Wednesday, April 11, 2012

So it must be noted that I am extremely bad at this whole blogging thing..... my computer has just informed me that it has been a month since I last posted....I'm lame.  Anyways, some things that I feel like you all MUST know.... Since starting my new job at 100X Development, life has been super busy.  It is an extreme change from being at the bedside for 12 hours a day in the ICU but I am really enjoying my new position and looking forward to all the different things that are developing at 100X! Check us out at 100XDevelopment.com!

I will be traveling to Malawi again for a week  on April 21 and although it will be my shortest trip ever there in duration, I am looking forward to what I am certain will be a very successful trip.  I am even traveling with (and leading her team) a professor of mine from Auburn Nursing School..... my how the tables have turned! She is awesome and I am pumped to get to work alongside her.  I'm just hopeful she has forgotten about a "few' of the days I HAD to "miss" class! :)

As for Malawi the country.... I strongly suggest that everyone check out the recent happenings in the government there.  LOTS going on and to read about!

As for my dogs, Lucy and Millie....since I last blogged, Lucy sent me on an emotional roller coaster when she apparently decided to eat carpet, plastic, bones, etc,. and take a surgical trip to the vet! Thankfully she's is back to her rowdy and BIG self....i think she gains approximately 1 lb everyday.  She is HUGE. Millie is being millie and just hanging out per the usual.

Also, most will be glad to hear I have joined the MAC world..... this is my first blog from my new computer and the transition from PC to MAC has been pretty awesome, I must say.

Hmmmm.... thats all for now..... I am certain I will be blogging more in the next couple of weeks since I will be "on the road again" to Malawi!




Lucy is just a pup in this picture but HOW COULD I RESIST not sharing this with you all?! She is about 434985 pounds heavier now :)  seriously though, big girl is weighing in at 85+ ....

and duh, check out 100Xdevelopment.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Finally back in Malawi...

Well I must say that after a 2 a.m wake up call, 4 flights, 21 hours in the air, 8000 + miles and 30 total hours of travel....it sure does feel good to be back in Malawi. And well worth the long journey.

But before I share my precious moments of the reunion at Mtendere village after being away for 7 months, I MUST tell you about the interesting, and yet somewhat annoying and alarming characters I experienced in this journey of 30 some odd hours.

I will start at 3am which is our check in time at Atlanta airport. (of course, airlines require you to be there 2 hours in advance for international travel, yet they are NEVER there before 415 a.m) anyways, Dana and I are with all the other cranky and crazy people for scheduling travel this early and low and behold, we attract the attention of an older gentleman in a complete Nike sweat suit, from head to toe. He is kind but a little odd. Well naturally, once the airline counter opens, it is complete self check in on the computer and no offense, but not many 60+ year olds are too keen on working those things. Especially "mike" (I will use this as a alias name in order not to offend the actual man) who just informed us that he just got out of prison, (several actually) that he volunteered himself into so he could "do research". And now he is writing a book on his experiences entitled "the Jew." no, he is not Jewish. Yes, this is a real story. And yes, ALL he was carrying was one small cardboard box. (watch out LAX, he was headed your way. And I know this bc I ended up checking him in since I guess his "research" in the prison system didn't allow him much time with computers:) he also said he might put dana and me in his book, im crossing my fingers he does not:) ok, enough about "mike".

Then there was another elderly gentleman who was clearly used to getting his way: from cutting in front of the entire check in line, to convincing the attendant at the gate to be first on the plane (before the handicapped or passengers traveling w small kids). He even left his family sitting in the gate while he boarded the plane. He also threw in the fact that he had friends who smelled just like cat pee .... ?????after that comment, I was thankful he schmoozed his way on the plane before any long, crowded line could form around him.

Next we ran into a guy from Ohio who married a southern belle. He was en route to Kenya to do some mission work there. I do not know much more ab him than he is married w 3 kids and was reading his bible on the plane. Seemed like a genuine guy who was excited about spreading the love of Christ.... He said to check out lostorphans.com ..... I think I will!

Last, but not least I must tell you guys of the screaming, horrible, loud, restless kids who sat on the row adjacent to us! (lucky me). These two little girls kicked, screamed, hit, bit, crawled, jumped, talked, fought for the ENTIRE 14 hour flight. After being a part of this misery, I began to question my sanity..... I tried to drown them out w music, movies, and lastly medication. ALL FAILED ATTEMPTS. A word to the parents: BENADRYL.

Those are just a few of the stand out moments of travel this time, I'm sure there will be more to come!

The point is, after all of that, I made it safely back to "the Warm Heart of Africa!". (warm is accurate as it is currently rainy season with plenty of heat, humidity, and bugs!) the land is greener than I have ever seen it with corn fields that are taller than me and extend for miles upon miles. The flowers are in full bloom, and the trees are filled with color! It is a beautiful scene!

