All set to go!

Bags are packed, malaria pills in hand, yellow fever card, passport/visa and ticket in hand... and we're off. Lots of emotions - excitement, anticipation, nervousness, but overall... feeling very blessed for this opportunity. Thank you to all who called/e-mailed with your well wishes and blessings - we appreciate your prayers!

Snow....?

Wow! I awoke this morning to 4 inches of snow in my backyard. Yikes, this is the end of Feb... and crocuses are in bloom! But, alas, it will disappear by tomorrow. We're sure looking forward to the balmy temperatures in Mali - pretty steady 95 - 105 deg F ( 35-39 deg C) during the day and 73 deg F (20 deg C) during the night.

Dr.Marks and I visited Sonosite today. They have been fabulous in supporting us in this program and we're (Medical Teams International) grateful for this resource. It was great to see some old colleagues there too. Thanks, Erik, for all your help!

I also picked up a part from Cenorin today, for the pasteurmatic/sterilizer that was donated to the hospital. They are gratefully using the system and I'll be reporting back to Ric how it's all going.

More later...

Sonosite 180PLUS

Here's the ultrasound system we are taking with us. Note the size - fits perfectly in the backpack. In total, there will be 6 ultrasound systems - 1 in the main hospital and the others in the five outlying clinics. These are destined for the clinics that have solar power installed. The others will follow. The systems already in place are making a difference! The clinicians are making accurate diagnoses and referring the patients to the main hospital.

They call this program ultrasound "j'adore!".

The road to Koutiala

Here's the 5 hour journey to Koutiala, from the capital, Bamako.

Where is Mali?

Many have asked me, 'Where exactly is Mali?' Well... have you heard of Timbuktu? It's in Mali, Africa! Of course, Mali is famous for more than Timbuktu. It's also been described as a nation of unusual interest and charm.

The map gives a better idea, but here are the 7 bordering states: Algeria lies to the north and northeast, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso to the southeast and, with the Ivory Coast, to the south. On the west are Senegal and Mauritania. Mali is largest country in West Africa.

We will be in Koutiala which is about a 5 hr drive (275 km) east, from the capital, Bamako.