St. Catherine's School

Our last day at St. Catherine's School was unlike any day I have ever spent in a classroom in the USA. We spent the day teaching ALL school aged children about HIV, though I am convinced those children probably knew more than we did. HIV is so wide spread in Africa, that twelve million school aged children have lost one if not both parents to AIDS. Women also account for sixty-five percent of adults living with this deadly viral disease. HIV, is the leading cause of death in Africa. While teaching there was not one child who had not been affect by AIDS, either in their family or a village member. Many children are raising their siblings as their parents have died from this deadly disease. While teaching my heart ached for these innocent children, as they never really have a chance to be a kid, as the kids in the US do. No matter where one lives, life at times doesn't seem fair, however, fairness in the US really has a different meaning than in Africa.

After teaching I had an opportunity to tell the smaller children all about my Lil' Buddy and how much I love him, just as their Grandmothers love them. Before going to Africa I choose to buy books to donated to children who might not have any. The best part was Brykn went with me to pick out the books. I thought a variety might be nice, but Brykn wanted ones with horses on them, imagine that. As I presented the books to the children, not one child had ever seen a horse, boots, or a cowboy hat. Funny that is Brykn's daily wardrobe, because as he says, " me is a cowboy." It was fun to have Brykn's help me with this project, and it was fun to see the smiles on the faces of children a world away.

These children love school, and were so cute as they sang "One Little, Two Little Three Little Kenyans." actions included. I had taken Smarties to share with the children, some held on to them for dear life, while other ate them like they it was candy!

*****

2/16/09
From Mom: This afternoon we went back to St. Catherine's School to finish up some of the projects that we started a week ago. We also did age appropriate HIV teaching, which is so prevalent in Africa. After the teaching, I was able to show all the children under 12 Brykn's picture and tell them how much I love him. I then gave the kids the books that he helped me pick out, of course, they had horses on them. I got to explain how Brykn has his own horse and wears his boots, and cowboy hat. They giggled and loved his picture and the books. I miss you all and yes, I am excited to get home. Love ya!

Sunday Service

February 15, 2009....This was our second Sunday to attend church at the Fountain of God Church, in an extremely poor village near Navashi. Pastor Joel, a friend of Mary's, officiates over the services and he takes his commitment very serious. When I decided to go to Africa, I was determined to experience it all, and this included attending church. However, little did I know these church services would encompass singing, beating drums, dancing, and praising the Lord for three and half hours. OH MY!!

Pastor Joel, who preaches in Swahili to the congregation, also has an interpreter to translate in English. Pastor Joel, blessed, blessed, and reblessed everything and everyone. A quote we all got a kick out of was, "You must give or be taken." What that meant no one was really sure. There were so many times the group was asked to stand and praise the Lord a bit similar to the Catholic Church. Like the Catholic Church there was of of course an offering basket.

Pastor Joel, explained to us they only have the sacrament four times a year and only on special occasions. However, because we were there it was considered a special occasion so they broke out the bread and wine. As the bread was passed around you had to break your own piece of bread, and even though it was cheap wine, never the less it was wine in those little silver cups. YES... after three hours I need a good stiff drink, I just wishing, however the cup was a bit bigger. I wondered how all the Mormons would handle the situation, but they handled it with grace and drank it all down. Why some even had a smirk on their faces. Afterwards they all joked about the fact that God, would forgive them, because after all Pastor Joel, had blessed the wine at least ten times.

This church service was nothing like I had ever seen before. Pastor Joel, was all dressed up in a suit, yet so many of the villagers had no shoes and were dressed in rags. The children ran in and out of the tin church and a goat and donkey even wanted to join the worshiping.

On the bus ride back to the lodge, I started laughing and all I could think was oh hell, give me one of those half-assed, long winded Mormons any day of the week. I was glad I went to church and was able to experience it, but I really don't want to go back anytime soon!

