Thank you for traveling with me on this important journey...

My name is Lisa Teske. On October 10, I will depart for Cebu City, Philippines on a 10-day medical mission with Rotaplast International. I will represent the Columbia Center Rotary Club and Rotary International District 5080 alongside of a team of 25 people (medical and non-medical volunteers) who work to correct more than 100 cleft palate conditions in local children. My primary function will be to manage the medical records, but I will also spend some of my time communicating the importance of our work and the impact on the lives of our patients.

While participating in this mission, I hope to improve myself through service, particularly in a challenging medical environment where I'm not naturally composed, and to learn more about Filipino culture. Each day is sure to teach me something new!

For more information about Rotaplast, I encourage you to visit their site at http://www.rotaplast.org/. And to learn more about Rotary International, contact me and I'll be happy to share more about this amazing organization.

Proud to be a Rotarian. Proud to serve. -- Lisa

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Heightened security – a sobering reminder of where we are

A couple of our team were robbed on their way to the hospital Friday morning. I didn’t hear about it until later than night. But learning that our recovery nurses each lost something – a necklace snatched right off of the neck and a cell phone – was a grim reminder that we’re not safe even during the day. It was explained that we may have been targeted since our arrival and that we’d be seeing more security posted along the walk to and from our hotel. Indeed, I noticed Saturday morning an armed security guard about every 50 feet – it’s really only a few short blocks. There was even talk about bussing us back and forth. But so far that’s not been instituted.
I was coached to remove my jewelry. Fair enough. I’d had to lose my marathon medals, which I hang around my neck anytime I need a reminder that I can endure. No worries. I'm using my fierce Lisa look that has seen me through other threatening situations; I'm confident in my ability to look scary. I will be careful.

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