Hiking around Project Mercy--by Dr. Randy Thomas (photos by sj)
On our last full day at Project Mercy, we set out on hikes. Five members of our group hiked up to visit with Kalkidan's family and a larger group (including Adam, Riley and Megan) hiked up to the Orthodox Church in the mountains just above Project Mercy. A more rigorous hike to the waterfall was initially on the agenda but was scrubbed due to heavy rainfall Friday evening making the trails too dangerous. The hike to the church included team members over a 60 year age spread and was very enjoyable. Lots of animals were encountered along the way. The enchanting scenery of the Yetebon hills was in full view as were the wonderful people who call these hills their home. The group came across women washing clothes in the stream. After reaching the church (which was locked), seven members of the group ventured a little further down a slippery and muddy path to a pipe coming out of the rocks which was said to be a source of Holy water.
The other group (the Zubers, Jones, and the author) set out to see Kalkidan's family. As many of you know, Kalkidan is the incredibly delightful young girl from this region who had chronic headaches and a life threatening brain tumor in 2012. She was brought to California through the perseverance, petitions and prayers of many people. Answered petitions and prayers opened doors to get the surgery done by Dr. Ciricillo without cost at Sutter Memorial in Sacramento. Kalkidan's life was saved and her headaches resolved but her vision was not restored. Kalkidan now resides with a wonderful family in Indiana and is learning Braille and speaks English well.
The hike to Kalkidan's family home was led by Hailu, a very exceptional young man who grew up at Project Mercy and whom the group has grown to love and trust over the years. Hailu arrived for the hike without water or food ("I will drink when I come down," he responded to the gentle scolding of Mama Isabella). He told us the hike to the family home would take "about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half," but when pressed admitted that he could complete it in "about 45 minutes" if by himself. The scenery was breathtaking, but the steepness of the climbs and the altitude left one older member absolutely breathless. There were water obstacles to cross but not a high degree of danger. Thankfully, every 50 to 100 meters we got a break as Mama Sarah sought to take still ANOTHER picture of the scenery and the group. After an hour, I asked Hailu how much further we had to go. "About 30 minutes," he replied with a kind smile and a voice filled with earnestness. When we queried him again after another 25 minutes up a steep grade, he replied "25 more minutes" with that same ring of caring and veracity in his voice. Mama Isabella was by now wise to Hailu's method of timing and demanded to know the time left in "Ferengie (walking) minutes". Hailu laughed and gave us another estimation which was only about 10 minutes short of our eventual 2 hour 15 min time. (Along the way, Isabella warned the slowest member of the group that he was about to get passed by a mother carrying her baby on her back. The slowpoke, on observing that the "baby" was a toddler, shamelessly remarked that the mom could let that child walk and carry HIM on her back).
The visit to Kalkidan's family was well worth the arduous journey. It's very difficulty reaffirmed to us all what a hardship it would be for Kalkidan to return to live with her family and have to traverse this difficult path to market each week. We saw Kalkidan's warm and gracious mother, her regal appearing grandmother, her distinguished appearing grandfather and various aunts and uncles. We saw her little sister Teganesh (who through a tantrum which would not have been out of place in the USA but struck me as a little surprising in Ethiopia) and her younger brother Mesfin. We also met her infant sister who appeared to be around a month of age. (6 weeks per Mama Sarah who spent a lot of time holding her). Papa Bill, Mama Isabella, Papa Ivan, and Mama Sarah showed the family many photos and videos of Kalkidan. Mama Sarah gave Kalkidan's mom a photo album and Mama Isabella brought special gifts from Kalkidan (perfumed soap for mom and jeans/clothes for dad) and a blanket made by Mama Isabella for the baby. At the end of the visit, the family was able to talk to Kalkidan by phone which appeared to be a great comfort to her mother.
Our return trip was much quicker (during which we actually caught up with some Ethiopian women going down hill). We wanted to get back in time to say goodbye to the Cline and Yeager families who were supposed to leave around 3-4pm. We returned in less than 90 minutes and were able to see our wonderful friends off prior to their return to Germany. Dr. Randall Dodge and his daughter Dr. Rachael Peterson also left for Addis that afternoon and were greatly missed.
That evening, some team members close to Dr. Fekadu and his wife visited with them as the remaining members enjoyed a quiet dinner with three of the Fekadu children joining our group. We had an early evening and did not do our devotion as a team but had the devotional guide (which Ivan had so carefully prepared in advance) available to study and follow.
On our last full day at Project Mercy, we set out on hikes. Five members of our group hiked up to visit with Kalkidan's family and a larger group (including Adam, Riley and Megan) hiked up to the Orthodox Church in the mountains just above Project Mercy. A more rigorous hike to the waterfall was initially on the agenda but was scrubbed due to heavy rainfall Friday evening making the trails too dangerous. The hike to the church included team members over a 60 year age spread and was very enjoyable. Lots of animals were encountered along the way. The enchanting scenery of the Yetebon hills was in full view as were the wonderful people who call these hills their home. The group came across women washing clothes in the stream. After reaching the church (which was locked), seven members of the group ventured a little further down a slippery and muddy path to a pipe coming out of the rocks which was said to be a source of Holy water.