*****

From Mom: Well, today was the second Sunday we went to Fountain of God Church. I was hesitant about going and considered staying at the lodge, but decided to go to church with the group. Three and half hours later the Pastor shut up. Oh my! He blessed and re-blessed everything! Then, the congregation would stand and beat the drums until I thought I was going to scream. There was so many "Amens!" and "Praise the Lords!"

The church is in the center of a VERY poor village and is just a little shack with bench's and dirt floors. Today, in the middle of the service, a goat came to the open door and started baaing as if to say, "Okay, enough!" But, the Pastor just kept right on going. This is for Andie and Kristina...Okay, so give me a half-assed, long winded, Mormon any day of the week!!!!

From Andie: So, I can expect you in church with me on Sunday? Maybe we can see what Dr. Vizmeg is doing, he might could go with us. Ha Ha!

From Kristina: I knew it wouldn't be long before you were on board with us! This post made my day! Love ya, Kristina.

From Mom: I'll be there as long as I can bring a goat! With Love and miss you all!

Where's the Maytag?

Every woman, and I suppose and a few men, in America hate doing the laundry. However, we Americans have it made with our multi setting Maytag, washers and dryers. In Africa a Maytag washer consists of a tub of cold water and foot power, your own foot power. As far as those multiple setting you can choose from, well it just depends on your own leg power and how tired you are. Then there is the rinse and spin cycle, it also depends just how many times you want to rinse and wring and rinse and wring out your laundry. As for that matching Maytag dryer with several settings, there is none. You have to hang it on a makeshift clothes line out in the dust or "Jimmy Rig" a line from bed post to bed post in your room. Then one hopes it will dry within two days. I shared a room with six others from the team, and we always had underwear, socks, bras and "TG's" (temple garments as they call them) hanging everywhere.

Wash day and stomping on my laundry sort of reminded me of Lucy & Ethel stomping on the grapes for wine. Lucy and Ethel at least had a finished product they could enjoy. My laundry was not any cleaner after I stomped on it, but it did smell better! As for most of my clothes I left them there for someone who doesn't have clothes, as they don't mind if they aren't spotlessly clean, or neatly pressed.

African Traffic Jam!~~Molo's Mountain Village

Traffic jams in the US, are simple compared to the ones in Africa. Sitting on I-15 is a piece of cake compared to sitting on a two lane highway/dirt road in Africa. In Africa, traffic jams cause road rage at its best. Coming back from Molo, there was a police check point, where officer took a gentleman's license away. Oh hell this caused a major traffic jam and caused people to lose patience. There were people driving off steep embankments, some of who I thought would roll for sure. Others were driving in the bar pit, and driving four a breast, weaving in and out of cars, buses and trucks. All in an effort to get past the police check point and to get where they were going a little faster. I really wanted to yell out the window, "CHILL OUT, and we'll all be better off. After an hour of this mayhem, we were moving again and everyone seemed to get where they were going.

I wondered how Africans would drive here, and what they would think of our system. Obviously they'd be confused as the steering is on the right side of the car and they drive on the wrong side of the road. One thing is for sure they couldn't drive or act they way they do in Africa or they'd be sitting in the slammer!

Molo's Mountain Village

From Nakuru to Molo was a two hour ride, but I really enjoyed the sights and finally the road was paved, well was for the most part. The mountain village above Molo was very green, the fields well groomed, and the sky a crystal blue, with an elevation of 8800 feet. As the villagers saw the bus coming they ran to the church where we would be doing the medical, dental and vision screening. These people were extremely grateful for any thing we could did and most all left saying "Praise the Lord you helped me." Unlike the village above Nakuru, not one person got upset, angry or anxious. Over all they also seemed healthier than those in the other villages. The children were had the prettiest, whitest, teeth. They also laughed, smiled and were happy about everything, they as they don't any other world but their own small village.

Here in the US, we have such a complex medical record system, and you must sign a release form to get any of your own medical information. Also every thing is documented in detail, not only for the you as the patient, but to protect any health care professional. However, in Africa each individual carries their own medical record. It is a small piece of card stock with very little in formation on it.

