or after becoming
a doctor. However, there is still plenty of work and research that
can/needs to be done before we'd actually practice medicine. Talking w/ as
many physicians, community members, traditional healers, etc about the issues
they are facing would be a definite positive start. I have the name and
address of a traditional healer in the Western Province that I plan on
meeting this summer. I think it would be interesting to hear how he
approaches sickness and attempts to heal with the use of local indigenous
plants/herbs. AIDS Awareness Programs are always beneficial and popular
because this is arguably the biggest obstacle facing Kenyan society today.

I think I need to apologize/clear something up regarding my initial
posting. In the message I mentioned the student organization that I
founded.......my purpose for mentioning this group was to let people know
that I have been to Kenya am not merely "wishfuldreaming"/bull****ting about
all of this. Some of you responded and asked about "getting an
application for the program." Again, I apologize for any confusion this
caused! So here's my point for posting the note: I want to organize a
group of med students (totally separate from the organization I
mentioned) to travel with me to Kenya this summer to "lay the foundation"
for providing health care to the rural/isolated areas of the country. I
am looking at this as a long term project, and would hope that some of you
who might be interested in going this summer would also not view
this as a "one time thing". Whew..I hope that wasn't too much too fast!?

Well, several of you had questions, so I'll try to answer them:


1. Is there an application? Yes and No. For IU students, there is. For
you, no. If you are interested in going, I can help you with all of the
arrangements. I would consider this a "new venture"..so maybe all of
those interested could form some type of new organization? Any thoughts on
that? Then if we attend separate med schools, we can just have different
chapters but keep our work coordinated.

2. When will you leave? I plan on leaving around May 15th. This date can
be flexible if need be. I will probably be there until mid-July. I still
haven't booked my flight yet.....so things aren't set in stone. The
return date could really be open-ended......arriving together is more
important.


3. How much will it cost? Here's an approximate price breakdown for the
trip:

Roundtrip flight (via Amsterdam) = $1,500
Immunizations = $300
VISA & Passport = $100
Room & Board (2 months) = $300
Program related travel = $200
Equipment (water filter, backpack, etc.) = $300
Leisure travel, safari, souvenirs,etc. = $800

Approximate Total = $ 3,500

4. How do you pay for the trip? You can search on the web for
scholarships, etc. and also try to raise funds on your own. I realize this
is a big concern for most of us. I work an extra job during the winter to
pay for my trips! $3,500 may seem like a lot.....ok it is a lot.....but
for the amazing experiences you'll have and the friendships you'll
make.....well, it is just really worth it!!!!

5. For more info, if you haven't already done so, please visit the web
site for the student organization: www.indiana.edu/~okdv
Any other specific questions you can email me or call me @ 812-334-3396

I hope that this answered some of your questions!

I want to be straight up and blunt with you about all of this. If you are
looking for an opportunity where everything is all nice and laid
out/planned for you, this might not be the best thing. I say this not to
discourage you, but just to let you know what you are/might be getting
yourself into! : ) However, if you are like me and really enjoy a
challenge.......then this is the perfect opportunity for you!!

I have
visions.....my parents tell me i have WAY TOO MANY

......and am really
committed to this cause. If you are the type that likes to roll
up their sleeves and tackle a problem head on.......PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
join me! Uh oh.....am i getting too into this? Sorry, but this is a
passion for me. I'll try to remain as normal as possible!? : ) Ok, like I
was calmly saying.......here are some things to think about. I don't
pretend to have all of the answers. I am just trying to make a small
contribution to those less fortunate. We live in a world of absurd
disparity.......and I feel that I have been put on this earth for some
purpose. Uh oh.....there I go again......well, I'll let you digest all of
this! Please feel free to keep your questions coming! I look forward to
hearing back from all of you! You all sound like neat people. Please let
me know a little more about yourselves...I already know one of you likes
2-steppin'..to Garth? David Allen Coe? Both?

Take care,

Hank

 

[Stephen Ewen]

Nationwide, we in the U.S. have 341 persons per doctor1, while the Middle Eastern nation of Jemen (Yemen) has 5,531 persons per doctor. Close to the mainland USA, in Jamaica, there are 6,159 persons per
doctor. And the Oceanic nation of Papua New Guinea has 9,953 persons per doctor, while the Asian nation of Nepal has 16,830 persons per doctor. The African nation of Burkina Faso has an astonishing 57,310 persons
per doctor (WFB), which is the worst country-wide doctor per person ratio in the world. However, in many locales of various developing nations there are areas the size of several southern U.S. states where there are easily more than 100,000 persons per individual physician. Statistics like these
accumulate toward the fact that there are conservatively 3 billion people worldwide without even basic primary health care.

