Somewhere lost in Italy... ..

Mum and I are having a great time even if we are spending much of it getting lost. Promise I will update again soon!! Here is a sneak preview of what we have been up too.... we took a canoe down the Cesky Krumlov river in the Czech Republic last week.

:-)

Back in Europe for a wee intermission

Once again, leaving Kenya was hard. I spent my last night with my good friend Amimo and her gorgeous family. They took me out for possibly the best Japanese meal I have had and went back to their home to relax in front of their wonderful flat screen t.v. and open wood fire to chill out. Ahhh. It DOES get cold in Kenya ok!!

Somar and I caught up all afternoon to discuss how to move forward with the Somalia relief campaign and potential future projects. If only I had more time with her…… As for Amimo and her family, I will miss Somar. They are friends I will keep in touch with for life.



I had not intended to stop in Doha this time round but when changing my flights to extend my stay in Kenya, a night layover was my only affordable option. It was an interesting first few hours. When I boarded the Qatar Airlines flight, I found someone sitting my seat – the lovely strained airhostess asked the gentleman for his ticket. He showed it to her and was fully aware he was in the incorrect seat but was clearly not interested in moving. I was not fussed, so said I would be happy to sit in his seat. We then proceeded to that seat only to find the same situation. This happened 3 times and on the 4th attempt they finally found me somewhere to park my bottom. It was, of course, between 2 large men who each took up a third of my seat, yelled for the hostesses constantly, took handfuls of lollies when they were offered 1, felt the need to lift their arms to reveal their large sweaty, strong odour armpits and snorted phlegm the entire trip. The border authorities then game me a talking too (we could refuse you entry…) as I didn’t have a visa into Qatar, they then confiscated my alcohol (1 ltr triple distilled Smirnoff and 1 ltr Armerello liquor for mum) as it was strictly ‘not allowed’ and my hotel had forgotten to pick me up. Bahah, I had to laugh. Fun times!

When I got to the hotel, the room was a little pokey but very clean and quiet – absolutely perfect. It felt like a palace after the last 2 ½ months. I had a late checkout and enjoyed my little stint of luxury – electricity, big bed, clean sheets, cupboard, running water, HOT shower, privacy, a view, TV that works (even a movie channel!!), bedside lamp and table, telephone and air conditioning . The very things I take for granted at home.

Qatar is very hot. Not many people walk the streets during the day and many shops are closed then reopen in the evening. It was wonderful after a winter in Kenya. I love the heat I stayed just the 1 night but didn’t fly out until 1.30am the following morning so had some time to look around. It reminded me very much of UAE (especially Abu Dabi) The mosque's were very impressive. Especially at night.




I then flew to Copenhagen – my first visit to Scandinavia and thought it was absolutely beautiful. My first impressions were of a beautiful, clean, quiet and well organised city. I found everyone to be very friendly and thought the bright, tall homes – specifically the ones on the canal were striking. The canal tour, visiting the little mermaid and the home of Hans Christian Anderson were the highlights.


As I was in Denmark for a few days, I decided to take a day trip to Sweden. I almost didn’t make it because minutes before we reached the airport station, we were informed to get off as the train will not be running for at least a few hours. We quickly learnt that it was due to an unfortunate accident right on the Swedish border – someone had been hit by a train. We were later transferred by bus and hoped the person hit was ok. We never found out if they survived.

On my travels to Malmo I met the sweetest father and daughter from a teeny island off Portugal. We spent the entire day together. We had also organised to catch up the following day back in Copenhagen but the weather was too rotten to leave the hostel. We were impressed by Sweden’s yummy sweets and awesome architecture.
Oh and we had NO idea what this house was doing floating in the middle of the river...

Although both countries were very expensive, they were clean, safe, were surprisingly warm and had no mosquitos. :-)

I fly to Amsterdam tonight and looking forward to finally seeing Mum. She is arriving from Australia on her second overseas journey – her first was to visit me in Kenya last year. We will travel for 6 weeks together before I finally make my way to South America to do a little more volunteer work starting in Peru.



