Today was a very busy day. We set up our clinic in a church, beside a primary school. It was a good day as we treated everyone who was in line, all 692 people. At 3:00 pm, a heavy and prolonged rain storm hit the area and it discouraged the latecomers. As I have said before, closing the clinic and saying no more to those who have walked long distances and have stood outside in the hot sun for hours is a painful thing to do. I dread closing time for that reason.
We had a deworming program for Evojo School today. We treated over 500 children along with 11 teachers. In addition, we handed out medication for head rashes which are common among the children and quite contagious. We also conducted sexual health clinics for age appropriate boys and girls. Trish had brought along quilt squares for the 3-4 classes to draw on with fabric pens. We now have 60 squares to be made into quilts. Two of the squares said “Ben laden, the world’s main traitor” or “you can still be happy if you live in a shack”.
Today, we sent two persons to hospital. One was a young woman who was miscarrying due to malaria and the other had blood sugar issues. The crowds mainly consisted of the old and young. There was one child who came in on his own-he was three years old and he was running a fever. It is hard to imagine that in our country where we are afraid to let our children play outside anymore. And speaking of playing, we donated three soccer balls to Evojo School. To say they were delighted is an understatement. The head master of this school said they had 4 latrines for 500 children and to give these children a ball was an enormous gift. Children play by running up and down the field. There are no balls, skipping ropes, swings, teeter totters…but wait, the primary school did have a ball. They had taken rags and created something of this order.
I almost forgot. I may not have photos for you today as the power went out again last night. When we checked in and there was a candle and matches in the table, you know that isn’t good. I am writing this at 5:40 am by the light of that particular candle. So hug the people you love and thank God you live in Canada. Talk to you soon.
I nearly forgot to tell you of our little adventure. The roads were so slick leaving the school, we started to slip into the ditch as the driver tried to turn onto the road. We all got out of the van and only with the help of school children was the van able to get on the road. We refused to get back in and the driver drove slipping and sliding along the road while we walked in the stickiest red gumbo I have ever seen. What a sight. Ten white women slopping along with mud up to our ankles. We really were the only show in town. The Kenyans laughed and spoke English to us…how… are…you? I…am…fine. You can tell these are the phrases they study in school. Two kms later, we got back in along with an older man who wanted a ride to Chevakali. Now I have to go, my battery says no more.
