In July, I’ll be setting off for a two-week adventure in Tanzania with a small group. I hope you’ll follow along on my adventure, please tell me any stories you have of visiting Tanzania, and if you are so inclined, please add your financial support as well (more information at the end of this blog).

The primary reason for the trip is to tour a young hospital in the city of Dodoma doing great things. They have developed a reputation for excellent care where nobody is turned away. The Tanzanian government has noticed and asked how they can help expand the facility.

Part of the work I will be doing is to help with social media and communications. I’ll be publishing a blog and documenting our trip and things happening at the medical center and community. Some of these photos will be used by the foundation after I get back. However, please follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or this blog to follow the journey!

The medical center was founded in 2003 by Minnesotans Barb and Bobby Griffin, a delightful couple I know from church who will meet us in Tanzania. You can read more about their founding story in a recent article in the St. Olaf alumni magazine, and you can read more about the history and story of the non-profit on the Dodoma Tanzania Health Development website.

In addition to the quality medical care provided by the Dodoma Christian Medical Center (DCMC), what has impressed me is the funding model and the emphasis on ensuring that the facility is led by the people of Tanzania for the people of Tanzania.

DCMC is financially supported through a combination of:

• Private donations from DTHD (Minnesota-based non-profit)
• Fee-for service revenue
• Compassionate enterprise (Dodoma Innovation & Production Company)

The Dodoma Innovation & Production Company’s enterprise, Asante Beverage Company, has been bottling and selling water, teas, and sodas since December. Profits from this company are planned to support DCMC. It has been an effort to get the bottling company up and running, and it is one of the places we plan to tour in July.

DCMC does community visits, and I’m hoping that we will be able to go along on one of those visits if the timing works out while we are there. Another goal of the trip is to meet the people of Tanzania and get a better understanding of the country and the context of the hospital. We will be talking with people, visiting markets, and finally ending our trip with a few days of safari.

In addition to blogging in country, I plan to write more in this blog in the coming weeks as I research and reflect. Please also tell me your stories and experience if you have been there—it will help me prepare. Even if you’ve never been there, please share your questions! I don’t know if I will be able to answer them now or in country, but it will help me be on the lookout. Learning is better when I’m prepared.

In the past couple years as I have been going to school (and thus working less), paying tuition, and most recently recovering from surgery (and working less), my travel budget had not been funded. Therefore, I’m raising money to help pay for the journey to Tanzania.

My goal is to raise $5,017.15 for the trip costs including airfare. Any extra funds raised will be donated to DCMC/DTHD. I’m raising funds through Go Fund Me, via Zelle (my wizome email address at msn.com), and by selling Norwex.

The Norwex mission is “Improving quality of life by radically reducing chemical in our homes.” They carry efficient, effective, and environmentally-friendly cleaning products that often work dry or with just water—no toxic chemicals needed. I have a side business of selling Norwex, and my commission (35% of sales) from anything I sell from March-July will go towards the trip. You can find my store at http://laurajensen.norwex.biz. Please ask me if you have any cleaning challenges or want to make your home a safer haven. In this season of spring cleaning, my favorite starter recommendations are the Household Package or the Save Haven 5. There are also some great host specials where you can earn free product if you would like to host a Norwex party with me.

Thank you for following me along this journey! I’m looking forward to the adventure and sharing it with you.