No surprises that I am missing Kenya, especially as Somar is organising another trip to Daadab. But I am very excited to see mum and keeping busy in the meantime. Will be great to have some R&R with her.

Please know I am keeping safe, happy and health.

FreMo's is looking fantastic!!

The day I left FreMo’s was a public holiday in Kenya – we had lunch together and said teary farewells.

I then went to Moffat and Judy’s home where I had been staying to collect my final things before making my way to Amimo’s home in Westlands for my last night.

What we have achieved in the last 2 ½ months is nothing short of remarkable. As the file is too big to upload, please visit my facebook page for a video of what the clinic was like in July 2010! For Kawangware standards it was absolutely fine but it wasn’t a place that attracted clientele. And being a private clinic, they need the business to survive.

The biggest problem FreMo’s faced was the unfortunate reality that being in the slums, many patients were unable to pay for the services and there are another 4 well know clinics and hospitals close by.

What I saw in FreMo’s was the incredible potential for them to be a great hospital. The founders and staff were wonderful; they had big hearts and would always treat someone instead of pushing them out the door which would have been inevitable death for some. Today this attitude remains the same.



After spending a very interesting 5 months at the clinic, my goal when returning to Australia was to raise money and return to help them improve their facilities in order to create more business and be self-sustainable entity. Over the past 12 months they had moments of financial struggle. I was fortunate to be in a position to send some funds to keep them afloat until my return.

Thanks to the substantial contributions and inexhaustible efforts of Vicki, Faith, various generous souls and all those involved in the Girl’s Night Out charity event I held on the Sunshine Coast in February, the clinic has had an amazing transformation. The front still needs signage; the roof and guttering between buildings need repairing, large sinks and 500ml rainwater tank are both to go underneath the new 5000ltre tank and toilet seats. That’s about it and they certainly won’t take long at all.

It was a tremendous experience to see what a change for the better it is now at FreMo’s. Special thanks to Vicki Chan for all her amazing fundraising efforts to give more than $10,000 to the project (not to mention the $5,000 Sunsuper competition for 2 midwifes for a year she also rallied people from around the globe for to vote on and WON) and Faith Belts for reconstructing the second birth room/ward. FreMo staff and I missed you both terribly when you left. What a significant impact you both made. Thanks also to Amimo for your time, passion and knowledge – I learnt a lot from you as a Doula and humanitarian worker. And Faith and Grace for sharing her Giwa home and families – the Kawangware community misses yost u like crazy, They miss their Mzungu neighbours. I MISS YOU!!!!

Back in late June Vicki and I arrived on the steps of FreMo’s on a mission to change the way birthing takes place in this clinic which we hoped would start filtering through Kenya. No more abusing the mothers, slapping or pinching their thighs leaving them with an awful experience. 2 months later it is a new clinic!!



It’s still strikes me as hard to believe that Vicki and I met just 4 months prior to our trip. She made contact with me after reading the article in the Weekender Magazine published in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland (http://digitaledition.theweekender.com.au/default.aspx?iid=45135 pages 10-12) and just 2 weeks before the successful ‘Girls Night Out’ in aid of FreMo’s. Barely knowing me, she did her research on the clinic and did everything she could to raise awareness and helped me so much at this fundraising event.

Vicki and I met over coffee and she immediately knew she had to make the journey back with me. Over the short time prior to our departure, we an idea of what we wanted to achieve and Vicki with the medical background knew that hygiene and maternity would be a perfect start.

Just look at the clinic now!!



I left Kenya a few days ago. After my visit to Somalia I was not ready to leave. Goodbyes are always hard but It was especially difficult saying goodbye to Judy(Moffat’s wife) who had been the perfect host during my stay and their adorable son Frank. Frank is now 10 months old and I witnessed his first few steps just last week – I will never forget how his face lit up every time I walked into the room. I know he will forget me, but I will never forget him.



I am disappointed to say that the only person I did not get to say goodbye to, was the very person I most went back to Kenya to see... Moffat. He was in bed, sleeping. He is a busy, tired man and I don’t like goodbyes.



