Day 20 – Thursday, February 18, 2010
Today was the last day. My task was paperwork in the morning….I’m collecting all of the forms and inputting them in a database so we can have a better idea what drugs are used, the most desired prescription of glasses, etc. This is somewhat boring but a nice break, (plus I get to listen to music)! Then the power went out and my battery was completely dead, so I had to find a new task to occupy my time. I went out with Suzanne (the coordinator for Chalice…i.e. the boss), and one of the new girls who arrived: Tracy. We handed out Albendazole (anti parasite) and a huge vitamin A dose to everyone who didn’t get seen. Vitamin A is especially helpful for their eyesight as the dust and sun just reek havoc on the local’s eyes! To those in the vision clinic that don’t need glasses, we give hats or sunglasses to try to help prolong their good eyesight. Anyway, the people who were seen inside would all get these medicines, and we didn’t want to leave that people that couldn’t be seen with nothing. It was an interesting task as one of the pills had to be chewed and the other swallowed. Also, we opened the gates to distribute the pills, set up a table there, and people walked up. We had water to help the pills go down and I really would have thought people would have a couple of glasses, but the people outside the gate would drink ½ and throw the other half on the ground. This is the first time this wasteful behavior was displayed. Normally, people were so careful about water, not even the kids spilled. So, we poured ½ as much water in the cup. Same thing…people would toss half of it out. We have no idea if that was supposed to be an insult, but we just kept saying ‘asante…kwaheri’ (thank you….good bye) afterwards to be kind. This was more of what I expected we’d be doing in Kenya as it was a little crazy and more renegade, (it could never be done in the states!), but apparently this is along the lines of what we’ll do in Mombasa.
Afterwards we went to the school and they performed the most incredible dances for us! Better than any we had seen before! The girls’ hips moved in about 50 directions. I’m impressed when I can make mine swing left and right while I walk! Well of course they pulled a few of us up and stage with them and didn’t we look completely ridiculous in comparison. Even when they were swaying there were about 4 separate motions to the movement! After a heartfelt goodbye to the sisters…it is clear they run a tight ship and it shows. Chalice has been sponsoring the area for a number of years and about ½ of the children in the school, and they had the highest graduation rate (for 8th grade) in their whole district! Plus all of the children looked healthy, unlike in Mikinduri where help has been available for a much shorter period. When we were leaving we had a nice walk through the town of Kamugongo, trying to meet up with the combie. It felt great to stretch your legs and see the town. And as usual we got quite the stares. We were moving to the safari the next day, so this was our last evening in town. It was a nice, low-key one, with everyone relaxing and sharing a drink.
Summary: Gave drugs to people on the street….literally.
Books read: 8 (Left behind prequel series…not good but I bought the other 2 so I’ll read them…)
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