Consider some further health care facts using Africa as a case in point. In Zambia, 20% of all children die before their fifth birthday, only because simple health measures cannot be taken on their behalf. Those that do make it past five face a life-expectancy of 45.4 years, which is better than for numerous other African nations.

One such nation is Malawi, discussed above, where the life-expectancy is 35.26 years. Another is Uganda, where the government must pay $17 per year per person to developed nations in the form of debt payments. Because of this and other reasons, they can only spend $3 per person per year on healthcare for its citizens. Beyond this amount, the vast majority of Ugandans must somehow find a way to pay for health care out of pocket. However, since their average income is only $1.53 per day, most must stay sick, and many die. Because of this coupled with other reasons, the average Ugandan's
life-expectancy is 39.69 years.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of Ugandan-trained physicians are hardened to their neighbors' plight, and give treatment only in exchange for immediate cash payments. What is worse, corruption in their
charging methods for double gain is common. The situation is little different in many other African nations, as represented by the fact that only 1 in 20 African women needing a C-Section for obstructed labor can get their operation, and only 15% of people with hernias in Africa can get the operation they need during their entire lifetime, even if their hernia is strangulated.

To get an further idea of world medical needs, consider the following Table.

TABLE 1.1: Physicians per Person by Nation and Region

Nation|Region|Physician per Person Ration
Bukino Faso W Africa 57310
Malawi E Africa 45740
Mozambique E Africa 43536
Rwanda E Africa 40610
Niger W Africa 38500
Ethiopia E Africa 32500
Chad C Africa 30030
Eritrea E Africa 28000
Cambodia SE Asia 27000
Central African Republic C Africa 25890
Tanzania E Africa 24970
Zaire C Africa 23193
Ghana W Africa 22970
Uganda E Africa 20300
Mali W Africa 19450
Somalia E Africa 19071
Ivory Coast W Africa 17847
Senegal W Africa 17650
Nepal NW Asia 16830
Lesotha S Africa 15728
Angola C Africa 15136
Gambia W Africa 14536
Mauritania W Africa 13167
Sierra Leone W Africa 13150
Togo W Africa 12992
Burundai E Africa 12190
Cameroon C Africa 12190
Benin W Africa 11306
Comoros E Africa 11100
Zambia C Africa 10920
Kenya E Africa 10150
Papua New Guinea Oceania 9943
Guinea W Africa 9732
Sudan C Africa 9369
Liberia W Africa 9324
Bhutan SE Asia 8969
Madagascar E Africa 8120
Philippines SE Asia 8120
Swaziland S Africa 7971
Vanuatu Oceania 7345
Zimbabwe S Africa 7110
Indonesia SE Asia 7030
Nigeria W Africa 6537
Afghan. NW Asia 6430
Jamaica C America 6159
Haiti C America 6083
Sri Lanka NW Asia 5870
Yemen Middle East 5531
Botswana S Africa 5417
Maldives NE Asia 5377
Bangladesh SE Asia 5264
Djibouti E Afica 5258
Cape Verde W Africa 4929
Namibia S Africa 4610
Kiribati Oceania 4483
Mauritius E Africa 4415
Thailand SE Asia 4360
Congo C Africa 3873
Guinea, Eq C Africa 3622
Samoa Oceania 3584
Solomon Is. Oceania 3584
W. Samoa Oceania 3584
Laos SE Asia 3555
Burma SE Asia 3389
Guinea-Bissau W Africa 3262
Honduras C America 3090
Micronesia Oceania 3084
Pakistan NW Asia 2940
Viet Nam SE Asia 2843
S Tome&P W Africa 2819
St. Vin/Gre C America 2690
Iran Middle East 2685
Guyana S America 2552
St. Lucia C America 2521
India NW Asia 2460
Fiji Oceania 2438
Malaysia SE Asia 2410
Guatemala C America 2356
Tuvalu Oceania 2261
Marshall Is. Oceania 2217
Tokelau Oceania 2217
Tonga Oceania 2130
Bolivia S America 2124
Gabon C Africa 2000
Dominica C America 1947
Iraq Middle East 1922
Nicaragua C America 1882
Tunisia N Africa 1870
Belize C America 1708
Grenada C America 1617
Trinidad C America 1543
Tobago C America 1543
St.Chr.-Nev. C America 1498
Brunei Dar. SE Asia 1473
Suriname S America 1348
Antigua & Barbuda C America 1330
El Salvador S America 1322
Egypt N Afica 1320
So. Africa S Africa 1271
Paraguay S America 1250
Turkey Middle East 1180
Oman Middle East 1078
S. Korea C Asia 1070
Algeria N Africa 1062
Colombia S America 1061
Syria Middle East 1037
Liechtenst. W Europe 1007
Peru S America 997
Seychelles E Africa 992
Ecuador S America 980
Bahrain Middle East 953
Dom. Rep. C America 934
Chile S America 895
Malta E Europe 890
Panama C America 840
Jordan Middle East 813
Taiwan C Asia 802
Mexico C America 800
Costa Rica C America 798
Lebanon Middle East 771
Singapore C Asia 711
Nauru Oceania 700
Libya N Africa 690
Brazil S America 685
Ireland E Europe 681
Qatar Middle East 660
China C Asia 648
Hong Kong C Asia 648
Tibet C Asia 648
Switzerland E Europe 630
U. Arab Em. Middle East 618
United King E Europe 611
Japan C Asia 610
Venezuela S America 590
Albania E Europe 574
Romania E Europe 560
Yugoslavia E Europe 533
Saudi Arabia Middle East 523
Kuwait Middle East 515
Andorra E Europe 502
Slovenia W Europe 496
Monaco W Europe 490
Poland E Europe 490
Cyprus Middle East 478
Luxembourg W Europe 469
Canada N America 450
Australia Oceania 438
Macedonia E Europe 420
Finland E Europe 406
Netherlands E Europe 400
Sweden E Europe 395
Mongolia C Asia 380
San Marino E Europe 375
N. Korea C Asia 370
Tajikistan NW Asia 362
Denmark E Europe 360
N. Zealand Oceania 359
Croatia E Europe 356
Iceland E Europe 355
France E Europe 350
Portugal E Europe 348
Israel Middle East 345
Hungary E Europe 344
U.S.A. N America 341
Uruguay S America 341
Argentina S America 340
Bahamas C America 340
Barbados C America 340
Slovakia W Europe 328
Bulgaria E Europe 320
Czech Rep. E Europe 311
Belgium E Europe 310
Norway E Europe 305
Cuba C America 303
Greece E Europe 303
Germany E Europe 293
Uzbekistan NW Asia 290
Latvia W Europe 275
Turkmenistan NW Asia 274
Kyrgyzstan NW Asia 271
Spain E Europe 257
Azerbaijan NW Asia 255
Kazakhstan NW Asia 250
Belarus W Europe 250
Moldova W Europe 250
Armenia NW Asia 246
Austria E Europe 230
Ukraine E Europe 230
Lithuania W Europe 220
Russia C Asia 210
Estonia W Europe 210
Italy E Europe 210
Georgia NW Asia 170

