Last Day of Clinics - Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lions Club Cataract Surgery patients

Our last day of clinics was spectacular! We had a half day and were all ready to fit as many patients in as we could. We saw 60 in medical, mostly young children, 15 in dental as Bill was the only dentist, and 150 in vision. When I arrived, there were 60 people waiting in the medical tent, about to be taken by matatu (Kenyan taxi) to Nairobi for cataract surgery! Our partnership with the Lion’s club is immediately benefitting 60 people!

We also had a public teaching area that Jenny was in charge of to teach the importance of mosquito nets, washing hands, and other information that is so obvious to us that has never been taught to the Kenyans. They go to this tent after registration before going to the specific clinic. In the medical tent, they then speak with Adrian and a Kenya nurse to determine whether or not their case is serious enough for the doctors. Adrian describes this triage area as being a pied piper. Every time she moves slightly, all the people follow!         

We had a great day at clinics, and just before lunch I went with Father B to make a speech to the crowd of patients still waiting. This was something that I expected to be in Ted or Greg’s job description as administrators of the camp, but they were both on medical runs! So I walked out with Father B to address a crowd of hundreds patiently waiting to be seen. I started with ‘Thank you for coming’, then moved on to ‘Sorry we are closed for the year’.  Saying no to patients has become way too easy to easy! I then referred them to the Lion’s club and APDK clinics that are now regularly scheduled, and I encouraged them to support each other in the community to push our community based health care initiative. Somehow, I developed political abilities as by the end of the speech, everyone was smiling and left quietly even though they weren’t seen. Great!

After lunch we tore down camp, did inventory and packed everything up. A few people went to experience the Mikinduri market, a huge flurry of activity, like any market, but this has the bonus that every person there is staring at the crazy looking wazungos! They bought machetes, sarongs, amazing blankets, jewelry, wood carvings, and avocados for only 5 shillings (8 pennies!).

We went to Father Bernard’s complex for the going away party! It was fantastic fun filled night with dancing with the locals to Kenyan, Jamaican, and American music. There was a great goat feast and an open bar. While we were all too tired to do any damage, we did share a drink with the Kenyans. Many of us also received beautiful gifts from the locals, included beaded jewelry, a wooden rosary, etc. They’re so sweet and were so gracious about the difference we made while we were in Mikinduri. We assured them that their town is beautiful and thanked them for being so welcoming.

Libby and Adrian with Local Kids

It is impressive the difference MCOH and Chalice has made in Mikinduri. The children are nourished, there are many more children in school, parents are happy, and based on the welcome we received, we think the people are happy as well. In the 9 days of clinics, we saw 3800 patients! 800 in Medical, 800 in Dental, 1800 in Vision, and over 1200 people got prescriptions from the pharmacy! It’s fantastic to be able to help so many people in a small way, and give 34 volunteers the experience of a lifetime! Helping people has been so rewarding and learning so much about the different Kenyan cultures has been fantastic!  MCOH has made such a difference in this little town’s existence, and what has been especially encouraging for them is that there is a place across the world that cares about them and want to see them succeed. My thanks goes out to everyone who has supported us financially and emotionally, and I wish you could see the impact it has made! Please continue your support as only $20 goes so far in Kenya. We’re all tired and ready for a safari rest, but also anxious to come see our families. We’ll see you in a few days. Thanks for your support! (Www.mikinduri.com)