Eldoret ist still unsafe

rs. Paul went to Eldoret on Monday to check his property. The neighbors were not happy to see him and said that they didn't want to see him coming back. He told me about his negative experience and concluded that he has to sell his property and get something in the Kikuiu land. The situation in many places is still very unsafe. Also in Nakuru there is still a lot of criminality.

A Kikuiu bible for Joseph

rs. For many weeks this man asked me for a favour. He was looking for a blible in his Kikuiu language. Joseph is a former employee of the Presidential Guard. Now he is in pension. He lost everything during the turmoils and came into our camp. Today, on the way to the hospital I found a bible in his language and bought it for him. He was more than happy and thanked many times for the present.

The container is finally in position!

rs. Our whole crew waited for the arrival of the crane truck. At 10.10 pm local time we finally saw the first lights of the truck and half an hour later it arrived. At 11.15 pm the container was placed in position, where we had prepared it. So a long adventure came to a happy end!

Breaking News: Crane arrived

We just got a call that the crane vehicle arrived this evening and now they all have a lot to do to prepare the field to place the container which arrived yesterday . The work will continue in the night and we will bring you the first pictures in the early morning . -Blog Editor

Now we are waiting for the crane!

rs. The container arrived at the Rhein-Valley Hospital ground but what is lacking is the crane with its driver. He had some problems with the engine and is waiting for some spare parts- Hopefully he will arrive tomorrow so that we can place the container on our prepared spot. It was a question of inches that the truck with the container made the passage through the main gate.

The laundry lines had to be removed to let the truck enter the field.

People watched the truck on the way

The container is almost here

rs. After many obstacles along the road the long awaited container finally arrived at our ground, but now we need a crane to lift it up and place it on the especially prepared place on our properties (see picture below). On the way people came out of their huts to watch the huge container crawling up the mountain. They have rarely seen such a big vehicle. As I was informed the crane is now in Naivasha and should arrive in Kasambara tomorrow, if everything goes well...

Odyssee of container continues...

rs. We prepared the place for the container this morning but unfortunately it's odyssee is without end. After troubles with the muddy road yesterday, today new obstacles were in the way. The road conditions are so bad that the truck driver couldn't manage to continue his way in time. We expect him to arrive within the next one or two days...

Container after long waiting on the way

rs. Finally we succeeded to get the final permissions for the long awaited container with school supply material and gifts for the Kenyan children. The container was organized by our partner, the kidstokids organization in Switzerland together with the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and was blocked at the customs in Nairobi for many months. Countless telephone calls and personal visits at various offices were needed. Now, the truck is on the way but due to the heavy rain (see picture) and bad road conditions it could not make it up the mountain to Kasambara. After many tries the truck driver decided to wait until the sun will dry the muddy street - hopefully tomorrow! We will keep you posted.

Family planning is still unsuffiicient

rs. The patients like to wait in the grass until it is their turn at the doctor's office. Inside the hospital all chairs were occupied. Some women got their family planning injection which is easier than taking the pill which they often forget. Unfortunately good information is lacking in many cases. This picture was taken yesterday; today I was in the office the whole day.

A 100 years old patient

rs. As I arrived in the hospital today, I saw our male nurse John bringing a new patient to the hospital. In fact he got her from her home because she needed help. I learned that she is 100 years old and that she has malaria. So we gave her an injection and an infusion afterwards. The old lady is still fit and speaks a lot - unfortunately in her mother language Kikuiu. I didn't understand much but she is happy that somebody listens to her. She worried that she couldn't pay her stay in the hospital but I calmed her saying that we will certainly find a solution.

Clothes for the refugees

rs. A happy day for our camp people. I brought many clothes I do not use anymore or that have been given to us and distributed them to the refugees. Laughing faces and big eyes were their answers. Everybody wanted to get something and also the children were eager. After 2 hours everything was gone.

