Elvis in Kenya - Update

Hello everyone,

I have often written about the needs of the poor and the sick  in Kenya and invited people to contribute funds to the various causes I write about and support. Today I ask a different favour.

I've been sponsoring a young man in Kenya to get his medical diploma from Kisii University.  I've tried for several years to find him a sponsor but no one else would step in and help him.  I'm happy to report that he is almost finished his education but unfortunately I just cannot help him anymore. My heart breaks over this as he is very near to completion. He needs a bit more help to finish his final year and will soon need to go on what they call an attachment where he goes out in the field for a practical placement. He will need funds for his tuition, his living expenses, travel and graduation costs.

In order to try and help him with this latest challenge, I have created a fundraising page on the gofundme site where I have explained Elvis' story.  I've also created a button on my side bar to create awareness of his need.

I am asking if you will help me share Elvis' story on your blog or on your Facebook page, through Twitter or any of your other social media platforms. You can share the story by clicking on the 'gofundme' button on the upper right of my blog where you will find a way to do that. At the very bottom of the page, you will  see several button that will help you share on Facebook and others social sites.  You will also see a small button called "embed". If you click on that you will find the code to post a gofundme widget about Elvis on your site or blog.

I am not asking you for donations (though I won't discourage you if you feel you want to help). I am asking you to help us spread the word of the need, or IF YOU KNOW how to raise the needed funds, please let me hear from you!

Thank you so much for your time.

Elvis in his lab coat.

UPDATE: - July 29, 2013 - So far we have one anonymous donation of $50 for Elvis' school fees. This is a start and we are thankful. I want to thank those that have shared the need on Facebook and on Twitter. Please continue to do so. If we can pay at least some of Elvis' fees for now, that means he can continue with his last and final year. Also if we get 10 (TEN) connects on Facebook, gofundme will add this need to their searchable directory.

Westward Views

The weather continues to be very hot for us here in Vancouver. When I go out for my walks and appointments I always have my sunglasses, my sun hat, my bottles of water and some paper towels. I also usually stop somewhere and have a cool refreshment along the way. Today I had an iced lemonade, kind of like a slushie drink (finely crushed ice). It was so cold it "froze" my chest. I have to drink these kinds of drinks very slowly.

Yesterday I had a Valencia Orange Lemonade from Starbucks. This is a new to me drink. I think I like their Lime refresher much better.  But it is nice to have the orange for a change and certainly better than feeling too hot!

Today my appointment was with the ear, nose and throat specialist. It was my first visit to one in 16 years. I think the specialist was about 45-50 minutes late in seeing me.  But she was very nice and apologetic for the wait. She was also very thorough and educational in her visit.  I return to see her in a few months but in the meantime have some ear medication and a good set of ear plugs (not the foam or wax types which I've tried before without success).

This is the view from the waiting room of the doctor's office.

This is the view looking toward Granville Street or west on Broadway.

The very tall building next door is full of doctors, dentists and other kinds of office. On the side facing downtown, most of the employees and their clients have a stunning view of the waterfront that is called "False Creek", a short inlet in the heart of Vancouver. It separates the downtown core from the rest of the city.

This is the view looking northwest. You can see Granville Bridge in the far distance and all the boats on the water.  This is where I took a water taxi or aqua bus last week. The high rises in the distance are in the city's West End (or downtown).

These are my sky views for Skywatch this week. You can see that there is very little cloud cover.  More beautiful skies can be found  here.

Enjoy your weekend.