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Journal
Author - Kevin Tyson Author - kim shriner | 01.26.05 | hard to say goodbye | The week has sped by and it's still hard to process our time here. We finished up clinical work on Friday after seeing over 150 patients-many with HIV, all at risk for HIV; some in the early stages of disease,a few dying before our eyes. It's a mixed feeling,sometimes frustrating that we haven't been able to do more, usually rewarding that whatever little we can do makes a difference to these generous and gracious people. As yet, we don't have the antiretrovirals in our clinic. And it's hard to look into the eyes of an HIV infected eight year old and know that because he was born in Tanzania and not Tarzana, he will soon die from the disease. What we do bring to Arusha is our knowledge, experience and compassion-all eagerly and gratefully received by the staff and patients of Upone Clinic. I have once again been blessed by a team of truly remarkable and giving people. One can't describe the interest and appreciation on the faces of the clinical staff as they share the day with Drs. Tyson and Christianakis, Tom Warren and Phyllis Hollingsworth, Jody Casserly and Ann Kleeger and Lyn Smillie. Mickey Singer's expertise with saw and hammer impressed Dr. Solomon and over 50 Tanzanian children can say they learned to paint watercolor on the steps of Upone Clinic from Sally Eastman. We finished the week with a new event, The First Annual Arusha HIV Symposium-a success, I think, in spite of one power failure and 7 uninvited bats hanging from the ceiling. The Tanzanians were so attentive and asked insightful and pertinent questions. It will definitely be on the agenda for next year. Today, we returned from safari in Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. We paid a visit to our ancestral home at Olduvai Gorge and remembered 6 remarkable people on a beautiful ridge dividing the Crater and the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. To Pamela, Andre, Kenneth, Heather, Gary and Jeff, we say "Fika Salama"-safe journey. You were taken from us too soon, but you will never be forgotten. So we now are enjoying our last Kilimanjaro beer on the veranda of Moivaro Lodge. Everyone is a bit quiet, perhaps trying to process this remarkable experience. Working with the team of both Phil Simon and Upone Clinics, I am reminded of the great capacity of the human heart, the oneness of all of us and the special memories working together can bring. Tomorrow we leave Tanzania only to count the days until we bump down that dusty Arusha road once again. Thank you, my wonderful staff and team members. Thank you Dr.Solomon and all your staff. Asante Africa! Kim Shriner Moivaro Lodge Arusha, Tanzania Author - Mickey Singer | 01.26.05 | Post-safari entry | Well, we're back from safari, and Arusha already feels familiar. There's really no way to put the past two days into words. "Ridiculous" has been floating around amongst the team a lot, but I think "unbelievable" might be more accurate. The beauty of Lake Menyara, the Ngorongoro crater, and everywhere else we've been. The beauty of all the animals, so close you literally could reach out and touch them! Zebras, giraffes, elephants, wildebeasts, hippos, monkeys, lions, the list goes on! And the plants and trees! And the birds! It'll take a long time to really process it all. What we saw on safari just reinforces the impression I've had all along - the one word that best describes this place is "contrast". The beauty of nature, the ugliness of poverty. The wealth in natural resources, the paucity of infrastructure. The amazing smells of the jungle, the acrid pervasiveness of diesel fumes in downtown Arusha. The Maasai warrior in full National Geographic regalia getting into a taxi! Its all just amazing! And speaking of amazing, I can't say enough about how amazing my fellow teammates have been. I can't describe how honored I am to have been here with them. This has really taught me what it means to be part of something bigger than myself. For this I will be forever gratefull, to Dr. Shriner in particular, for this opportunity, and to everyone else here as well, including the Upone staff, for showing me how to think beyond myself. You were right Rhonda, you can't help but go home changed. Thank you all! See you all soon, Mickey Author - Jody Casserly | 01.23.05 | Another Side of Tanzania | Coming to Tanzania to work has again provided the team an opportunity to see a side of the country and the people that most do not get to see. We have seen over 100 patients this week at Upone Clinic and have learned much more about the culture of the Tanzanians. The patients and staff have all been so open in providing information and answering all of our questions, no matter how personal or intimate. On Thursday morning we had the opportunity to visit one HIV+ patient, Peter, and his wife, at their home in a very poor village in Arusha. I was reminded, as I often am in working with clients at home, that their story becomes three dimensional when you are invited into their