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Alison writes...

...about her experience while volunteering in the Medical Health program.

Diary Entries

• A Walk through Kibera
• Quiet Cold Days
• Two is Better Than One!
• A Distinct Lack of Turkey!
• Kenyatta Trip #2
• I'm still Alive! Tanzania Trip
• Tanzania Part 2
• Back to normal?

A Walk through Kibera (3 October 2008)

Hello All, I am not entirely sure what to tell you today. Ashley met some girls in orientation who are working in an orphanage in Kibera, so yesterday we went for a visit. Here in Kenya the end of Ramadan is a national holiday despite a low percentage of Muslims, but it gave us a weekday off work.

Thu and Kia work at Mama Tuzzi's Orphanage that was our first stop. It was a very small cramped compound but tall. 42 children of varied ages live and go to school there. They sleep three to a bed and cram 21 kids into each tiny classroom where if there were enough desks they certainly wouldn't fit. Two of the boys make necklaces, beads and pieces of paper rolled into tight tubes and threaded on string. I was really impressed with these industrious boys and of course bought a necklace.

The rest of the day we spent walking. We had several men that the girls know accompany us. Mine was Erico who shared some interesting information with me. Kibera is the second largest slum in the world, which I knew, but it is not the poorest. Hard to believe when you walk through but I am told most people eat at least once per day. There is another slum on the other side of Nairobi that is much poorer. In the beginning it looked like the standard vendors and shops even in Kibera you can buy anything from food to perfume, hardware to livestock, and of course coca cola.

As we got deeper in we saw the residential areas. Houses made of sticks and mud, gutters running with green water and garbage, garbage everywhere. We followed to train tracks up the hill to a viewpoint that showed nearly the whole of Kibera. The contrast of skyscrapers on the horizon to the rusted corrugated metal roofs below us was sickening. Children were playing along the side of the hill between piles of burning garbage and the roads were full of people living their lives the best they can.

Shortly into our walk I was joined by a small boy, he smiled beautifully at me. His clothes were old but clean, his scalp covered in scabies, but he was genuinely happy to be saying hello to me. I gave him some money which he gladly took and pocketed, but he didn't leave. We stopped at one point to watch a street concert and he disappeared, only to return with a pack of peanuts and a near empty fanta bottle. For the rest of our four hour walk he was always within a few feet of me. He wouldn't answer my or Erico's questions of his name, but he held my hand sometimes as we walked. I took his picture from our cliff view point and he smiled so widely when I showed it to him. Eventually our walk was ending, from a vendor I bought a bunch of bananas for 50 shillings (less than a dollar). He and I each ate one, and when it was time for me to board my matatu I put my hand on his face and the bananas in his hand. I said "asante" Swahili for thank you, he nodded, turned and walked away. We passed him in the matatu, I waved and he waved back the bananas nowhere to be seen. Kibera looked how I thought it would, and my heart goes out to all of those who live there, especially the children and my little friend. The movie The Constant Gardener has parts in it actually filmed in Kibera and can give you a glimpse of what it looks like, the experience however is entirely different. Stay well my friends, all is well here. Please for a day enjoy what you have, appreciate a job that pays you even if you don't like it and be kind to the people around you. Despite the lack of everything else the people here are some of the kindest I have ever met. Love Allison

Quiet Cold Days (6 October 2008)

Hello All, Just a little update so you remember I'm here! Not much to report really, life as per normal around here. It's freezing today, I'm jealous of the winter jackets I see! No further births and I'm starting to wonder how many kids there are in this country! We give so many immunizations in a day it's almost obscene, but at the same time really great. Actually I've started recognizing some of the moms which is really neat. And I know they know that they I've seen me before, but you know all of us white girls look the same! One funny thing is the nurses describe each other as the black Grace, or the brown Grace, which we find too funny. You're all black we say and they laugh.

Ashley and I cooked the other night. What a challenge it was to find a recipe that could be cooked on a charcoal stove and propane burner! But we made sweet and sour chicken with rice, peas and carrots, stir-fry veggies, and watermelon! Well we didn't make the watermelon, but you know. All in all huge success! The only sad part was it was the going away supper for Nancy.

I will tell you a bit about my living situation. Milicent is my mom as you must know, and with her live two women Mary and Nancy. Mary has a two year old son, Peter, constantly energetic and a bit of a menace! But can very cute and fun when he wants to be. Nancy also has a son, Elvins, 3 months old. Gorgeous and has the biggest ears I've ever seen on a baby! For a long time we didn't know why these two girls lived in our house, Mary seemed to be the main helper, in charge of cooking and cleaning, but it was a mystery.