My interpreter for the day in Molo was a young mother of three little boys. Joyce spoke very good English, she had a great sense of humor and was a very attractive women. Each village we went to I was amazed at the commitment of the interpreters to their people. Joyce was so enthusiastic about the day and was sad we did not have more villagers to see. Me on the other hand I was a little relived, as this gave me time to take some great photos of these gracious people.

While in Molo, we seen no tragic things. However, just two days before we came there had been a tractor-trailer carrying gasoline rollover, spilling gasoline all over. Hundreds of Africans ran trying to get free gas, when one of them lite a cigarette causing a massive explosion. The explosion killed several hundred, and burned countless others. The fire was so hot they had a mass grave for over two hundred fifty people, who were essentially cremated. We wondered if we would see any mild burns, or those who might have inhaled fumes, but we did not.

The day in Molo was very pleasant and we were finished by about three in the afternoon. We then had time to place a few games with the village children. These kids had never played Tag, London Bridges, Baseball, or jumped rope. Some of the kids got the hang of the games and some preferred to sit on the side lines and watch.

Bargain Hunting & The Long Drop

2/13/09
From Mom: On our way to Molo, Kenya today we went through the downtown area. When the locals see a bus, they come running to sell the tourists anything they can, hats, blankets, jewelery, and such. They sell it right through the windows and they are persistent. They start prices high and then everyone jews them down. One of the sellers, commented to me "I am falling like a monkey from a tree!" He didn't know he had just met the one of the Queens of Bargain Shopping, a family trait we are proud of. It really is bargain hunting at its best!

THE LONG DROP

2/13/09

From Mom: Here's the photo of the day, the normal bathroom in all the villages, called a "long drop," thus the name fits. As it is just a hole in the floor, with NO flushing capabilities. It's kind of tricky to hold the HOVER position, hold up your pant legs up so they don't get s--t on them, get your pants pulled down and then not pee in your shoes, down your legs, or on your pants! One also has to hold on to your camera and hold your breath all in unison. And hopefully you have remember to get some TP, or your digging through your pockets to find a tissue you've already wiped your nose on........ I decided you have to be pretty talented to do of the above and not fall in!!! Not to mention the smell is SOOOOOO bad. Oh how nice a toilet seat will be, even if it has slivers.

From Andie: Gosh the Birdseye Motel even has a better bathroom than that! You do have to share your bed, but at least it's with a relative! We will have to start calling you "bulls-eye." Just think of all the things you have learned on this trip. Ha Ha. Love and miss you. Andie

A Whirlwind of Emotions

Our second day above Nakuru, was unpleasant from the start, as we all were dreading the long, hot, and rough bus ride. We also knew there would be several hundred villagers waiting for us to arrive. Therefore, we were not surprised at the masses when we pulled into the village church. We quickly set-up and started see people as soon as we could. My interpreter, Peter, who spoke excellent English was there waiting to help me. All the interpreters were fantastic and gave of their time to help their people. About two hours into the medical screening and treatment a young mother with a three month old baby sat down in front of me. My first thoughts were this mother needed some education and guidance about caring for her baby. This young mother had her baby dressed and wrapped in seven layers. I explained to her that she was keeping her baby to hot and she need to take some of the clothing off. After which I ask her what I could do to help them. Through Peter, I learned the baby had ringworm as so many of children in Africa do. I ask to see the ringworm, thinking the mother was speaking of one or two small patches of ringworm. I was shocked to see this baby girl named, Lisa's trunk covered in ringworm. Some were old scars, some new semi healed patches and many were open, weeping, bleeding patches. This truly was the worse case of ringworm I've ever seen. Little Lisa had a sort of weak cry, but had been nursing and did not look dehydrated even though she had a low grade temperature. I treated her with Tylenol, de-wormer and antifungal cream mixed with Neo-sporin. I also gave the mother de-wormer and gave both a months worth of vitamins. I then instructed the mother if she was still feverish and acted worse in a few hours she needed to go to the hospital. After wrapping the baby in a blanket the mother left and I saw the next patient.

