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
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Global Partnership Project and Engineers Without Borders at Northern Arizona University
Blog Archive
Engineers Without Borders at Northern Arizona University (EWB-NAU)
Engineers without Borders (EWB) is an international non-profit organization that uses simple engineering technologies to improve the quality of life in communities around the world.
EWB at NAU is dedicated to the international EWB mission. We also emphasize the development of global awareness among students at NAU through experiential learning in the communities we serve. All of our efforts are supported through the generous support of donors like you.
To support us financially, visit: alumni.nau.edu
EWB at NAU is dedicated to the international EWB mission. We also emphasize the development of global awareness among students at NAU through experiential learning in the communities we serve. All of our efforts are supported through the generous support of donors like you.
To support us financially, visit: alumni.nau.edu
Ghana
The Yua Project
The Background:
The community of Yua lies in northern Ghana, just south of the Burkina Faso border in the Upper-East region. In the Fall semester of 2006, Engineers without Borders at Northern Arizona University accepted a proposal to collaborate with Yua in an effort to improve their quality of life. This partnership is considered to be a multi-year endeavor between EWB-NAU and Yua. The proposal’s goals include three distinct phases.
The Need:
More than 3,000 people in the Yua do not have adequate access to water and sanitation facilities. This has contributed to the existence of preventable disease, sickness, and death in this community. The high child mortality rate in this area can partly be attributed to waterborne diseases.
Our Partners:
Ghana Poultry Network: This organization based in Ghana works to assist rural farmers in meeting their basic needs.
Afrikids: Over ten years experience in N. Ghana, working for the welfare of children.
The community of Yua lies in northern Ghana, just south of the Burkina Faso border in the Upper-East region. In the Fall semester of 2006, Engineers without Borders at Northern Arizona University accepted a proposal to collaborate with Yua in an effort to improve their quality of life. This partnership is considered to be a multi-year endeavor between EWB-NAU and Yua. The proposal’s goals include three distinct phases.
The Need:
More than 3,000 people in the Yua do not have adequate access to water and sanitation facilities. This has contributed to the existence of preventable disease, sickness, and death in this community. The high child mortality rate in this area can partly be attributed to waterborne diseases.
Our Partners:
Ghana Poultry Network: This organization based in Ghana works to assist rural farmers in meeting their basic needs.
Afrikids: Over ten years experience in N. Ghana, working for the welfare of children.
LINKS
Glad you back and recovering well. Do you have any current information about the four students working on the Clinic? We would like to know how they are doing. W. Gillies
ReplyDeleteJohn, I admire your undertaking of the project even from afar.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few college students online from college of Northern-Arizona-University and we love your blog postings, so well add
ReplyDeleteyour rss or news feed for them, Thanks and please post us and leave a comment back and well link to you. Thanks Jen , Blog Manager Northern-Arizona-University
Sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good post. Your post helped me in my college assignment, If you can provide me more details please email me.
ReplyDelete