Easy Rider

What a twist! I refused to ride motorcycles in the states because I was too paranoid of getting smashed into little bits...but I so quickly hopped on the little “piki-piki” motorbikes that flew around the dirt roads in Kenya. Seeing the little 100cc motorcycles scoot around the market, carrying way too many people and goods, occupying a special role within this community...the allure was too much.

Courtesy of  Google.
Spot-on accurate.

No child left behind!
(also courtesy
of Google)

Although I had never driven a motorcycle before this point (no better time than the present!), I luckily had a very well-versed, patient teacher, Manas. He works in SCMH as a cook and has taught many volunteers and staff in the past. I knew I was in good hands.

Before long, I was on my way, traversing the overworked dirt roads, dodging cattle, and taking in some beautiful views of rural Nyanza province.

Good medium to learn on

Gridlock

Local fishing village

Getting up this hill was a true test

All in all, it was such a nice way to learn from locals, explore the surrounding area and create a new outlet for myself. Now, being the obvious piki piki pro that I am, I'll be riding into the Kenyan sunset like Dennis Hopper (minus the crude hand gestures and fiery demise.)  

St. Camillus Mission Hospital

 So I have arrived to my new home for the next year! St. Camillus Mission Hospital (SCMH) was founded by the Camillian order from Italy. Approx 20 years ago, that religious order began their presence in Karungu, introducing not only the church but new schools and hospitals to a region that had very little else than a small fishing/agriculture community and market. The closest hospital was almost 2 hrs away, so the presence of a facility such as SCMH was very needed and aided the community not only in health but economy, providing jobs to many of the residents.

St. Camillus, servant of the sick.

Continually developing the campus since 1997, services including outpatient care, surgical, maternity, medical, pediatric, and AIDS treatment/counseling are now offered, treating a large portion of the community (who again have little to no access to primary care, let alone specialized care to treat tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS.)

Main part of hospital: houses outpatient department,
children's ward, pharmacy, xray/ultrasound, administration 

Anywho, as I settle in, I am in the process of learning my new role at the facility. I am currently working closely with the nursing staff to learn their methods/overall workings of the hospital and learning from local doctors 

and “clinical officers” (who are the equivalent to a PA or NP) of how diseases specific to this region are treated with the resources available.

Children's ward. Most kids are here with malaria.
However, all are the cutest kids ever. No doubt about it. 

To put this into perspective, although this hospital is truly amazing for where it is and the care it delivers, it is not the level 1 trauma hospital ER I recently came from. The level of care and treatment is appropriate but certainly limited to exactly what's needed; lab tests are judiciously ordered; there are no CT scans; medicines and supplies are present but require some savvy nursing to utilize everything to its fullest.

Surgical theatre; surgical ward; maternity ward
With that, it has been a fun journey learning how “bush” medicine is performed and how some very sick patients are cared for. I definitely have a long way to go, tailoring my methods and adapting to a unique medical scene. I will keep you posted and share with you the journey!  

My actual home for the next year.

View from staff homes :)

A nice little shot of Lake Victoria. 

Road to Karungu

Sorry about the delay! I know everyone was ripe with anticipation...

This entry will cover the maiden trip from Nairobi to Karungu made last Thursday. It was about 400km (250 miles) and took approximately 7-8 hrs due some stops and less than favorable road conditions.

Anyways, even though it seems like a basic trip, I wanted to share not only the changing landscape offered during a central-to-western Kenya trip; moreover, the transition from a capital city of more than 3.5 million to “the bush.”

Borrowed picture of Nairobi's congestion

Only 15km from the capital, the overlook of Rift Valley

In the valley

Nothing around but open sky and some farms

Moving into a more arid climate

All packed up and ready for the market 

Market day! Stands and shops loaded with produce, goods!

Outside of lush, Kisii. This region is good for about 300 days of rain.

Bus packed to the brim with....everything.

Traditional (and idyllic) mud hut with thatched roof.
Seen scattered throughout the country side.

Last stretch until Karungu!

Karungu! Assorted homes and shops along the one and only road.
(Pictures of market to come.) 

We made it!

Voila! The road to Karungu. 

Next entry specifically on St. Camillus Mission Hospital!

See you soon! Remember to share this blog, make some comments and email me!

I Made It!

I made it to Kenya! Despite the two, already huge storms, merging directly over New England, my flights skirted out just in time. Sadly, I missed 2 feet of snow dumped all over Massachusetts.

My snow covered and plowed in car 

It feels so good to have my feet on the ground and a real bed to sleep in. After approx 30 hrs of traveling, checking in at the AACC (All Africa Conference of Churches)/hotel in Nairobi felt amazing. Transferring flights 3 times and being cooped up in a plane for a total of 20 hrs makes a man weary...especially if you're 6'5". With that, I was never more grateful to settle in for the night.

AACC (note the warm, 80 degree, sunny skies)

Time in Nairobi has been nice. The first person I met was James, a driver who picked me up from the airport. Finding him in the crowd of drivers, holding the sign “Rick Malo, CMMB” was so relieving! When I first got off the plane, I only passed a few people holding signs for passengers and I was a little concerned to where I was going to find mine. 
After getting my tourist visa and backpack (which was so exciting knowing it had successfully made if from Boston to New York to Dubai to Nairobi) I found James, as I had mentioned. 

James was a young man from the Eastern part of Nairobi who was so informative to how Nairobi was laid out, the culture of the city, and the upcoming elections. Funniest part was when James asked me if I knew what my Kenyan name meant. Obviously puzzled, he explained that Malo is actually a common Kenyan name among some tribes. Laughing, he further explained how he was the one truly puzzled when he picked me up because he was almost sure he would be waiting for a Kenyan. Surprise! Not the passenger he expected :)

I was able to scoot to downtown Westland (the region of Nairobi I'm in) and pick up some needed goods from their market center (Sarit Center). It was a nice chance to see the local area and become familiar with the part of Nairobi I'll be staying in for the next few days. One thing I know for sure, although I am a seasoned Massachusetts driver, I would not fare well in Nairobi traffic. It's madness. Everyone is seemingly changing lanes simultaneously and has no fear. James explained, drivers only get in trouble if they 1) drive on the sidewalk or 2) drive on the wrong side of the road; he found it hilarious and shocking that in America a driver would be issued a $200+ ticket for going 15mph over the speed limit. 

Nice seeing the market with local goods being sold.
Definitely hectic on a Sunday afternoon

I'm in Nairobi only temporarily, staying at the conference center until I meet with some CMMB employees of the Kenyan office on Monday morning. From there, I obtain the remainder of my paperwork (work permit, nursing license.) After that, I will meet up with Fr. Emilio, of Karungu's St. Camillus Mission Hospital, to drive out to Karungu! At that point, I will settle in and learn of my role for the next year! :)

More to come from Karungu when I arrive and settle in! Take care!

Foreshadowing? Let's hope not.