One night I was sitting with mom and she saw the cover of my journal and read the quote "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." I thought it was perfect for Kenya because it's been my dream to work as a nurse overseas for a very long time. She also liked it very much and told me she could like to share her dream with me. When Millicent was 11 years old she was raped, before her 12th birthday she gave birth to her son Joseph. She said after she had given birth her mother treated her as an adult, she wasn't able to go to school and was no longer a child. Her mother, she says, just didn't understand that although she now had a child she was still a child herself. So it became her dream to help girls like herself, who had been raped and were now caring for their children too young.

Mary is seventeen, she is unendingly hard working and the kindest person I have ever met. She was orphaned at age four and sent to live with a cruel Aunt. She was able to stay in school but was forced to work very hard at home. When she excelled in school she was beaten. When her teachers praised her she was sent to sleep in the forest (Kenyan forest now, animal's snake's bugs, not a nice place to camp.). After she was raped and found to be pregnant she was sent away to give birth and live. From there another Aunt took her to meet Millicent she agreed to live with mom and go back to school. That was two months before I arrived. Just to give you an idea of how incredible this woman is, when she told me her story she finished with "but I love my Aunt, I always loved her and still love her, but if she saw me again she would kill me and my son." The Aunt that took her in and used her as a slave, abused her and mistreated her, she loves. Why? "Because if she had not taken me in I wouldn't be here now, I wouldn't be with mom."

Nancy is fifteen, Maasai and beautiful, she is soft spoken and reserved. I regret that I never got to hear her story. She comes from a family of 11, seven girls, four boys. She was the discipline in the house. I spent afternoons playing cards with Nancy and Mary and had so much fun, they laughed and we all made fun of each other. She was determined to win go fish at least once before we quit and had to be forced to get Elvins when he cried! She came back and breastfed as we played! She moved in two weeks before I did. Mo says she will come to visit, and to say goodbye. The day she left she cried as we hugged and ran to her room to hide her tears.

So that is my family, mismatched and abused, but beautiful and so strong all at once. Millicent has a great dream. She wants to fill her house with women and their children. There is certainly a need for that here. I love them all so much. A few side notes...the orphanage in Kibera is Mama Tunza's and is has 84 with an additional hundred who attend the school. The goat Salaash cooked tasted fantastic. And I am here another month and a bit. People are asking when I come home! Not yet! November 17th. Love you all, Allison

Two is Better Than One! (7 October 2008)

Hello Everyone! What a day I've had! It started out as usual, mom made us pancakes, Peter cried because no one was looking at him, Mary let us out of the gate. On the way to work I thought, oh I wish there could be more births. Knowing as per the agreement that the next birth was Ashley's to conduct and I would assist with the baby. But I didn't get my hopes up and I didn't say my wishes out loud. Since the baby last Monday I have hoped for another. Well today I got that wish! I was working in the injection room and CWC, Ashley in ANC.

I took her some vaccines and she casually said "Theirs two moms in labour by the way."

"By the way!" I replied. "Be a bit more excited than that!" Upon investigation I found one mom on the bed, but two cards on the counter. Cards mean next to nothing, they get left everywhere and often there are more cards than moms. Elizabeth was 3-4 cm dilated, on her sixth baby and present on the bed. The card told me Irene was 5-6 cm dilated, on her fourth baby and no where to be seen. The women here are not babied in anyway, they are scolded when they cry out and told to walk around until the birth is imminent. We went to our assigned jobs for most of the morning. I watched one of the students put stitches into the head of a handcuffed man. Apparently he had tried to steal a water drum, and was caught. The catchers then proceeded to beat him before bringing him to the police station. Interesting the way justice works around here.

Finally we were called to Maternity, but false alarm Elizabeth thought she was farther along than she was. But Irene showed up for an exam and I knew her! I had assessed her in the ANC, she recognized me as well! The longer I looked at her the more her face came back to me. In a previous email I told you about doing HIV tests on the pregnant women and how stoic they were when the tests were positive. Irene was one of those women, not long ago I poked her finger and two lines showed up on the test strip. I remember her standing there gazing at it with no expression, no tears, no denial, she listened to what Margaret had to say about the drugs available, about telling her husband, about breastfeeding. No change in her face, she left solemnly. Today I saw her again, she was glad to see me as I was glad to see her. I hoped I could deliver her baby. But she was further dilated and Ashley was wearing the boots. She disappeared again to pace the courtyard while Elizabeth on the bed seemed determined to deliver soon. Irene bore her labour pains the same way she bore the news of being HIV positive, without a sound or pain in her face. Even Margaret said she is a quiet labourer. Elizabeth indeed delivered first and surprised us all. One minute she was on her side covered, the next she was legs splayed with a visible head making its way into the world. Ashley was fully dressed and ready to conduct but caught off guard. Margaret yelled "support the head! Where is the gauze?" I ran for the gauze and ran back, on my way I head Ashley say "Allison!" Then a loud splash, when I got there the baby was on top of the mom's tummy with Ashley holding on ready to clamp the cord. Being a lefty she couldn't actually use the scissors to but, but did make a valiant effort to do so.

