Serving as a Dignity Advocate

Trips to Liberia require a lot of planning.  Kathi emails and phones numerous individuals and government representatives, inquiring of needs and arranging meetings.  Schedules have to be coordinated, sometimes requiring re-scheduling a previously confirmed appointment.  Housing must be arranged for nights away from our home base.  Travel up-country must be arranged.  Once in Liberia, the carefully made plans frequently change.  Serving as a Dignity Advocate requires flexibility. 
 
Our April 2017 team intended to be in Liberia for the End Fistula Campaign.  However, due to unavoidable circumstances the Ministry of Health had to postpone the campaign till June.  The team still had plenty to do.  During their first week:
 

• They met with the Ministry of Health to discuss the Ministry’s policies regarding the Maternity Waiting Home we plan to build (our long-range goal).
• Dr. Grechus joined Dr. Mulbah for his surgery day.  He did an emergency C-section and delivered a healthy baby girl!
  
• On their first day in Phebe, they talked to each teacher about their particular needs and toured the beautiful new education building that has been built.  They also gifted each teacher with some items they could use.
• Their second day in Phebe was spent with the fistula survivors.  There were 17 girls at Rehab.  Unfortunately, only four of them had had successful surgeries.  The other thirteen are waiting for a second surgery in June.
• In Charles Luke Town, they toured 30 acres that were recently planted.  The villagers also paid tribute to Dignity:Liberia for its assistance, and received Kathi into the Kpelle tribe!  Each team member received a Kpelle name.  

 
A trip to Liberia changes a person in unanticipated ways.  The depth of emotional impact can take a person by surprise.  Serving as a Dignity Advocate is humbling, inspiring, and rewarding.  If you would like to serve in 2018, contact us through this link.  For now, please enjoy some of the pictures from the current trip.