Sherry’s Amazing Africa Adventure
Four women and a priest embarked on a medical mission trip to Tanzania in January 2007. It was two weeks that changed our lives. Our intent was to scout the needs of the people for ongoing health and education support. THE Mission group included Fr. Paulinus Mangesha, a native of the Kilamanjaro region of Tanzania who is currently working in a local parish; Jehane Jones and Pam Sullivan, both RNs at Sequoia Hospital; Jehane’s daughter Sarah and myself, Sherry Cassedy.
We arrived with 5 suitcases packed with surplus medical supplies and a little over $7,000. We distributed the supplies to three local clinics and purchased $1000 worth of medicines, a sterilizer, a solar/electric microscope, and a refrigeration unit. We also purchased and distributed 680 mosquito bed nets for malaria prevention to the local villages and parishes. We visited several schools where we also provided supplies.
The people of Tanzania were wonderfully welcoming and very much appreciated our contributions. There is much more to do. The local clinics have basic needs for medications, supplies and equipment as well as training. HIV/AIDS is a major problem. The sick are cared for primarily in the home but the impact is starkly visible in the huge numbers of orphans who are in need of financial support to continue their schooling. We are dedicated to bringing medical and education resources & supplies to Tanzania on a consistent and on-going basis and have formed a non-profit organization, THE Mission, Tanzania Health & Education Mission, to do so. We need your help.
On Friday, May 11, 2007, we are hosting an “Auction for Africa”. Our silent auction includes Gift Certificates for Spa Treatments, Restaurants, Hotels, Sports Events, as well as crafts and photographs from Tanzania. Our live auction will include “Aloha week” in a luxury ocean-view condominium on Kauai, a small airplane tour of the Monterey coast, “Alpine week” in west Lake Tahoe for either summer or winter season, a Yamaha motorcycle and Tanzanian artwork. The Auction will be at the Elk’s Club in Redwood City, including dinner and music as well as discussion and entertainment from Tanzania. I am hoping that you will be able to attend. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to THE Mission, please email or call THE Mission or contact me directly at sherrycassedy@aol.com or (650) 856-8638. Asante (Thank you) for your support!