Sunday: Office work and fun

rs. Sunday is the day to do some office work like bringing the register cards into order... and a funny mood is also allowed on Sunday.

A bad cut in the finger

rs. This woman had a severe cut in the finger and the wound was already infected. Today she came to us to get help. She was lucky not to get a blood poisoning.

A new addition to our team

rs. Today a new male nurse inquired our hospital. He intends to join our team. His name is Eston (left). Our doctor Wanjara showed him our enterprise and after 3 hours he agreed to take the job. He was looking forward to his new activity and said that he is happy to be here. He checked many places but nobody welcomed him so cordially. Eston is a cheerful young man with quite some knowledge. If he works as good as his qualifications, we both can look forward to our enlarged team.

Informing the mothers

rs. Today our medical staff informed the mothers about the upcoming dates for vaccinations and important hygienic rules. Also they covered nutrition for children. Often the children are not properly fed. All present mothers were grateful for the education because they don't get it elsewhere. They also took the opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Hairstyle - the Kenyan way

rs. I found this girl in Thugunui. Others helped her to get her hair ready. The Kenyans always use false hair to mix with the real ones. It might take up to four hours until everything is done. Such a hairstyle will keep for about three months.

A little patient could survive

rs. Internet and my swollen foot still make my life difficult but I try to do my best. With a lot of difficulties and a special mobile connection I could transmit this picture. It shows a little girl, that arrived here four days ago. When the mother brought her, she was dried out and her life was at high risk. Today the little patient is much better. If the girls had not been brought to the hospital she probably would have died. (You can click on the picture to see it in full size as it appears on our photoblog "Kenya Photos")

The Internet is on and off

rs. Yesterday I had no internet so I could't write anything. Today it was starting to function again, but I didn't function properly - I sprained my ankle. (Editor's Note: the days around full moon are always special: positive and negative things can happen...)

The ideal transport form for Kenyans

rs. This is the common transport forms for Kenyans and especially for people up in the mountains. The boys leading them instruct the animals with simple sticks. Sometimes they also pass our hospital and make a small break. They get some water for the donkeys before they continue their way.

Checking the generator in Thugunui

rs. Today I brought a 20-Liter can of fuel for the generator of our water station in Thugunui. I took the opportunity to check the machine and the electronic part. The Kenyans are not used to control and check machines.

Alive brought her parents to the hospital

rs. Early this morning Alice from Eldoret called. She is a student who made a report about our hospital last year. As her parents were on the way to Nakuru, she asked me if I could get them in Nakuru to bring them to the hospital. The mother suffered from malaria and bronchitis. Our doctor helped them and Alice was very grateful for our assistance.

School starts on Thursday

rs. This monday school started here. The schoolchildren can register during 3 days. In Nakuru you can see children from wealthy families while up in the mountain, in Thugunui the poor people walk for 15 km to reach their school room. Here registration is much more primitive. On Thursday, school finally will start everywhere.

Vaccinations and 36 ° C in the shadow

rs. After a quiet weekend this was a stressful day. We had about 50 mothers who came with their babies for a vaccination. The medical team could not even make a lunch break to handle the situation. Some patients waited inside, others preferred to be outside. Our cooking girl brought them some drinking water because the temperature again rose to 36 °C. We hadn't had such a hot summer since 5 years.

Good to know for us Europeans who suffer an especially cold winter with lows of -30 °C. -Editorial note

Baby with beginning rubella

rs. This is a baby with beginning rubella. The mother didn't go to the routine controls in our hospital as it is the case with many. Then they do not insist in getting the necessary vaccinations for their babies because they fear that the children might become sick. Our medical team does its best to inform and illumine the mothers, but not always with success...

Chapatti in team work

rs. Our cook Marie got help from Doctor Wanjara to make the Chapattis for today's lunch. We can make them only on special occasions because the flour and the oil are too expensive for daily use. The other crew members helped to prepare the carrots, the rice and the meat. So together we made and ate a nice meal.

Anti-worm medications for the family

rs. Small Antony had a fever today. After some tests the doctor said that he had a light malaria, but what was worst, he had some worms in his stomach. Wanjara checked also Antony's brother and finally he ordered medications for the whole family.

New cords for the children's swings

rs. Our housekeeper Fundi and gardener Wakomo replaced the cords of the swings. The old cords were worn out because of the heavy rains we had. The children were all happy when they could use the swings again.

Ending the year with a corn control

rs. Because of the hot weather our corn supply suffered and we had to control all bags today, before they could be returned to the storage container. This was a last hard working day for this year. Tonight we will celebrate the beginning of the New Year. Here, the Kenyans use to place a string from one tree to the next and then the people jump over it meaning to jump into the New Year. Let me also take the opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year, also in the name of the Rhein-Valley Hospital association.

A new medication delivery

rs. Today we received a new medication delivery. We were lucky to get the boxes because usually there are no deliveries over holidays. As the driver wanted to visit his parents in Nakuru to celebrate the New Year festivities with them, he could combine it with the delivery to the Rhein-Valley Hospital.

A gratitude letter for Ruth

Today I got a nice letter:

Hi, my name is Regina. As the year ends, I have a message for you; you touched my heart. To me you are more precious than gold and more expensive than anything that money can buy. I am an IDP at Mbaruk. I visited the hospital that you sacrificed and started for the less fortunate. When our country was rocked with post-election violence, I became a victim and found myself and family at Mbaruk and that?s how I came to know about Rhein-Valley at Kasambara. Currently, my son is being treated there with rheumatic fever. Thanks to Dr. Wanjara who is so kind and good to all. Also sister Ruth.

To me you are the woman of the year 2008. Thanks for your Big Heart and may God bless you so much and may you live long enough to enjoy.

Regina Gathaiya

Urgency in the night: a malaria patient

rs. Tonight we had an emergency case: an old man was brought with severe Malaria. We immediately gave him an infusion with medications which helped quite well. Often patients were brought much too late. At an earlier stage it would be much easier to help.