Dear Elba:

The first day of the Women Deliver Conference was amazing. I am honored to be one of the 2,000 delegates present. The morning session began at 9:00. Thankfully I registered yesterday and was able to avoid the morning’s long lines.

The ExCel Centre is convenient to public transportation and I’m beginning to learn my way around the “tube” stations. I’m staying with friends who live fairly close to the center. From their front door I have about a five-minute walk to the bus station that takes me to the tube where I change once before arriving at the conference.

The directors of the World Health Organization and The United Nations Population Fund are in attendance at this meeting. Also here are heads of state and hundreds of doctors, nurses, and midwives.

Today I received a thrill by meeting Dr. Catherine Hamlin, co-founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. You met her through a video clip I showed at church one Wednesday night this past summer. I cannot tell you what a joy it was for me to speak with her. I’m still in shock.

I am here with hundreds of “Dr. Hamlins” who make life-altering differences in the communities in which they live and work. You are here with me in spirit. Thank you for the opportunity to represent you. I look forward to sharing more soon.

With appreciation,
Suzanah