I am lucky to have partnered with Vicki as her support and passion for the clinic grows every day. As I help those in impoverished communities bordering Kenya/Somalia, Vicki is doing everything she can to ensure FreMo’s continues to be successful. As a renowned midwife, FreMo is so very blessed to have you – and they know it!! Thank you!

Somalia Relief / North Kenya

It wasn’t real until we were in the car and driving bound for Garissa. Our trip to North Kenya had been postponed 3 times. Having to coordinate everything and everyone, I felt for Somar (founder of LocalAid – NGO), but she did it and we were on our way.

We watched the car thermometer creep from a brisk 11˚C to a balmy 38 ˚C in a slow, long 8 hour period. Within a few hours of leaving Nairobi,
we were already seeing a Somalian influence in the people. In the way they dressed. The land was barren and camels were as common as the deep dreaded potholes.

There were 6 of us in the car – Somar from LocalAid, Eric and Bilha from Service for Peace, Max who is an independent film guy doing a documentary of the trip, the driver and me. It was a pretty rough ride up there, but we had been warned it would be nothing compared to actually driving into the camps.

We had arranged to meet with Dr Mohamed Sheikh (Australian Humanitarian worker) and Ken (LocalAid project manager) once we arrived in Garissa, the town closest to the camps and where we would spend the next 2 nights.

We reached Garissa around 3.30pm. Other than the large presence of NGO’s and camels fighting the traffic for spacevin the main street, it was like most other towns in Kenya. There were a number of large vehicles representing various charity organisations around the globe, from the world’s largest to teeny independent ones. I was proud to be amongst them but I was bitterly disappointed when we were actually on the ground at the sites as there was absolutely no other presence of any other organisation. Given it was a weekend and most NGO’s there do this as a main job, they may have returned to their homes. But it was also a disappointing reality that most support is being given right at the Somalian border. Many people fail to notice just how desperate the situation is in both areas. We concentrated not only on the walking refugees who made it from Somalia, but also the local Kenyan’s suffering from the drought. It is tragic how seriously critical their conditions are. Our day to visit the camps started early. We met with Dr Mohamed Sheikh late the night before and along with WARDA (local NGO) they advised that the food was portioned and packed ready to go in their truck. We had initially planned to buy, portion and pack the food ourselves but there were too many tonnes for our sizeable 4wd (donated by Jasauto Kenya) to carry safely. Our Journey to Dadaab began at the Red Hole, a small remote community of 5 Kenyan Somali families. We met with the elders who shared with us their stories and how they had been affected by the drought – how they have no access to health care or any way to get into town and all their livestock (also their livelihood) are slowly and painfully dying. This small collection of filthy water was all they had, a little more than some. We then made our way to a location just north of Dadaab. Here we met with WARDA, the on-ground organisation and distributed the contribution of food that was donated through LocalAid and Service for Peace by individual and corporate sponsors. WARDA had facilitated the food distribution with Somar prior to our arrival. Having lived there through this famine, they were able to fairly identify the neediest people and hand to them food ration cards.
It was extremely difficult to watch those who missed out looking through the windows in hope that something may be left for them. Many had to walk away in despair with faith that next time it would be their turn. Those who were entitled patiently waited in the heat for their turn. Those who were strong enough remained until the distribution was over and scurried for the empty boxes and sacks. They use them for shelter or to sleep on. They are a valuable asset.