 

[Hank]

So.......is anybody out there up for this??

 

[YFZ370]

Hello Hank,

I think you have a very noble idea. I am making a brief aside. You mentioned that you'd like to practice a bit of healthcare in Africa or perhaps other developing countries some day. I think that's a great idea. I has to ask though, Your medical degree will be in Osteopathic Medcine. If I'm not mistaken, a D.O. is only a legal, practicing physicician in the U.S., and only the M.D.'s are recognized internationally. What sort of barriers do you think this will present for you in the future?

YFZ

 

[Hank]

Hello YZX-
Thanks for your message. I am not exactly sure how all of this works. I do know that D.O.'s are in the Army/Navy/A.F., which have bases all over the world. So it appears that DO's can practice outside of the US, right? I am not too worried about this issue. I have confidence in the osteopathic philosophy/profession and imagine by the time i get done w/ residency (2007....whew!?)the DO will be internationally recognized. ANd if not......i guess that's just one more thing that I'll have to attempt to do.

Hank

 

[ADRIANSHOE]

Hank, for those of us who for whatever reason are not able to commit their time to actually going and helping...how about a network for basic supplies that you are going to need for your base of operations...people here could research the legal barriers to moving materials, raise funds, get medications that might be more difficult to obtain there, and feel like we are trying to help, this might free up a lot of your time...Maybe setting up some type of university account dedicated for funding so that some of the more cynical types would be assured that abuse is monitored and not tolerated...let me know what i can do.

 

[UHS2002]

Hi YFZ,

yes, you ARE mistaken. Go to the AOA web site and its has (or at least it used to have) a list of all the countries where DOs have full practice rights as physicians. By the way, being an MD doesn't mean an automatic ticket to practice abroad either, just as much as a foreign trained MD cannot come to this country and just start practicing.