A girl! 3.2 kilos and screaming! I took her to weigh, clean and put the permanent clamp on the cord, while Ashley did the rest with our new Mom. Just as Elizabeth was getting off the bed to walk to the post natal room, Irene came rushing in, yelling something in some language I don't know. Margaret still wearing bloody gloves said "Allison, gloves!" and sent a student to get me an apron. I was afraid I'd be delivering that baby any second. On exam she was fully dilated and I could feel the head but it hadn't descended yet. There was a mosquito net hanging over the bed Irene was laying on at just the wrong height, I couldn't get around it. Margaret pulled the rubber sheet off Elizabeth\'s bed and without even washing the floor had Irene get up, walk over and climb onto a new rubber sheet. I was still in my sneakers, but now wearing an apron I stepped carefully around the pools of blood beside the bed. I was able to trade footwear with Ashley, into her blood spattered boots and the floor did get mopped in time. Irene held off a bit longer, still silently and when the time came I was ready! I grabbed that head and pulled as Margaret had told me to do last time, but then I was too afraid and my hands just slipped! This time success, I pulled out that slimy screaming baby, and put him on his mama's tummy. Because of her HIV positive status it was important to clamp and cut the cord quickly, which I did, with strategically positioned gauze to prevent blood from spattering at me! A boy! 3.7kg, the biggest yet, shivering and screaming! Irene was in happy tears. Ashley took care of the baby while I helped Irene deliver the placenta, then I removed the blood clots and a stray piece of membrane, before wiping her off and helping her to the other room. Before I left I asked what she would name him, but they always wait for the father, so she didn't know yet. I told her I was very happy for her and so glad I could be there for the birth of her son. She told me she was very happy I had given her "good help" we hugged and I told her I would see her again. The baby was given anti-HIV drugs then, and hopefully combined with what she had taken, he will be HIV free. He will get drugs for the next three months and then be tested. Irene is her husband's second wife, second as in there is still a first wife, and she has not told anyone of her status. She wanted the drugs and hid them away before her husband could see them. Most likely he gave her HIV and along with the first wife, is positive. But without getting tested himself he can accuse Irene of infidelity and abandon her and the now four children they've had together. I can't imagine the burden of such a disease, and she carries that burden alone. I just hope that her baby is healthy, and that she will continue getting treated. I hope one day she is brave enough to tell her husband and the other wife and that he is honorable enough to be tested himself and do what is necessary.

Despite all of this Irene was happy she smiled when he was placed on her tummy, she cradled her new little boy and I could see her joy. That baby will be loved by his mom no matter what, that much I know.

That was my day! A good one to be sure, there are two new lives in the world, and the names of two muzungus in the birth register at the Ngong Sub District Health Center. Love, Allison

A Distinct Lack of Turkey! (14 October 2008)

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to you all! I hope you thought of me over your festive face filling weekends! For dinner Ashley and I had Ugali, cabbage, beef (maybe?), and really great fruit salad. I know none of you had better fruit! So there! No, I hope you all had fun and enjoyed being with family. Although if you do have leftovers... Last red gate on the left round the corner from the Ngong Country Club. Ask for me?

Friday I spent the day in Memusi at Margaret's house. She is the ANC nurse and one of our favorites. She invited us to come at midday, and as we prepared to leave mom asked will you take lunch first? Now it had not been discussed but I assumed Margaret was going to feed us, which I told mom. "Is she Kikuyu?" Mom asked. "Her last name is Kamau" I replied. "She is Kikuyu, she will feed you" Mom decided. And did she ever!

There is something like 42 tribes in Kenya, slightly obscene, Kikuyu is one of the larger tribes, and known for hospitality. Millicent and Mary are Kikuyu, which makes us Kikuyu too! My name is Wanjiro, shortened to Jiro, which sounds like Shirro. It means a small sweet girl. ;) Back to Margaret!

We did have lunch, a huge lunch, that she prepared herself for us. She has two children, Brian six and Ivy 6 months. Both adorable, Brian was quite shy of the white girls, but apparently enjoyed our visit. Ivy didn't mind at all being passed around and ogled over. We had the tour of their farm as well. She grows Maize, beans, kale, tomatoes and bananas; and raises pigs, chickens, and goats. She had dogs as well, but I'm not sure what they're for other than burglars. She had the biggest pig I have ever seen! It climber it's pen as we left and I swear was taller than me! In addition to lunch we were sent home with fresh bananas, eggs, and t-shirts. She seemed fairly well off from our assessment, despite having an outhouse! But the generosity just overwhelms me. Everyone we meet feeds us and cares for us so well, it's just beautiful.

