Rebuilding South Sudan

So I'm going back to South Sudan.

It's been nearly a year since I was there, and my heart was so moved by the suffering -- and the resilience -- of the people there, I haven't done any other international medical trips since I got back because I've been waiting, hoping, praying to go back. 

Recently I got the word from South Sudanese workers on the ground that they believe it's safe enough for Americans to enter the country.

I'll be there for at least six weeks, from mid-December to early February, teaching and practicing medicine. 

First, I'll be leading a 3-day medical training course,  teaching 100 teachers how to practice basic First Aid and pediatric medical care.  By training 100 teachers, we'll be able to impact the wellbeing of 30,000 children who live in villages that are often isolated from any medical care during the rainy season because the roads are washed out.

I'll also be practicing medicine at the hospital where I served last year.  The hospital where here there's one lightbulb that (sometimes) works, no vital sign machine, no anesthetics and most of the time, no malaria medicine (which is a big problem since the town sits on the boggy banks of the Nile River.)  

Honestly, I'm a little apprehensive.  It's no small thing to take an indefinite leave of absence from my job and travel to one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

But I put my faith in these words: There Is No Fear In Love.

And if our lives aren't about living Love, even when it costs us and scares us, what are we here for?

Here's the thing.  I need your help.  All of you. I need your prayers, your encouragement and your financial support to make this possible.

Here's a registry of how the financial need breaks down.  Please note that even if you can give $1, it can save a life:

* 3-day course of malaria tablets = $1 

* 1-time injection of malaria medicine = $1

* Antibiotic ointment = $15 for 10 tubes

* BandAids = $10 for 300 

* Splints = $5 each

* Gauze = $15 for 36 rolls of gauze

* Children's Ibuprofen = $5/box

* Children's Acetaminophen = $5/box 

* Notebooks for teachers' medical training = $10 for 10 notebooks

* Lunch for teachers' medical training = $50/day x 3 days = $150

*Flight from the U.S. to Juba = $1200 

*Flight from Juba to U.S. = $1500 

* Lodging = $25/day 

* Travel insurance = $50 

* Visa = $125





Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sarah