Oh, The Places You'll Go!

I never thought the time would come to write my last blog post before I leave the country. This summer has been an incredible whirlwind adventure. The countless people I've talked to, the places I've been, the incredible individuals I've grown to love; it's a beautiful life. Thank you, God. Thank you, everyone.

We have raised just under $8,000 this summer for Project Rx and have been graced with a donor that is willing to match all donations and follow the project throughout the year, helping where help is needed. In the past week, we have raised $3,500 alone.

Wow...

The Highway Community was a tremendous source of support, in prayer and finances. I love you guys! I can't wait to see what comes of all of these new relationships!

(I'll post pictures of the adventures we had last weekend in California soon. I'm on rural New Mexico internet, which is slower than molasses in January... Stay tuned for the pics.)

I can't even begin to describe to you what a blessed experience fundraising...sorry, FRIEND-RAISING is. After being such a daunting task to begin with, I cannot tell you how lucky I am to have talked to all of the people I did, and asked for their blessing on the project.

Who knew the task at hand meant leaving no stone unturned to provide for better health on the other side of the world.

All of the help was right in my backyard, and everyone that I have talked to Project Rx will be in my thoughts, in my prayers, right there with me in Mozambique. I'm taking all of the gorgeous memories with me. :)

Well, it's autumn and I'm leaving for springtime in Mozambique. Yessss! If you're interested in beating the upcoming winter, I'll be basking in the sunshine and beach breeze. Even Bob Dylan knew what he was missing in Mozambique. ;)

I'll miss you all dearly and can't wait for you to come and visit!

I like to spend some time in Mozambique
The sunny sky is aqua blue
And all the couples dancing cheek to cheek.
It's very nice to stay a week or two.

There's lots of pretty girls in Mozambique
And plenty time for good romance
And everybody likes to stop and speak
To give the special one you seek a chance
Or maybe say hello with just a glance.

Lying next to her by the ocean
Reaching out and touching her hand,
Whispering your secret emotion
Magic in a magical land.

And when it's time for leaving Mozambique,
To say goodbye to sand and sea,
You turn around to take a final peek
And you see why it's so unique to be
Among the lovely people living free
Upon the beach of sunny Mozambique

Mozambique 101 & 102

Seven days to go!!

With one week before takeoff to Mozambique, Project Rx is seeking a final push of donations reaching $9,000.

If you feel compelled to donate we are now rolling out "MZ 101" or "Mozambique 101" where we are asking $101 to combat some of the most prevalent causes of death throughout the nation.

If you are considering making a donation or pledging a certain amount, you can make checks payable to and send funds directly to Project Rx at PO Box 5544 Santa Fe, NM 87502. (If you need tax deductible information please contact me directly at 505.470.6684). Or, you can donate online through Facebook at our Project Rx cause page.

MZ 101 - Mozambique 101

Project Rx seeks to combat the top 5 leading causes of death with the $101 Mozambican Medical Kit. With this medical kit, Project Rx has the potential to outreach to countless families and individuals to combat the deadliest, although preventable, causes of death.

Nearly 3 of 5 Mozambicans die from five preventable causes: HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrhea, respiratory infections including bronchitis and pneumonia, and perinatal conditions. As a result, the average Mozambican lives to just 41 years old (the average American will live for 78 years).

#1 - HIV/AIDS

Only 33% of males and 24% of females ages 15-24 have comprehensive correct understanding of prevention and transmission of HIV/AIDS. Project Rx will help give them the tools and knowledge to protect themselves from the deadliest agent within Mozambique.

#2 - Malaria

Malaria is the leading cause of death among children in Mozambique, (where one in four children does not live to see his or her fifth birthday). Malaria kills more than 3,000 people each day in sub-Saharan Africa. In Mozambique, 1 in 5 deaths can be prevented with bed nets.

#3 - Diarrhea

Diarrheal disease can come about in a number of different ways, including but not limited to contaminated water, malnutrition, lack of vaccination, and improper perinatal care. It is the within the top 3 causes of death for children under five and is completely preventable with proper education and intervention with those with diarrhea.

#4 - Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases include bronchitis or pneumonia. Because there are few antibiotics that exist in rural Mozambican areas, home remedies remain the best option.

#5 - To Combat Poor Perinatal Conditions

Perinatal conditions are considered the five months before birth and one month after birth. This is the most important health developmental period for a young child and can be the defining factor of death before five years of age. Proper care of children in the perinatal condition includes proper education in breastfeeding and early childhood development.