The economy continues to decline here with the promise of no sugar in the next few months and gas prices at close to $10.00 a gallon (that will make anyone feel bad for complaining ab our "high" gas prices in the states.) foreign exchange is scarce and the government seems they could care less. But don't be fooled.... Although the country as a whole might be declining, the people are still happy and hardworking. The kids, moms, and staff at Mtendere are joyful and bellies are full! Of course, they were all completely surprised to see us since this was a surprise trip for a work audit for 100x and NO ONE was informed about our arrival! The smiles and hugs were the perfect thing to end our long trip here! I will be here for the next 2 weeks doing research on some local village dynamics, meeting with different nursing groups, assisting in the Nursing Council visit to Blessings Hospital, health check ups w the Mtendere family, and mainly hanging out with the people I have missed so dearly for the last 7 months!!

More to come soon with an update on Lekeleni, an intro to the newest baby at Mtendere, Shyreen, who is 16 months old, medical updates, and any other special moments in Malawi.....

P.s. I probably should have entitled this blog "miserable moments on the way to Malawi....". I promise not to be such a complainer in the upcoming blogs!

P.s.s. 100x development website will be featuring a blogpost from me sometime next week, check it out.....

100xdevelopment.com

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

My girl, Lekeleni Banda Sanderson

I first traveled to Malawi in June 2009. It was then that this new place and these new people captured my heart. However, it did not take very long for this one spunky little girl to get my attention. Small for her age and with enough sass to make up for what she lacked in size, I quickly became intrigued by her. New to Mtendere Village and unaware of the sponsorship program run by 100x Development, I began to ask questions about this pint-sized 10 year old. Dana informed me that her name was Lekeleni Banda and she was 10 and incredibly smart and athletic (clearly, I IMMEDIATELY knew we had a lot in common). Dana also informed me that Lekeleni had a story that would break anyone's heart.

Orphaned by the death of her parents, and left to care for her elderly and blind grandmother at an early age, Lekeleni was "rescued" by a "businessman" who found her begging in the streets. After suffering emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; Lekeleni was finally brought to Mtendere Village where she would be fed, clothed, cared for and enrolled in school. She quickly adjusted to her new and happy life at Mtendere!! Her best friends are Masiye, Salome, Maria, and Nkhomalinga. She LOVES to dance, play netball (modified basketball), color, play cards (Go Fish!, and OLD MAID are her favorites), eat, and steal any and every sweatshirt or hoodie that I wear! (which I secretly love seeing her wear my huge AU sweatshirt). She is in the top 15 of her class (150 students)! She is precious and spunky, adventurous, beautiful smile, and great at giving hugs!

Of course, I began to sponsor her that summer and she is a true joy in my life! I look forward to seeing her every time I travel to Malawi! I have gotten to teach her games, tutor her in school, cook an American dinner w her, travel to the Safari and Lake Malawi with her! I have seen her excel in academics, athletics and in every aspect of life !! I am confident that by choosing to sponsor her, I in turn have been truly blessed by knowing her, loving her and watching her grow!!

If any of you guys are interested in sponsoring a child, email me or dblanchard@100xdevelopment.com

Or check out 100xdevelopment.com

$40 monthly!!

Thanks for reading my incessant blabbing about Lekeleni! I can ASSURE you this will not be the last post about her!!!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Here we go....

Currently preparing myself for a new job and another trip to Malawi; so I thought, what better way to keep everyone up-to-date with my life changes and my favorite place in the world than joining the blogging world. So here goes..... Moments in Malawi.

My name is Katie Jill Sanderson and I am a 26 year old Registered Nurse who loves nothing more than my trips to Malawi, Africa, more specifically Mtendere Village. This is an orphanage that my best friends, Dana Blanchard (momentswithmamadana.blogspot.com) family founded after the tragic loss of her husband. Follow her blog for more of her story and her "Moments in Malawi" too!

Anyways, back to me:) As a matter of fact, I love it so much that I am preparing for my 7th trip in less than a 3 year time span. I also am so passionate about the work there that I have just recently accepted a full time job as the Nursing Education Program Director for 100x Development Foundation.

100x Development is a non-profit 501(c)3 that was also founded by the Blanchard family which partners with many different projects world wide in order to deliver better education, nutrition and healthcare to orphans around the world. (see link below)

100xdevelopment.com

I will be planning for a 2 week trip to Malawi sometime soon and will try my hardest to blog in an appropriate and timely manner. I will also do my best to make Dana update her blog as well! But please be patient as this is something new in my ever-improving technology world!