Children's Hospital Boston in Ghana

As Americans, we live comfortable, if not privileged, lives compared to many of the people in Ghana. When we turn on the faucet, water comes out at any temperature we desire. When we flip the switch, the light goes on as bright or as dim as we please. High speed Internet, high definition TV, surround sound stereo. We have it all. In Ghana, one is never sure if water will flow from the faucet or if the lights will stay on.

This being my first experience in a third world country, I see now that the things we take for granted are almost luxuries in Ghana. The contrasts in our health care systems became apparent as well. We are used to a system with unlimited resources and an abundance of staff. No costs are spared in the treatment of a patient. It's a system that continuously strives to improve upon what it already excels at doing.

The people of Ghana want to improve themselves as well. The desire is there, even if the resources are lacking. We came here to help them expand upon what they already have. Our efforts here demonstrated that not only can heart defects be repaired, but the Ghanaians can and should do it by themselves in the not-too-distant future. Like the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

We operated on 11 children on this trip. Their lives will be better for it. But we've also opened the minds of the people to what is possible if one continuously strives to improve.

I'm grateful to have had this opportunity to help some children and touch some lives in a small way. This experience has given me a new perspective on life and made me realize how very fortunate I am.

- John Flaherty

Families Never Say Goodbye

It is Saturday morning and we are packed and heading to Accra. We have had some bumps along the way, some bigger than others, similar to the ones that we are experiencing right now on this bus ride! Christine and I are trying to nap in the back of the bus because we worked Friday night. We are having a hard time sleeping--thinking about Lisa and Jessica (the children that we were taking care of Friday night). As we passed through the little villages, taking in all of the sites along the way, we found ourselves reflecting on our past week's events.

At one point, I must have dozed off while listening to my music. I awoke only to hear the song 'We Are A Family' playing. As I refocused on the sites, still listening to this song, I realized that for me---this song summed it up. We are a family! Starting with our immediate families of whose love and support made it all possible for me to fulfill my dream. Our branches extending to each other, forming our Boston team. From there, our branches extended even further to our counterparts here in Kumasi, who welcome us with their warm and friendly embrace. And now after two missions, our branches are continuing to extend to our African families, our patients and their relatives, all of whom captured our hearts while we worked to fix theirs. We are a family, like a giant tree with branches reaching up to the sky!

On behalf of Christine, Bev and myself, we want to thank each and every one of you for making this all possible----you are truly our family!                                       

- Judy