Somar was introduced to WARDA through Dr Mohamed Sheikh. He has led the collaboration between the ‘one donation 1 life’ campaign team and on- ground personnel. Somar introduced him as a special friend and one of the most driven humanitarians she has met. I wholeheartedly agree!! We visited many villages inside the established camps and ones that had been newly formed outside them. We learned that once a refugee is accepted into the camps they are given ration cards entitling them to food on a regular basis however the people living in the communities outside the camps were totally neglected by most NGO’s. We were shocked to see the absence of Aid in these areas. We understand the process each refugee must go through, but is so very hard to see so many of them dying needlessly before this happens. We were just about to leave the camp when we saw a mother carrying an infant. His tiny hand and foot were poking beneath a piece of cloth and I asked the chief if we could assist her. By the skeletal looking body parts it was easy to see he wasn’t well. She pulled back the dirty cloth and I just looked at the malnourished child in despair. This was the single most difficult moment for me. I did everything I could not to break down watching this fragile child. The mother explained that she has been unable to feed him for months due to several bad sores in his mouth. He had only been given water with a little sugar as she cannot afford medicine or powdered milk. His skin hugged to his body so tight the bones were protruding through. How many more suffering had we not seen? The lady under this orange cloth had collapsed on the ground from weakness. They threw a cloth on her to hide her emaciated body. She was shaking profusely. They pulled back the cover to show me her face and she looked straight through me. I don’t’ think she even saw that I was there or that dozens of her neighbours were towering over her shouting in their language. I have no idea what they were saying. I don’t want to know. I sat rubbing her back briefly before helping pick her up and put her inside a nearby tent, in the shade. Did they know she was going to die? I will never know. As we visited each camp we noticed that the sickest of the community were not in eyes view. Occasionally (after staring at us for some time) a local would grab our arms and drag us into tents. Somar and I independently saw equally shocking sites. All we could do was share some hope and love with a gentle touch and smile. We knew after speaking with the Dr Sheikh what signs were obvious that they would live just a day or 2 if they had the will. There are no words to describe this feeling of helplessness. We witnessed the plight of many who faced disaster. We saw it in every face, from malnourished children, those who needed urgent medical attention and to all who were struggling to live with no access to water in such extreme weather conditions. But the most shocking was to witness the carcasses scattered around the communities illustrating the magnitude of the drought.

It was this moment after leaving one of the newly formed camps that we reached a field of carcasses less than a kilometre away. There were dozens of livestock that had lost their battle for survival. As pastoralists, Somalis depend on their livestock for survival. Without this they feel they have no hope. For this reason it was all the more devastating to see. It was here that I broke down for the first time.



Yet another thing that made it so very real for me was the dangerously skinny camels, CAMELS - if they can't survive....!

I went as an independent traveller supporting LocalAid and Service for Peace in the hope that we would work well together and perhaps form a partnership with That’s What Friends Are For on its official registration of a business and on my return back to Australia next year. I love and support what these 3 NGO’s stand for and look forward to working with and supporting them in the long term projects we have identified. Like myself, their aim in assisting those in need is not to just give hands outs and leave, but to identify long term self-sustainable projects. Through the contacts of WARDA, we met the community chief of Habaswein (the villages/camps we visited). He heard of our ideas (build an orphanage, establish projects such as a tailoring training centre, a farm, school, a clinic and dig a bore hole) and he informed us that he had been allocated 12 acres of ‘community land’ that he wanted to donate. He too had a vision of building an orphanage for the 200+ children (currently moving from tent to tent) and after some discussions we concluded that we will be interesting in taking up such a project.

Those who know me and why I am so passionate about this will understand the magnitude of what the above paragraph holds and my desire to work in such a devistated, needy environment! This is not only what first brought me to Kenya, but more importantly why I have started my own NGO and will forever return. I am excited to join forces with them; we each share similar goals and values. To know firsthand what a significant difference these projects will make. I believe with the correct education it will not only empower those in the immediate future, but for generations to come and for other communities who will witness the change. What an exciting, needy initiative. It’s taken me a while to write and post this blog as words escaped me. The emails, calls and Facebook messages I received from everyone were overwhelming and so encouraging. I can’t thank each of you enough for taking the time to share your thoughts and support. If you want to keep in touch (I don’t know how to respond to comments on this blog) please write to me at natarshaj@gmail.com – Samantha, so happy to receive your blog message, please email me!!!

Thank again for the thoughts and well wishes, it kept me going on the tougher days. X

The 'One Donation, 1 life' campaign is still running so please get in contact with me if you would like to get involved or contribute towards our efforts. I will be holding more fundraising dinners and events when I return to Australia next year, but will still be involved in the meantime.