homes. Peter, his wife, and his two year old daughter, Glory, are all HIV infected. His wife and daughter have not become sick, but Peter is now unable to work because of his illness, and has not been able to provide for his family for several months. They explained that they have been unable to pay their rent for three months, and have relied on donations from extended family and friends to keep their home. Despite these difficulties, this family was so gracious and welcoming to the team. Their house was no more than 8'x8', and still they welcomed us - 10 wnzungus(including 6'6" Dr. Tyson!). It was amazing to see how these people lived, in what we would consider extreme poverty. The visit appeared to have an emotional impact on the entire team. I think some may have seen this situation as depressing, but this was not a depressed family. They were a hopeful family. Hopeful that the wife and daughter would continue to be healthy, hopeful that Peter would continue to receive medications from Upone to treat his opportunistic infections, thankful that they had a loving family to provide support to them when possible, and thankful for the crazy Americans who wanted to take photographs of their Jean Claude VanDam poster. This afternoon we were treated to a concert by the choir of St. Simon Catholic Church in Arusha. Our driver, Pascal, arranged for this performance, and we were told that they had been practicing for our visit since before Christmas! At the beginning of the week, Pascal presented them with a recording made by the St. Dominic's Adult Choir in Eagle Rock (my dad, his wife, and good friends Vince Corcoran and Harry Torres are in the choir). They were thrilled to have a sister choir in America, and are currently attempting to translate and sing the songs performed by the St. Dominic's choir. The St. Simon's choir performed about 15 songs for us - including three costume changes, and wonderful African choreography! We videotaped the entire performance, and I took three roles of film. It was really amazing, and I can't wait to share the video with the St. Dom's choir. We come here to work in and support Dr. Solomon and the Upone Clinic, and each time I come to Arusha I'm just amazed at how much the people we come in contact with welcome us and allow us into their lives and their families to see a side of Tanzania that most never get to see. Author - Stratos Christianakis | 01.22.05 | MD | January 22,2005 I am fortunate enough to write my first journal entry after having a week to absorb this extraordinary experience here in Tanzania. I don't want to rehash too much of what people have already written, but just to tell you that the 30 hour epic journey in the friendly skies has been more than worth it. Our work at the Upone Clinic finished yesterday, where our day and patient experience began with an especially power home visit and ended with clinic. I will talk about clinic, as Jody will go into more detail about the home visit tomorrow. Our focus in clinic was mainly HIV positive patients and those suspicious of HIV, but through the week we were able to see a variety of different conditions. One of the most pleasant surprises of the clinic was being able to work with clinic officer in tandem. I personally got to work with Ezekiel, who helped with obtaining history and was a wealth of information as to the endemic diseases and treatments. Together, we were able to formulate plans for treatment and teach each other the different pearls of medicine that we hav each learned along the way. More importantly, I was able to work with this extraordinary gentlemand and see his enthusiasm and undying dedication to his people, as he would work tirelessly each day from 8 am to as late as 10 pm. Today was the first annual HIV/AIDS Symposium, where different health care workers from the area met and shared ideas on the direction of HIV care in both the states and Tanzania. Dr. Shriner, Dr. Tyson, and I spoke on subjects ranging from epidemiology, opportunistic infections, and treatment. The presentations were well received by the different health care workers which included clinic officers, pediatricians, and internists. We also had an unexpected audience of seven bats sleeping on the roof of our conference room (I attribute their sleep to my portion of the presentation :) ). The day continued with lunch, where we were able to sit and discuss frankly the issues and direction of HIV treatment. Finally, the day ended at Dr. Solomon's house, where he graciously had the group over for dinner. Here, we were able to meet his wife (who cooked and amazing meal), mother and extended family. Dr. Solomon has opened his home and clinic to us, and has treated us warmly throughout our stay, and we thank him for this unique and incredible experience. There is so much to write, as you can see from my ramblings above. There is even more to write on the effect this has had on all of us here. We have had such an amazing team experience, and it is truly evident that a big part of our hearts will be left here in Arusha. My own feelings are in a whirlwind, and as