The Chair of our Micro Dept. is the president of DOCARE Intl. which, as the name implies, is an organization of volunteer DOs and DO med students which goes on medical missions in needing countries. This has been going on for years. During their latest medical mission, in Central America, they had a huge team of docs, students and lab personnel and saw aprox. 5,000 patients in two weeks (UHS, Ohio, Chicago and Arizona were some of the schools represented on this trip, plus many private practitioners). The medical team brings lots of supplies with them, including drugs donated by pharmaceutical companies and private physicians. The also bring down other needed equipment, to perform lab work and procedures, and one of our IM profs (a board certified gastroenterologist) performed several endoscopic procedures. Some lab work is also sent back to the States and our Path prof. (of the web Path Guy fame - if you guys are not familiar with it let me know, his web site is awesome and extremely helpfull for anyone taking path) and his assistants (who are all MDs, by the way, so DOCARE is not exclusivist, LOL) do quite a bit of work for the medical team at this end of things.

 

[mahaturi]

Hi Hank I am very pleased to hear that you are going to Kenya to volunteer over the summer. I am from Kenya myself and i will be starting med schoolin the fall at PCOM. If you need any insights as to what Kenya is all about then I can be of much help since I grew up there.

 

[Hank]

Originally posted by ADRIANSHOE:
Hank, for those of us who for whatever reason are not able to commit their time to actually going and helping...how about a network for basic supplies that you are going to need for your base of operations...people here could research the legal barriers to moving materials, raise funds, get medications that might be more difficult to obtain there, and feel like we are trying to help, this might free up a lot of your time...Maybe setting up some type of university account dedicated for funding so that some of the more cynical types would be assured that abuse is monitored and not tolerated...let me know what i can do.

Hi AdrianShoe-

I/we could definitely use your help!! I have been gathering email addresses of those interested and am going to send an update email to everyone soon. PLease look for an email from me in the near future! Sorry it took so long for me to respond! Take care,

Hank

 

[Hank]

Originally posted by mahaturi:
Hi Hank I am very pleased to hear that you are going to Kenya to volunteer over the summer. I am from Kenya myself and i will be starting med schoolin the fall at PCOM. If you need any insights as to what Kenya is all about then I can be of much help since I grew up there.

Hi Mahaturi,
Thanks for your message! Will you be in Kenya this summer? COuld you please drop me your email address (mine is [email protected])so I can keep you posted. There has been a nice response from people wanting to get involved, and I want to be able to stay in touch with everyone! Thanks,

Hank

 

[Hank]

Hello Everyone-

Hope all is well where ever your paths have taken you! I am getting ready to get my summer plans in order and just wanted to see if anyone would be interested in joining me for part/all of the time?

Here's my tentative itinerary:

Depart Indy May 5th to Amsterdam RT Flight ~$500
Amsterdam to Barcelona and back RT Flight $229 (train=$280)
Depart Amsterdam May 14th to Nairobi, Kenya
Return from Kenya mid-July

The flight to Nairobi includes the stop in Amsterdam, so I got info about flying to just Amsterdam RT. So basically between 5/5 and 5/14 we could split time between Barcelona and Amsterdam, preferably with more time in
Spain.There are several options here. If any of you wanted to just meet in Barcelona, that would probably be cheaper than hitting both places. Although I am not sure of the flight costs to Barcelona RT? Council Travel has a good sit that allows you to plug in dates and cities and instantly gives you a price quote (counciltravel.com).And if any of you were up for spending some time in East Africa, I'd love to have you join me! Besides volunteering, there are plenty of other things to do, like a safari in the Masaii Mara game park, climb Mt. Kenya or Kilimanjaro, chill on the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean, track gorillas in Uganda, etc. A RT flight between Indy and Nairobi is ~$1,200.The flight will be the expensive part of the trip,but oh so worth it!!

I plan on staying at cheap, but clean and safe, hostels in Europe and not too many 7-course meals!
Once in Kenya I/we'll live with my Kenyan family in a rural village of the Western Province called Kabula (if you look on a map, the closest town is Bungoma). Whew?hopefully that wasn't too much at once!? Well, please
let me know if any of you might be interested in joining me for some fun adventures this summer! And if not, just drop me a line and let me know how life's been treating you! It's been a while since some of us have
chatted! Have people started to finalize where they are going to school yet? Looks like I'll be at Kirksville! Anyone else?

Take it easy,

hank

P.S. Even if you cannot travel to Kenya, I/we'll definitely need help here in the states planning, organizing, fundraising, etc. So please send me an email ([email protected]) if you are interested in that aspect! Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Hank (edited 03-28-2000).]