Kasese, retiring "Hello Kitty" and wrapping it up until October's journey

After the wonderful rest in Msundwe, a hardy breakfast, and a tour of the clinic and construction, we regretfully leave for the airport in Lilongwe.  Other than the prolonged layover in Nairobi, the journey is tiring but uneventful.  Haley and I spend the weekend in London for R&R and made it back early Sunday afternoon.

A few people have asked about the clinic site we stopped by on our first day.  There is a clinic and hospital that was built and run by a Canadian NGO for several years in the village of Kasese.  They had to concentrate their efforts elsewhere and therefor it is no longer operating at anywhere near full capacity.  They are looking to sell or lease, and Orant Charities is looking for ways to expand and establish itself in the Kasungu area.  The site is several acres with nicely spaced buildings that include clinic, hospital, and housing.  It seems to be starting to fall into some disrepair, and there also appeared to be some squatters that are moving in.  The location is about 30-40 min from Bowe.

Hospital building in Kasese.

Clinic building in Kasese.

                                            It will be exciting to see what the future holds.

I think it is time for me to retire "Hello Kitty".  Some of you know that many years ago, about 18, I believe, I bought a hot pink Hello Kitty backpack at Target for a family vacation to the beach.  My kids were totally embarrassed, but it was perfect - inexpensive, roomy, conspicuous (so not likely to be stolen) and durable appearing.  Plus, it had a small clear pouch in which to put things you wanted to find easily.   This little Target back pack has since been with me to a multitude of destinations across the country and the world for camping trips, vacations, family visits and mission trips.  It's been so long, that Hello Kitty is back "in".  Just before this trip, I reinforced all the strap insertions, and although those are holding the different seems are unraveling.  Funny how a silly inexpensive article can come to represent so many journeys taken.  I'm a little sad.

"Hello Kitty" on my office chair in in Malawi.

It's been another great journey, and I am already planning to return in late October.  In the meantime, back to our "real world".  At least now I know there are many other types of "real worlds" out here.  Find one to share.  It will change you for the better.