Support Letter

Why Afghanistan?

As I debated my decision to spend two years in Afghanistan, these statistics pulled on the strings of my heart. Afghanistan is the least developed country in the world. 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the probability of dying between birth and 1 year’s old in Afghanistan is 165 per 1,000 births. While in the United States its 6 per 1,000. In Afghanistan 1 out of 5 women die from pregnancy related complications. Things shouldn’t be like that.

I want to help and feel called to go. I have traveled with Cure before and what I find appealing about this organization is that Cure International transforms the lives of children and their families through medical and spiritual healing. I believe they work at treating the whole person, not just the physical ailments. They have established specialty teaching hospitals in ten different countries. With ten hospitals, why did I choose this one? This hospital is unique because the emphasis is on treating both the women and children of Afghanistan.

Cure Afghanistan is a 100-bed teaching hospital, which includes a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a bustling Family Health Center. Cure has worked hard to establish a General Practice Residency Program, an OB/GYN Fellowship training program and OB/GYN training for nurses and midwives. Cure Kabul has treated more than 120,000 patients since opening in early 2005.

What will I be doing at the hospital?

During my two-year stay in Kabul, I am going to be the Director of Nursing at the hospital. I will be responsible for planning, directing and evaluating the activities for the nursing and midwifery departments. There are currently over 90 employees in these two departments. I will be one of many new leaders starting this summer.

I would be grateful if you keep me in your thoughts as I prepare to go and while I am in Afghanistan. As this new team of leaders arrives at the hospital I'm asking that we will encourage and build up one another. May our ministry to the staff and our patients be meaningful and have transformative results.

Another way you can help is to make a financial contribution. I have a fundraising goal to raise $24,000. All donations are tax deductible. Any gift amount would be greatly appreciated.

Donation Instructions;

Visit www.helpcurenow.org

1. Get involved

2. Give

3. Support Cure Staff – scroll down to my name and picture

4. Select “give now” or “give monthly”

5. Under “donor designations” please select my name.

Thank You!!

Homeless, well sort of.

It's official, I sold my house!! The closing was today, although I signed the papers last night because I didn't want to be at the closing. Now it's off to Banana Republic to spend the money. LOL, just kidding. I'm now living back at home with my parents. It's only for two weeks and it will be nice to spend time with the family before I leave for Colorado Springs on Aug 3.

I have been blessed with a great family and amazing friends. A huge "Thank you" to all who have helped me pack up and move!! I am learning this whole process is more emotional then I expected. I have so appreciated all the words of encouragement from so many of my friends. I am feeling a little needy right now and having you all to listen, encourage and/or distract me has been wonderful.

I'm not having second thoughts but this is hard. I'm so caught up in the details, I have forgotten how excited I was about this opportunity. There is still a lot to do in the next 2 weeks and little by little it will get done. The first thing I need to finish is my presentation for the fund raising event. If you are interested in supporting me, please see the post titled "support letter" it also explains a little more about why I decided to do this.

I went for a run today and despite the humidity it felt awesome. Its been a few days (well 4), since I've been able to run. Between the move and thunderstorms getting outside has been tough. I typically run with headphones and will listen to an array of music. My music taste is a little schizophrenic but today this song took my mind off of the run. It's from the musical "Rent" and it asks "how do you measure a year". I couldn't help but wonder next year, when I'm back for a visit; how will I measure a year? How different will I be, how much will have changed here and a little less philosophical will I still be running?

I was told to bring modest work out clothes, which I thought shorts and t-shirts. Thankfully I asked and was told capri work-out pants are better. I can only wear shorts if no Afghan men are present. And no I won't be running through the streets any more. The apartment I'll be in has some exercise equipment and there are always the stairs. I'm sure I'll find more spots once I'm there.
Keep Smiling,
Jen