A Day Off

Hi guys,

It's been less than a week since the last time I was on the internet. I think that this is the first time that this has happened since arriving in Africa. During this next week, I might not have a chance to get on - but hopefully next weekend, I should have an opportunity to get on here before I start my journey homeward.

Anyways, the time here has been good. Mostly, I just drive around in a minibus all day. I've been to a ton of villages - for screening, picking patients up, or dropping patients off. I really like just driving and seeing the country, and the villages and the people. I will do some of that this week as well - but I will also have the chance to be in the operating theatre for a day or two, and will observe the actual surgery taking place. This should be really neat - and I am looking forward to this opportunity. So far, we have performed surgery on about 50 people, and we are hoping to reach 100 by the end of this week. It will depend on whether we can find enough patients to reach 100 though. Yesterday (Saturday), we worked and today, we are taking the day off. We will work everyday this week before Heather (the other international volunteer) takes the bus back to Dar on Friday, as she leaves for a safari on Saturday morning. I'll stick around Dodoma for a couple more days, and will take the bus back to Dar on Sunday morning with Frank. I'll be in Dar for a couple nights before I fly out Tuesday morning. I am definitely feeling ready to be on my way home now - I have loved being here, but am just feeling ready to be in familiar places with familiar people again.

I also miss being with my kids. Pretty much everyday this week, I have flipped back through my pictures with them - and reminisced on my time there. They are just so great - and I miss them so much!

Well, there really isn't much else to tell. And besides, I'll be back home in just over a week. I can't wait! Enjoy your time until then - and I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

Love,

Jilly