My name is Joe and I’m a Physician Assistant student from Pacific University currently on a clinical rotation in Kenya with The Ray of Hope Foundation (ROHF). I am here in Kenya with 4 other students from my class (Amanda, Jodee, Tiffany, and Brandy). This blog is intended for those involved with ROHF as well as my friends and family to follow our experiences (from my perspective) while visiting Kenya.
The trip did not begin as smoothly as it could have because of a passport issue that prevented Tiffany from flying in on the same day as the rest of us. But the rest of us arrived safely in Nairobi on Monday (9/26/11) after around 17 hours of flying and were greeted by Mr. Barasa (who would be our excellent guide/knower of all things Kenyan).
Mr. Barasa
We crammed all of our luggage into a van and were driven to the Musmark house in Nairobi. Musmark is a very comfortable place to stay. It has hot showers, flushing toilets, an incredible staff, and delicious meals are prepared for you at regular intervals (plus tea time!).
Musmark Estate
Musmark Gazebo
We stayed in Nairobi until Friday (9/30/11) morning. While in Nairobi we exchanged U.S. Dollars for Schillings, shopped at a local market (where we were extremely unsuccessful at bargaining for a fair price), acquired phones/mobile modems, and went through general orientation. Orientation included things like an introduction to the culture, a Kiswahili lesson, and information about the healthcare system.
Maasai Market (tourists beware)
Thursday (9/29/11) we visited the Ray of Hope health clinic and school in Kawangware. We visited with the students and staff of the school as well as the members of the HIV support group. We also had the opportunity to visit the slums of Kawangware in order to better understand the living conditions of the children there. This was a very powerful experience for everyone. Families of 6 or more live in 10 ft by 10 ft metal homes. Sewage runs through the street. Garbage piles up everywhere. And there is next to no law which means women and children are subject to the whims of violent men and sexual predators. Despite this, the children still find the strength to smile, play, laugh, and learn as children should. And the teachers struggle to feed and teach the children in a noble attempt to break the cycle of violence and poverty. An education is truly the only way out for these children, and only a fraction have the opportunity to go to school.
Ray of Hope School in Kawangware
Thursday night Tiffany flew in accompanied by Lois who is a nurse from the U.S. who has been to Kenya (amongst other places) multiple times. Lois has proven to be an irreplaceable source of information and advice. Friday morning we left for Migori by Trans Line (Kenya’s equivalent of our Grey Hound). Seven hours later we arrived and settled into what would be our home for the next 4 weeks.
The internet has proven to be unreliable at best. More to come as technology allows…
Thanks Joe; I found your blog very interesting & informative, especially since I plan to be a preceptor volunteer with ROHF in Kenya in Fall 2012; so your blog is part of my orientation!
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