Only one week to go!

It’s very hectic at the moment, not many days left before we go now. I’m both pleased and sad I’m not going the whole way. I’m glad I don’t have to combat the border guards and wait for hours on end for no reason, but I’m sad I’m missing out on the adventure.

Below are some recent pictures from the truck. Enjoy!

Cheers

Vivi

 

Front view with the reception area folded out

 

 

Custom made stainless steel sink in the front operating room.

Front room operating table. It swings up so the bed underneath can be used.

Food! We need light food like noodles that doesn't weigh too much

Team t-shirts are here!

And they look great!

Testing blog email from blackberry…

+++++ The Forestry Commission’s computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. +++++

The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet (GSi) virus scanning service supplied exclusively by Cable & Wireless in partnership with MessageLabs.

On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus-free

WSPA Donate page

If you wish to donate to this project via the WSPA Donate site, please click on this link;

https://donate.wspa.org.uk/form.asp?id=1010&j=10007020&e=puritito.tomate@gmail.com&l=2175322_HTML&u=84513153&mid=52985&jb=0

Twitter and general update

Hello all!

Paul has added a new Twitter account solely for this trip, SL_Rangers. Make sure you add him to your twitter account for the latest updates on what the boys are up to. I’ve changed the account in this website so they will come here for all of you who hasn’t got twitter.

Further updates are that the flooring has finally been decided. Mark has got a company to come in and put down professional hardwearing lino with proper sealing around the edges. The old carpet will come up and new wooden floor will be laid and on top of that the hardwearing hospital-level lino put in. We went for a green colour as green usually means safety and is calming.

He’s also been in touch with a company to sort out the rest of the interior; building a stainless steel shelf/table which will be used for operations and also contains a sink, installing the operating table donated by Dr. Moore from the Corner Vet in Sutton (http://www.thecornervet.co.uk/) and various other bits and bobs. Still not sure what’s happening with the generator so if anyone knows of a good generator that needs a new home, get in touch!

Cheers

Vivi

Sponsorship

Thanks to Miriam at FR for sponsoring me today

Paul

Swift update

This is only a swift update as I’m pressed for time, but I just wanted to let you know about the latest.

Mark has managed to secure an operating table from our local vet. It’s not even very worn and functions perfectly. (Swivels, goes up and down and swings to one side.) He also donated several machines and items such as cradles to put the animals in to keep in correct position whilst operating. It is amazing to see this project coming together and the amount of work gone into it is huge.

Mark has contacted a few companies for quotes for various stuff such as lino instead of carpet and a stainless steel bench.

Our contacts from WSPA came over on Wednesday to look at it and discuss what needs doing, what needs to come out and what’s staying.

Other updates is that I’ve decided not to go. The trip will still happen, just without me. There are several reasons for this, the first being security. I’m female and I’m terrified of what could happen. Last time we went through less unstable areas and that was enough for me. I was scared a lot of the time and I worried. Do I really want to go through that again? Only this time it’s a lot worse? Sure, there are a lot of other girls going on this trip, but most of them are in clapped out old bangers whereas we’re in a huge lorry, worth loads. I’m the vulnerable one, to get to the boys they’d probably go via me. I’m easy to kidnap and can’t defend myself particularly. No thanks.

Secondly I think the group dynamic will be different without me there. It will be more of a boys trip for Mark and his two friends. I think they’ll have a lot of fun they wouldn’t have with me there.

Also, as a third reason I am in a job I really like now and although it’s only a maternity contract I love it and want to concentrate on doing as well here as I can. I really want to stay in this company and I feel that my career is important for me right now. If the trip relied on me I would still go, but it doesn’t. Mark, Paul and Jules will still go and the truck will still get to Freetown.

So, going forward the blog and twitters will mainly be updated by Paul I should think.

Cheers
Vivi

Have we done this before?

In response to Carl’s comment on the previous post, yes and no, we have done something very similar before. 3 years ago we bought an A&E Ambulance from London Ambulance Service (where Mark works) kitted it out and drove it down to Dakar, Senegal. There’s an article about us here;

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/1119417.tolworth_ambulance_crosses_the_sahara/

The reason for doing an animal clinic this time was because we feel we have done something for the humans already, and besides, humans will still benefit from this project as there will be less rabies on the streets, fewer street dogs that cause problems and they will be taught how to look after their farm animals which will also lead to improved lives both for the animals and the humans.
The diary from the last venture can be found here;

http://ambulanceantics.spaces.live.com/

Cheers
Vivi

Paypal and insurance sorted

We’ve added a button linking to PayPal so anyone who feel for this cause can donate money. Any amount hugely appreciated, even just a pound.

Latest news is that Mark has filled the water cistern up with fresh water, but he hasn’t managed to get it to pump around in the system yet. He’s over at the truck at the moment fiddling so I’m sure he’ll have more news when he’s back.

We’ve also got the insurance sorted. We’re using Campbell Irvine. Details below if anyone else on the trip is looking for insurance;

Campbell Irvine
Head Office: 48 Earls Court Road, Kensington, London, W8 6EJ Telephone: 020 7937 6981 Fax: 020 7938 2250

They are charging £150 per person but that covers us to sierra Leone and gives us £5 Million in medical insurance cover. They are also happy to cover Mauritania and the other countries etc that others won’t touch.

It’s soon time to make an appointment with the GP for the
imunisations. Not looking forward to the jabs, but rather that then yellow fever!

Cheers
Vivi

Fuel containers sorted

Delivered to Mark 6 X 25L containers for the diesel. Also found a suitable projector and screen online.