 A hot day in Kisumu Swahili words of the week: simba, mambo and kiboko. Simba: lion (like Simba the lion, in Disney's Lion King); Mambo: crocodile; Kiboko: hippopotamus I have made friends with a doctor from the U.K. who is passionate about healthcare in East Africa. Dr. Mike Marks, the Board Chair of OGRA Foundation, and I have spent many lunches and dinners together at Kiboko Bay Resort, where we watch the water and he shares his depth of knowledge on the successes and failures of healthcare in East Africa. Our conversations have been really helpful in helping me understand the issues East Africans face everyday: income insecurity, political unrest, corruption, unmet basic healthcare needs, education, lack of infrastructure. All of the basic things we have in the U.S. and the rest of the developed world, that are the barriers to East Africa achieving its full potential. For the rest of this week's blog, please click "Read More" on the right. The start to my time in Kisumu has been a bit rough. The last month of travel really got to my system, and I spent my first six days in Kisumu sick and hiding in my hotel room. I woke up for my first day of work with my left eye swollen almost shut, I was sure to make a great first-impression.....well, some kind of impression. Being the "squeamish" and vain American that I am, I did what any American would do, I called in sick. Dr. Mike Marks and Dr. Hezron Mc'Obewa, OGRA's CEO, both examined me, and luckily, I only had a clogged tear-duct. I resolved the problem with eye ointment and Advil, and everything cleared up Saturday night. As fate would have it, I woke up nice and early Sunday morning to traveler's sickness. (I should not have had that delicious banana, mango and orange juice smoothie.) On Monday, when I was not feeling any better, Peter, OGRA's top driver, took me where I needed to go in order to get care. Peter is a Kisumu local, father of 4, and very compassionate man. From the hotel, Peter took me directly to Hezron, who examined me and sent me to the local hospital for tests. Prior to coming to Kisumu, I researched Kenyan healthcare: knowing what I know about hospitals in Kenya, going as a patient required open eyes and a bit of bravery. The hospital was contained within a one-story cement compound, with flickering lights, paint peeling off of stained walls, and a water system that only works part of the time - it was a scene out of a horror movie. That said, I was seen immediately, and received good care. (I think part of the reason is because I am working for OGRA, was sent with their top driver, and Hezron, OGRA's CEO, personally called the hospital director with my symptoms before I arrived.) Peter was so kind, and waited for me at the hospital for several hours. The staff were friendly, informed me of the procedure they were going to perform, and why, and did their best to alleviate my fears. After 3 hours, 4 bags of saline solution, a bruised arm, and a bunch of tests, I was released. The good news is I don't have malaria, diphtheria, my blood is good, I'm now closer to the size I was prior to attending grad school, and I no longer have traveler's sickness. I started work on Tuesday at the OGRA House, the association office for OGRA's programs. My first day of work was getting to know everyone, eating ugali with collard greens and intestines (how else could I find out I that I don't like intestines?), and learning that the gorgeous black high-heal shoes I bought last summer do not work well on dirt roads filled with rocks. So, my work has begun. My first assignment at OGRA is to put together the concept note and application for a PMTCT of HIV grant proposal. I have written RFP (Request For Proposal) and RFA (Request for Application) letters in the past, but concept notes are new for me. When researching the definition of concept notes, I came across a great website that breaks down how to write a concept note: http://www.farmradio.org/english/partners/archives/bdg/bdg5b.asp I've found the site really helpful, and am using it for formatting. A few of you have asked me if there is a place you can make a donation to OGRA Foundation. We have a button on the website, but it is not working. I will be looking more into it this week, and will post what I've found in the next blog post. Thank you for considering a donation! OGRA likes to focus on prevention, and a little money goes a long way in Kenya! To see more pictures, click here. |  Working hard, or hardly working?  Boat to take you to see the hippo's at Kiboko Bay Resort  What happens when you get your blood drawn in Kenya  OGRA House compound. Please note: guard, 1 1/2 story cement fence, big metal gate with pointy bars, barbed wire, and electrified fence. This is my office.  Housing for Government Employees in Kisumu  Residents burning the fields  Serena's hotel room  Serena's hotel bed  Serena's hotel bathroom  Sunset in Kisumu |
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