Small Peter was my companion today

rs. Again a busy day, but happily with sunshine. In the morning I like to sit in front of our storage container. Small Peter soon joined me and was my companion for the whole day. He also assisted me when I repaired our PC. It is so important to take some time with the children. Often the Kenyan mothers don't use enough time for their small ones. Some of our children in the camp are quite active though and our guards have to be vigilant but others are too lazy and prefer to be on the back of their mothers.

Busy day with many patients

We had a busy day. Many people felt the change of weather, especially older people. In the clinic patients are lying with high blood pressure, a woman with a severe bronchitis and a small girl with respiratory problems. We also have a mother who wanted to deliver her baby, but on the 8-hour walk (!) to our hospital the baby come too early and didn't survive. We often have to witness that the mothers don't realize early enough to go to the hospital. We also have many patients with colds which is no surprise when you know that in the mountains on 2000 m and over, the temperature easily can go down to 10 °C during the night. The houses have no heating system and the people have not enough warm clothes. Many walk around barefoot, even when it is raining. They have simply no money to buy shoes and warm clothes. I am hoping for better weather conditions too - I really prefer warm temperatures. - Mama Matata

Checking the Showground in Nakuru City

rs. Since two weeks the Kenyan Government speaks of closing all refugee camps by the end of July 2008. I was interested to see how the situation is on place and went to the camp in Nakuru City this afternoon. At the entrance policemen told me not to take any photos. So I took another way from behind and asked one of the guards there if it is possible to have a look inside and take some pictures. He said that he doesn't see a problem. I continued my conversation and learned that 2500 refugees left the camp but still the majority of more than 14,000 people is still here and is not willing to leave. He also told me that it is not very safe here, especially in the nights. He always prays for protection. I gave him 100 Schilling (=ca 2 $) to get some food. He thanked me and said he will buy something to take home for his family - he has a wife and three children.

An invitation from the Thugunui School

rs. The Head Teacher of the Thugunui School up the mountain invited me to see him. Although it is Saturday today, I found the school in session. Danson Kinyita, told me that the children have to get some extra lessons because they missed so much in the beginning of the year because of the riots. As I realized in which conditions the children have to live, I thought of the big difference to the situation in Switzerland. Here, you have wholes in the floor, windows without glass, a nearly invisible blackboard and not even every child has a notebook on his own. Nevertheless they seem to happy.

Visiting Naivasha and the large greenhouses

rs. Today we went to Naivasha city, about an hour drive from Nakuru. In fact we wanted to bring our monthly report to the MOH (Ministry of Health) and I also wanted to check about possible food aid in the future. But unfortunately nobody was there. So, I will try again next week and better get an appointment before. As we had a little time left we went to visit the big farms that also house the Havelaar Roses that are being shipped all over the world from here. In midst the new greenhouses we discovered the poor housings of the locals. Most of the farms are owned by white people.

Children's day

rs. Today we had a children's day. The babies were weighed and those who missed the vaccination last time, received it today. We also had the visit of John, one of my "street boys" who usually look after my car when I am in Nakuru city. He was happy to see me and complained about leg pains. He had a small infection and had to take some medications. He then waited until I went home to get a lift. He came by hitchhike.

Camels in Nakuru City

rs. Traffic is quite heavy in the streets of Nakuru, but somethimes you also see some unusual sights as these two camels walking through the streets - it looks like the mother and her child. In fact it is the first time that I see camels here in Nakuru. - Click on the picture to see it in large size (as published on the Photo Blog Kenya Photos)

A rainy day gives us time for office work

rs. Today it was raining nearly the whole day and we had enough time to make some controls in the bookkeeping department and generally in the office. This is Wanjara, our doctor. Also Noemi, John and Njaga helped. Such rainy weather is unusual for Kenya. Normally after an hour of rain the sun appears again but today it was quite wet and the temperature dropped to 14 °C.

Teaching the children to play

rs. After placing a letter to the DHL office and collecting my printed matter at the Nakuru Printing Shop I came to the hospital with some simple tools for the children to play with. I was teaching small Peter how to play with the sand. Even without tools you can create beautiful things. We played together for more than an hour before he started off on his own. I hope that the mothers will join me teaching their children the ABC of playing with simple things and to bring joy to the small.