On Tuesday, I worked mostly in the maternity clinic...weighing lil nugget babies, helping with immunizations and supplementing vitamin A, sitting in on antenatal counseling sessions (including HIV tests). The HIV tests are optional and free. Essentially, they want everyone possible to get tested because they do have the drug available for HIV and disclosure is the best prevention, but people (mainly women) are often scared because it will change their lifestlye and their reputation. Apparently, men are "harsh" if they find out that their wife/wives (polygamy is accepted here) are HIV+. One clinic we visited said that women will hide the meds under their beds, etc to keep their husbands from knowing. Anyways, the kids in the maternity clinic were adorable and the mothers are just all so proud.
From there, I headed over to the dental clinic and helped fill cavities and pull teeth. I didn't pull any myself, but I did get hands on with the suction and fillings. The kids here are amazing. Literally, didn't even flinch or tense up when they got shots or procedures. #troopers.
After lunch, Anne, Carley, Katie, Justin and I headed over to the school down the road (~15 minute walk).We were planning on just playing after school, but the schedule was different than we expected, so we just jumped right into teaching. Anna, Carley and I taught 4th graders about weather and the senses. Since we were thrown in spur of the moment, we weren't quite sure of how the classes worked, but we found out pretty quickly that there really isn't too much structure and we totally rocked it. The kids were super obedient. The head teacher introduced us...I was "Madame Amelia," thanks...and all the kids greeted us, said their names (basically none of which I could pronounce) and when we started the lesson, they would raise their hands and then stand up to answer the questions. They were so proud and enthusiastic to get involved and learn. It is super inspiring because we take a lot of educational opportunities for granted in the US, but these kids truly appreciate and value the knowledge they are gaining. Oh, I should also mention that this school is for orphans. So, their parents have passed away (mostly from HIV/AIDS) but most have guardians to live with. School is free, but they rely on donations and "well-wishes" in order to provide salaries, upkeep and the few text books they own. Each kid doesn't have their own...instead, there are a few reference books in the office that the teachers use to plan lessons and the kids can share. Each book I saw was ripped, worn out and essentially in shambles. But the kids cherish them if they do own their own and are excited to hand them to us so that we can teach them the material. Side note: They take tests 3 times a term and need a 250/500 to move onto the next grade.
Anyhoo, weather and the senses were a lot of fun to teach. After the first 5 minutes, we felt like we had covered everything...I mean, once you talk about sun, rain, clouds and wind, there isn't too much material, especially when seasons aren't covered until 7th grade, but we hit our stride and really dove in. The teacher was so excited becuase she learned the difference between a tornado and a hurricane. Oh my gosh, she was adorable! SO passionate about what she does.
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| 4th grade classroom |
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| teaching weather |
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| teaching senses |
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| justin's famous magic tricks |
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| after school dance party |
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| Probably my favorite picture of all time. |
Of course, we danced and played after school got out, then we walked back to the house, finally learned how to play poker, went to the market to get traditional skirts made by a lady named Lydia, who is apparently the only one who doesn't try to charge us more because we are Americans. We had dinner and then stayed at the hotel till super late, playing mafia (which Tyler manipulated and then effed up...well done.) Martin promised he would drive us home, but we played so late that he was nowhere to be found. The hotel was all locked up, so we just took a chance and yelled his name...and there he was. What a gem.
Wednesday morning, Kate and I went on a little adventure...called "running in the Kenyan countryside and not knowing exactly which forks in the road to follow." haha. We ended up choosing the correct ones, but we explored a little more than we expected to. I'm sure everyone was talking about the "crazy Mizungus"...
Wednesday, Anna, Justin and I spent all day with the HIV driver, delivering meds to satellite locations. (We were supposed to go the day before, but of course in the typical Kenyan way, plans changed. Found out after waiting ~45 minutes, buuuut no big deal. Oh, Africa.) First, we went to a conference for HIV counselors. It was held at the hotel we have been staying at. The conference was 2 days long and covered topics including disclosure, living a positive life with HIV, side effects and research on meds, HIV statistics and even nutrition. (we didnt get to see it all, but sat in on about 2 hours).
7% of the population in Kenya is HIV+...in Migori, the number jumpsto 13.3%, making it the district with the highest prevalence. I am just so glad that they have organized events like this and there is progress being made to increase awareness and provide support.
