I am new to this blog site, so please be patient as I may make a few mistakes.
I am the 2010 leader for the Honduras trip and am pleased to be working with three other wonderful faculty representing the schools of nursing and pharmacy from UMKC. I have spoken to a few anxious family members, so thought information shared on this blog might help provide some peace of mind. I am the “fatherly figure” (now in my 50’s) and most experienced of the faculty. I spent a little over 2 years working in Honduras when I was younger and feel very comfortable with the people, culture, country and possible challenges we might face. I am fluent in Spanish, but feel even more confident when our guide is with us. This will be either the 10th or 11th trip I have taken with students and though we have had a few bouts of illness, we have never had a serious problem. I believe this trip will be the same.
This is Jimmy Pinnell
Our guide, bus driver, translator and host is Jimmy Pinnell. He has been in business for over 20 years, works with numerous groups from the US and is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met in an country. I will post pictures of his bus and of his family for your viewing. Jimmy will NEVER take us anywhere dangerous, though roads can sometimes be a challenge.
The clinics and hospitals we will be in are in safe parts of the country/city. I have contacts at each location that I have known and worked with for years. If there are any problems or issues, they readily communicate with me and with Jimmy.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact via email at wilsontr@umkc.edu Thad Wilson
The UMKC Honduras Project Blog 