rs. After spending more than half a day in the Garage controlling and repairing my "Liseli" (how I call my car), I came late to the hospital and could witness various activities, that are part of our daily life in and around the Rhein-Valley Hospital. The gardener cleaned corn before it can be grinded in the machine, behind the house two workers are fixing our rain-water tank and Fundi is spraying the walls in the house against insects. The water-tank has quite some importance, especially now. For four days Nakuru is without water because the water authorities didn't pay the electricity bill and therefore couldn't activate the water pumps anymore. You can imagine how the situation currently is at the public camps of Nakuru, where 17,000 people live together. It is unbearable for them and if you pass the camp you can smell the stinking atmosphere. Here on the hospital ground we are fortunate to have water and also some happy people. Inside the house we are very busy with many patients and doing the needed vaccinations for the children.
rs. This morning I checked my car and found out that some oil is leaking, so I am planning to go to the garage tomorrow. It is wise to stay with your car when you let do reparations because otherways you find yourself with a car that is lacking parts they took out and want you to buy them back... That is Kenya. So I drove carefully to the hospital because I didn't want any calamities to happen with my car. And Joseh Wanjara (see picture above) the former doctor of our hospital joined me. He wanted to visit the place after a while. All crew members were happy to see him again. He found himself comfortable in our medical storage room and he loved to explain some of the medications we got from Italy. Then I asked him if he would not like to stay here for a while. We have so much to do, we need some additional qualified man power. He smiled and said, why not.
Soon, our camp is full.
rs. Today two childs were born, a boy shortly after lunch time and a girl later in the afternoon. So we were quite busy today at the Rhein-Valley Hospital. I explained to the crew how to adapt the bed of our grandma because she is not able to go to the toilet during the night. Her husband is so grateful that we take care of her day and night and that he can go to sleep in the night. Generally, we have more patients at the moment, because it is quite cold and wet and several
children caught a cough. They have not learned to properly use a handkerchief so the germs propagate. Today we also finished the banks and tables so that the elderly people have a proper place to eat and have some shelter, especially in case of rain.
rs. When I arrived at the hospital today, Fundi showed me the refuge for the camp people. We had to enlarge the cooking section in regard to a bigger capacity in case of rain. Also for the elderly among the IDP's we need some banks and tables because most of them were used to a better life before the crash. Now we have a big family and we have to help them leading a decent life within the given circumstances. During the day I was again and again suprised to see so many people doing their laundry. It seems that washing clothes became one of the main occupations... I realized that it is high time to make a laundry plan, as we know it in Europe, otherways there soon will be a chaos. After the lunch break our security man Maine told me that some asked for more flour, sugar, milk and beans. And also there was no more soap around. So we went to our storage container and filled the needs. We waited in vain for the promised corn delivery by the WFP, but patience is needed in Kenya.
Little patient with a present from Mama Matata
rs. What is daily routine to us, seems to be an adventure to rural Kenyans. Mama Matata had to learn them today how to use shampoo to wash their hairs. These people have no money to buy shampoo. With the time they realized how it can be useful. Many things are new for them and many of our disciplinary rules need some time to be adapted. I was happy to see that most of the tents are proper and those who don't believe in it like some women on Sunday, had to clean the tents after church, before lunch was given out. I could also witness many women doing laundry and hanging their clothes on the laundry strings. They don't mind if soon the rain will start as it is daily routine these days and weeks. Today I also spoke with our doctor John about the condition of our new grandma. I suggested to do some therapy to bring movement in her body and the doctor agreed. I started with a leg massage and the woman seemed to enjoy it! And then the expected thunderstorm and I rushed home, after calling Maina Muhia from the WFP not to bring the corn delivery today; it's too risky for the truck on the muddy mountain street. Hope he can come tomorrow morning.
Joyful playing in the camp
rs. Today I wanted to have an easy Sunday, but then the telephone rang. It was our nurse Wilda who told me that an elderly couple just arrived at the hospital and said that I promised them a place in the camp. We waited for them yesterday, but they didn't make it to the hospital in time. So I drove to the hospital. The woman is half-paralyzed; the 70year old grandpa accompanies her. I didn't hesitate long and gave the woman a bed in the hospital, while the man will get a tent place in the camp. First the woman needs some care and secondly she has high blood pressure. Before they settled I brought them to the camp so that they could meet the other people. Everybody greeted her cordially and shook her hand. I don't know how many times the grandpa thanked me for helping them and not dismissing them. Since the crash he tried at five different placed and two churches and each time they were not accepted. Recently he humbly asked for a possible tent place when he came here for food. I learned that he took care of his wife for several years in a tiny house until it was put on fire. A young men helped him carrying his wife in a chariot. Thanks God he had some help, otherways his wife would be lost in the flames. He said that it is not easy for him but now he sees some hope again. It's so nice to see how two people can get old together and help each other.
Lunch break at the Rhein-Valley Hospital Camp
