National Anthems

Tonight I was at a Carolina Hurricanes game and heard a young girl sing our national anthem. It hit me that I will be leaving this country in just 5 days and entering another country with an entirely different anthem.

On the way home I wondered what the national anthem of Tanzania sounds like and what the words are, so I decided to look it up on Google. The last line is "Bless the Children of Tanzania" - how appropriate!

I found a video on You Tube of school children singing it....it's beautiful.




KISWAHILI LYRICS
Mungu ibariki Africa
Wabariki Viongozi wake
Hekima Umoja na
Amani Hizi ni ngao zetu
Afrika na watu wake.

CHORUS:
Ibariki Afrika
Ibariki Afrika
Tubariki watoto wa Afrika.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania
Dumisha uhuru na Umoja
Wake kwa Waume na Watoto
Mungu Ibariki Tanzania na watu wake.

CHORUS:
Ibariki Tanzania
Ibariki Tanzania
Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania.
---
ENGLISH TRANSLATION

God Bless Africa.
Bless its leaders.
Let Wisdom Unity and
Peace be the shield of
Africa and its people.

CHORUS:
Bless Africa,
Bless Africa,
Bless the children of Africa.
God Bless Tanzania.

Grant eternal Freedom and Unity
To its sons and daughters.
God Bless Tanzania and its People.

CHORUS:
Bless Tanzania,
Bless Tanzania,
Bless the children of Tanzania.

One Week to Go!

One of the great benefits of working for Allscripts is the people. I have received many emails from co-workers supporting this adventure. I've had lots of conversations about the trip in the halls and elevators with strangers and those I've known for years.

I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of Travis and myself as we've prepared for this trip.

We both know being away from the office for this amount of time will take a toll on those who have to step in and help in our absence. So I want to thank all of you for your support as well. I know it will be a challenge, but your contribution is being paid forward in the time we spend in Tanzania helping the children.

I want to let everyone know that I genuinely appreciate your support, thoughts and prayers as I prepare and depart on this journey.

This time next week, I'll be on a plane!

What's the Weather Like?

If you're interested in checking out the weather in Arusha, TZ click here.

We're Ready!

For the past couple weeks, most people have the same question for me, "Are you ready for your trip?"

While I think there's no way to ever be mentally prepared for an experience like this, I can say I have everything I could possibly need (and more!) to travel 7,768 miles across the world for 18 days.

I've made list after list and comparison shopped for the best prices all over town and on the internet. Bug spray, hand sanitizer, Pepto, tissues, sunscreen, the list goes on and on. My grandmother sent money so we put that toward vitamins for the children.

I talked to Connie yesterday and the first thing she said when she answered was, "How many days till you leave?!?!" I didn't have to hesitate or even think - it's 10. Travis and I have had a countdown calendar going on our desks since day 29...

Because the airlines allow each of us to take two 50lb checked bags, we will be loading them up with supplies for the orphanage and volunteer rooms - Sheets, vitamins, maybe even shoes for the kids. If you're able to donate money toward these items, please consider doing so. There's a link on the right side of the blog, or you can contact me directly as I'll be doing some shopping in the next week.

Connie told me about a couple of the children who have special needs; as if being HIV isn't enough, there are other problems they contend with. One of them isn't talking at all right now. Another isn't walking. We'll be spending some extra time each day with them to see if any progress can be made.

We will have internet access in Tanzania, so I'll be blogging as much as possible. My goal is daily, as long as the electricity is working! Stay tuned!

Welcome Chris Nesheim!

Late last week, Glen selected Chris Nesheim to join us in Tanzania. Chris is an RN and works as the System Director of Care Management at Lee Memorial Health System in Ft. Myers, FL. She works with the Allscripts Care Management product.

Chris has volunteered in hurricane recovery efforts in her area, she is a board member with the Red Cross and an advisor to the Salvation Army and participates in the Homeless Coalition. In her "free time" she has traveled extensively, though not to Africa. This trip will fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting the continent. Another of her accolades includes winning second place in the National Windsurfing Regatta.

We're very excited to share this adventure experience with Chris!