$101 Mozambican Medical Kit Includes:

#1 - HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS education	Free[i]
#2 - Malaria
Bed net	$10
#3 - Diarrhea
Oral Rehydration Therapy[ii]	$1
Breastfeeding education	Free
Vaccination education	Free
Children’s multivitamins	$2
Micronutrient and food supplements	See community garden info
All-purpose water filters[iii]	$20
#4 - Respiratory diseases
Saltwater gargle[iv]	$1
Ibuprofen[v]	$20
#5 - Poor perinatal conditions
Prenatal health education	Free
Prenatal vitamins[vi]	$16
General health
Solar-powered thermometer[vii]	$11
First aid kit[viii]	$20
First aid education	Free
	Total: $101

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[i] Andrea’s Living Expenses = $520/mo. Rent = $280/mo + Food = $150/mo (food is, sadly, very expensive in Mz)+ Misc Needs (toiletries, emergency spending, health needs, etc.) = $70/mo

[ii] ORT is a liquid solution, (compared to something like Pedialyte), that is used to combat dehydration that causes diarrheal disease, the second largest killer of children under five years of age and the number three killer of Mozambicans, overall.

[iii] Water filters can benefit 58% of Mozambicans who still do not have access to a clean water source. A $20 filter will provide 425 gallons of clean drinking water, enough for a family for three months.

[iv] $1 will provide 100 gallons of saltwater gargle

[v] $20 will provide 1000 (200 mg) ibuprofen tablets

[vi] $16 will provide 250 capsules, including vitamins A, B12, C, D, and E, folic acid, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxinem niacinimide, zinc, and iron.

[vii] One simple thermometer per family can alert parents of potential health threats. For example, each of the top five causes of death is associated with fever, which can be easily detected with a thermometer. This simple tool can prevent confusion or uncertainty of preliminary warnings of a potentially dire health situation.

[viii] The first aid kit includes absorbent compresses, adhesive bandages, adhesive cloth tape, triple antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, space blanket, a breathing barrier, and an instant cold compress.

GS 102 – Gardening Supplies 102

What $102 will get you in the Machava Village Community Garden.

With all health supplies that we seek to provide, a health and sustainable food source needs to follow suit. Listed at the bottom of the top 10 causes of death is malnutrition, which is often associated with all causes of death because of the difficulty of recovery from certain illnesses without proper nutrition.

The community garden is one sustainable way we can gather community participants to create their own future of sustainable food, where the local people are supported by the work they put in.

Hoe = $10

Compost Station = $10

Soil = $15/100 lb. bag

Shovel = $25

Seeds = $42/ variety of local seeds for a sustainable crop

Labor = Free; with community participation

All health data was derived from World Health Organization reports from 2002-2009. All expenses reported for each individual good was derived from the cheapest price cataloged through extensive searches throughout the web.

Project Rx Hits the Air Waves

Project Rx was fortunate enough to be invited on Mark Perry's weekly show, A Matter of the Mind. There we had lots of fun talking about Project Rx, it's history, my history and what we hope to accomplish while in Mozambique.

Thanks, Mark for the great interview and time to chat about Project Rx.

Happy listening, everyone!

Part I:


Part II:


Part III:


Part IV:

Project Rx featured in The New Mexican

Hope you got a chance to read about Project Rx in the local news!! The link is below:

Santa Fe Youths Driven to Help

Journalist, Ms. Sandra Baltazar Martinez, was incredibly helpful and supportive in the process of getting the article printed. Thanks, Sandra!! And thanks for reading, Santa Fe!

Preparing the Leap

In the past weeks I've been all across the Southwest, getting all my goodbyes in before I head out. There are a few things coming up that I need to update everyone on!

Things to do before I leave:

• 9/10, 9/11 - Guest Speaking, Monte del Sol Charter School
• 9/12 - Guest on A Matter Of The Mind talk show, Saturday, 10 am @ Santa Fe's local broadcast AM 1260
• 9/13 - New Mexican article on Project Rx by Sandra Baltazar Martinez (will update with link once released)
• 9/15 - 9/21 Leave for the Bay Area to meet with Highway Community Church collegues and old friends for some fundraising (or Friendraising, rather :)
  
• 9/26 - Off to Cape Town!

I encourage anyone who will be around during these times and places to follow up with what we're up to.