So I am planning a fundraising event that I would love to see anyone and everyone out.  A fun and tasty evening with prizes!  Please consider coming out to support the CNS Medical trip to Guyana! Please contact me for your tickets!

Euchre Tournament!!

Support the CNS International Medical Team’s Trip to Guyana

Oct. 26, 2013 at 7-9pm

$10 Entry Fee

Maranatha Christian Reformed Church

91 Elgin St. S, Cambridge

Prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third places.

Delicious baked goods will be available for purchase.  

Beverages will be provided

We will also be accepting donations.  Any donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

Details Details Details!

I cannot believe I will be leaving for Guyana in less then 3 months!  I need to get moving, I know I know.  So much to do, so little time.  And I am perfectly aware that it is my own doing, too.  No need to point it out.

So it was brought to my attention that a few details were left out of my first post.  First and foremost, when am I going?

This is not our plane... but it could be...

On Friday, 29 November, we will be flying out of Toronto at 2300 and arriving on Saturday, 30 November, at 0610 in Georgetown, Guyana.  Yaaaay for direct flights! Boooooo for arriving early in the morning after likely not sleeping all night...  Luckily the brains of the operation are leaving us this day to get settled and acclimatized.  Also lucky is that it's only 1 time zone shift!

Essequibo river in the early morning, taken from this cool website

After 2 days of set up, 5 days of clinics, and 3 days to see some sights we're leaving Guyana on 10 December at 1510 and getting back in to Toronto at 2030.

At the clinics, we're hoping to see between 200-150 people every day.  We will be doing basic health teaching around dental hygiene, boiling water/water safety, and basic person hygiene.  We're expecting some long days that roll with the sun as the locations may or may not have electricity.  Clinics will start at 0830 (meaning we'll be setting up at 0700) and finishing up at around 1730 so that we can make it back to our hotel as a group before dark.

Sooo.... what do I have to do before I go?  Well.  Raise some funds, get some shots, pack some stuff, aaaaaaand don't freak out about the spiders!

One of the locals I'd really rather not meet! Original Website

*Shudder*
I'm trying to convince my husband to come with.... to be my body guard against the 6- or 8- legged natives.... He's not buying in to my plan so far.

Please stay tuned for more news, info, and fundraising events!
Adventure on,
Juliann

What's This All About, You Ask?

In 2011 I graduated from Mohawk-McMaster, and shortly thereafter successfully wrote my registration to become a registered nurse.  This profession promises adventure no matter where or how its practiced, but I had my eyes on a very different adventure right from the moment I was inspired to become a nurse by a corny CNO ad on the TV.  What adventure, you ask?

International nursing! Medical mission trips! Taking the knowledge I have and using it to better the world we live in!  Two years after graduation, I am making that dream a reality.

Thanks to Community Nursing Services (CNS), I have the opportunity and privilege to go to the country of Guyana with a team of medical professionals and laymen to share the love and make a positive imprint on our planet.

Guyana is a non-island Caribbean country off the northern coast of South America.

It has approximately 756 040 people, the native language is English, and it is very tropical.  Life expectancy is just over 67 years of age for men and women, and the leading health concerns are malaria, high blood pressure, dental caries, and HIV.

The team I will be travelling with is composed of two medical doctors, a pharmacist, a dentist (though we may hire a local dentist if we cannot find one to take), and a flock of nurses.  We will be running clinics for five days at a variety of locations.  One of the lead organizers is actually in Guyana right now making connections with the various Rotary clubs to establish venues for the clinics.  

To go on the trip I will need to pay/raise approximately $2200 to cover flight, lodging, food, and transportation while we are there.  Any money I raise beyond that goes to medication and extra supplies, allowing us to do even more good while we are there.

Items we are looking to collect for the trip are as follows:
Acetaminophen
Vitamins
Sun glasses for kids and adults
Sun hats for kids and adults
Reading glasses in a variety of strengths (just the cheap dollar store ones)
Tooth brushes
Small sized tooth pastes
Small sized soaps
Vaseline
Empty pill bottles
Sealable bags (like ziplock bags)

If you feel you would like to make a donation to help me make this dream a reality and share the love, any donations over $20 are eligible for a tax receipt.  Any denomination is helpful!

Thanks for reading, and I will update with more info as I get it!
Adventure on!
Juliann