The programme as it stands

If you are interested in where we will be and what we will be doing at different times during the 16 days of our trip, below is our basic itinerary.

The Team's Programme

The Health Centre in Gitega

In 2010, a new Health Centre opened in Gitega through the work of Emerge Poverty Free and support from St Mary's Church. Before this time, Gitega, a deprived, rural area lacked any major health services despite having a high rate of HIV/AIDS and severe malnutrition. The nearest other health centre was a government hospital miles away that charged for its services. 

Malnutrition is a big problem for children in this area (in fact in Burundi over half of the population struggles to find enough to eat - 3 out of every 5 children are severely malnourished). At the Health Centre, the Nutrition Project deals with the immediate needs of families and their children through nutrition–enriched food, vaccines and expert medical advice. Then, longer term plans are put in place to address their future needs. 

Whilst in Gitega, Peter J, Helen and Melody will be focussing their time in the Health Centre. Peter will be running training sessions, Helen, a Nurse, will be working alongside the medical professionals, offering advice and support and Melody (a prospective medical student) will be assisting in the Centre. 

For more information about the Health Centre and how to donate to its work, please visit the Emerge Poverty Free website:

http://emergepovertyfree.org/projects/rural-health-care/

The Street Children Project in Gitega

As part of our trip, we are going to be visiting and helping out with the Street Children Project in Gitega. Our plan is to use the various skills our team has to compliment the programme that is already happening out there. We are planning to run sessions on sewing, cooking, music, art and sport.

If you are interested in the street children's project we are going out to see and help with, you can find out more on the emerge poverty free website: http://emergepovertyfree.org/projects/gitega-street-children/

Back to school

Education is the most significant step out of poverty.  The street children programme helps children prepare for a return to school and supports them once they are there.

Why Peter is called 'The Brains'

During tonight’s meeting Peter ‘The Brains’ Jackson had a fantastic idea regarding the equipment / clothing that we are taking out to Burundi with us. He suggested that we each weigh the equipment that we have been given / have collected to take out there (e.g. baby-grows, art equipment, bats and balls, musical equipment, sports equipment) and let him (Peter) know what everything weighs. This way we can work out what we need to distribute around the team. For example, I think between Annette and I we have about 1000 baby-grows (this might be an exaggeration). 

As you can tell from the brief list above in parentheses, the team have done really well with getting hold of resources that could even include electric observation beds (I am right in this description, Helen?). We just need to make sure that we can take as much as possible - we have an allocation of 2 x 23 kg per person. We will have one bag/rucksack for personal ‘stuff’ and one bag for ‘the team’. Or if we need to take more kit out, 1 toothbrush, a few pairs of undies and 2 bags stuffed full of equipment!

Meet the team

The team that are going out to Burundi from St Mary's Reigate, are:

• Annette Lebby
• Dan Girdler
• Fee Packham
• Helen Seward
• Jon Ruchpaul
• Josh Andrew
• Lorna Sterry
• Matt Harris
• Melody Ball
• Peter Chesterton
• Peter Jackson

As this blog continues, you'll get to know us all a bit more. :)

Thanks for reading and joining us on our adventure.

new territory

Thanks for setting this up Matt. Today we have Burundi like temperatures - great isn't it.
I will be returning everyones passport this evening with its Burundi visa. Some folk owe me money for travel insurance - no names!
See you later
Peter