Lovingly caring for the wife

rs. It's nice to see how this elderly couple helps each other. The husband helps his wife to get some massage for her hand and is always at her side. In fact this would be a case for a nursing home financed by the Government because the grandma really needs daily care. Unfortunately the Government has no such projects so we try to fill in with the facilities of our small hospital.

A malaria case in the early hours

Today the nice weather prevailed. Already at 9 am the temperature was around 30°C and it seems that the rainy season has ceased for a while. On the way to the hospital I met taxi driver John and he asked me I got the latest news from our doctor Wanjara. This morning at 4 am John was driving a mother and her sick child to the official Sankt Meris Hospital in town for an urgent examination. But the doctor refused to examine the child and asked the mother to come back at 8 am. What a concern! The taxi driver spontaneously proposed to drive to the Rhein-Valley Hospital where they found doctor Wanjara who immeditately looked after the girl and gave her an infusion. It was a severe case of malaria and with the correct medications she can go home in three days. John was amazed to see how nicely our doctor was fulfilling his duty and I was surprised to get such a compliment from a Kenyan citizen. - Mama Matata

Some small patients

rs. I was in the hospital only for a short while today. I had to help restart the telephone computer because I am the only one who knows the necessary PIN code. There were not that many patients because on a Sunday people go to church and only then they remember to look for the doctor if they are ill. Still there were some small patients today with various illnesses.

A letter from Kasambara

I was born, raised and schooled at Kasambara. Today I had time to visit your blog and all that was left of me after going through the whole website was emotional tears. I could see even marathon being organized far from home just to see that the people in Kenya - Kasambara are leading a better life. May God bless the pioneers volunteers and everyone else who is troubled to see that Kasambara people are leading a decent life.

RVH has come by with so many other developments i.e. water, electricity and even school projects. These are projects that we the people of Kasambara never even one day thought would ever reach our area. I am a keen observer of the tireless effort by Ruth and all other volunteers who are there to ensure that their vision is fulfilled despite various setback by the local people. I blame all these to lack of education and exposure. We the young generation of Kasambara are fully backing this project. Our young people are now employed by the hospital. Roads to the hospital and beyond are always maintained. My heart is so grateful. My mother, father and siblings are beneficiaries of this hospital. Let no one stop the FIRE BURNING. Congrats Ruth, congrats everyone. MAY THE LORD MIGHTLY BLESS YOU. Hope to meet the management soon.

- Monica

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.

Giant football to promote our hospital

This giant football made out of metal with a diameter of 3.3 m and a weight of 270 kg was created and sponsored by the Swiss company B. Lüchinger from Oberriet. Mario Lüchinger, director of the company presented it to Stephan Holderegger, who had the idea of the Rhein-Valley Hospital in Kenya. The football is meant to be signed by various football teams and aucioned off to bring some financial support for the hospital. It also shows that our hospital is still very popular among the people of the "Rheintal" in Switerland. Let's hope for a giant auction result!

Turtle Visit announces Rain

rs. When turtles appear it is a sign of rain. Indeed it rains since yesterday and the temperatures came down from 35 °C to 20° C. Again many patients came to our place for medical help. Today we also discussed the working plan for the coming weeks. As we discussed outside, suddenly we heard children screaming and we found a turtle on our ground. Some Kenyans even fear this animal...

In spite of holiday a busy day

rs. In spite of the holiday in honour of Obama's victory, there were many patients today in our hospital. The waiting room was full of people and we also had our babies' day (control and vaccination). Many patients suffered of stomach upsets and fever. Because of the many weather changes, we have more malaria cases. Our lab assistant Caroline made the necessary tests and even helped in other departments. Fortunately we have a good team work and everybody helps each other.

Celebrating President-Elect Obama!

rs. Today it was a great day for Kenyans. Already yesterday the Luo assembled in Kisumu and awaited the result of the American election. Some people placed some boxes with the names of the canditates and did some kind of fun voting. Feast tents were established and as the result was announced the Kenyans celebrated Obama as if he was their president. All over the country everybody was delighted and even President Kibaki announced that Thursday will be a nationaal holiday to celebrate President-elect Obama. Some Kenyans even said that slavery is now past and they started to feel as normal people. Also in and around our hospital there was a little celebration.

Vegetables and fruits are essential

rs. Our gardeners brought the vegetables for lunch. It is very important that the Kenyans understand that they cannot only live on Ugali, they need the vitamins in vegetables and fruits. Otherways our doctors have to give them vitamin pills when they grow older. Only the hotels and some reach people regularly eat vegetables and fruits. So it is one of our duties to inform, educate and inspire our refugees and patients how to eat healthy.

Change of weather brings more patients

rs. With the change of weather we have an increasing number of patients, especially children and elderly people. After the quiet weekend doctor Wanjara and his crew had a busy day. Even our assistants had to help and look after the children, while their mothers were being medically checked inside.

Positive Pregnancy Test

Early Saturday morning it was already very warm; the temperature went up to 35 °C! On the hospital meadow a young couple was waiting for their pregnancy test and as doctor Wanjara told them it was positive, they were delighted. - Mama Matata

Cleanness is of paramount importance

After we purchased some rice for our camp we checked if everything is ok in the hospital. Today I was not completely satisfied with the cleanness of the medical staff, so we discussed the matter in front of the house. In general the crew works fine but from time to time you have to remember them what are the standards to be followed. - Mama Matata

RVH: Unveiling Plans of Expansion

ak. After four years in operation, the Rhein-Valley Hospital Foundation (and its board of directors) has decided it would like to do more for the people of Kasambara and Thugunui. Next year, they will commence construction of the new Dental and Optical Clinic to be able to provide more specialized medical services. Both dental and optical services are very much needed in rural Kenya, where cataracts or rotting teeth are often the only barrier preventing a person from leading a normal life. The new building will include a dental wing, an optical wing, a post-surgery in-patient room, staff residences, volunteer residences, a large kitchen and a staff eating area. Most of the medical equipment has already been generously donated by the Swiss military (much of it brand new), but the foundation is still seeking additional funds to help with building's construction.