Enough water thanks to our water tank

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.

Former doctor Wanjara comes back

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.
Nearly every day new people join like this young lady

Two births and one eating shelter

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.

Riots in Kisi

As we heard from our laboratory assistant Caroline, who lives in Kisi, there were heavy riots there and 11 people were killed. Shortly before midnight she sent me an SMS and asked for help. I advised the police and finally they came, but only with four agents that couldn't spread a group of 300 youngsters who were straying through the village and put fire to many houses. It is still boiling among the population and it seems to be only a question of time until unrests start erupting again.

About the laundry passion of the Kenyans...

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

Learning to use shampoo!

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

An elderly couple finally finds shelter

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

80 new members four our tent camp

rs. Today I had a long day. I only came home at 8:30 pm. We had 80 additional people joining our camp. As the Kenyans have no sense of time, some only came as late a 6 pm. It was good to see how the women helped preparing and cooking the evening meal while the men took responsibility for the fires. Young and old sat happily together around the fire places. In the evening it was quite chilly and the fires served a double purpose. Some children went their way because they usually have special private lessons in the house. Our new small patient who has amyotrophia first was quite lost. Then I found a walking aid in the hospital and a little later he get used to it and he is also accepted in the group despite his handicap. At the end of my stay at the camp I again explained the rules to the newcomers and they got their mattresses and 2 blankets. Everybody also got something to eat.

rs. Today I spoke with the women in the camp. They told me their experiences and they thanked me that finally somebody takes care of them. They were without hope because they saw no future. But now their children can go to school and have something to eat. This is a step forward. The men on their part complained that the women were to slow in cooking. Perhaps we have to organize it better. Our cook in the hospital also had a complain, this time concerning the patients who go up at night to make some tea in the kitchen but do not leave it in order. I advised her to tell them directly and if they don't listen, she should close the kitchen in the night...

In the afternoon I went to Nakuru to get some chemicals against insects. Because there is a lot of rain in this season, we have quite some problems with the midges and flies. On the way home I passed the Nakuru Camp where somebody stopped me to get rid of his sorrows. It seems that they have a disaster there: Since 3 days there have no more water and it is not easy to get wood. An employer of the municipality was there and told them that it is now time to go home. The people refused the proposal and on their part asked the Government to take action within 14 days. Some already went home and got some help with the transportation but there was no security at all and they even think of returning to the camp. Here there are certainly big problems that have to be faced by the Government in the very near future.

A daily scene from our own camp

Back home I got a call from our doctor who got the clinical results of the boy who had problems with walking. It seems he has Pseudohypetrophy and could not live more than 7 years. Now, how do we tell this to his mother? Perhaps I will find some medical advice in the internet what could be done. It is my philosophy never to give up.

New light and alarm installations

This is the boy that has muscle problems

rs. Finally our camp got some lights and everybody was delighted. Some thought we should celebrate it. For the moment the electrician has to do the final works which is planned for tomorrow. We also installed an alarm system in case of fire or something unexpected occurs. Today I controlled the tents together with our secretary Njaga. Most of them were ok. We explained how to regularly put the blankets to the fresh air. At 9.00 am we had a tea break. Small and big sat joyfully together. Today we also completed the list of the tents and did our preparations for 70 additional families with 5-6 member each, scheduled scheduled to arrive on Saturday. The situation in the camp becomes more and more relaxed. They know a little English and try to ask questions and discuss things whenever time permits and the children go to school in the village. We also discussed a possible return to their homes, but nobody seems to see realistic possibilities of getting work again. At home there is no money, no food. The Government promises to help with the transportation, but that's all.

The ground around the water station was filled with gravel to make it cleaner, especially when the earth is muddy.

Many duties before the rain started again

rs. Today I was in Nakuru the whole day. First we bought some chamber pots for the small children in the camp. Then we made some administrative work for registering the mattresses and blankets we gave out yesterday. Suddenly John, our doctor called and informed me about his visit to the general hospital. He brought a child there that had some unidentified problems as described by his mother. The boy was not going to school and could hardly walk. So I heard that there will be some examinations tomorrow and I had to fetch them in the hospital to bring them both back home for tonight. As we arrived in the hospital dark clouds announced the next rain...