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| HIV Counselor Conference |
Driving is one of my favorite things to do here (besides the whole being scared for my life bit) because you get to see so many different villages and incredible scenery. We went about an hour outside of Migori with the HIV driver, who delivers meds to satellite outpatient locations, which are available for their local communities. The first village was 90% HIV+. This clinic had about 6 beds and a small maternity room with a bed for delivery if women choose to come here. The speaker this morning said that only 40% birth in a hospital...now we know the reason. Nora, the counselor we talked to, explained that women often choose home birth over hospital because they have to get tested for HIV if they go to the hospital. She also told us that kids are having sex in 4th grade these days and they don't even want to hear about abstinence, but instead, just demand condoms. It is so sad and what I don't understand is how this trend is making its was to the remote villages of Kenya, where they don't even have the media that we do in the US. She didn't know either.
On the bright side, we got to spend some time with the priest on site and he was definitely one of the biggets characters I have ever met. He could not have been more excited to have us visit...and also couldnt have had a more hilarious laugh. Anna and I were dyyying because he would cackle and throw himself backwards everytime...and over things that weren't really even that funny...? Anyways, he was so happy and joyful, which was a good attitude to encounter. Of course, we had to drink coke - again - because it is always the offering they give visitors and you must accept it...no matter how much you feel you have become diabetic in the past 1.5 weeks due to the influx of soda intake.
I did love how environmental they are here...to an extent. There were huge basins catching rainwater from the gutters, so I asked if they collect it to use for hand washing (took rain water showers in El Salvador...best shower I have ever taken to this day)...and she said yes...and for cooking... "its clean." ummm...? hahah
The second outpatient center was very similar. We got to it in on part of an HIV support groups here. Even though most of it was in Swahili, it offered one of the best moments. One older man stood up to represent the group and thank us for coming and he just said a short little piece, which was in very broken english, but basically made the three of us tear up. He was just so genuine and organic and real. Those are the moments that make these trips all so worth it.
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| HIV meds |
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| lab at outpatient site |
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| church at outpatient site |
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| Father Philip |
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| oh just some cattle blocking my walkway to the house...no big deal |
I was wiped after the HIV drive (mostly after making the mistake of sitting in the front seat so I could see all the action...and by action, I mean swerving...going on. Bad idea. Ignoance is bliss.). So took a solid power nap, ate some dinner and played games with the whole group (huge now that everyone is here!). There are a couple of new people who have fallen in the sickness trap...don't worry, still following my Tuskr Rx.
This morning, (after saying goodbye to some people from the other group...sad day...) Anna, Justin and I went back to the school to teach. This time we taught math, science and PE. It is definitely a challenge just because there is really no lesson plan or organization, so we just walked into the classroom and had to feel out exactly how much the kids had actually learned already. It is really inconsistent because they say they know how to do certain things, but then when you practice, there is a lot of confusion and you have to go back to square one.
Also, I worked with class 2 and class 5 today, and it seemed to me that both knew about the same material. So it is just very inconsistent. I would love to be able to work with the class from start to finish of the year and work through an organized, solid lesson plan.
Not sure if I wrote this before, but it also seems like the teachers kind of wander from class to class. There are plenty of times when the kids are just in the rooms alone and not being taught. Today, I was literally abducted by the 2nd graders, who pulled me into their classroom and were yelling "Teacher! Teacher! Teach us!" It broke my heart and inspired me at the same time. These trips are always such a cluster of emotions. (The other moment like this today was when I heard a kid screaming and crying and looked around the corner to see him being hit with a stick, like in the olden days. Apparently that is just how they discipline here, but I couldn't believe my eyes because you just don't see that in the US anymore. Like I said, they are very obedient students, but it breaks my heart to see that that is how it is accomplished.) The language barrier is also an issue because we have to teach extremely simplistic topics and use phrases that are universally understood. You don't realize how much slang and imagery we use in English until you get blank stares and confused giggles from the locals.
Recess and PE is always one of the best parts because the kids love to play, sing and dance. It was be the simplest thing, but if the Mizungu is doing it, they think it is the best thing ever. They are also obsessed with our skin and hair. Holy cow.
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| math class |
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| recess/PE |
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| duck, duck, goose! |
The rest of the day was studying, market and dinner, then chips masala and Tusker at a local restaurant that is essentially a tree house. Pretty awesome.
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| rockin out in the tree house |
Can't believe it is halfway over!
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