Janet Blum, Board Member

A while ago, Janet and Dr. Mark Blum learned about Caring Hearts and Hands of Hope from a newspaper’s article Dr. Vincent Kituku had written. That rekindled their burning love everything Africa. They begun sponsoring a student as well as support the purchase of items that make vulnerable live with dignity.

Janet and Mark first visited Kenya in 1997 and since that time, they have returned to Africa eight times. Today Janet says, “People have always told me you do not go to Africa once, and I know this to be true.” But what sets Janet apart is her rare and unique way of looking at Africa, that, “It has a hold on you and with just one more turn of a corner, one more orange sunset, the “answer” will be revealed.” Whether it is the silences Africa greets a person with; a reassurance of one’s self and ones values; the great span of land like the Mara, or some Maasai can confirm your existence, it cannot be put it into words.

She traveled to Africa to learn about a place different from her own, to understand wildlife on their terms and to examine a culture she had never known but instead she says she, “Brought back a fundamental understanding of my own spirit. I suppose that is what ‘romantic’ means.”

A resident of Eagle, Idaho, since the summer of 2011, Janet and Mark have lived in Ketchikan, Alaska and then South Dakota. They met in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spent most of her life. She attended nursing school in Colorado Springs , graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and worked as an R.N. for 35 years. Her she worked with oncology patients, giving chemotherapy, developed an outpatient service in Ketchikan, Alaska, and just before retiring, worked at a VA hospital on a medical/surgical ward.

Janet considers it a joy work on the Board of Caring Hearts and Hands and delighted to have Africa filling her mind once again—this time transforming lives!