On Sunday Margaret commandeered us to help with a clinic at her church. The PCEA (Presbyterian Church of East Africa) we attend with mom was doing a similar clinic, but we didn't know that until it was too late! So we boarded a matatu Sunday morning, and went past Memusi to Matasia. It is the Kenyan version of a small rural town I think. Much the same in appearance, but less main streets and set out in the beautiful Ngong hills. There was less garbage and much more agriculture. The animals were eating grass instead of garbage! We sat through a two and a half hour Swahili service, the best part of which was when the Lady's Guild performed a traditional African gospel song and dance. The ladies and the choir were very good I enjoyed all of the music. The worst part was being introduced! Nothing like being the only white people in the crowd, then being asked to stand, so everyone can stare at you better! Margaret was lovely though she told them all we were Canadian Nurses working in the hospital and there to help with the blood pressure clinic after the service.

Either they are very health conscious or just curious about the mzungus because we certainly drew a crowd! It was a great success. Ashley and I worked at one table each with a BP cuff, the little one I brought finally got put to good use! Those with high BP\'s were sent for consultation, while others we were able to say they were sawa (okay) and sent home. Overall the health committee was very happy with how the day went, and so was I. Now it's back to another week at work, and who knows what else! Love Allison

Kenyatta Trip #2 (16 October 2008)

Hello Again! More exciting news to share with you! Yesterday Ashley and I put in some good work at the CWC and received news of a maternity case, 7cm dilated! It was around 10:30 and it was her third baby so we fully expected a birth before shift change. As we finished up the CWC for the day we ran into little Margaret, not the Margaret I've told you about, but a good one to be sure. The mama was only 8cm! She just wasn't progressing; we were disappointed because she wasn't likely to deliver for several more hours. It has become the ritual to use the only flush toilet we've found at the hospital at the end of the day. It is located in the laundry area and is marked gentlemen's, but we aren't deterred, flush is flush, and the alternative is less than appealing. Also our friends Esther, Teresa and Agnes are always there and always good for a few new words and a laugh. They love that we have Kikuyu names and love to ask us all sorts of questions. Esther was trying to convince me that I should do the laundry because her back was becoming like an old woman's. I pretended to and oh did they laugh, hand laundry, the way they scrub is insane! So I offered to buy her a cane or walker instead!

On the way back out we thought we would take one more turn past maternity, just to make sure. The mom, Selina, was up to 9 cm and having strong contractions! Little Margaret asked us to stay "just in case" while she ran to get something. Just in case, freaked me out a bit, so we re-donned our lab coats and I started to get the supplies ready. When little Margaret returned she figured she could stand back and watch while Ashley and I conducted the delivery! I was up for it. Ashley kept mentioning it was only her second time. Evaline came at shift change and was willing to apron up with us. When the membranes ruptured the fluid was full of meconium. Similar to the baby we had to resuscitate, I was so worried. Evaline put in an IV of dextrose (sugar for strength and energy) and added oxytocin to it to try to speed up the delivery. The contractions got harder, the cervix was fully dilated, but the babies head had not moved an inch. The mood in the room changed, the husband was called and asked to bring 2500/= for the ambulance. It was decided that she was obstructed and needed to go to Kenyatta. I was relieved at that, but of course nothing here happens with any speed. The driver was called, the mom got off the bed and with Ashley and I supporting her, and carrying the IV bottle and lines, Selina began to walk up the long slope to where the ambulance was parked. She was not encouraged to walk because we were worried it would cause the baby to descend and the birth to happen on the sidewalk! But there was no deterring her, she wanted in that ambulance now! We got to the top and no driver in site. She braced herself on me, Ashley and the cement wall in turn. I was carrying her personal belongings, and the emergency delivery pack in case she delivered o the way.

I finally saw Allan sprinting across the parking lot to the ambulance, but Evaline who was accompanying us was no where to be seen. I called her on our Kenyan cell phone and she said she was coming. I helped Selina climb up into the back of the ambulance and get onto the stretcher, everyone got in that needed to, and we were off! But first the gas station... oh the frustration!

