Why and Where

For several years I have been looking for a new challenge in my work. It's been 33 years since I started practice in Anoka. I have experienced many interesting clinical, management and personal challenges over this time. However, as I entered the last phase of my working career, I wanted to learn more and assist others with more difficult problems. After spending a few weeks doing volunteer work in Mexico and Guatemala, I learned some of the problems of working in a resource poor, culturally and language different environment. I saw the need to be part of an experienced, organized and ethical organization.

I investigated many organizations that provide services abroad. After visiting refugee camps run by the American Refugee Committee(ARC) in Thailand in 2004, I began talking with ARC about volunteer work. Last summer I decided to reduce my work at Allina, sign up for a six month sabbatical starting March, 2008 and take a two and onehalf week course in tropical medicine. Shortly after that I was accepted by ARC Rwanda for a four month assignment. My role is to teach medical personel in order to expand their skills and to help start a medical library.

Traveling and learning about other cultures has always been part of my life. While a youngster my family traveled all over the US and I spent my senior year as an exchange student in Switzerland. Martha and I have been to Central and South America, Asia and Europe. I have not been to Africa, though my relatives have a connection to the continent. My great grandfather and grandmother have donated money for schools in Sudan and Malawi starting in 1948. My mother, aunt and uncle have visited Malawi several times. My uncle has been a volunteer teacher in Malawi for several years and recently adopted a young man from Malawi.

ARC has three camps in Rwanda to provide support for refugees fleeing civil war and violence in the Congo, which is on Rwanda's western boarder. I will stay in a house with other workers outside the camps. Food and satellite TV are provided, at least when the generator is on. The tv service will be an upgrade for me as we don't have cable. Martha and I have a friend who has been a volunteer several times and has answered many questions for us. You may learn about ACR and the Rwanda program at http://www.arcrelief.org/.

Martha and I leave March 2 for France. We wqill have a vacation and continue to study French, the official language in Rwanda. On March 13 she will return home and I will fly to Rwanda. I can't promise how often I will write a note here and post pictures, but I have good intentions.
John



12/4/07
by john bordwe