I sit here trying to type the words that will encompass them, I feel I can write for endless pages. What I do want to convey in these last sentences is this: we are truly lucky in the states for the luxuries we have, the most important being our health. We have so much to give, and there is no greater gift in my eyes than to help serve our fellow man in need. I you ever are given a chance to do so, take it. More importantly, create your own opportunities. I just want to end this by saying that I am indebted to Dr. Shriner and the Phil Simon Clinic for this opportunity. Dr. C Author - PHYLLIS HOLLINGSWORTH | 01.21.05 | wow | HELLO, WELL WE HAVE CONCLUDED A WEEK AT UPONE CLINIC. WHAT A REWARDING WEEK IT HAS BEEN.WE SAW ABOUT 130 PATIENTS, A FEW VERY ILL, SOME WITH CHRONIC ACHES AND PAINS. MYSELF AND ANOTHERNURSE TRIAGED PATIENTS BEFORE THE DOCTORSEXAMINED THEM. WE EDUCATED AND SENT PATIENTS HOME WITH MUCH NEEDED MEDICATIONS. ENOUGH TH HELP THEM FEEL BETTER FOR AL LEAST A FEW DAYS. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE APROUD, PATIENT, SOFT SPOKEN GROUP. THE NEED HERE IS SO GREAT IT IS EASY TO FELL OVERWHELMED. BUT AS THE SAYING GOES,,,ONE PERSON AT A TIME CAN MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE. I AM EXTREMELY HONORED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED AND BEEN ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN SUCH A GREAT ENDEAVOR. THE TEAM IS AN EXTRORDINARY GROUP OF DIDICATED INDIVIDUALS THAT I HAVE EVERMET. I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS TRIP, MY LIFE HAS BEEN FOREVER ALTERED. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THIS GREAT LAND OF MY ANCESTORS AND CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE TO THE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM HIV Author - Sally Eastman | 01.19.05 | Day Three | Jambo All, It's our third day in beautiful Tanzania and the Team's third day at clinic. We still have not seen Kilamingaro rise out of the mists. I'm begining to think that the Mt. is just a myth. Our driver and guide extrodinare, Lesikar, swears it's there. We'll have to see! I had a pretty active group of kids for art classes today. I asked them to draw 4 thing that made them happy. One young lady gave me a drawing of a pencil...go figure. I worked with one little boy who drew me a mango,a banana, and something that might have resembled a girl. All the kids and their moms thought that was pretty funny as Richard is no more than 5 or 6 and his girls all look they've been mortally wounded (Richard likes the color red). Richard's mom is HIV positive and the Doctors think he is too. Most of the kids probably are. It's these kids and their moms that make what this team is doing so incredibly important. If the programs that the team is trying to put in place can extend the life of some of these families, there may be some hope for the next generation. Most of the families are single moms as the fathers have died of AIDS. We met one couple today that lost both their small children but they themselves have survived. They are becoming AIDS activists in their community by joining support groups and trying to address the stigma that inevitably occurs when it's know that someone tests positive. On a lighter note, Lesikar's mom was visiting so we went to his house and met her, Lesikar's girlfriend (soon to be wife) and his son. Lesikar built his own house (it took him 5 years!). His mom is traditional Masai in full traditional garb. She was a beauty. So was his girlfriend and baby boy. Going through the neigborhoods certainly gives you perspective on how much we have in America. Thursday should be filled with more challenges and adventures! I heard rumor of a shopping trip for some traditional fabric! Love to All, Sal Author - Tom Warren | 01.18.05 | Coming Home | Hello to one and all--it has been two long years since my last visit here and i couldn't wait to get back. So many memories were rekindled as i was greeted by familiar faces at the Moiavaro lodge. It was extra special to to have them remember us and receive us again w/ open arms. The journey up to this point has been everything I dreamed of. We are seeing patients in the Upone clinic right along with doing construction in the exam rooms as we finish off medication cupboards. It is proving a challenge for each and every one of us and and rewarding to see the faces of gratitude of those we are treating. I was able to catch up with some of the guys I met last time and it is great to know that the seeds we planted around education continue and seem to be making a difference. I spent an hour w/ my friend Jonathan yesterday and he gave me updates on the support groups and how individuals are now starting to take the crisis very seriously and for the young population the mindset is starting to change so that it is now becoming "one man with one woman" instead of several partners--very heart-warming to hear this. I look forward to the clinic visits each day--the staff is excellent and we have set up a triage area from which we direct patients to the doctors. There is a lot of