Lions Club's eye test not very effective

rs. Today people from the Lions Club offered a free eye test and two of our nurses helped them. What first was looking like a selfless service by members of the Lions Club, finally became a more business oriented action. They didn't made a proper eye test but only wanted to sell glasses. And if a treatment was suggested, our camp people have no many to get it later on. At 4 pm I told them to hurry up because dark clouds announced another thunderstorm. They ignored my advice and when I came home I heard that all their 8 cars were stuck in the mud and that they had much difficulties to get back on the road...

Maina Muhia (WFP) visits our hospital

rs. Today I got a call from Maina Muhia (WFP) that they will bring the corn delivery at lunch time. And he wanted to visit our place, so I went to get him at his office. When we arrived at the hospital the truck was just unloading 15o bags of corn and they had to take back an older delivery that went bad because it was packed before it could dry completely. Mr. Muhia went through our camp and spoke with the displaced people. He asked them if they thought of returning home some time but nobody wants to leave. He saw that the people were happy in the camp. Some men even tried to get some work but it's not that easy. The women who got a piece of land to cultivate, were occupied with their garden ad the elderly women took care of the children. It is also surprising how well the different tribes live together. Muhia said that our camp is an example for all of Kenya. While he had discussions with the camp people, I organized everything for tomorrow, together with our doctor Wanjara. On Saturday the Lions Club of Gilgil will offer a free eye control for all residents. For this we will prepare a room and supply two nurses. At 4 pm Maina Muhia asked me if I could bring him back to Nakuru and in the car he thanked me again for this beautiful and informative day and he even had time to laugh. He would like to come back next week.

The odyssee of a container in Nairobi

rs. During the last two days I had some unbelievable experiences. In the morning at 4 am I went out of the house to take the journey to Nairobi where the kidstokids container is blocked since several months. Our secretary, Njaga joined me. First we could share the driving and secondly it was saver not to be alone. In the past weeks we were mainly occupied dealing with the Government to get the different permissions but now it was the actual work of filling out dozens of papers at the customs in Nairobi. Each officer adds his stamp until he papers were filled to the brim. The agent at the last station told us that we have to go back to the entrance gate to get a pass. Finally we were standing in front of the container where we had to find a worker with pliers who should remove the seal. Then we would have to unload everything to be controlled by him. It was five minutes before his lunch brake, so he hesitated to do it before he would leave. On my side I convinced him that it does not take more than five minutes to do it otherways I would do it myself. Then reluctantly he did his job but the lock was not moving. Something had been crashed and blocked. The door could only be opened with the help of a fork lift truck and after five tries we succeded.

Njaga was worried that we would have to unload everything by ourselves, but I only laughed at him and said, that we now call the agent in charge of controlling the content and he can tell us what to do. He came and convinced himself that there was only school supplies in the container but he asked for a seal number but there was none to be found. He said we should go back to the entrance where we could get a number. Back in the office we got again some stamped forms that we had to bring to the airport where we got the final paper. But the actual transportation to Nakuru will only take place next week. So we spent two days from 4 am to 11.30 pm just getting done the last paper works... that is the second last episode of our container episode.

On the way to Nairobi. In the custom area we were not allowed to take pictures.

No internet - no container yet

The internet connection is still blocked and there is again no big news today. We just heard that Ruth again went to Nairobi early this morning to get out the container with school supplies and gifts for Kenyan children. The container is waiting for many months to be released. Hope we have more and better news by tomorrow.

Waiting for a better internet connection

Today we have no report due to a breakdown of the internet and telephone connections. We hope to be back tomorrow!

Playing gives joy to old and young

rs. First thing in the morning for me is usually a checking tour through the camp. Without order and purity it is not possible to live in these primitive circumstances. Our guard Askari also helps me doing the duties. The children always get some toys to play with and they love it. Also these elderly men enjoyed their time with a game they recently got.

In the hospital we can witness some progress. The grandma who was half lame now can walk a little but with the help of her husband - all thanks to our steady therapies. Needless to say that the husband is also very happy and grateful. The four newcomers that arrived this morning, got their first meal on our ground. One of them said that he hadn't properly eaten for three days and he was also full of gratitude. All three were chased away from the region of Eldoret. They told me that it is impossible to return home; there is no security. The fear of the people is still reigning everywhere. I the meantime they got a little hut but then the owner kicked them out again. He wanted a rent but they couldn't afford to pay anything because they had no work. That's the reason they are now here and ask for a tent place. Soon our 50 tents are full!

Peaceful Sunday - but not everywhere

rs. Here at the Rhein-Valley Hospital ground things are quite peaceful. In the morning many of the displaced people of our camp went to church. Then they prepared lunch. But not everywhere ihn Kenya there is such an idyllic situation. I heard that Aska again had trouble. After being attacked herself some weeks ago this time her son and house aid were brutally beaten at her home and all valuable possessions stolen. - Although it was Sunday some members of our crew were here to help around although they get not paid for it. When I came home, there was again no electric power and therefore no light...