Blog

So our last few months here in Nicaragua have been amazing. We have 2 great interns here - Lauryn Linsell and Brian Pritchard, and each of them are working hard on community health projects - DIOSA - our womens' health project, and our WATER PURIFICATION project. Dr. Jum Nguyen has been amazing in the clinic, with patients lining up to see her to get amazing naturopathic care. I am on maternity leave (and due any day now!) but still staying involved in the admin of NDI. Big things are happening with NDI - adding two new sites in two new countries and getting ready for a busy 2009! Stay tuned for more news!

Dear NDI folks, I'm a big fan of Herbalgram, and read the NDI article with great interest. I'm especially interested in visiting and volunteering with Dr. Jacqui McGrath in Mexico. That's because I'm already developing a relationship with an Afro-Mexican community of campesinos. Thirty-six women have formed a group so that they can work together to improve their community. I'm returning there in June 2009 to connect them with a micro-lending group in Oaxaca State, and with Heifer International in Mexico, because one of the projects the women want to do is to learn and practice goat husbandry. I've studied herbal medicine and have used it as a layperson since the late 1970s. I'm African American and of American Indian ancestry. The Afro-Mexican people are also of indigenous ancestry. I'm fifty-one years young, strong and active. In 2007 I completed the intensive 6-month course in Organic Horticulture at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I've also completed an 80-hour course in Photovoltaic Design & Installation, June 2008. For 4 months in 2008, I interned at an organic farm, where I learned basic acequia maintenance and crop irrigation techniques. I also have a certificate in Permaculture Design, and continue to study and practice permaculture principles. I'd be grateful for your help in contacting Dr. McGrath directly. I tried to send her an email through her Googlegroups site, but did not receive any confirmation that my email had been sent successfully. I didn't see it posted on the site either, after sending it. Thank you for all your wonderful work! Blessings on the coming of Dr. Parker's baby! Happy 2009! - Sincerely, Marie Douglas