collegiality which is so rewarding. Keep readng for updates--this is worth every minute of the loooong flight over here. Look forward to catching up with many of you soon in person. tom Author - Lyn Smillie | 01.17.05 | Return to Africa | After twenty eight hours of travelling,10 members of the Phil Simon Clinic finally arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport at 9.15 Sunday evening.We were all very tired but also very excited at being back in Tanzania, a beautiful country and wonderful people whom we have all come to love and admire. Our journey here would not be complete without some sort of calamity and this time,it was Jody and I who had a problem. My medical bag got lost somewhere in Amsterdam and hopefully this evening it will finally arrive intact...Jody however was not so lucky. It seems Jody's luggage had a slight run in with some equipment and was totally mangled and it was basically put back together with tape. There were some items lost and were of great personal value to Jody but like a great trooper she managed not to let this event spoil her return to Africa. After a few hours of well deserved sleep,our team left Moviaro this morning to visit the Upone Charitable Clinic and meet with our counter parts, Dr. Solomon and his medical team. We all received a wonderful warm welcome and Dr.Shriner,Dr. Tyson and Dr.Christianakis set off to work and do what they do best and saw patients. Tom and Phyllis went to work doing triage. This was Phyllis's first time with the team and after some help from Tom, she was a pro by the end of the day. Our other new team members,Dr.Tyson and Dr. Christianakis were wonderful. It is wonderful to watch these great Physicians use there knowledge and talented gifts to help those who are so less fortunate than us. I proudly salute my team members for there dedication to helping us and I am very honored to be part of this team. Author - kim shriner | 01.16.05 | here we are! | After 30 grueling hours of travel, we arrived safely at Kilimanjaro Airport last night, a little bedraggled but so glad to be back in Tanzania. The flights were on time-even a little early into Amsterdam thanks to a frisky tailwind. Met up with Dr. Tyson-he's hard to miss in the crowd and has now been nicknamed "Kevinmanjaro." A short wait in Amsterdam and then we were wedged back into the steerage seats and set off south to East Africa. A beautiful view of snowcapped Alps then over Spain, across the Straits of Gibraltar and over the African continent. The Sahara stretches for miles and while we enjoyed another unidentifiable inflight snack,the sun set over the Nile. Landed in Arusha under a beautiful African moon and a sky filled with stars. Dr. Solomon was there to welcome us and help with the "customs Dance". That went smoothly. The hitch was one suitcase was missing (Bag # 4 with all of our symposium supplies,if you see it) and Jody Casserly's suitcase looked like it had been mauled by a pack of leopards (I believe it is actually a "leap" of leopards-anyway,rather solitary animals,so it doesn't matter...but back to our story. Turns out the mechanized wonders of baggage handling either in LA or Amsterdam did a number on the suitcase. After a few bureaucratic details, we greeted our wonderful friends, Pascal and Lesikar and headed out for the comfortable beds of Moivaro Plantation. It's breakfast time now. No sign of my team, but I'm sure they are waking up to this beautiful African morning and are ready to start work. Karibu all! It's good to be back in Tanzania. Kim Shriner Moivaro Plantation Arusha, Tanzania Author - kim shriner | 01.13.05 | off we go! | It’s hard to believe that an entire year has passed since we were last in Arusha, Tanzania. Now we are two days from departing for our third trip to East Africa. Much has happened over the last year. It may seem difficult to press on when the statistics surrounding HIV/AIDS continue to grow at an alarming rate. Subsaharan Africa remains one of the hardest hit. 3 million people died of AIDS in Africa just last year and the epidemic continues to spread. It’s easy to become overwhelmed…until you’ve met orphaned six year olds in East Africa. It may be a drop in the proverbial bucket, but it’s still a drop. Dr. Solomon Ole Logilinore, our Tanzanian medical sponsor has been working hard to set up the Upone Charitable Foundation. Upone will be the nonprofit organization that will spearhead our combined efforts in Tanzania. Dr. Solomon has been able to move the clinic to a new facility that will still serve the many poor of Arusha. The complexities of setting up a nonprofit organization on the other side of the world have become inherently obvious. Nevertheless, all of us are determined to make this work. There has been a steady flow of supplies and medicines to Arusha throughout the year and the generosity of local physician offices continues. Our team of ten will be carrying over 700 pounds of additional supplies thanks to the generosity of Dr. Seth Vaccaro, Dr. Mark Powell, Dr. Joy Weisman, Dr. Muriel Wu, their office staff and many others. Jim Avedekian of