A special thanks to one of my best friend Jeff who received a 3am phone call when I needed to talk about what I had seen. Thanks for listening. X

The impact this trip has had on me will remain with me forever. I hope that these communities will one day find the peace and happiness so many of us take for granted.

An action packed week

Allow me to introduce you to Somar! I met her at the Mt Kenyan retreat a few weeks ago. She is Australian and started her own NGO in Kenya 2 years ago. I cannot believe how similar our backgrounds are! We come to Kenya through the same organisation for the same reasons just 12 months apart – we were both billeted out to the very same Kenyan host family and similar volunteer programs – and a program each of us only stayed at for a few days before finding our own projects. Our passion to help was greater than maintaining already established systems. I found FreMo’s Medical Centre and Somar found street boys who were scrounging through rubbish heaps looking for food and sniffing glue to suppress their hunger.

We hit it off the first day we met, probably because we both share the same passions, speak at lightning speed, can have 4 different conversations going at once while still completely understanding each other. Uhh, it was heaven.

Last weekend we had planned to join a group of donors from the UK and make our way to Dadaab (Nth Kenya) as a larger group. Unfortunately they did not call Somar with enough time for us to purchase and portion the food so they went as an independent team but also with a very well-known MP here (Sumrah). As their fortune (or not) would have it, they were actually able to cross the border to Somalia because of Sumrah's presence. On Monday, just hours after they got back, we all got together over dinner (about 16 of us) and they shared their stories. My heart stopped at what they were telling us. The closest thing they could relate their experience on the border too was the movie ‘Black Hawke Down’. 10 year old boys with machine guns, ammunition strapped to their chests and snipers on the ridge - complete and utter devastation. For their security they had the army escort them all day and put themselves between them and the snipers. Intense.

So instead of going to North Kenya, we visited the boys shelter Somar started. It is home to 22 boys about an hour East of Nairobi. Somar stays there regularly but I was the first other than herself to stay since it’s opening almost 2 years ago. We had a brilliant time. They are adorable kids but hearing their stories tore me apart. Most of them were molested either by their families or on the streets. They all sniffed glue and ate others rotten left overs for years. They have all come along way, but as you can imagine, not all of them made it. Some returned to the streets. It’s a sad reality Somar has had to face. The boys absolutely adore her and call her Mum. She loves it!


On the way to the shelter we stopped by the shops to get a few supplies. Somar was just saying that bread and milk was their favourite meal (and what she took them on the weekends as a treat) and how much she wanted to do fairy bread for them. I nearly knocked over a food stand when Somar shrieked the very moment she found the sprinkles. Passers-by thought we were crazy jumping around, laughing and clapping our hands like 3 year olds. We then maintained our newly branded ‘hardly normal’ reputation, sat down for a coffee, cleared the table, laid out the bread and started buttering it then plastering the slices with sprinkles. Haha, I will forever laugh at the thought. What an awesome day. The boys were funny – although the look and taste was strange, they loved it. All schools are currently on holidays, so on the way to the shelter, we stopped by a few of the boys who were visiting their extended families. One of them was Steven, a 14 year old boy who has been abused and in the last 2 years, practically started school from the very beginning. He leaned into Somar’s window of the car and whispered ‘is that the one going to Brazil?’ Yes!she said, surprised that he remembered a passing comment to a group of them weeks ago. His face beamed. He is obsessed with Brazil and his ultimate dream is to play soccer for them. He caught me looking at his beaded ring he had on his right hand. He took it straight off and gave it to me as a gift (pictured). It hasn’t been off my finger since. I am now sponsoring Stephen through school and for his food and board at the shelter.

That night we shared many stories and ate local food followed by a few sweet treats. :-) The boys asked if I like to cook and as soon as I said ‘sure I do’ they delegated me chief chapatti maker the following day. Whoa, making half a dozen is one thing, but almost 100 was something else.
Apparently good entertainment watching the little white lady crying from the smoke and burning her fingers on the hotplate. But gee they tasted good! It was great to see some of them smile too – 11 of them had circumcisions (aged 8 – 14) just the week before. They were still in a lot of pain. We then had to high tail it out of there to meet with one of Somar’s sponsors. It’s a shame I won’t get another chance to see them before I leave.


