Thursday, February 2, 2012

Fortunately the clutch burned out and camel's milk IS salty

Shortly after departure yesterday, the Toyota started over-revving on shifting and the acrid smell of hot clutch gradually increased. The Landcruiser was unable to carry us to our destination. We spent a few hours in Kulan then received a replacement (air conditioned!) vehicle. It had been several hours, so we returned home instead of continuing on to Hamey. There has been increased activity near the border and last night including nearby to Hamey. Al Shabaab took Dhobley so we were unable to train there today and so went to Kokar where we were able to take care of over 130 people. Our security is good and I do feel secure. Plans change frequently which is frustrating but understandable.

Todays clinic was a success. We worked under an open roof of corrugated metal amongst throngs of children, mothers and men. Mostly routine stuff, but a few cases of Malaria, including a child with concurrent pneumonia. Most treatments were oral medicines, though we did need to give a few intramuscular injections and nobody was dehydrated enough to require IV fluids. Everyone could take ORS. I also took care of a 75 year old man that was stepped on by a camel. A few broken ribs was all fortunately. Our team did fantastic, our leader Andrew is very good with the team and with interacting with the community. He is a Kenyan medical officer, similar to a physician assistant in the states.

We had camel milk and tea with some of the community afterwards. Lots of laughter and salty camel milk. I found out how to milk a camel but did not get to practice myself because they were all out grazing by the time clinic was finished. In case you're wondering, it looks a lot like milking a cow, only done when standing. We had a camel bell and the various sounds it makes on the camel were demonstrated. The herders listen to the different sounds to determine what the animal is doing. A slow clack-clack if grazing well, a more rapid click-clack-click if agitated amd moving quickly. A slower click click click if walking calmly. The bells are carved from wood and the size of a squished cantelope. I'm working hard to procure one but no luck so far. No one seems to be willing to part with one but I will keep trying...

I really value the way our organizations obtain buy in and relationships with the communities. Nothing is done without permission and input from the host communities. Follow through with promises to villages is paramount. This is absolutely required in an environment where the communities have to watch out for you. In one of the villages we went to, an organization apparently came in and promised latrines, but never followed through. That wouldn't be such a big deal except the community had dug dozens of pits then were never provided with the covers. During the rainy season a child drowned in one and livestock including camels fell into the open pits. That organization was not provided a warm reception when the eventually returned. Stories like these illustrate to me why sometimes trying to help actually hurts if not done thoughtfully.

Spirits of the team are very high. We have a wonderful group of people and it is an honor to work amongst the dedication, love and laughter each day. Several team members have infectious laughter and very distinct individual laughs. Their laughs remind me of unusual animals. If their laughters were animals, one would be a 1000 pound charging marshmallow bear, another would be an open box of silver birds and another would best be described as a prancing out of control colt. It's quite a magical circus when they all find humor together and absolutely impossible not to smile and laugh yourself.

Tomorrow we may proceed to train health workers. I've learned however that tomorrow will bring what tomorrow brings.

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