Hello, my name is Wyatt Andree and I am a student at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. I am also a member of St. Aedan's Parish where I met Emmanuel and Anne Bates. For the past few months I have been working on both the medical mission and a future solar panel project. I have the solar array designed and would like to visit Nigeria in order to install them once space is made for them.

Now, I am doing work for the medical mission. Our plan is to have Nigerian doctors come and provide health care for the rural villagers who never get health care from the cities. We have brought over herbal remedies, birthing kits and drugs for the villagers. Ideally, we would like to have a couple doctors come to the village on a yearly basis and provide check ups for the villagers.

On this first day, we arrived in Owerri after flying in from Lagos. Our flight yesterday took us from JFK to Atlanta to Lagos and we spent the night in a hotel. Emmanuel's friend Paschal was very helpful in finding the place and driving us. After reaching Owerri, we checked into a different hotel where we will be staying for the week. This hotel is good because we are close to the village of Ejemekwuru and I have access to wireless internet so I can post pictures to show people how the trip is going. Today, we went to a traditional Igbo wedding ceremony and I took many pictures with the help of my new friend Osinachi. I had a great time meeting everyone. It was nice because unlike weddings or celebrations in America where everyone seems to stay in groups of people they know, it seemed like everyone was talking to each other and enjoying each other's company. I felt welcome.

Owerri, Nigeria

In this picture, the bride is receiving the traditional palm wine. She then dances through the guests until she finds the groom then she kneels down and presents the wine. The two of them then go to the parents to recieve their blessing.

Osinachi and I

The three brides.

Emmanuel giving the homily.

The exchanging of rings.

Today was a pretty busy day, but I'm sure tomorrow will be even more full. We woke up and went to mass at a church near Ejemekwuru. It was a huge congregation and each family would bring up their offerings together and receive a blessing. Afterwards, we went to, Fr. Emmanuel's uncle, Celestine Ohaegbulem's house in a nearby village. The people there were warm and friendly, but it was a sad occasion since we were mourning the death of Celestine's brother, Raymond. Sister Mary-kate told us that his death was tragic because he was only 47 and got sick. Unfortunately, his family could not afford to take him to the hospital in Owerri, but another doctor was able to visit him in the village. However, this doctor turned out to be a fake. He had no training and he took the money and when he administered the medication, Raymond died. If he had gotten proper healthcare, it is almost certain he would be alive today.

After leaving Celestine's house, we went back to Emmanuel's father, Innocent's, house. We relaxed there and talked for a while, but then we went to the village palace where Anne received a chieftaincy tittle from the Eze (King) of Ejemekwuru as Chief Enyi Umuogbenye I of Ejemekwuru (Chief Friend of the Poor I of Ejemekwuru). It was an exciting ceremony and she made an excellent speech. I was very interested in how the customs of the Kola nut and other Igbo traditions have been passed down from ancient times.

Ruben Ohaegbulem, Raymond and Celestine's father.

Me with Emmanuel's uncle's family.

Anne recieving her chieftancy title.

Today we began work on the medical mission. When the day was over, I was in awe. The people who live in the village of Ejemekwuru are in such need. There is absolutely no health care in the village so things I at least took for granted in America can become huge problems for the villagers.

We began today by going to the Ihemedu house in the village to gather our things and plan the day. While we were there, Anne gave a couple SteriPen Sidewinder portable water purifiers to Innocent and the rest of the Ihemedu family while I explained the technology and how to use them. Sidewinders are hand crank UV water purifiers that use UV light to kill bacteria and make the water safer to drink.

Once we got to the dispensary where the medical mission was to take place, we were greeted my many happy faces awaiting care. The doctors gathered their equipment and organized while the rest of us volunteers assisted me with unpacking medication and sorting drugs into individual bags. Once the work got underway, I went to take more pictures.

I am so glad for this opportunity to help people. I hope the clinic project can be finished soon because despite the good we are doing now, without regular check-ups the people of Ejemekwuru will only get sick again. The ability to provide monthly or yearly check-ups would make a huge difference in these people's lives.

Villagers lined up waiting for treatment.

Me showing Innocent how the Sidewinder works.

Volunteer nurse checking a patient's blood pressure.