World's First Intercontinental Stem Cell Donor Recruitment Drive
Introduction
Robin Lewis and his wife Jolandie have embarked on a groundbreaking mission - the world's first intercontinental stem cell donor recruitment drive. As South Africans in their early 30s, personal experiences have fuelled their inspiration for this journey. Over the span of four years, they meticulously crafted "Betsy," their full-time truck home powered by used cooking oil. Their initiative, known as Numinous Expeditions, drives their project - Matches on the Map.
A lifestyle like no other
Robin and Jolandie's lifestyle is best described as alternative and adventurous. Permanently on the road, each day presents a new experience. The challenges of life on the move are numerous, but they strive to maintain high focus while keeping stress levels low. To sustain their project, they utilize campsites, caravan parks, wild camps, parking lots, and every spot in between. Their journey introduces them to numerous people daily, especially at public events and group talks. While they cherish their moments in nature, their efforts are most impactful in towns and communities that resonate with their mission.
A decade on the road
In 2018, Robin's life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with leukemia and a rare, incurable disease called Fanconi Anemia. With a life expectancy of just 35 years at the age of 25, the prognosis was daunting. This grim news ignited a spark within Robin, compelling him and Jolandie to use the next ten years to infuse purpose and meaning into their lives. Their hope is to inspire others facing similar challenges. Robin's survival hinged on a single stem cell donor match, a lifeline that saved his life. Unfortunately, they have encountered many others who weren't as fortunate and have since passed away. This realization inspired them to focus their efforts on helping others find their second chance. Through their 64-country expedition, they aim to locate at least one life-saving match. A decade on the road may seem lengthy, but it equates to about 1.5 months per country.
Travel plans and destinations
Robin and Jolandie's ambitious journey spans 64 countries, with two already completed. Currently, they are in South Africa, and their next stops include Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya. Due to conflicts in Ethiopia and Sudan, this marks the furthest north they can travel on the east coast at the moment. From there, they will venture into Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and then Zambia, moving westward until they reach Angola. Their path will then follow the African west coast up to Morocco, where they will cross over to Spain and the rest of Europe, finally entering Asia through Turkey. Vietnam will be the final destination of their project. It is difficult to say what they will do after Matches on the Map as they’ll probably be totally different people by that stage.
The Separett Tiny: A game changer for life on the road
Robin and Jolandie Lewis discovered Separett® and Tiny® while researching various toilet options online that would suit their unique style of travel. At that time, they were using a cartridge/cassette chemical toilet that had sustained some damage and was only usable in emergencies.
Initially, they were hesitant about composting toilets. Emptying a cassette toilet into household or campsite ablution facilities was straightforward, and they feared a composting toilet might be messy and smell bad, requiring the addition of sawdust or sand. However, the Separett Tiny changed their minds. It doesn't require any additives, which convinced them there were viable alternatives out there. They were eager to try it and they were up for a pleasant surprise.
Installation and integration
Being handy with DIY tasks, Robin and Jolandie found installing the Separett Tiny straightforward and simple. The installation manual provided a step-by-step guide and included all the necessary hardware. Cutting a 50mm hole through the floor or wall required a 50mm hole saw and drill, which they had. While this might be a limitation for some, the process was otherwise uncomplicated.
Functionality and practicality
As with any new equipment, they had concerns about potential issues and expected a period of adjustment. However, the Tiny toilet integrated seamlessly into their space. Given their limited space and rough terrains, they worried about sloshing and spilling, but the unit handled both aspects well. The urine drain cap fastens securely before moving, providing peace of mind over mountain passes and gravel roads.
Robin and Jolandie often attend events and group settings, where people are curious about their truck, Betsy, and its interior. They were concerned about odors, especially since their previous cartridge toilet emitted unpleasant smells in the heat. Fortunately, the Tiny toilet has kept their home odor-free, as long as the fan is running. The extraction fan's minimal power consumption is ideal for their setup, allowing continuous operation without issues. Emptying the waste containers is easy and the urine catchment container's half-moon shape makes it comfortable to carry and more manageable than their previous unit.
Overall impressions and recommendations
Robin and Jolandie absolutely love the Separett Tiny compost toilet. Its clever and simplistic design features make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to conserve water and simplify overland travel waste management. The unit is stylish, giving their bathroom a real-home look and feel while fitting perfectly with their on-the-road lifestyle. They proudly show off their toilet, which isn't something most people can say.
There is still room for improvement
In South Africa, it is challenging for them to find compostable waste bags, and they would like to stick to the original Separett brand. Separett is a brand represented by tens of distributors around the world, but there are still areas where the availability for consumables isn’t optimal. The original Separett compostable bags aren’t standard biodegradable bags, they are manufactured to hold in the solid waste container which means they are more robust than the standard bags. When using thinner bags, the waste container should be emptied more often to avoid the bag getting damaged. Otherwise, the toilet is as perfect as it can be!
Managing separation and disposal of liquid and solid waste
Robin and Jolandie appreciate the ability to close the urine container when traveling, its lightweight design, the handy "full" indicator light, and the overall style and design compared to other off-grid options. Managing urine is straightforward for them. Handling solid waste requires some planning, especially in isolated locations, but discarding the solid waste composting bag is functional and hassle-free.
Conclusion
Robin and Jolandie's mission with Numinous Expeditions is deeply personal and driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. Through Matches on the Map, they aim to give others the same second chance at life that Robin was fortunate to receive. Join them as they traverse continents, inspired by the hope of connecting life-saving stem cell donors with those in need. Their journey is one of hope, purpose, and unwavering determination.
In their travels, they rely on practical and efficient solutions to maintain their mobile lifestyle. The Tiny toilet is an excellent travel and off-grid unit that is simple, effective, and requires minimal maintenance without leaving undesirable odors in their small living space. Its ability to travel off-road without worrying about spillage is a great advantage, making it easier to manage than emptying a cartridge from a cassette chemical toilet. Consuming minimal power, it seamlessly integrates with their system, supporting their mission as they journey with hope and purpose across the globe.
