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...

Enjoying the weekend

rs. The weekend is usually a more quite time. We can prepare the working plans for the coming week, we see what we need in terms of food supplies and we can do some office work. When I returned home today it became chilly as usual in the evenings and I was looking forward to a good hot Swiss coffee at home...

On my way home I came accross one of these long Kenyan freightliners that connect Mombasa and Nairobi with Uganda.

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