Medical Supply Collection & Packing for Ghana Mission
Overview:
Malaria, malnutrition, and water-born diseases are all prevalent in Ghana, Africa. A group of US medical professionals and helpers join International Needs (IN) Ghana’s staff for a week of holding medical clinics. Each day during their trip they set up a makeshift pharmacy in the schools and open the doors for basic medical care. In past years, the team saw over 2,000 men, women, boys and girls at six locations. People walked for miles and waited for hours in hopes of seeing a doctor. For many this would be their first time seeking medical care. We've worked with this group to donate hundreds of pounds of supplies each year -- so let's work together this year to help them reach even more people during their upcoming trip with SBK's medical supply packing event on Saturday, February 1st from 1:30 - 3:00 pm! This medical supply collection and packing event has been an annual favorite since early in SBK's 12 year history.
What to expect:
We'll begin with a short intro from Terry Heyward, Director of Strategic Partnerships for International Needs, who will share her experiences with a medical mission team and the people in Ghana. Then SBK families will unpack medical supplies donations brought along by attendees and sort them out to make them easier to transport on the long trip. We'll weigh the suitcases at the end to help put a tangible number to the kids' hard work!
Capacity & Age Recommendations:
This is a big project and we can have up to 15 member* families and guest families attend. All ages are welcome to participate.
What to bring:
In order to make this project a success, we are asking all families who register to commit to bringing items to pack, no matter how big or small. Bringing supplies to donate helps kids personally connect to the project, knowing the item(s) they brought are helping families all the way in Africa. NOTE: If you would like to participate but are unable to bring items please let us know via email (confidential) and we will buy supplies on your behalf. We just want to make sure we have enough supplies to pack. Let's see how many suitcases full of supplies we can pack this year!
Collection Items Ghana Medical Team January 2025:
Lubricating Eye drops (no red out type)
Ibuprofen/Advil 200 ‘s and 400’s (large bottles, no capsules)
Tums 60ct bottles
Band aids (plain)
Adult Multi Vitamins (Costco large bottles)
Oral rehydration single delivery packets (Pedialyte)
Lotion (small travel size)
Bar soap (wrapped small travel size)
Shampoo (small travel size)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste (small travel size)
Muscle Rub (like Bengay)
Clotrimazole/Miconazole Vaginal Cream
Reading glasses (lower strengths)
Hydrocortisone Cream (small tubes)
Orajel
Ace Bandages all sizes
Gallon size Ziplock bags
AA and AAA batteries
Please bring all items in original, labeled containers. NO liquid medicine, except for the eye drops. All medicine must be available over the counter.
Donations of school supplies and playground balls to gift to the schools they use for the clinics are also welcome.
- Flattened rubber playground balls (ie: soccer balls, kickballs, soccer balls, volleyballs)
- Pencils, colored pencils or sharpie markers (no crayons)
What to wear:
Kids can wear their SBK shirts/lanyards if they are willing.
Unable to attend? If you are unable to attend the project but would like to donate medical supplies, you can shop the Ghana Medical Team's Amazon Wish list HERE!
Additional information:
This project will be held in the Community Room at Elm Grove Village Hall, located on the lower level (go down the stairs when you enter from the parking lot).
Project Leader: Amanda Barnhart
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can fill your spot and adjust plans to cover project supplies.
Looking forward to seeing you at this project, and thank you for lending a little hand!
Amanda Barnhart
Board President
*While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask!