Ok, going back………. Thursday, before we went to the Shelter, Faith, Grace and I made our way to Giwa IDP Camp (about 20 min NW of Nakuru). A couple of weeks prior, Faith organised the hire of the van and a short medical camp for pregnant women and babies through Izzo. So on the way I was able to share with them the IDP Camp I lived with, worked with and helped build the school at last year. I was so happy to have them there, even though most of the medical concerns that people had were not to do with pregnancy or children. It was an incredibly busy 3 hours!
Faith did what she could to examine women comfortably. She was so respectful and gentle; the women were trusting and grateful. Grace kept herself busy with the kids outside. There were so many volunteers there it was awesome, the community really has come ahead in leaps and bounds thanks to Marafiki Community International. The school library and kitchen are being completed and the medical clinic and church are in construction. It was so very wonderful to see.

We got to Giwa just before dark. Faith showed us the volunteer house that she stayed at last year and that burned down just months ago. We took with us, David, a local builder and also the guy who practically single handily saved FreMo’s from its construction blunder. He was there to give a quote on rebuilding the volunteer house – Faith intends to turn some of it into a home for volunteers and clinic. I believe they start construction next week. Unfortunately I couldn’t stay with them (due to our expectant trip to Garissa the following morning) but I promise to return next week for a few days. I’m looking forward to going back – its’ very different to Maai Mahui. Although a lot greener, most with basic homes and small crops, they are still in great need, especially for a medical recruit. I’m not going to like being back to Kawangware without them. The place simply won’t be the same.

This weekend we have teamed up with an amazing group of people – renown humanitarian worker, Dr Mohammed Sheikh, Local Aid (Somar), Service for Peace (another local NGO Somar has teamed with) and Warda (the on the ground specialists and NGO in Dadaab, Nth Kenya). I know it will be hard, I think I am underestimating just how difficult but I am keen to get there. Fingers crossed this trip does eventuate, I want to help. From what I have seen and heard - this is the place that really needs it. This is why I first come to Kenya 18 months ago.

Saikeri - I missed this place!!

Returning to Saikeri was absolutely fantastic. Just as the IDP Camps, it stole a piece of my heart last year. Constructing FreMo’s Clinic in Kawangware has been like a dream but there is something incredibly special outside of the intensity of the slums – I’m a country girl and will always be proud to be. I like the simple life, even though the country here is a little on the extreme side.

When mum returned from Kenya last year, she spoke a lot of her experiences, predominately those of her time with Dr Maggie in Saikeri. Through sharing her stories, she touched the hearts of many in her home town and the word spread to a Chemist in Murray Bridge. A beautiful local lady and Richard, the owner of Chemplus Chemist, pulled together many medical supplies for me to bring with me – many of them specifically for the clinic in Saikeri. Yesterday I was able to do this. Dr Maggie was very overwhelmed by their generosity, ESPECIALLY the digital blood pressure machine that she almost passed out with excitement. I took a video but I’m sorry that the file is too large to upload. She insisted on signing a Jersey of thanks for their kindness. I’m excited to present this too them on my return.



Dr Maggie has received many donations from various volunteers and organisations in the past but never has she seen or operated a digital blood pressure machine. She was shocked (as was I) when the contraption spat out a paper record of the reading. Her reaction was priceless. Thank you Rowena, Richard, the local reps and team at Chemplus Chemist Murray Bridge!! I only wish you too were here to witness her gratitude.

The trip out to Saikeri is always an exciting one. It rained heavily the night before we left and until we reached the local town of Gnong we were unsure if we were able to make it out there. The roads are so rocky, steep and dangerous the roads are often unpassable in bad weather. We tracked down some boda, boda (bike) riders we trusted and started the long, slow, wet journey deep into the Maasai. Faith is not fond of bikes, so I think I just about prayed the whole way there for our safe arrival. It was definitely one of the tensest trips I have taken. Even Maggie was surprised to see us.

