Kenya a second time around. Our group has expanded although we have a different cast of characters since last year, the overall feel and atmosphere is the same. This year we now have “John the Visionary,” “Dougie the Dog,” and “Dan Whatever.”

The new names and titles awarded today largely by one particular faculty member, and all have their backstories. The first was given to Jonathan Dzingle at a visit to to Kenya Methodist Univeristy (KEMU) for a meeting with faculty from the School of Medicine, Research and Development, Microbiology, Clinical and Laboratory Sciences. While we were waiting for them to arrive, John became “The Visionary” (see photo) with his pensive stares and ambition to revolutionize the water purification systems here in Kenya. Sounds like a career change, butthis country, and understands that a partnership with UM would help advance their educational goals. The meeting concluded with customary tea and baked goods followed by a surprise visit from a couple of elephants apparently popular not just with us, but with the local students and faculty as well.

Back into the vans, the third title of the day was awarded, this time to Doug. Limited space lead to cramped conditions and Doug was the arguably fortunate in this aspect as he was “forced” to share the back seat with three of the four girls in our group. Doug is now jokingly referred to as “Doug the Dog.” All jokes aside, if today has any insight into how the rest of the trip will go, then this trip will