Phoenix Pharmacy continues to be one of our greatest advocates and assets. His unflagging support for the project keeps us going even in the most difficult times. It continues to amaze and please everyone to witness the compassion and enthusiasm of all the supporters in this undertaking. So many have given their talents to this project and it sometimes comes in unusual ways. In addition to the many pounds of medical supplies, we are also carrying 50 hand knit baby blankets lovingly created by Mary Mitchell, our page operator at Huntington Hospital. Really brings tears just to think about that kind of generosity. Nurses have been salvaging extra surgical instruments, scavaging bandages, sheets and other supplies from all the items we simply throw away at the hospital. Many have personally supplied the sheets Dr. Solomon has requested for his new clinic. Music will be a feature this year. The St. Dominic’s Church Choir has recorded a CD of African songs to be shared with their Tanzanian counterparts in a wonderful exchange of the arts. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles has generously donated their time and talents to a fund raiser in April of this year at The Castle Green in Pasadena. Disposable cameras have been donated by Steve Elson and The Art Group to support Jody Casserly’s ongoing African photo project. So much good can come from an otherwise tragic epidemic. Team Tanzania this year is, as always, filled with remarkable people. New comers include Dr. Kevin Tyson, a much loved Pasadena internist who has trained at Huntington. His 6 foot five frame is impressive to say the least, but so is his heart and commitment to helping the underserved. Dr. Stratos Christianakis has bravely signed on as the Huntington Medical Resident. He’s already proven his mettle these last two weeks managing complex infectious disease consults. His open , affable and adaptable personality is a pleasure and we can’t wait until he sees his first elephant! Phyllis Hollingsworth stepped in as a new team member. An experienced cardiac nurse, Phyllis will be a stellar addition to the team and, like myself, shares a love for East Africa (“Born Free” has been influential in ways Joy Adamson and Elsa would only have dreamed of!) Having shared so much of this experience with my long time friends, Mickey Singer and Sally Eastman, we are so pleased they will be joining us. Mickey is a master carpenter and photographer and has been assigned the role of documentarian/repairman/cabinet builder and general fix it guy (he’ll have to brush up on rhino associated land rover dents.) Sally will be sharing her artistic talents with flocks of young Tanzanian children as she heads up the art therapy sessions. Veteran team players include our wonderful social workers, Jody Casserly and Ann Kleeger. Stigma and other psychosocial challenges surrounding HIV will be the focus of many of their studies this year. Tom Warren returns to Tanzania to share his vast experience in nursing (he can really hustle when 300 Maasai villagers are waiting in the clinic.) Diane Datko and Allison Morris will be holding down the home front. We couldn’t do this without them. Rhonda and Ryan Richins have continued to lend their extraordinary talents this year in spite of a move to Texas and I know will be back in Tanzania soon. Lyn Smillie, our invaluable administrator has worked throughout the year setting up trans Atlantic arrangements, shipping meds, organizing lectures and fund raisers and all the travel arrangements. Like “Radar” on the old “MASH” television show, she seems to know what we need and want before we know it. A true jewel committed to the care of so many. Finally, our thanks to Global Partners and all their staff. They introduced us to Africa and continue to be wonderful supporters. On the Tanzanian side, we are so looking forward to meeting up with all of our friends. Our wonderful drivers and mentors, Pascal and Lesikar who are game for anything whether it’s finding lions or acting as translators in the clinic; all of our friends at Moivaro and of course, Dr. Solomon Ole Logilinore, our colleague, co-founder and sponsor. He shares the dream. So, we’re off thanks to the hard work and generosity of so many. Takes a bit to get through the 30 hours of travel time-lots of scrabble games and DVDs. Hope the weather holds to make all of our connections. By next week, the San Gabriel Mountains will be replaced with Kilimanjaro. Jambo Africa! Author - Webmaster | 01.13.05 | 2005 Team |  From top left: Tom Warren RN, Mickey Singer, Sally Eastman, Lyn Smilie, Jody Casserly LCSW, Ann Kleeger LCSW, Phyllis Hollingsworth RN. From lower left: Stratos Christianakis MD, Kevin Tyson MD, Kim Shriner MD Author - webmaster | 01.12.05 | Inital Entry | Welcome to the 2005 Tanzania Team Journal. The team is very excited about their upcomming trip and is busy packing all of their supplies and preparing for the work they will be doing in Tanzania at the end of this month. Please check back later this week for their inital journal entries.
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