Our First Trip:
Our team arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday night, March 13th. All 25 persons and luggage arrived safely with no difficulties with customs! After staying overnight in Nairobi, we headed straight to the village of Gatamaiyu for church services and meeting the community.
Work began promptly Monday morning and continued throughout the entire first week. A team of Kenyan men led the construction efforts and two Kenyan nurses supervised our nursing team in the medical camp. On Monday we learned of the death of Peter’s brother and on Wednesday we learned of the death of Peter’s nephew. On Sunday we again participated in the church service, and our team had a chance to present special music during the service. Sunday afternoon the team had the opportunity to visit some of the community members in their own homes before attending a prayer service held by the community for Peter’s family. We worked another full day the following Monday. On Tuesday morning all team members were in schools presenting and on Tuesday afternoon everyone attended the burial of Peter’s brother. On Wednesday, we finished construction and saw some final patients at the medical camp, then wrapped up with a special closing ceremony by the church elders and leadership.
The trip concluded with a short safari, which included a trip to a Maasai village and staying in a tented camp. Upon returning to Nairobi, we visited schools in two different slum areas as well as a school for disabled children before departing for the U.S.
Medical Camp:
During the course of our time, we saw over 1,100 people at the medical camp. Approximately one-quarter of these people were not from the village, meaning that they walked more than five miles, some up to ten or fifteen miles, just to receive medical care. Nearly one-third of the patients were children. Of the adults, 47% had high blood glucose readings, yet only 1% thought they were diabetic. Pain and inflammation were the most reported symptoms, followed closely by gastrointestinal distress, respiratory issues/chest pain, and skin problems. High blood pressure was also quite common. Some of the patients were referred to another clinic for additional care; some required such urgent care that Peter immediately took them to another facility. Many people came in need of dental or eye care, which we were unable to provide on this trip.
Construction:
The church had the foundation marked for their educational building and our group was charged with helping to move the building forward. The work itself was extremely demanding physically, carrying heavy stones and digging, and many team members had to be flexible in taking on additional tasks. We continued working until virtually all of the materials were used up; however, the building was left far from complete. Significant additional funds will be needed to complete the building, as will many more hours of labor. We will be glad to have the opportunity to help again in the future!
School Programs:
During the first week, we conducted two Bible clubs at the local primary school, one for lower grades and one for the upper grades. The students not only heard Bible stories, but they also learned Scripture, songs, and even how to share the gospel with others. A treat at the end of each session (such as a lollipop) was also enjoyed. About 350 students attended these clubs. The team also had the opportunity to present the True Love Waits program on four separate occasions. The program was well received and very informative for the students, and many commitment cards were signed. While the older students participated in that program, the younger students were part of an extended teaching time that included both Bible and Public Health education; topics such as germs, hygiene, and dental care were discussed. All of the students received pencil kits and toothbrushes at the end of the programs.
