Doctors to the Rescue

My day started as all normal days might start back in the the States, picked up a donkey cart.  The picture is of the Pajero, my daily driver when she works, and the cart on top.  I swear the community of Maai Mahiu really must think us mzungus (foreigners) are a weird bunch.  Driving all day around the town in a big SUV with a hand plastered on all sides and a huge donkey cart on the rack.  I got more odd looks today then ever.   I think we honestly make it harder for ourselves sometimes :)

The doctors from Kansas arrived a few days ago and today was their second day seeing patients.  We arranged for an average of 150 to be seen every day for 4 days.  It's been a pleasurable, managed chaos, if that's possible.  The pre-organization has paid off, thanks to Doctor Steve and Alison!!!  The doctors are amazing, seeing patient after patient from 8:30 to 5 with no rest and short lunches.....Have to admire their dedication to helping others.  I have always wished I had the stomach to be a doctor.  I know if it had been in my cards my services could have been used all over the world.  But back to the day.   The only dentist in the group, I learned actually new my uncle Mike from the Air Force.   He's been a rock star who lost count yesterday with well over 100 teeth pulled.  Yeah that's right one after the other and even pulled 11 out of one 40 somethings hurting mouth.   There really is no other option as  there are no x-ray machines, drills and specialized operating machines so it's pull them.  If they are bad they come out.    The locals eat a lot of processed sugar, drink lots of tea with sugar and don't really brush or floss.   So you can imagine the teeth and many of these have lived with rotted teeth for years.   I hate a small tooth ache and back home get it fixed immediately......never would I settle for years.  

We had a brilliant surprise today.   A woman came in VERY pregnant and ready to give birth.  There was little time and the doc  and nurses jumped to action delivery a beautiful, tiny baby girl, Theresa.   How adorable she was wrapped in a make shift blanket.  She truly was the toast of the clinic today.   This government clinic does not generally deliver a lot of babies as they charge 1200 shillings ($200) which is often too costly for a poor family.  So they use mid-wives, which made our treat that much sweeter.  And on the same subject but a sadder note I was part of a still birth.   See it really is just a  perfect example of how fast things change here.   I know reading about beautiful Theresa and then I bust a quick hard left on you is startling but really that is how it is daily here.   When you least expect it, IT happens.

Actually, I was leaving to go show part of the team the disabled kids day care and the ShoSho Shamba.  As we pulled out a matatu, a van basically with bench seats used for local transportation, pulled next to the Pajero.  Out jumped various people asking for help.  It was very confusing but it took a very short time for us to get the picture of BABY.  Out rushed the OBGYN doc and nurses and the woman was definitely full of baby and having a baby NOW.  And it wasn't 30 seconds but they had her laid down on the bench seat in the matatu and out popped a tiny little baby.  We found out later it was 7 months old.  Almost instantly the look on the doctor's face said it all.  It was still birth.  Sorry if I use "it" to be honest I never found out if the baby was a boy or girl.  It was a hard fact of life to see in person.  Of course we all know things like this happen, it's part of life.  But seeing it in person, going in with the baby and watching the doc clean her/him up was tough.  The baby looked like a baby and seemed to me to be able to live on it's own.  And it made it very real and extremely sad.  The look on the mother's face said it all.  She knew that the baby had passed.  I have not really come to terms with this event and it might take some time.

Rare Flawless Day

Now not to sound negative but here in Kenya for a day to go smoothly with even some welcomed surprises is pretty rare. So I welcomed today with open arms, well more realized when I arrived home how wonderful was this Thursday.  So the day started out early, pick up good old Rocky at the junction of Kabuku at 8.  Well that started before the pick up with Zane arriving to tow the Pajero to the road to have enough speed to "pop" the clutch and get the damn thing started.  Actually, I shouldn't talk about the beast that way.  I have come to terms with the inevitability of this car causing issues, I'm at peace with her (don't tell Al I called her a her, she thinks it's a guy).  But then I have my own connection with the female auto.  

OK let's get back to the day.  Picked up Rocky to drive an hour or so to pick up a fuel efficient stove for Good Shepherd Orphanage, need to get those fuel costs down.  Well the funny part of the morning was because the car will not start on it's own, I could not turn "her" off.  So basically each stop I left the car running.  That ended up being pretty hilarious as it took a solid 20 minutes of waiting until the stove pick up was complete.   From there Big Rock and I went to the plastic company who are making custom boxes for us to use in the garden.  Upon arriving there and having a very productive discussion with the manager, car still on running out in the parking lot, I told him how we needed to run.   A car was still running and I needed to get to the Mitsubishi dealer to get it looked at.  The manager had the best news ever.  The mechanics across the road, who's his good friend, knew a lot about Pajeros and he'd make a call to get them to help.  And then another great surprise.  The guys at this shop actually were up front, quick and very knowledgeable.  Not to say that there aren't good mechanics in Kenya but I had yet to meet any.    The boys took a short time to take out the starter and just happened to have an extra in the back.   They popped it in and FINALLY a car that starts as it should.  And it cost at least a fourth of what it would have cost going to the dealer.

EUREKA!!!!  I swear the simple pleasures sometimes.  