--I hope to obtain and insert pictures from this hike soon!
The other group (the Zubers, Jones, and the author) set out to see Kalkidan's family. As many of you know, Kalkidan is the incredibly delightful young girl from this region who had chronic headaches and a life threatening brain tumor in 2012. She was brought to California through the perseverance, petitions and prayers of many people. Answered petitions and prayers opened doors to get the surgery done by Dr. Ciricillo without cost at Sutter Memorial in Sacramento. Kalkidan's life was saved and her headaches resolved but her vision was not restored. Kalkidan now resides with a wonderful family in Indiana and is learning Braille and speaks English well.
Kalkidan with Mama Isabella, Marta, and Dr. Phil at her first appointment with Dr. Ciricillo
Sutter Medical Group, Sacramento
We are eternally grateful to the generosity of the Sutter team!!
Kalkidan with the author, Dr. Randy, at one of her post-op visits.
She hates needles, but loves Papa Randy.
Kalkidan swinging at our local playground.
Kalkidan at her post-op appointment with Dr. Ciricillo--a truly gifted neurosurgeon.
Kalkidan with her Indiana family, February 2013.
Kalkidan with her Braille teacher, Kathy. April 2014.
She is so bright and learns quickly and eagerly.
Kalkidan's first reunion with Will, Ashley, and Harrison, April 2014.
They are all smiles.
Kalkidan and her Indiana family.
The hike to Kalkidan's family home was led by Hailu, a very exceptional young man who grew up at Project Mercy and whom the group has grown to love and trust over the years. Hailu arrived for the hike without water or food ("I will drink when I come down," he responded to the gentle scolding of Mama Isabella). He told us the hike to the family home would take "about an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half," but when pressed admitted that he could complete it in "about 45 minutes" if by himself. The scenery was breathtaking, but the steepness of the climbs and the altitude left one older member absolutely breathless. There were water obstacles to cross but not a high degree of danger. Thankfully, every 50 to 100 meters we got a break as Mama Sarah sought to take still ANOTHER picture of the scenery and the group. After an hour, I asked Hailu how much further we had to go. "About 30 minutes," he replied with a kind smile and a voice filled with earnestness. When we queried him again after another 25 minutes up a steep grade, he replied "25 more minutes" with that same ring of caring and veracity in his voice. Mama Isabella was by now wise to Hailu's method of timing and demanded to know the time left in "Ferengie (walking) minutes". Hailu laughed and gave us another estimation which was only about 10 minutes short of our eventual 2 hour 15 min time. (Along the way, Isabella warned the slowest member of the group that he was about to get passed by a mother carrying her baby on her back. The slowpoke, on observing that the "baby" was a toddler, shamelessly remarked that the mom could let that child walk and carry HIM on her back).
The visit to Kalkidan's family was well worth the arduous journey. It's very difficulty reaffirmed to us all what a hardship it would be for Kalkidan to return to live with her family and have to traverse this difficult path to market each week. We saw Kalkidan's warm and gracious mother, her regal appearing grandmother, her distinguished appearing grandfather and various aunts and uncles. We saw her little sister Teganesh (who through a tantrum which would not have been out of place in the USA but struck me as a little surprising in Ethiopia) and her younger brother Mesfin. We also met her infant sister who appeared to be around a month of age. (6 weeks per Mama Sarah who spent a lot of time holding her). Papa Bill, Mama Isabella, Papa Ivan, and Mama Sarah showed the family many photos and videos of Kalkidan. Mama Sarah gave Kalkidan's mom a photo album and Mama Isabella brought special gifts from Kalkidan (perfumed soap for mom and jeans/clothes for dad) and a blanket made by Mama Isabella for the baby. At the end of the visit, the family was able to talk to Kalkidan by phone which appeared to be a great comfort to her mother.
Isabella and Kalkidan's grandfather share a warm embrace.
Teganesh
Kalkidan's mom Workanesh and brother Mesfin
Thanks to Dr. Randy and iPhone technology, we are able to bring worlds apart close together…
The smiles and jubilant voices are indescribably beautiful.
This is the first time Kalkidan's grandparents and siblings have heard Kalkidan's voice since Fall 2012...
A view from Kalkidan's family tukul.
Our return trip was much quicker (during which we actually caught up with some Ethiopian women going down hill). We wanted to get back in time to say goodbye to the Cline and Yeager families who were supposed to leave around 3-4pm. We returned in less than 90 minutes and were able to see our wonderful friends off prior to their return to Germany. Dr. Randall Dodge and his daughter Dr. Rachael Peterson also left for Addis that afternoon and were greatly missed.
That evening, some team members close to Dr. Fekadu and his wife visited with them as the remaining members enjoyed a quiet dinner with three of the Fekadu children joining our group. We had an early evening and did not do our devotion as a team but had the devotional guide (which Ivan had so carefully prepared in advance) available to study and follow.
Mama Sarah in her happy place…babe in arms.
The young beautiful baby girl has yet to be named.