I thought local transport was scary... both rides in that ambulance have been terrifying. Normally the speed, speed bumps and proliferate potholes are hard enough now we were sitting sideways, holding a mama's hand, tearing down the road at breakneck speed, the siren was on but clearly being ignored by the majority of the traffic. We swerved to pass most vehicles, and for a long time drove right down the middle of the road! Thankfully we arrived at Kenyatta Hospital in good time, but the casualty ward we were dropped at was full. We waited with Selina groaning on a stretcher to get her blood pressure checked before we took the long walk to the maternity wards. Upon arrival we were taken to a fairly large room with a very short bed and two baby warmers against one wall, one occupied by a squirming bundle. Then we waited again, for the nurse who would be in charge, the matron, the doctor, anyone! Finally a nurse did come, but never did do an assessment. Evaline asked for us if the two Canadian nurses could stay, but as she was likely to go for a c-section we weren't allowed. So we left Selina there, I hope in good hands. As we left the other woman who was with us said the nurses were "speaking good" of us, apparently they said we were very caring for our patient, not rough like Africans. That was nice, and true I must say, even when hospitalized these women never get a break. Hopefully we will hear what has happened to her, but it isn't likely, so I hope for the best. Until Next time! Take care and let me know how all of you are!! Love, Allison

I'm still Alive! Tanzania Trip (28 October 2008)

Hello everyone! Have you missed me??? I do apologize for the long silence, but I went away! I'm sorry to not tell you that either, it happened fairly quickly :) But no worries, I am still safe, happy and well. Settle into your seats because this may be a bit long, but I'll try to give you an abridged version of the last week and a bit. Last week our hospital was involved in a Trachoma initiative, Trachoma is a common eye infection that spreads quickly in places with dirty water and poor hygiene. AMREF and other sponsors funded a Kenya wide campaign to prevent an outbreak. The treatment prevention method is a whopping does of antibiotics, my nursing brain doesn't quite understand the pharmacology behind antibiotics take once as a preventative method, but things are different here, and it certainly can't hurt! We spent two days handing out pills to adults and liquid to children based on height of all things.

The first day we were in the Ngong Market and harassed everyone who walked by to take the meds. Great success a lot of people got the treatment, including many curious matatu drivers. I myself can't imagine being approached on the street by a bunch of people in matching hats and shirt trying to give me medication, and then actually taking it! The second day we went back to Matassia with Margaret and ran the campaign from a church building. It was too secluded to be really effective, so Ashley, Margaret, and some others went out into the local slum and distributed from there. I was really disappointed not to join them but was not really feeling well, and walking around in the hot sun wouldn't have been a good idea.

That was nearly the end of trachoma week for us as I spent the next two days in bed with a bit of a fever, a weird headache and a sore throat. But Mary made me lemon tea and I was well taken care of. Not to worry Ashley says (and I know!) it wasn't Malaria, and nothing to severe (especially not Leprosy, but thanks for that Alexandra!). I was left with a bit of a cough, but that's nearly gone now too, so all is well. On Tuesday we traveled past Nairobi on request from another volunteer. The Nairobi Children's Home was having an outbreak of boils and they needed some nursing support. Armed with bandages, Trachoma drugs, worm pills and scabies powder we went. All of the kids were treated for Trachoma and worms, much needed by the looks of things. And the scabies powder was left with instructions, all of the orphanages I've been to are full of scabies. It's a skin infection caused by parasites, and although easy to treat and get rid of it is a plague here. With a bath, application of the powder, clean clothes and clean sheets it's gone. But here baths in clean water and washing the sheets in boiling water then heat drying them is nearly impossible. This place in particular had five babies to a bed, and was filthy. The boils we did not know what to do with, so we took pictures and brought them back to the hospital. Margaret said it was a lack of hygiene, the boils are common with overcrowding and lack of sanitation. The only treatment is cleanliness and space, neither of which is likely. It was the second time this trip I've wanted to cry out of despair. But instead I hugged and played and cuddled the sick lonely little kids, because there is enough sadness in their lives I certainly don't need to add to it.

Let's move onto nicer things shall we? On Wednesday Ashley and I along with Bella a new friend hopped a bus to Tanzania! It was a plan in the works for a long time, but things generally some together at the last minute around here, so I was never able to email that we were officially going! (Sorry for the worry family.) After a six hour ride we were in Arusha! Just over the border but with limited time and budgets it seemed the best, and we were strategically located between the Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, both of which we visited. Firstly I must say that Tanzania has the nicest roads I've been on in months! It felt like home, and we actually drove at 100km! Don't laugh! It's been a while since I haven't been nearly shaken to death driving 70-80 over the potholes and on dirt roads! Tanzania is a beautiful country, very hilly and clean, I couldn't believe the difference in garbage between Kenya and Tanzania, here it's everywhere that people are. Even on the way to Maasai Mara I knew there was a village coming when the garbage started to appear. Tanzania was infinitely cleaner. I really can't say much for the people though. That is the unfortunate thing about going to an African country as a tourist, you are seen as a dollar sign. For the most part we only met hawkers and tour guides, and we met every single one in Arusha. That was really awful and frustrating.

