Socks for the refugees

rs. Again we have a lot of rain and most of the corn crop is ruined. People have not enough to eat and there might be a food shortage before the end of the year. The IDP's invested their money from the Government in buying land on which they place their tents. Money for more and for enough food is not existent. As it became cold here, I took the initiative to give some socks to the refugees ... and they are very grateful. Little Peter (see picture) is one of them. He is also especially happy since he is going to the kindergarten now.

Present from Kasambara School

Today I got a nice present. It is from the Kasambara Primary School to thank for the good collaboration with the community. It's nice to see the the majority of the Kasambara community stands behind us. - Mama Matata

Nakuru City: poor and unsafe

rs. I am not so eager anymore to go to Nakuru town, because you see the poor and hungry everywhere and it is impossible to help them all. Especially children who have nothing can be seen on the streets. The Government unfortunately does not want to recognize the situation and establish any help programs. I was in town today to get some medications that were mailed to me. If I don't have to go to town, I prefer shopping in a nearby new shopping center that is much safer.

Apreciating the work of the IDP's

Today we cleaned all outside toilets and showers. The workers and the helping IDP's made a good job and I thanked them for their work which is not common among the Kenyas; a white women thanking black people is highly appreciated here.

Vaccinations still unpopular

rs. Today our hospital was again open for mothers with their children. During the last three weeks we realized that more mothers find the way to us. Some fear the costs, others do not see the importance of vaccinations as it is the case with a 13-year old girl who came to us and got her first vaccination. The girl told me that she came from Eldoret together with her mother. Her father and her small sister were killed. In the future we will try to inform the people even better about their rights in the health system.

New medications arrived

rs. Today at 7 am I got the first call announcing the arrival of the medications this morning. Thanks God there was no rain, so the small truck arrived safely. Wanjara and myself checked the medications and stored them. Now we are ready for new treatments.

Sunday: Time for office work

rs. Today I made it only for a short visit to the hospital because of heavy rainfalls for the past five days. The roads up the mountain are muddy and dangerous, so I had to be very careful. Our labor assistant Caroline made the list for the medications to be ordered in Nairobi today and we checked it together. The only thing she forgot was a test medication for pregnancy, so we added it. As usual Sunday is a quiet day in the hospital as well as in our rural area.