Opportunity in Tanzania

This year I had an opportunity to go to Tanzania on a service trip with a group of students and alumni from the College of St. Scholastica lead by my freshman room-mate Sr. Beverly Raway O.S.B. I didn't volunteer to work in the clinic because I have been out of the lab for too long; I tried the Orphanage but cried and was pulled around by my values too much. But, I could sew and I patched the kids clothes and helped wash them. I helped with the cooking and baking of about 150 loaves of bread each day.

I had been thinking of joining the Peace Corp when I retired but learned I need my home and family and I sure do need warm water for bathing. I also learned that through my contacts, my life experiences and my desire to help, I can be an asset to my new friends at the Convent of St. Gertrude in Imiliwaha by soliciting donations for equipment needed in the lab, getting the information they are looking for and sending a few of the finer things in life like gum and wintermints.