the first night we stayed in a Catholic Hostel, it was really nice, and right beside a river. Late in the evening Ashley thought she could smell pizza, pizza has been a rarity so we went to investigate. We ended up just down the road at Pepe One where the sign advertised Pizza Take Away (a.k.a) food to go! We got a ham pizza and three Kilimanjaro Beer and headed back to our Catholic hostel! Is that wrong?? I definitely felt the crucifix on the wall staring at me ;) But it was fun. Bella fit in perfectly and we have now commandeered her for future trips and sleep-overs. Our first full day we spent most of our time organizing a trip for the following day. But in the afternoon went to the town of Moshi located 50km away from the base of Mount Kilimanjaro for a view of the mountain and lunch. It was lovely, and made quite the backdrop for that little town. I fear loosing all of this lovely typing so here ends Tanzania part one, part two should be along shortly! :) Allison

Tanzania Part 2 (29 October 2008)

Hello again! So on with Tanzania! On Friday we went to the Ngorongoro Crater, no I had never heard of it either, but I highly recommend it! Some 4 million years ago it was a huge volcano that erupted and then fell in on itself forming an enormous crater, the base of which is about 610 kilometers square and contains an entire ecosystem at the base. It is a national Park now, and the original Maasai inhabitants are the only one allowed to live in the crater highlands, well them and the safari lodges of course, what's a national park without tourists? We drove for several hours, (on the lovely highway!) to reach the edge of the rift valley, this time we were already in it and were approaching a huge wall that rose out of completely flat ground. We ascended that wall only to drive a few kilometers and reach to edge of the crater, another magnificent drop off. It was clear enough we were able to see the entire circumference of the crater, as well as the marshes, forests, tundra and lakes inside it. Then a steep and dusty road of cutbacks to reach the base. There our Guide and Driver Rogers (yes with an s) took us on a game drive, we saw flamingos, hyenas, hippos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, a black rhino, and so many more. There were even two lions! A male and a female who Rogers said had come to the crater "on their honeymoon." We didn't wait around; I've already seen what was to come! We ate our lunch by a lake full of lazy hippos, in the car, because there were a lot of not so lazy birds! There was a large group of school children there as well. It made me very happy to see that the kids get a chance to enjoy the amazing country that they live in. All too soon it was time to start the drive home. The fun part was we got to race the jeeps full of school kids back up the hill! We were in front and it is so incredibly dusty that vehicles need space in order for the occupants to breathe! But every time we slowed down the kid's vehicle would catch up and we would all wave and laugh at each other. They did eventually overtake us, because Ashley wanted to take pictures of the rocks for her geologist brother, but we had a great time in the meantime! After the discovery of Pepe One the pizza place, we decided for an additional $10 a night we were all happy to go to the food! Just a short hike down the road we staying in what at home we would consider a fairly plain little room, but to three long time Mzungus it was paradise! Saturday we spent exploring Arusha and made it far enough out of the tourist district that we were essentially ignored by the public. It is a nice city, there are tons of Jacaranda trees, these trees have no leaves but are covered in the most gorgeous purple flowers that really stand out - they are a favorite of mine. I forgot to mention that we were also able to go to the Rwandan Genocide Trials which are still taking place in Arusha. Don't worry it was very safe and secure. We didn't stay long, but to hear a man being questioned about his part in such a famous and awful event was very profound. He was accused of being in a vehicle that had run over a crowd of people as a way to make them move, we weren't there to hear his other crimes, but he was adamantly denying the testimony against him was false. Really who is to say who is telling the truth? There is next to no evidence and nearly as many killers as victims. I am ashamed that so much money and so many resources are being pushed into criminal tribunals when there was no help to be given during the actual genocide. We arrived home safe and sound Saturday night, to an ecstatic mom and sister. Millicent and Mary said when we left it felt like they were in mourning for us. They even cooked our favorite, Chapati. Bella stayed the night with us and has fallen in love with our family and home, the same goes for Mom and Mary, Bella is now another daughter, officially named Wambui. Monday I went to the saloon! Actually it was a salon, but here they pronounce it saloon. That took a while to figure out when they talked about saloonist's and saloons. Mary and I got our hair braided! I have individual braids, not the kind that stick to your head, with three packages of orange extensions! Three and a half incredibly painful hours later I am no longer a mzungu! My head is crazy heavy, but less tender today and everyone loves my hair! Men on the street have started calling me Madam instead of Mzungu! They tell me I am not allowed to wash it, and that my braids should last three weeks...I tell them mzungu hair gets washed nearly daily and it's too slippery to stay in three weeks! We'll see who is right. Both Ashley and Melanie can testify to my current disdain for showering and hair washing. In my defense it's because I get so cold and the water has made my hair incredibly tangled and coarse, but it should help the braid situation! So far I haven't washed it but I may try to just get my scalp one day soon. Tuesday we had another baby! The mom was only 17 and it was her first, unfortunately she needed an episiotomy, that's when the skin is cut to give the baby more room. That poor girl got a generous episiotomy from a pair of very dull scissors. I could hardly watch. But the baby boy was healthy and happy, despite a slight cone shape in his head! Today we enjoyed the insanity of the CWC on market day, and I made so many sweet little babies cry. As for the next weeks Ashley's excellent nursing skills at home have obtained us a free trip to Lake Nakuru and Lake Navasha, two other national parks here in Kenya. Ashley cared for a Kenyan woman while in Canada and "was the nurse who made her get well" so as a thank you the woman's family is taking us on a trip! I think I need to work on either the ethnicity of my patients or nursing skills when I get home! So we will be away from Friday to Monday, so no one worries! The next weekend we hope to visit Mom's daughter at boarding school and possibly see Mount Kenya. And then the next weekend I come home! It's hard to believe and I'm not sure how to feel about it, but my departure is coming fast. A few weeks ago I was fed up with being an mzungu, overcharged for everything and constantly yelled at and mocked on the street. It's not easy being the white girl in a black country. But with a bit of a break and the prospect of leaving looming I've had a change of attitude. We both felt despite being told mzungu is not a mean thing to say, that really it was and we were being laughed at constantly. Today however we had a great talk with the nutritionist Grace and the maintenance staff at our hospital. We love to go down to the laundry area after work, for one because there is a flush toilet, for two the women down there are hilarious! Esther, Teresia and Agnes are the cleaning ladies and they are so much fun, they laugh all day, and are always so cheerful. We talk in broken English and joke, and laugh at ourselves and each other. Today Grace was there to interpret a bit and explain a few things to us. It is true that a lot of people here have never seen a white person before, being from Claresholm I can relate to that as my cousin Salaash was probably the fist black man I'd ever seen up close! But along with that comes the repercussions of colonialism, they think we are better than them, to talk to a mzungu is a privilege, when someone dresses well or cooks well or accomplishes something it is said to be "like a mzungu." Esther and the ladies at first found it hard to believe that we would come and sit with them and talk to them and treat them like equals. We were astounded, and tried our best to tell them that was craziness and it was not a good way to think. Grace says working at the hospital with us and other volunteers is really changing the way they think of us and how others think of us. When Grace hosts volunteers her friends ask, but where do they sleep and what do you cook for them? They are shocked that we live like Kenyans, we are not special and we are NOT superior. This is a good lesson for me, and although I was already feeling more positive about it all, I will never forget what we talked about today. Well do you feel filled in?? I certainly hope so because my fingers are sore!!! So that's it for now, I miss you all, and most I will see or talk to soon, but that doesn't mean stop emailing me! I love to hear from you all. Love, Allison