Only an hour later I heard a woman screaming, as I jumped to my feet and ran to the woman I saw it was Lisa and her mother. Lisa was unresponsive and lay lifeless in her mothers arm. Grabbing Lisa out of her mother arms, I ask for transportation to the nearest hospital. However, I was instructed the hospital was just next door. With Lisa in my arms I ran through a dense grassy field, over two barb wire fences, and through a patch of stinging nettle to get to the so called hospital. Once inside I ask for an IV set-up, they did have an IV cathlon, but no tourniquet, no fluids, and no resuscitation drugs. This so called hospital was so poorly equipped. I just kept thinking we at Mountain View ER throw away more in a day than this place had on hand. After doing CRP for three-four minutes, I said enough. Lisa died in my arms, while everyone else was on the floor screaming. I held Lisa for the next few minutes singing a lullaby to her and for me. After wrapping the baby in a women African scarf, I walked out of the hospital. I was so frustrated with the lack of supplies, the lack of knowledge, and what I considered a lack of compassion on the part of the staff of two. Later I learned that Lisa was born HIV+, and had been a very ill baby since her birth. Lisa was buried on the family's small piece of property that day, wrapped in the scarf I'd cradled her in. This death hit the entire AILC team hard, but it hit me very hard as I had done the initial assessment, and then CPR on this child. The HIV+ did explain her chronic illnesses, her poor immune system, the massive ringworm, her weak cry and possibly her early death.

Since that day high on a mountain in Africa, I have lived and relived that day. I have ask myself over and over, "Did I miss something, and could I have done something different?" However, I have come to the conclusion that I was suppose to be there in that mountain village on that day for Lisa and her family.

Over the past thirty five years I have learned that there are certain qualities, attributes, and belief's that define each and every nurse, and I am no exception. I strongly believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, love and compassion. I also made a promise to myself thirty five years ago, that no one should die alone. I have embraced that promise and held many hands of patients, strangers, and family as they have taken their last breath. However, I never dreamed this promise would follow me to Africa.

An hour after Lisa's death, I picked myself up and brushed myself off and went back to work. There were still several hundred people who needed to be seen and they were getting restless. One of the first patients I saw after composing myself was a petite ten year old girl, with smile from ear to ear. Lucy, was a beautiful girl who for some reason thought I was funny. She laughed and giggled at everything I said and did. Though all she had was itchy eyes and only wanted some de-wormer she was such a breath of fresh air for me. I so hope she gets out of the village and is able to fulfill her life's dreams and isn't sentenced to a life of back breaking labor.

With only an hour of clinic time left, the villagers who had not yet been seen became restless and began pushing, shoving and demanding to be seen. It was a bit like "Defending the Alamo" as we were confined in a one room shack with no way out. One of the two men in the group was trying to maintain order, but he was having little success in doing so. We all came up with a plan to work as fast as possible, and if they broke down the doorway to let them take everything we had. The sad thing is they were willing to kill each other and us for a Tums and Tylenol.

After the hour past, we literally ran to the bus leaving people untreated. I had decided that if we were suppose treat people in this village the next day I was not coming. As my safety and sanity were more important and I had dealt with a whirlwind of emotions for two days.

*****

2/12/09From Mom:

Oh what a sad, busy, and wild day. There were about 600-700 people waiting for us at the mountain village above Nakuru. The day started busy and just got worse. After about three hours I saw a three month old baby girl that was covered with ring worm and very ill. The mother had the child wrapped in six layers. After treating the child and instructing the mother how to take care of the baby, they left. One hour later the baby arrested. I did CPR on the child and the baby died in my arms. A very bad day. After seeing 1300 people in 2 days there were still over 200 left to see. They became very upset they were not going to see a "doctor" and started pushing and shoving nearly trampling a three year old to death. It was an exhausting day. I was so glad to lay my head on my pillow in a full sized bed next to a stranger.

The brightest part of my day was a 10 year old girl who thought I was funny. She laughed at everything I did. She was a beautiful little girl who has a very dim future. Love you all.

