Gilead Missionary Clinic

An unforgettable stop in the study abroad tour was the Gilead Missionary Clinic. Dr. Victor Isiodu provides health care including prenatal care and surgery to residents in Owerri a rural area in Imo State, Nigeria.

Day One, A Journey to Nigeria

So long I dream of this day, across the ocean I travel, to visit my ancestors' land. Not knowing what to expect when we arrive, I move my luggage from one airport to the next. It just have not set in, Africa! Our country of choice is Nigeria. The airport is crowded we load into the bus and head down the street. Some of the ground is unpaved roads, I stare at the red dirt with small ponds of red water. My stomach tightens and trembles as I pass the silver tin roof homes as our bus passes down the street. Our shuttle final stop is at a huge black gate which holds our hotel much like a large castle to its surrounding dwellings. We unload our bags and check in exhausted from the flight. I am one out of a group of 11on a three week study abroad program. We all separate going to our rooms to relax dinner will be at 7:30. Dinner at the hotel is intimate much like eating dinner in a small cozy cafe. After dinner, we tour the grounds of the hotel and later turn in for the evening. Lying in bed, I feel the tremble in my stomach returns. I think about the conditions I see coming into the hotel. It feels like my mind is in a whirl, how can conditions be so poor on one side of the road and so wealthy on the other? I never seen this kind of inequality so close to each other in this form, so extreme.

Motherland

Eyes sparkling nostrils flair as I breath deeply smelling the sweet  exotic fruit trees that line the road. In town, there are markets overflowing with humongous vegetables and fruits okra;cabbage;greens; tomatoes;pineapple;watermelon;papaya; and guava spread across endless tables. My lips smile as if I was able to reach out and take a bite. At the outer edge of the market, there are precious oils to use for bathing and cooking. To the left, lies an enormous variety of cloth to make clothing as well as leather and beaded sandals for my feet. Finally, I arrive to the jewelry there are so many beads, and cowries bracelets made of sandstone and brass. People smile and embrace me and I feel so welcome. My skin tingles with excitement, as I imagine Africa the Motherland!