Back to normal? (25 November 2008)

Hello everyone, yes I am home, yes it's good, but I must say it's also very sad. I feel I didn't leave you all with a good conclusion to my Kenyan Adventures so here it is! My last week in Ngong was filled with visits and adventures. Ashley and I were invited for lunch nearly everyday and were fed well beyond out ability to eat! I'm sure we gained five pounds in chapati alone. But it was wonderful, we felt so special and so loved by everyone we had some to know and love. As for the adventure...I will warn you (I have recently been yelled at for a lack of warnings) this will be graphic! To our great excitement on Thursday there was a mom in labour! Grace, an absolutely hilarious woman was in charge of the maternity ward. She is short, chubby and full of mischievous spunk. Upon our arrival at the ward Grace declared Ashley and I would deliver the baby! Ashley wanted to protest, I was all in! Although I admit I didn't really expect Grace to let us do it. This woman was incredible, on her third baby she was a trooper. There was no way she was getting onto that bed until the babies head was between her knees, she walked and walked and walked. She was confined, for good reason, to the delivery room, and asked to pee in a bucket, for fear she would push out more than urine! It wasn't until her water broke all over the floor that she conceded to get on the bed. Grace had left us at this point, so Ashley put her foot down and forced the poor lady onto the bed. We were both very thankful for our boots at that time as she had burst all over the floor beside the bed. Grace popped back in to check on us and then promptly left! Ashley and I watched the head get closer and closer to us hoping Grace would come back. At one point Ashley sent me to look for Grace but I'd hardly made it to the door before I hear her slightly panicked voice calling me back. Just in time Grace showed up and took up her post at the foot of the bed, gloveless, apron less, bootless. It really was up to us! Ashley and I crammed ourselves between the woman's legs and yelled instructions back and forth at each other as the baby emerged! Together we pulled the baby out, clamped and cut the cord... success! A screaming boy greeted us! Ashley delivered the placenta while I wiped down and weighed our baby. A very healthy 3.5 kilos and no tears for mom, thanks to excellent support during the birth! We went out with a bang!