Faith confirmed that it was the most beautiful place she has been in Kenya. Our stay was brief but brilliant.

The afternoon we arrived, Maggie told me that she had purchased a piece of land and had started building. She was so excited; she had to take us out immediately. It is a perfect piece of paradise (pictured). Nestled just behind a hill and surrounded by the vast Maasai country side, it is a very special little place. I am so very happy that after all these years and 2 children (11 & 8) that she will soon have a place to call her own. She is about $900 short from completion (roof, doors & windows) but hopes to work on having most of this done by the end of this year. I am so proud of her; she has taken a small loan and done this all on her own!!! A massive accomplishment for anyone in Kenya, especially in the Maasai.



Another big (surprising) change is the construction of a brand new hospital. It was started in August last year and they have a completion date of April 2012. Apparently the government did a very big campaigne raising money to build numerous hospitals just like this one in rural areas around Kenya. I found it a little odd they decided to put it right in the middle of other buildings instead of to the side where there are thousands of acres of bare land, but it is going to look fantastic all the same. Maggie is very happy.



Just like last year, most of the jewellery purchased in Saikeri are from the ladies who make and wear them. For months last year I looked for a large arm bracelet – all of which were too small and suitable for the teeny skinny arms of the Maasai ladies. That was until yesterday when I met a lady with a envious ‘healthy’ build whose arms was the perfect fit. She saw me looking and eagerly removed it. I paid a generous $6 for a piece of jewellery I believe she has never removed – the bare, light coloured mark it left on her arm was intense. She is now proudly sporting a spot to show others of how a Mzungu chose her bracelet to wear. This makes them very proud. I am over the moon.



Friday is market day and generally a busy day for the clinic. Faith and I spent a few hours with Dr Maggie and patience while Grace explored the country side. She literally disappeared for hours at a time, never short of company though, whether it be dogs, children or Maasai men and their herds.



The trip back from Saikeri was as exciting as the trip there. For the first time, I caught their version of a Matatu which was in the back of a very crammed lorry (truck). The walls were so high you could not see out even if you stood, which for an incredibly rocky, dangerous trip kept you guessing which way to brace yourself. In fact, the stabalising was pretty much done for you – I was crammed tightly between a Maasai man and Maasai lady (who were actually sleeping!!!) It was a little painful with thier bony bodies pressed against mine but aside from the brusing, we had no worries. Unfortunately this mini video doesn’t do the trip justice as there were many camped on the floor and an additional 8 people were packed into the back and on top. Definitely an experience to remember.

I have been deliberating a lot in the last couple of weeks about travelling Scandinavia to visit a friend before meeting mum in Amsterdam. After a discussion with my friend in Finland, I have decided to postpone that part of the trip and stay longer in Kenya. After last year I should have known better. Once again I am going to find it incredibly hard to get on the plane. I am thankful for meeting mum in Europe or I believe I may once again not make my way to South America to volunteer in Peru. Yesterday, after numerous emails to the wonderful Rebecca from Student Flight Centre Alexandra Headlands (if you need a BRILLIANT travel agent when NOTHING is ever a problem – go see her, she is simply incredible!!!) I was able to delay leaving until the 1st of September – I will have another 8 wonderful days in Kenya. Thanks Bec!!

Unlike unemployed people on the dole in Australia I dealt with every day – people here will do literally anything!! Scrub toilets, clean sewer drains, collect (and inhale copius amounts) of charcoal, scrub HIV bloodied sheets – literally anything! Occasionally locals are bold and approach me in the street for work. It is amazing how skilled some of them are. We will find work for them if we can, although it is rarely possible.

Tomorrow Faith, Grace and I are heading to rural Kenya (West) to visit a couple of IDP Camps where Faith will hold mini medical camps for pregnant women and small babies – the afternoon they will then relocate to Giwa where they will remain until their departure in December. I need to come back to Nairobi ready for our trip to Somalia but I will be back out there next week to visit Faith and Grace in the Camps. It will be strange not having them around. I will miss them.

The past 2 ½ weeks have been wonderful.

