100 days from today, the WOGO early team boards planes bound for Arusha, Tanzania. Two days later, the full team boards their flights. The final countdown is upon us. Every WOGO team member has preparation to complete, paperwork, Visa applications, and so much more. We are finalizing our plans for hotels, restaurants, transportation, deliveries and […]
Two weeks ago the WOGO pre-trip team traveled to Arusha, Tanzania to meet with the hospital leadership and staff in preparation for our 2025 medical mission. Tanzania is a beautiful place, and the people are warm and caring. We were so excited to return. The WOGO team worked at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC) in 2014. […]
1) People are the same everywhere. They want to make friends. They want to learn about other cultures. 2) A hug communicates so much. 3) Toilet paper is a luxury. Bring your own. 4) Pack light, you never know what your transportation is going to be. 5) Try the local beer wherever you are. 6) […]
Roanoke, Virginia – April 1, 2024 – WOGO is seeking applicants for our Medical Mission Scholarships. THANK YOU to all who applied. The Scholarship Opportunity is now closed. Application is open to Medical Students and/or Orthopedic Residents wishing to participate in our upcoming medical mission to Tanzania in February 2025. The Tanzania medical mission […]
Roanoke, Virginia – January 11, 2024 – Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach (WOGO) announces the location of their next medical mission. In 2025, the team will return to Arusha, Tanzania to work at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) hospital. Dr. Robyn Hakanson, WOGO surgeon and founding member stated, “We are so delighted with the work […]
Our mission carries further than our work to complete joint replacement surgeries in developing countries. We want to empower, educate and engage women and their larger communities. Empower–WOGO provides free life-altering orthopaedic surgery that eliminates debilitating arthritis and restores disabled joints so that patients can reclaim their ability to care for themselves, their families and […]
I am often asked why I volunteer for a medical team when I’m not a medical person. Why would I want to spend vacation time in a hospital? It surprises me, not because I love being in hospitals (I actually don’t!) but because I love being with people and giving back to others. I don’t […]
This week at work the company held a Volunteer Fair. As part of the fair I was asked to participate in a video about why I volunteer. It got me thinking. I spoke about my time volunteering for WOGO and what it means to me. Why do I volunteer? Turns out it’s for purely selfish […]
generosity noun gen·er·os·i·ty \ˌje-nə-ˈrä-sə-tē\ 1: willingness to give or to share <He shows generosity to those in need.> 2: an act of unselfish giving <Her generosity was appreciated.> (Merriam Webster Dictionary) Sometimes the day-to-day work, and the excitement of planning and executing get in the way of reflection. WOGO has been incorporated since 2009 and […]
This morning we visited with our patients for last goodbyes. We really will miss their smiles and hugs. Boy were they generous with them. Smiles and hugs all around. It is always so touching and bittersweet to leave our patients. We know that they are recovering well and we know that they are in excellent hands with the hospital […]
