Maua Week 3 (with photos)

Donna writes about their thrid week in Maua:


AIDS is a terrible problem in Africa and so is the problem of AIDS orphans. Giving Hope is an organization that works to help AIDS orphans by going into the communities  where orphaned teen-agers and siblings are already living, and bringing the these families together in supportive groups They are then connected with mentors and social workers and offered resources such as food, housing and vocational training, empowering them to be self-sustaining in 2 – 3 years.

 Last week, Roger and I had the opportunity to accompany a social worker to visit some of the orphaned families.  We met several of the teen-age heads-of- household and listened as they told us (through an interpreter) of their vision for the future and how they are working to improve their lives and that of their siblings.  These seamstresses, mechanics, farmers, and tree farmers are given a starter kit to begin their business and checked on periodically by the social workers to see how they and their siblings are doing. This approach of empowering orphans to stay in their own community and keeping the family together is a much better solution than placing them in an institution or, worse, abandoning them to struggle by themselves.   I wonder how many 17 – 20 yr olds in the US would be able to take on such responsibilities.

Religion is much in evidence in Kenya – from the many different churches,the throngs walking to church to the religious services here at Maua Methodist Hospital.  In addition to the 5:00 am Pentecostal service, there are also the more traditional chapel services at 7:30 and 8:00 each day.  Prayer is said before or following many of the activities.  Doctors and nurses pray before starting the hospital’s Morning Report.  We prayed before the immunization clinic, and following each visit to an AIDS orphan. We are reminded  and appreciative of the prayers and support from the Pocatello UMC members.  Your covenant to pray for us at 9:00 pm  means special prayers for us here at noon, Kenyan time.

Bible study for the wazungu  (white people) takes place at the Savutos each Thursday night.  It is a chance not only to explore the meaning of scripture but to get better acquainted with those we may not see on a daily basis. Other wazungu here at MMH include three medical students (from Denmark and the US), a peace corps worker, and an occupational therapist from Germany.

Last Monday, we met with Stephen Gitari, director of Community Health.  We expressed our interest in rural health and in the mobile clinic. Roger was especially interested in the dispensary clinic, where they treat clinical patients in addition to giving immunizations.  It turned out that the team was leaving in 30 minutes for the only dispensary clinic of the month and we could go along if we wished.  Stay flexible, right?  We managed to get everything together and joined the others, headed for Kawiru, site of the clinic for the day.  Kawiru is warmer, drier, and affected by the April drought.  Their corn is only 1/3 as high as the corn around Maua, and many are concerned about having enough food for the year.

Mothers and babies were waiting for us when we arrived, some of them having walked as much as 5 km to get there.  After a student nurse gave a talk on nutrition and hygiene, the team began giving injections against DPT, TB, pneumonia, and the oral vaccine against polio.  The babies were all plump, cute, and healthy-looking.  Except when reacting to a shot, they seemed content in their mothers’ arms.  I helped give the polio vaccine to a few babies, but since I could not read the charts or talk to the mothers, we mostly just observed and commented on what was happening. Mothers who had not already received mosquito nets were given one. We were pleased to see that these mothers knew about the importance of immunizations and the mosquito nets, and that they made the efforts to ensure good health for their babies. 

During the afternoon, Roger was asked to help see some of the sick patients who had shown up.  He was happy to do so and in the nine patients presented to him, he saw cases of malaria, pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis.   It was the first time I had watched Roger treat patients other than our grandchildren and I was impressed with his tenderness and thoroughness.  Altogether, the clinic team saw 85 patients.  It was a long, full day and we didn’t get home until 6:00.