Friday was a sad day we were presented with framed pictures of Kenyan wild life and thanked for all of our hard work. I had felt badly that we hadn't done more to support the hospital or advance it's programs. But it was made clear to me that our work was more than sufficient and very greatly appreciated. There were tea and tickle fights, laughter and tears as we said our final goodbyes, not only to the wonderful nurses but also to the entire staff! Even Allan the ambulance driver expressed his sadness over our leaving "we have gotten used to you." I will miss them all so much. Saturday was the last trip into Nairobi and to the Maasai Market. Even there I said farewell to friends, women I had gone back to because they had been kind and fair despite my white skin. Much to Mary's dismay we were home later than we'd planned. I am surprised she even let us out of the gate that morning. We arrived to find Nancy and Elvin waiting for us as well. As mom had promised Nancy had come to see us off. Sunday the sun shone all day and Kenya showed its beauty to us. The recent rain had made everything so green and lush. The six of us walked to church, meeting mom there. Much to Ashley and my preference, but not our doing, we were quite late for church! As enthusiastic as they are it can be a bit much for two girls raised so conservatively! At home we had life as usual with cooking and Peter's antics. But there was an underlying sadness that everyone felt but no one spoke of. Mom moved the kitchen counter out onto the porch and cooked us a massive pile of chapati "to carry in a paper." Ten hot flat breads in a black plastic bag went into each of our carry on's. I swear the bags add to the flavour! Part of our Saturday shopping was gifts for her and Nancy. We got each of them a new back pack and filled it with school supplies and little things that reminded us of them. Peter got a toy SUV that the salesman described as "a car for Michelle Obama." He nearly had it broken in the first fifteen minutes. I had taken some things from Canada for Mom but it seemed like such an inadequate gift for a woman who had in three months really become a parent to me and such an important person in my life. We piled into a very loaded down car that evening. As the bottom scraped against ground repeatedly I had thoughts that I would not in fact be going home that night. To get up the big hill at the end of the road Mom asked the back seat occupants, Mary, Nancy and Ashley to get out and meet us at the top of the hill. Peter and Elvin were left in the car, and Peter joyfully yelled "bye!" as they got out. Mom commented "with Allison here Peter can even say goodbye to Mary." He and I had become very close, my sweet little buddy, despite the occasional faked screams to get his way! We made it up the hill, barely and were off. The drive was too fast, we arrived at the airport and I couldn't deny any longer that I had to go, that I had to leave my family - that I had to leave Kenya. I have been on many airplanes and left many people behind. But leaving Kenya was by far my hardest goodbye. I wondered as I stood in line waving through the window why it was easier even to say goodbye to Jesse! I came to realize it was because I always had a return ticket, I always have some idea when I'll be seeing someone again. Leaving Kenya and now I don't know when I'll see them again, my new family, but I do know without a doubt that I will see them again. I just hope that my assurances satisfied mom. She asked me repeatedly that last week not to forget them, and to come back soon. I couldn't tell her enough that she would be impossible to forget, and that I would see her again, no matter what, I just don't know when. Until then I am determined to do everything I can to support them any way I can. I want Mary to go to school; I want to see her graduate despite being an orphan, despite being raped, despite raising a baby on her own. I want to see her for fill her dream to become a doctor, because she would be the best. I want the same for Nancy, when she knows what she wants to do, I want her to have the opportunity. And I want to help mom fill her house with orphaned women raising "the products of rape" with bravery and love. I can't tell you how much these three women mean to me, and how much they are capable of doing for Kenya and for this world. I met the most genuine, the most loving and the kindest people of my life in Kenya and I am so proud to be included in their family, and that they are my family. So my friends and family, I want to ask you to help me with this. To help me see these dreams become a reality and answer so many prayers. I am asking for your financial support for this cause. It will cost around 14 000 shillings for Mary's first semester at school. That's around $250 Canadian dollars, a fortune to a Kenyan, but really not a lot to any of us. There is no benefit for you; they aren't a charity (yet) so there is no tax form for you. But I can tell you there is no one who would appreciate it more, who would feel more blessed, or who deserves it more. I am more than happy to tell stories, to share pictures or anything if there is anyone interested in making a donation. Please think about it, a very little goes a very long way in Kenya. Feel free to email or call me for more information. So that is that, not the end of my Adventures in Kenya, just one chapter. Thank you all for your interest, your emails and supporting me through these experiences. Stay tuned for the next adventure, you never know where I'll end up next! Love, Allison. allison_wiig@hotmail.com 1-403-388-8661