More blankets and water tanks from UNICEF

rs. Today we had part 2 of the food distribution to the IDP's. I was helping at the food line and had to look that everything went smoothly. Often you have to tell them simple things like how to open their bags so that we can fill in the food. Suddenly I saw two children that didn't belong to our camp. They seem to have rubella. I quickly called our doctor to check them out because the outbreak of a new disease is the last thing we need now. Especially because we have so many children and pregnant mothers in the camp. Normally vaccinations are quite common in Kenya but if somebody grows up in the bushes, there is no control. Late afternoon we got a badly needed delivery of blankets from the UNICEF as well as bowls and small water-tanks with stands. It is nice to see that we - that means our hospital crew and the displaced people in the camp - grow together more and more like a big family. We are happy when they are happy and slowly they also start to show initiatives. One man for example asked us if he could have a tent to help children with school problems. As there are no tables and chairs in a tent we offered him the opportunity to use our waiting room in the evening. Let's see if they behave well.

Pentecost weekend in Kenya

Today we had the first part of our food distribution which from now will be parted on two days to make the handling easier. Over the weekend many things happened. We tried to inspire women and men to hang their clothes properly on the laundry line and to use clothes-pins. It's my opinion that you can teach everybody, regardless of age and gender. Fundi and the electrician had work to do and most of the displaced peoples were playing or resting in the garden. Some of them asked for a second blanket because it gets quite cold during the night. Unfortunately we don't have enough. If the Red Cross is inspired to send some more blankets, it would be great! In the meantime I will check in town if there are any sleeping bags at reasonable prices. The people in the camp slowly adapt to cooking in large pans collecvtively what they didn't used to do before. Over the weekend we also got the promised delivery of gravels generously sponsored by the Young company. Again we had power brakes over the last days which makes it difficult to make the needed office work. Mr. Maina Muhia (WFP) also payed a short visit to our hospital and said that our tent camp is the best organized of all he had seen in Kenya. So our hard work gets rewarded! - Mama Matata

Mama Matata (Ruth Schäfer) after a long and intense
work day in her storage container

A new family joins our tent camp

rs. When I arrived at the hospital this morning I first had to deal with Simon. He returned drunk at the camp site yesterday night and didn't behave well. As we do not accept alcohol on in tent camp he has to leave. This is hard but we have to implement certain rules, otherwise life becomes unbearable, especially for the women. Today we also had some newcomers: a mother and

her four children joined the camp (see picture). I started to speak with them and learned that she lost her husband (a Luo) during the crash when she ran out of her burning home. She doesn't know if he is still alive. All what remained were her four children and one blanket. Inquiring how they could sleep she explained that the children parted the blanket and she managed to find some pieces of card board. Njaga took her particulars and they got a place in the camp together with mattresses and blankets.

Editorial note: The next report will be published on Monday

Swiss officials came to visit our hospital

rs. Today we had a visit from Switzerland. Stephan, the driver of the Swiss Embassy called me in the morning to get the directions to the hospital. As our direction signs had been stolen, it is not easy to find the way to the entrance. Eliane Candido (see picture left) from the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi came together with Monika Gwerder (right), inspector of the EDA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) in Bern. Both wanted to visit our hospital and the affiliated tent camp. Our doctor John showed them the hospital and I informed them about the tents. As we walked through the camp, Monika Gwerder asked why we invest so much energy into the camp while the Government closes camps. I explained that many people had fear to go home and needed a place to stay, at least until end of the year. In our camp we put a lot of emphasis on security. We do not want rapes to happen as it is the case in other camps in Eldoret and Nakuru. The Swiss guests were impressed by our work and wanted to tell others about it. Early afternoon they went back to Nairobi. I wanted to continue with some works but the daily rain forced me to go home.

A central laundry place should come soon

rs. Early in the morning I met this woman washing her clothes in front of her tent. It came to my mind that it is high time to organize a central laundry place. I am happy that the people in the tents become orderly more and more. The toilets are clean and also the general ground. Now we will put some big flood light to bring more security for everybody. Cooking also gets organized. The IDP's slowly start to use big pans to cook collectively which makes more sense anyway. Some ideas take a long time to be accepted but finally they see themselves what is good for them. In one point Mr. Maina Muhia is right: the women are easier to handle in the tent camp than men. But I don't fear them and also try bring them to some kind of discipline and order. Tomorrow we will have 10 more women and their children joining our camp. We already made the plan to organize it properly. Some camps are getting closed by the Government so there is a concentration to those still in function.

Yesterday I saw in a TV report how deplorable the situation still is in various parts of the country. There was a story of a young mother and her children that was escorted by the military to her original home place and all she found was one clay wall and nothing behind. She started to weep and was helped to set up a tent. She has no money and no clothes. How can she make a living? One of the many open questions here in Kenya. Tomorrow we will get a visit from Bern (Switzerand). It's always good if people come and make themselves a picture from the situation and our work.

