Lift-off -- June 2!

Kelsey surrounded by the Chipulukusu CSS on her last trip

We're in the normal last-minute scramble!  Waaaay too many things to fit into our supply box, waaaay too many things to accomplish once we arrive, and waaay too little time to get ready.  In 3 days, however, all decisions will be made and we will be in route to Zambia. 

We are especially excited to be focusing on the orphan grief-support programs this trip.  Kelsey Welch, our Child Support Specialist (CSS) mentor, will be joining us and providing additional training for our hard-working volunteers.  The results from the support groups have been astounding!  Our follow-up surveys of 80 OVC, caretakers, and teachers  (remember we are evidence-based!) revealed decreased emotional distress and positive behavioral changes in almost every instance.  This is really ground breaking since very few grief-support programs and even fewer evaluations of those programs exist.  Watch for our next publication.  Final touches are being added to a co-authored manuscript written by Sherri, Kelsey (a social worker by profession), two Graceland nursing faculty members, and the Graceland librarian.