So it is not Burma/Myanmar I know. I joined up with www.lolomafoundation.org and am going to Fiji to do volunteer medical work January 12 - 27, 2008. My overall goal is to make this type of work my main job and not have to simply stay in one place in Santa Rosa, California at Sutter Hospital taking care of alcoholics and drug addicted people. Detect a note of burned out cynicism - well there you have it.
I do know some people that will go to a border rufugee camp in June of 2009. I plan on going.
If I can do this type of work - just maybe I won't go insane!
Check out the loloma foundation.
Mahalo and Vinaka . . . .
David
6 comments:
I remember the first time you went to Fiji. You were always very passionate about helping others. You had a courage I only wished I had. I'm glad you are still helping others.
Frances
Wish I knew who Frances is! Aloha to you Frances the Stranger.
D.
Not Surprising that you don't remember me. We met over 20 years ago, on the phone through work. I came to CA to visit relatives. Since I was out there I visited you and Robbie. And when you went to Fiji we corresponded through letters. I recently found an old address book and started looking up old friends. That's how I found this blog. Any recollection yet?
aloha and thanks for the reply. No one may read this but email me direct, email should be on my main page now since I have tweaked settings of late. To my chagrin my memory is recalcitrant. I do not remember Robbie either but I love the idea of finding old address books. If you wish, email me at your leisure as my interest is piqued. Have a wonderful new year.
D.
I do indeed note your cynicism. However I also feel that those of us that stay in the US and take of care of these alcohol and drug addicted(redundant as alcohol is a drug) people are the true warriors. It's easy to drop everything and become distracted in another place overseas or wherever it may be and loose site of the fact that much work can be done right here like the lives you are already touching. You never know when something you say or do will touch someone you have taken care of maybe that alcoholic you took care of yesterday will be sober next week and it could be as a result of something you said or did for them...who knows. Sorry you are so burned out I hope you find new energy for nursing overseas.
Thanks for your thoughts. You are right in some ways. It is not exactly easy to 'drop everything' and work overseas. It takes planning,dedication and courage or something like courage. You have forced me to analyze a bit more and I think what I don't like is the way in which we practice medicine overall in this country . . . been reading a few books on this of late. I appreciate the encouragement and support - maybe I did make a difference in someone's life. I can only pray that I did. Some tell me I have . . . so that helps. Anyway, I am sorry I took so long to answer your comment and address your thoughts - I am back from Fiji now - facing challenges of my own making at work, trying to learn and improve. Thank you for writing.
David
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