Fundraiser planned to support medical mission to serve Africa
A group of 22 volunteers provided medical services in 2012 to people in need in Nigeria.
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Medical Team is holding a "Night to Remember" fundraiser April 27 to raise money for medications a supplies for a medical mission to Nigeria.
The event begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, April 27 at the Grant County Fairgrounds 4-H building and includes a gourmet dinner, live and silent auction and concert by Oduduwa of Oregon, a group of Nigerian musicians performing traditional music from their homeland. Reservations must be received by April 17, with an individual ticket costing $65, $600 to sponsor a table of eight and $520 to host a table.
This year will be the sixth mission for the medical team, which consists of volunteers from the local area and across the country, including nurses, dentists, optometrists, primary care physicians, surgeons and educators, according to Mickey Eddie who is part of the team.
The group will leave for Nigeria Nov. 1, providing medical care to the people of the town of Ogbomoso. Medications are purchased and taken to the town and given to patients at no cost.
The team members also use two-week-long trip as an opportunity to educate patients and medical professionals in Nigeria.
The group of volunteers pay for their own airfare and visas and the host city pays for the group's transportation, housing and food.
The non-profit organization was formed by Lateef Olaniyan, a local pharmacist from Nigeria, after a trip to his home country. Olaniyan was taking classes to become a licensed pharmacist in Nigeria and wanted to do something to help. Twenty-two medical volunteers made the trip last year.
For more information on the event, contact Eddie at 509-750-0476 or Frances Irwin at 509-750-2074, or visit www.mlmtusa.org.