Travel Alert Impacts Visitation's Team Mutomo

A travel warning issued by the U.S. Embassy of Kenya has led to a change of plan for .

The group of students and parents from the had planned to travel to Mutomo, Kenya to work with the Sisters of Mercy at Mutomo Hospital.

On April 23, the embassy released a security message for U.S. citizens, advising that an attack on Nairobi hotels and government buildings may be in the final stages of planning.

Although Team Mutomo was scheduled to spend only one night in Nairobi, organizers canceled the Kenya trip immediately.

“We were incredibly fortunate that we were able to find an alternative,” said Philip Goldman, a Team Mutomo chaperone and Visitation School trustee.

Instead, Goldman arranged for Team Mutomo to work with the Dominican Missionary Sisters of Ndola, Zambia. The group will depart June 13 and return June 26.

“There is a great deal of excitement about the new trip,” said Team Mutomo organizer and Visitation English teacher Elizabeth Arnstein in an email.

In Ndola, the ten students and seven chaperones will take on a wider variety of tasks than their work in Mutomo would have required.

The group will provide assistance at an orphanage, outreach health clinics and a community school.

The orphanage where they will work is home to 100 children, ranging from infant to age five. Of these children, 32 are in a special care unit and many of them have HIV, physical disabilities and/or mental disabilities.

“This will be a remarkable opportunity for the students,” said Goldman.

To Get Involved:

To donate to Team Mutomo, send contributions to "Team Mutomo" at Visitation School, 2455 Visitation Drive, Mendota Heights MN 55120, or make an electronic donation at www.visitation.net.

Donations will be divided between the Sisters of Mercy in Mutomo and the Dominican Missionary Sisters in Ndula.

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