Sunday, Nov. 30 – 1:06 p.m.
We all arrived without incident after
two long travel days. Everyone had a chance to call home.
People seem eager to get started and tomorrow, Monday, we
will get everything set-up and ready for an early start on
Tuesday. Most everyone seems to have a great sense of humor
and quite able to go with the flow. I'm actually writing
this from my room, but the connection is intermittent and
slow. I'll keep you posted.
Deb Meyer, Ph.D.
December 2, 2008 – 4:05 a.m.
Today is our official first day in the clinic. Yesterday, we
spent the day getting everything organized and people
trained. The clinic now has windows, new tables and chairs
and a fresh coat of paint. Dozens of children surrounded us
as we worked, asking us to take the pictures and give them
sweets. They were a welcomed diversion, although we only had
a short bursts of time to interact with them. This is an
amazing group and everyone pitched in and did anything that
needed doing. We left hot and dusty, but ready to go in the
morning. After we returned, people headed to town to shop,
explore and try the local beer, Tusker (the name refers to
the founder who was killed by an elephant).
Today the group headed out on an old bus that appears
reliable despite the clouds of black smoke it kicks out when
the driver accelerates. I stayed behind to open a bank
account, email and pick-up supplies. The email is so slow
here that it takes forever. Tonight we head to a local
hospital for a buffet and lecture by a local physician. I
will keep you all posted. We are all well and enjoying
ourselves. We will run clinics 6 days a week. We meet for
breakfast at 6 a.m. and head out by 7:30 for a 45 minute
drive.
Deb Meyer, Ph.D.
December 4 – 8:51 a.m.
We’ve had a couple of students with nausea and vomiting
(nothing serious), but are keeping close tabs on all. The
first one was in the clinic the next day. Agnes (one of our
Kenyan volunteers) worked in the clinic yesterday for 3
hours and hid the fact that she was in labor just so we
would deliver her baby – a boy who she named after Alishea
Armstrong’s husband.
This group is amazing. Everyone gets along great and pitches
in wherever and whenever needed. The first 2 days were slow
for us – about 150-175 patients. Today, however, the tide
turned and we saw 415 patients. And that was with us not
registering any more patients after 1:45. We were spoiled
the first 3 days; the recently connected electric-powered
fans kept the air moving and the rooms rather comfortable.
Today, the electric quit soon after we arrived so no fans.
We’ve handed out a number of Obama posters and stickers, but
somewhat stealthily since we could easily trigger a run on
the goods. The ladies of the village fix us chapatti and tea
every day and, as always, we appreciate the break and food.
The hotel is under new management and the food is very good.
A young woman is the new chef and she just beams when we
comment on the food. She has taken to following me down the
line and adding food to my plate, which means I’ve tried
about everything. We will go to Bonyo’s village Sunday for
mass and our annual feast provided by the village. There is
also talk of hippo watching at sunrise on Lake Victoria on
Sunday, but we haven’t made arrangements yet. All in all,
things are going well.
Deb Meyer, Ph.D.
December 9 – 3:08 a.m.
It's hard
to believe that we only have 5 clinic days left. We keep
very busy and the days fly by. It's easy to lose track of
what day it is here since we aren't constantly connected to
email, CNN and the news. Sunday, we went to mass in Bonyo's
village and then a grand buffet prepared and served by the
villagers -- it's always quite a feast. Afterwards, a group
headed north to the equator to get their pictures taken
around the ball that marks the spot. Yesterday (Monday), we
saw nearly 600 patients and it felt like we saw that many.
As always, we had a mix of conditions that we rarely see in
the States -- Malaria, leprosy, typhoid, worms, etc. The
patients come from miles around, usually on foot or, if
lucky, on a bike. The big thing this year, thanks to
Kathleen Yeakley, are glasses. Everyone wants glasses! When
we do take a break from seeing patients, children surround
us. Some want sweats, others pens. Most want their picture
taken and several want us to help them learn the words in
English children's books.
It is very hot here, which means frequent stops at the
grocery store for huge quantities of water that we lug
everywhere. It is easy to become dehydrated, but everyone is
diligent about drinking lots of fluids. Everyone seems to
enjoy our days at the clinic and the bonding at night. After
10 days, I still say that this is an amazing group! Everyone
misses family and friends, but we love the fact that you are
getting snow while we bask in the sun.
Deb Meyer, Ph.D.
