Thursday, June 26th-Medical Clinic at Kibera

(Blog by Ruth, again)

After arriving so early the day before – we decided to leave a half hour later this morning.  The drive was very easy again.  You cannot believe the number of people walking to work or living on the side of the road.  There are many shabby lean-to type shops on the side of the road – each maybe 5 to 10 feet wide and the next one right beside.  One wonders how these remain standing and if they got an occupancy permit.  They are selling everything imaginable.  My guess is they make enough money today to by food for the family for tomorrow.

By the way tax returns are due on June 30^th in Kenya – big ads all over the place.  I think these vendors are not reporting.  In fact our drive told us that if your income is below a certain threshold you do not need to file a return.

Again, we were the first group to arrive at Holy Trinity.  We did have another short worship session and pep talk.  From the American team, an ardent young woman spoke about her delight in spreading the Gospel to the many Muslims coming into the clinic.  All three of us bristled at her urge to proselytize, but it was Ruth who got up and politely disputed this attitude, ie trying to convert Muslims.  From that point on they looked at Ruth as though she were the devil incarnate.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Interior of Holy Trinity

We were very pleased to see that Muslims were sufficiently comfortable to attend our clinic and bring their children to the parish school.  The young Muslim female students wore the same uniform, but had long pants and the traditional head ``scarf``.  That peaceful interaction was enough for us – we did not need to convert them.

We brought ``sweaties`` for the children who came to the clinic and enough for the classroom children as  well. 

Today, with all the staff there for the day and a compliment of four docs, we saw 280 patients.

Again, the church women worked very diligently to provide us with tea and samosas  - today Ruth tried the tea and was sorry she had not participated the day before and tried to get a second samosa – but was not allowed.

Lunch was very tasty and Ruth went out to the back to get a cooking lesson from the ladies and learned how to make the cabbage dish.  All food is prepared in large pots outdoors over open fires. The dishes and cutlery are washed on large basins on the ground.

Ruth stopped registering patients at 4 pm – but it took until a little after 5 pm to finish with the patients who were there and to pack up the drugs, etc.

We headed off to the Junction Mall for dinner at the Art Café and a bit of shopping then back to MGH for the evening – again – Fran went to sleep immediately (give me a break!!!!).  She was awake by 4 am.