And then I got more stupendous (never used that word before) news, as if this was not enough.  The son of the owner knew exactly where to get a Sheesha/Hooka (basically an Arabic pipe)...Yeah I know to many that may seem like a silly Eureka but I have been looking and when most were not that great and still cost 200-300 bucks here, well this was another EUREKA!!!   Rocky took a nap in the car (he calls it a siesta) never knew he had Spanish in him :)  Was able to bargain a smokin' deal on a beautiful Sheesha and tons of apple smokes to go along.   Came back tonight and sat outside, lit the smoke and listened to Bob Marley watching the sun come down.  There was something about having a day that was productive, surprising and all around enjoyable.   Oh and to boot Rocky and I had a fabulous lunch of roasted goat.   I know that must just make so many of your mouths water......NOT!!

Community Through Touch

The second team currently working in Maai Mahiu as many of you have read from the previous post.  They're great, 18 total....3 men and 15 women... They have all been full of joy and excitement, open to all the challenges Kenya throws at them.   Yesterday was a day of manicures and pedicures for the community in the hopes of providing free pampering for those who were interested.   Most women in the town have never had any sort of love heaped on them through beauty.  Funny how something we accept so easily can be so foreign to others.  We honestly didn't know how it would be received or who would show up.  A smaller group within the larger CTC team ran this day including the following 5 team members.   Cindi and Nicole gave manicures.   Barry, Jennifer and Abbey gave pedicures. There various CTC volunteers whisked warm water back and forth, translated when needed and all around supported the day with awesome dedication. 

A constant flow of CTC local volunteers, grandmothers and other community women streamed in through out the day.  The CTC gals tirelessly loved on 24 women for a very long 8 hour shift.  It was truly amazing to watch the bond that developed between the CTC team and the community.  So many smiles and deep conversations.  The vision was that through touch and giving of one self a bond could be developed.  And it was!  Many of the grandmothers at first were reluctant of the whole process but once their feet were placed in the warm bucket of water, Enya playing in the background (I know only in a make-shift spa would Enya be OK), they accepted openly.   At the beginning the ShoShos (grandmas) were against having their hands done.  They figured they were going to go to the gardens the next day and what use was there in pretty hands and ruining them.   But I gave my best beauty tips and explained that a day of beauty is worth everything.  Like I know anything about a woman's beauty routine but there was no way I was going to let them slip from having a truly pleasurable experience.  By the end of the day the ladies all walked around showing each other their feet and hands...full of smile and colorful nails.  

The deep connection happened during the sessions.  Each CTC team member had a volunteer from the community (those you see in red in the pictures) to translate should there be any confusion.  The conversations I overheard were truly moving and uplifting.  They talked about everything from children to the trials of life, from how to keep thier hands beautiful to what was hard about living in Maai Mahiu.  Some even sang songs and everyone laughed A LOT.   I tried to ask every woman who was receiving a pedi/mani if they had ever had one done.   Not one, yes that is correct, out of 24 not one had ever had this pleasure.   And each when I asked do you like it, said Musuri Sana (Very Much).... To watch the endless massages, sugar scrubs and delicate soothing was truly a gift.  

I have to admit I was actually a bit jealous.  Jealous that everyone was enjoying themselves so much.   They were giving to each other what is the most basic but often times forgotten gift, love.  I wanted some :)  But then this was not a day for me, it was a day for community through touch.   I was blessed to just be present.

Attack of the "Not so Killer" Termites

Last night was July 4th.  Happy Independence Day !!!!  The new team from the states arrived a few days ago and we had a small party last night to celebrate those damn colonies kicking out the Brits.  Well, not if you ask the Brits but then the history books are always a bit slanted, right?.... During a lovely dinner with rain falling, we were suddenly bombarded by a swarm of dollar coin sized, flying termites.  Pretty hilarious to watch the different reactions from pure terror to delight from the party crowd.  Guess the little bugs are signaled by a strong rain to take flight and move into new territories.  Sorry to all wooden structures in the area, you were under attack along with our little CTC crew.   And then someone threw out a "Hey I'll pay anyone 1000 shillings (around 18 bucks) to eat a termite.  Yeah these are the bright ideas we get when away from home and in the mood to challenge our eating habits :)  So of course I jumped up, grabbed a bug and well yeah you get the point.  To be really honest they don't taste like much, expected a sour nasty taste but its was like eating nothing.  Well it did squish and was a bit odd but oh well.   Well, I have yet to collect my mullah but that was no matter as my eating then laid the gauntlet for two of the girls to also jump in and have a try.  The video and pictures are truly something and sorry have not downloaded any, my connection is slow today.   But I think you all can imagine a bit......

Shorty after the employees entered the outside seating area to a Kenyan Christian song blaring.  Dancing in a sort of congo line with a leader of torches and behind him a cake.   Not just any cake but an American flag cake......  How cool was that?  Everyone instantly jumped up clapping and joining the congo.   For a whole song the team danced around the table and truly some of the happiest colonists I have ever seen.  From there we all sang the Star Spangled Banner.   Yeah pretty corny I know but there was something about a group of near strangers joining together to remember our independence that really was moving.  Liz and Zane decided to follow that with a little cake in your face bonding moment.  Then of course what is a independence celebration without a limbo competition.  Who the hell knows how that started or really who won.  I think it was a tie between Molly and Tyler.  Good show you two!!!!!

So what started out with a small dinner ended up in a bug eating, congo dancing, cake in your face, limbo competition night.  How perfect and totally right can an independence day be?  Happy Birthday America!!!!!