New food delivery from Kenyan Red Cross

rs. Today I planed a full program but several unexpected things occurred. The telephone rang early in the morning to inform me about an express mail from the Meds company, problably the insulin was in it, and I had to hurry because it needs refrigeration. Then I heard that the Kenyan Red Cross was at the hospital with a food delivery and I had to get the key of the storage container and asked all available refugees to help unload the track. It was matter of time to get everything into the dry before the next rain started. It's not only that but the truck has no chance to get down the hill on a slippery road! By 5 pm everything was done. Although I had a sweater, I was freezing because the temperature went down to 16°C and it was raining extensively. I am happy to have a covered home but had to think of the many camp people who also must be cold tonight.

Discipline brings the refugee camp to flourish

rs. Today, we first discussed how we can rationalize the food distribution because after 2 pm it often starts to rain and we have to continue in the wet. So the proposition for next week is to devide the group in two on two days, Monday and Tuesday. Like this we are finished by lunch time and have the weather on our side. For today we still had the old system and luckily it stayed dry until we gave out the past portion. It is great to see that the displaced people slowly start to show some joy in their faces. The men sometimes need a little bit more discipline because the group has to work together and all duties have to be done by both genders equally. Finally, after explaining it to everybody, it worked well. The men also took part in cooking and washing dishes afterwards. The older children could start school today in Kasambara and they have been well accepted by the teachers. Our small patient with the head operation could leave the hospital today and only has to come back for periodical controls. By the end of the day, some men came to us and were looking for a volley ball. So playing, having joy and getting back to a more or less normal life are of paramount importance to bring a better atmosphere to the camp. We make our best to help them wherever we can.

Family planning and garden project

rs. On Saturday we had a family planning meeting with the IDP's. Our nurses and doctor John explained to the mothers nutrition and hygiene and together with Fundi we did our plans for the coming week. We intend to establish a garden so we can grow our own vegetables. At the same time some of the displaced people would get a littlem bit of work. We also spoke to the men that they could only stay here temporarily, they should find new jobs. There is not much progress in he economical situation of the country. The Government thinks that the poeple would feel more safe, but it is not true. Many who wanted to return home, were brutally attacked and injured. Houses are burnt and poeople in Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu or Nakuru are not satisfied. The wet season makes the ground unpleasant. In the night it also gets cold and can get down to 12° C. And people have no heating and no warm clothes.

11 year old girl and grandma join our camp

rs. Today again was a log day. The sanitary installations are almost finished. A new supply of medications arrived. And we made the final listing for the camp. Each tent gets a number which will be visible from outside. So it's like a little town, each tent will have his "house number". As we were writing down the list, an old woman and a young girl came and asked us if they could also join the tent camp. It was the 70 year old grandmother that we knew from before. They are the remaining members of the family. The girl lost both parents during the fights and is now together with her grandma. It's hard to believe if you hear all these tragic stories. Sure enough, we found a tent for them and gave them mattresses and blankets. The only things they had was a small bag with clothes. At 6 pm our doctor John came back with the boy who had a serious operation in the Kijabe hospital. The intervention was successful and we can now take over the after-treatment. It suddenly was after 6 pm and Njaga reminded me that it is high time to go home, because it's no more safe, once it is dark. Jokingly he said, that I should take my cat with me and start living in one of the tents, then I could work and discuss the whole night...

Today the Hospital is four years old!

Mama Matata (Ruth Schäfer) with Kenyan children in the tent camp of the Rhein-Valley Hospital in Kasambara, Nakuru.

rs. Today we had another of these 12-hour days, and this on May 1st, where some have a holiday. After experiencing heavy rain in the past few days, we were lucky today, the weather remained fine. The electrician came to control the secutity lights at the hospital and then we brought to paper the various rules we want to implement for the camp. Suddenly we saw Wakoma with his donkey, carrying a load of wood (see picture below). I exclaimed "Don't forget to give water to your donkey for all his heavy work." The wood is used to accomplish our toilets (see picture right). As you see on the picture there is no luxury, but it's better than nothing. Together with Njaga we finalized the plan to house 20 more men and their families within our tent camp. As today marks our fourth Anniversary of the Rhein-Valley Hospital (it was opened May 1st 2004), we bought some mineral water and sat together to celebrate the event. At the same time we could explain the new rules to the displaced peoples of the camp.

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