The clinic construction is almost complete and it’s looking fantastic. A new tank stand was designed and erected 2 days ago and the 5,000 litre water tank was purchased today (albeit for the second time).

Faith and Grace certainly kept busy while I was gone, Faith simply never stops. She is a powerhouse with cleaning abeautiful midwife. It was fantastic to see them again.

This morning we attended another birth which was remarkable. For the first time I played the role of the husband. Oh boy do they have a tough time. About 30 min before the gorgeous little boy was born, the mother found herself comfortable sitting (almost lying) on the mat on the floor leaning against me. My legs were folded beneath me and I could not move. After a period of time, Faith asked if the lady would like to try another position, she obliged and when she got up I couldn’t move – my legs simply didn’t work!! They had gone past the stage of pins and needles and were officially dead. I pulled them into a sitting position on the side of the bed where all they had to do was be feet flat on the floor then I held the mother from behind with my arms under hers for support. Just prior to sitting on my fragile legs, her favourite position was kneeling and I was kneeling behind her. When she had a contraction, she madly gestured for me to rub her lower back deeply with my chest pressed against her back for support. Then she would arch her back, throw her arms behind me and cup my arse cheeks. She had quite a grasp on her. I guess they were the perfect height. I have a new found respect for men who support their partners in birth!!! It was an incredible experience – I felt so many more things with her. Simply beautiful. There is nothing more natural. Grace also witnessed her first birth and she loved it. For a young lady whose mother has been doing this her whole life (13 yrs) it was a very special experience for us on so many levels.

I’m sad to say that Faith and Grace are moving as planned next Wednesday to Giwa – a remote IDP Camp just west of Nakuru. I will travel with them and stay a night or 2 and share their little piece of beauty in Kenya. I don’t like this business of saying goodbye though. It will be difficult, we have become very close.

Each day we have either a lunch and/or dinner together. Today was lunch and we sat on the balcony of our favourite, reliable little café just down the road from Fremos. It’s incredibly entertaining from up there – here in the video, the chap on top of the bottles gave us a wee little wave. Funny. We’re not entirely convinced the driver even knew he was hitching a ride.

The 10 day retreat in Mt Kenya was challenging. It was very confronting and tough but wonderful. I will be forever grateful I had the strength to complete it.



On the way to Mt Kenya, we passed the Equator for I think the 6th time by road but this was the first time I was able to witness it in the daylight. Somer and I refrained from asking to do the water tricks, but we did ask them to stop the car so we could be a tourist and haver our photo taken.

Oohh, I have cut my hair and LOVE it. It’s the shortest is has been since the day I was born and it’s absolutely brilliant. I had wanted to do it before leaving for Kenya – I am so pleased I finally found the courage to just do it. It has been so easy and certainly a necessity here. Only bathing every 2 or 3 days and with limited water can prove to be a challenge with naturally greasy hair. I love it!

In about 10 min, Faith, Grace and I are heading to Saikeri - a place Mum and I spent some time at last year, deep into the Rift Valley and in the heart of the Maasai. I am so very excited to see Dr Maggie again!!! I have a mountain of supplies given to me from a generous lady (who chose not to be named) in Mum and Dad’s home town of Karoonda and Richard from Chemplus Chemist in Murray Bridge.

After hearing of Mum’s experience, the donors nominated these medical supplies to be given directly to Dr Maggie – I am so happy to be finally able to do this. There is currently a medical camp going on out there so the timing is absolutely perfect, I can’t wait to help out where I can. One of the donations is a blood glucose monitor and blood pressure machine – 2 instruments I am sure she desperately needs out there – I know she will be thrilled.

I am still working on getting up to Somalia to assist the walking refugees – what a tragic, tragic situation. I recently met a beautiful Australian lady, Somer, who is the founder and Board Member of a Kenyan NGO (Local Aid). She has been working on sponsors and getting together a medical team to head up there next weekend. I am hoping to go with them. Fingers crossed it will come to fruition. I know it will tear us in 2, but I am desperate to help where I can - medical supplies, food, shelter and a shoulder.

Will post again once returning from the Maasai.