presents/presence

my employer partners with an organization in africa to help fund and support a network of hospices in kenya.  through donations, we are able to aid in providing much-needed medications and care to patients, and resources and education to palliative care workers in the african community.

four of my coworkers had the opportunity to travel to kenya last october and share their pictures and experiences today.  their presentation was enlightening and profoundly moving.  they explained that funding, travel, medications, equipment, and training are much different terms in africa than what we are used to on our end of the world.  to put it simply, accessibility, availability, affordability, and quality are deep-rooted issues these providers face every day.

attending the presentation was an awakening of sorts.  one of the managers i work closely with was one of the four who traveled to kenya.  she remarked that she did not return to the u.s. as the same person she was before the trip.  i've witnessed the change in her and feel blessed to be a humbled bystander.

this inspired me to make a promise to myself: whenever i notice that i'm starting to take what i have for granted, i will remember my brave coworkers, their work and dedication, and the mission they carried out on the other side of the atlantic to provide compassionate care for those less fortunate than us.  after all, we are all deserving, especially those who we call our friends.