From Andi: I'm sorry you had to have that happen to you. What a dark part of your trip you will always have to remember. But, how lucky for that baby to have passed to her Heavenly Father from the arms of an angel. I love you. And, I miss you a lot. And, I know how that girl at the clinic feels because when I am with you all I want to do laugh. Keep your chin up and your bra tight. Maybe by the time you get home, we could put our asses together and we could be one heck of a Mormon. Love ya.

High Above Nakuru

On the seventh day of our humanitarian mission we found ourselves at a Mountain Village high above Nakuru, Kenya. The drive there, however, was a bit much. The village sixty miles from Nakura, and a steep drive with the elevation of the village at 9000 feet. Though the road was horrible, the view was very nice. The people in Africa use every inch of dirt to grow what ever they can. Sadly, they have no farm equipment so all the labor is done by using very large shovels, hoes and pitchforks. And once again all the labor is done by the women of the village. Surprisingly the fields and the crops look well groomed and healthy. The African people grow and use a large amount of cabbage, so many of the field looked like they could be home to Peter Cottontail.

Again all the children must wear uniform in order to go to school. The school colors in this village were lavender, and it just so happened I had wore my lavender pullover. They all cheered as I got off the bus and wanted me to come and go to school with them.

Once we were at the village, the sight from the bus was a bit overwhelming as there were about six hundred villagers waiting for us and it was only nine in the morning. After setting up a make shift clinic, in an old building near the church, we were off and running. So many children with ringworm, scalp fungus, itchy watery eyes. Along with adults with acid reflux, arthritis, and back pain. The medical aspect of this humanitarian mission was extremely hard for me, as I felt as if I was trying to put a little bitty band-aid on a massive huge laceration. Though the organization had taken several thousand dollars in medications, they were so very generic. We had access to Tylenol, Motrin, Vitamins, De-wormer, Septra, cough medicines and antifungal cream. Yes, more than anyone in Africa has, but far from the resources I am so use to. There was no Respiratory Department, no Radiology department, and no way to consult with another physician. The nearest hospital is sixty miles away in Nakuru, yet few if any have the money or the means to travel to the hospital. These people all think that since you are white and from America, you are a doctor, not to mention they think you can cure anything and everything!

Though our day was long and tiring, the boys of the village made me laugh. Boys are boys the world over, as they were looking in the windows pulling faces at us. The laughter of children is so refreshing no matter where you are.

After leaving the village in good spirits, those spirits were soon dampened with the ninty mintue wild ride back to the hotel. But, soon we were at what Africa would call a 4-STAR hotel"the Cool River Inn, America would call it a dive. After arriving at the hotel, Sana and Shosho paired up team members to room together. However, there was one small surprise!! In each room there was only on full sized bed. Nothing like sleeping, very cozy with someone you've only known for a week in a full bed with a mosquito net around it. Marilyn, and I, had been room mates from the first day, so we volunteered to bunk together. The room was so small, the floor dirty, the shower didn't work and the mosquitoes were coming through an open window. Marilyn and I made the most of it as we talked, laughed and giggled like a couple of little girls.

2/11/09
From Mom: Wow what a day. When it was all said and done, we saw 500+ people in the medical clinic and another 60 in the dental clinic. The people were lined up as we pulled in. Lots of coughs, malaria, typhoid, and goiters. The village we went to today was in the mountains of Nakuru. We will be going back there again tomorrow. We are staying in a dive hotel in Nakuru, we have to bunk with a partner in a full bed! Yes, today was hectic, but no more crazy than a bad day at Mountain View ER since we are so limited on what we can do. It is hard, as I think of possible diagnosis and what really needs to be done. For all of you at Mountain View, Jill, Val Richards ex has joined us on this trip. I am getting very tired of African food and as soon as I get to the States, I am getting a huge cheeseburger and fries with a 44 oz. Diet Pepsi. Miss you all, but having a great time.

From Tiffany: Wow! I bet you are beat. And, I bet sleeping in the dive with a buddy (hey, bra-less I bet!) doesn't lend to a good night's sleep. Do you want me to bring you a Pepsi to the airport?