Hey Everyone,

Just last week I had a great opportunity to share my Kenya volunteer plans with the local newspaper. The nearest urban town to where I am living, rural Oro Station, is Barrie. Thanks to a contact of my Mom’s, in the Barrie Examiner advertising department, I was able to get an interview set up with a journalist about my upcoming volunteer trip to Kenya.

The journalist, Nikki, arrived at the door, last Tuesday afternoon, with her note pad in hand and, closely followed by, an unexpected photographer. Nikki was a lot easier to talk to then I had envisioned throughout the week leading up to the interview. Nikki had a giant smile on her face when I greeted her at the door and, right off the bat, it felt natural to let her in to share information about my upcoming trip. The conversation, more so than an interview, didn’t feel forced at all.

The great thing about this interview was that Nikki forced me to think of questions that had not yet crossed my mind and, consequently, I had not properly thought of serious answers to give for her article. One such question Nikki and her photographer companion asked me was, whether or not there were things besides the volunteer experience that I was looking forward to doing while in Kenya. I honestly had not thought much about what I would be doing in my spare time because so much of what I have been told by others, or even warned of, is how I shouldn’t be going out at night or alone due to the safety risks. However, I have now purchased a travel book on Kenya from Chapters and will be reading about some of the cultural landmarks and historical places I can visit while I am in and around Nairobi.

Another interesting question I was asked was, how might my experience in Kenya shape and influence my perspective on life upon returning to Canada. Presently, especially now in the planning stages, much of my efforts have been on getting to Kenya and not necessarily centered around thinking about what it is I might encounter or endure while Nursing in this East African country. I already know, thanks to media and the Internet (Google images specifically) what to expect of the geophysical landscape. Equally, I know visually what the living conditions are like for the potential areas I will be placed. Yet, what I cannot Google search are exactly what experiences I will encounter in flesh. As is to be expected, it will be these experiences (the unknown) that will dramatically alter my present ideologies on third world living conditions, the effect these conditions have on health care delivery, and the health status of those I care for.

I am glad I had the experience to talk to Nikki from the Barrie Examiner. It truly helped me reflect on my upcoming adventure and it will bring new light to the readers in terms of what we can do, as Canadians, to help on a global platform. Finally, I was asked to pose for a picture that will be joining the article. Let’s hope that it all turns out O.K.: the picture, Nikki’s article and, of course, my journey to volunteer in Kenya. Keep your eyes posted in the upcoming weeks for the article in The Barrie Examiner (link to their website provided on the right).

Jacob Mossop

Dear Potential Sponsors,

I have been accepted into a Kenyan volunteer program through Global Volunteer Networks (GVN). It is a non-Government organization that places volunteers in a range of projects such as teaching, orphanage’s, environmental work and medical teams. I will be working with a medical team through a local organization in Kenya, called Volunteer International Community Development Africa (VICDA), for three weeks starting February 12, 2010.

The goal of my volunteer project in Kenya is to share medical skills and work alongside local hospital/clinic staff to provide those in need with basic medical care. Many government-run hospitals and community medical clinics are ill equipped and skilled to handle the volume of people in need of care who would otherwise struggle everyday. I will be working with local staff to assist with their daily duties, such as patient care, patient histories, applying dressings, injections, counseling patients and providing health education. Having the opportunity to volunteer will also be vital in developing my skills as a health care professional.

In order to take part as a volunteer there is a program fee for the three weeks, in addition to airfares, entry visas, vaccinations, insurance, money for bottled water and a donation to the organization. I am aiming to raise $3,000 by mid December. With my personal savings I will be covering the $400.00 application fee and my airfare. Your donations would help me cover miscellaneous costs (entry visas, health insurance, criminal record check) and the program fee of $1000.00. The program fee includes money that the organization gives to the host family that I will be living with; a percentage is a donation to the organization and, finally, administrative costs. A donation of $20 or more would be generous in assisting me to take on this challenge in Kenya and would be greatly appreciated.

As you know, I have been studying for the MCAT up in small Oro Station in rural Ontario. In the next two months I will be studying and working hard to raise the funds needed to volunteer in Kenya. If you are able to contribute for my mission to help in the current health crisis in Kenya, I would be thankful.

In addition to my trip, I will be making a video journal of my day-to-day volunteer experience and will be using this to make a presentation at my little sisters school up in Oro Station. I will also post this documentary online for you to witness the amazing work you helped make happen.

Please contact me if you have any questions about the program. Cheques can be made payable in my name and posted to the address above or other arrangements can be made to receive donations. Thank you for your support and helping me with this cause. Your help will allow me to participate in an experience that will aid a country and population in need.

http://www.volunteer.org.nz

Jacob Mossop

BScN, RN