Stocking Up and Shipping Out

Hey everyone! So it has been a little bit since my last blog post. I've been busy with trying to finish off my papers, so I'll be brief. It is about that time for me to get my last round of shots, probably in the upcoming week before I graduate and move back to Michigan. I will need to get three more vaccines for now, and then another one or two shots when I return. I filled my anti-Malaria medication prescription yesterday and have that ready to go. I ordered my first pair of "armachillo" shirt and pants from the Duluth Trading Company. My friend Jennie recommended that I try them because she had seen a commercial for them. They are supposed to keep you extra cool, which would be nice. Also, you can wash them each night and they are dry by morning! So lets hope those work out. Other than that I'm building up my wish list on Amazon of supplies to purchase so I am prepared. The scariest is probably the needle and suture kit I'm supposed to bring. With lacking medical facilities I'm supposed to bring this with me so if I need stitches, injections, or blood draws, I'm guaranteed a clean needle. I guess that is something you don't think about as an American. Here is a link to my wish list in case anyone is curious about the things I plan on buying for the trip. http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/283HQPWS0EIS3/ref=topnav_lists_2 Feel free to comment below and let me know if there is something you think I've forgotten!  P.S. I also found out that internet will be even more limited than I had previously hoped. I will be taking my phone with me and I'll put a Rwandan SIM card in it. Hopefully that will allow me to use the app on my phone to post text only blog posts. If not, I will write up a blog post for each day I'm there into word documents and post them as I get access to the internet. One student said it took him an afternoon to upload an excel spreadsheet when he was there last!

Yellow Fever, Typhus, and Malaria ... Oh My!

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay in blogging. I was aiming for once a week, but prepping for comps made that nearly impossible. I am happy to report that I passed with flying colors. Luckily that means I will graduate, unluckily that means I have to still do work for the next 28 days while I wait for graduation to come!

So a quick shoutout to those that have donated on my GoFundMe page. All of your support is greatly appreciated! If you can help with even $5 click the link on the right and donate. If not, the page has links for sharing on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Please take a minute to share my link, or even my blog with your friends!

So on to trip preparation! With all of the other busyness going on around here it has been whirlwind. So everything is set to go with the trip. I booked the flight and the accommodations have been paid as well. Last Wednesday I got my first shots and prescriptions for the trip.

I went to the travel doctor and received a Yellow Fever vaccine and a Typhus Vaccine. Additionally, I was given a prescription for a broad spectrum antibiotic and for Malaria prevention. I'll have to get a few more shots from the health department. The additional shots are for things like Hepatitis A and B, and a Tdap booster. So a few more needles in my future!  I attached a picture that the nurse was kind enough for me to take before I received my vaccines. You can see my Yellow Fever Card (required to enter the country) and the box for the vaccine.

Additionally, I received my passport in the mail on Saturday! I had to apply for a renewal as my last one had expired last year.  One more step is complete on my journey to Africa! Thanks to everyone keeping up on my blog. Let me know if there is anything you want to know about while I prep for the trip. Feel free to share my blog on your facebook etc!