July 3rd 2009, Back in the United States

My apologies for the long wait between blog entries. The team is now back in the U.S.A! We were unable blog for the last couple weeks of the trip due to a major internet line being cut outside of Bolga. However I can tell you the project was an overall great success!
Even with the difficulties the team encountered with the absence of John and Aaron we were able to almost complete the entire project. The only part of the clinic we were unable to complete was the solar array. Jessica, who will be staying in Ghana until August for an internship, will over see the final part of this project. It truly was a great success.
After saying goodbye to all our new friends and wishing Jessica good luck we were on our way home. We spent two days before we left the country touring the Cape Coast outside of Accra. The south truly seems like a different country from the north. Where as the north is hot and arid, desert like in the dry season, the south by comparison is rainforest. The sights were amazing! We particularly enjoy the hotel we stayed at called Hans Botel. The "Botel" was built over a lagoon filled with crocodiles and yellow weaver birds. It was fantastic.
Then it was back into Accra, onto a plane, and 36 hours later we arrived in Phoenix. It is overwhelming to be back in the states. Ghana really is a different world. It will always be an amazing memory, and though I can't speak for the rest of the team, I can't wait to go back some day.

June 7th 2009

I want everyone to know that I have arrived safely back in the US. It has been a difficult couple of weeks. After resting a few days in Bolga, I returned to work again at the Clinic site. Without warning, I suddenly began to feel very ill and had to be rushed back to Bolga.

The doctors informed me that it was again Malaria(+++). The strain I’ve developed is resistant to Quinine, as well as the rest of the drugs they had given me. My last treatment was six shots of Chloroquine in combination with a mega dose of Malarone. When my condition stabilized, I was evacuated to a medical facility in Accra where further tests could be done.

The doctor in Accra determined I was healthy enough to travel back to the States. Dr. Denham and I got on a plane that night and arrived in Phoenix on Saturday. They tell me I should recover completely with a few weeks of rest.

I realize my situation over the past few weeks has left some people a bit shaken. My biggest concern now is the impact this will have at the University. This is not an event that should be buried, nor should it be used to champion some motion to restructure the project. I don’t want to see people acting as though the realization of danger is some great epiphany. I was aware of the risk and was prepared for it. This is not the first time a volunteer has fallen ill on an EWB trip and it won't be the last. Africa is not Disneyland. The danger is real. So long as volunteers are informed of the risk, as adults they should be entitled to it.

I have complete confidence in the four students left in the North. Jessica and Bryce have stepped up to manage the project and clinic construction. No time was lost on account of my illness.

I will continue to help and advise the project from my home in Flagstaff. It was unfortunate that I had to leave on such a poor note. This will not be me last visit to Yua.

-John Yatsko