A broken camera and another attempt at making chapatis

Tess, Janice and Me

Went to Poa Place to swim in the morning, and then worked on the questionnaire data again to discuss wtih the Professor. The Professor has such a busy schedule it's been difficult to meet up with him...I'm not even sure what's happening about our trip to Kisumu to meet the other PULSE volunteers and the arrangements for our travel!At lunchtime, I popped out to see Margaret the dressmaker. She had finished my kitengue, it looks great, but she'd put a black sash in for the belt, which I didn't like, so asked if she could replace it with the same material as the dress itself. She had to make slight adjustments to the sleeves too, but it would be ready that evening for me to collect. Tess and Janice had invited the nursing students round for dinner. I collected my kitengue after work, and it looks lovely!

Janice, Jesse, Tess, Naiomi and Carol

Janice also wore her kingue, and Tess wore her African skirt. We were all feeling quite Kenyan. Tess and Janice had made an omelette with salad, and Carol and Naiomi made chapatis, whilst we took notes so we could do it again ourselves. It all tasted delicious. Unfortunately, I brought out my camera to show everyone my pictures, and it broke - just froze. I'm gutted, especially as I'm off the Masi Mara this coming weekend!

Naiomi making chapatis

After everyone had left, I skyped Shane, and had a skype hug. Although I had a lovely evening tonight, and it's so nice to have new house mates too... I'm missing everyone back home loads!

Carol washing up.

Feeling a little demoralised....

I went out running before Tess and Jesse this morning, since I was teaching. It was a glorious morning! Noone turned up for training this morning, despite me sending a reminder message yesterday. I felt slightly demoralised and upset. Were people losing interest in the training sessions? Also, I'd spent the evening before preparing slides and the lesson material. Mrs Sitti requested we reschedule to next week. Prof came to see me at 9am. Jim had sent the questionnaire datasets through as a reference for me working on the current questionnaire data. He apologised for the delay in sending them through. Tess cooked for us all - I love my new house mates!

The lobster look and a trip to Sally Test

Myself and Tess went up to Poa place for a swim. It was really hot today, and we’d both forgotten our Sun Protection, which was a mistake, as we both ended up looking like lobsters.

Met with Taxi Max who took us through the details of our trip to Masai Mara. I’m excited. Sadly, he won’t be our driver though, as he has another group going at the same time. I went to Sally Test Centre afterwards, and took along Frank and Caroline’s donation of clothes, and mum’s donation of stationary. They dressed Charlotte* in the trousers and strippy top straight away, and she ran off to show the others – it was great to see her enthusiasm for her new outfit. 

Patricia, one of the care workers kept saying “Look Charlotte, somebody loves you”. She held me and kissed me on the cheek. They were so grateful for the clothes, and spent some time looking through everything. So thanks so much to Frank and Caroline for your generous donation of clothes, and to my mum for the stationary!

I spent the afternoon with the toddlers. 

 

 

One of the girls kept grabbing at my camera, as she was so excited to get her picture taken. I chatted to Ben, one of the care workers at the end. We were talking about politics. He was saying how he was positive that the elections in 2012 would bring about change in Kenya, and help break the poverty cycle. He asked if we had poverty back in the UK, so I explained how poverty existed back home, but on a different level. The unemployed get help from the state, unlike here, and how we have the NHS, which doesn’t exist in Kenya. If people can’t afford an operation, they will involve a social worker. It was a really interesting chat.

Tess and JJ arrived back home from the orphanage, which sounded like quite an emotional experience for them. JJ’s going to take a volleyball for them tomorrow, as they were playing volleyball with a football. I disappeared to my room as shattered and needed to work on slides for statistical training tomorrow.

A bad experience which ends well

I took Tess and JJ on a mini tour of Eldoret today. We started with the Cheese Factory. Tess and JJ bought cottage cheese, morzoella cheese, and safari cheese (I'm not the biggest fan of the cheese here - you'd think after 4 months, it would've grown on me wouldn't you?!). Then we went on the hunt for Kitengue material, as Tess wanted an African dress made. We went to the dressmakers just opposite Robert’s gift shop, by the market. JJ actually found some material that she liked, and had a dress designed. Tess found some material – it was a great mustard colour, just across the road, and we were back at the dressmakers designing a dress for Tess.

So, we leave the dressmakers, and JJ puts her purse in her pocket. Suddenly, 3 men come up next to her and push up against her. There were a number of people milling around, but there was no reason to crush her. Suddenly she cried out; “You’ve just taken my wallet – give it back”. Everything happened so quickly at that point. She approached one of the men in a red fleece, but he’d obviously handed the wallet over to his friends. We turned around, and all the shop owners were approaching, it looked like there might be a fight. JJ was checking the back pockets of the boy in a panic, as she had everything important in that wallet, including her visa cards. It wasn’t there, however, a few seconds later, one of the shop owners held the wallet up high. JJ was so relieved. She said the adrenalin had really kicked in. When she went back to collect her kitengue on the Tuesday, the shop keepers told her that they had beat the robbers. When I told my colleagues in the office, they said the robbers were lucky not to be killed, as sometimes they can be put burning tyres around their necks and kill them.This shocked me! I know they've wronged, but really, do they deserve to die for that!?

We had lunch at hotel Klique, where JJ could get WI-FI. She explained that she realised it was wrong to put the wallet in her pocket, as she’d seen a group of 3 of them staring at her, but she had just become a bit more relaxed about security now. To cheer ourselves up, we took a trip to Zion Mall and bought some chocolate balls. JJ had put in some flip flops to be tightened, as she’d bought them at a local market, but they had stretched. JJ and Tess cooked me dinner when we got in – wow, I’m so spoilt. JJ made her amazing guacamole. We watched inception. I just found it so hard to follow and Tess fell asleep half way through after all the drama from today.

A new Kitengue, and braids that don't happen

Walked in with Tess this morning, and arranged to meet at 5.30pm by the blue billboards along from the Mother and Baby hospital, as she’s getting her hair braided tonight – exciting! Jane* called me at lunchtime to say she had some Nigerian material for me, so I went along to have a look. She’s constructing a shop in town (focusing on Nutrition, a bit like a Holland and Barretts shop back home), so I went to see how it is all progressing. I bought a couple of Kitingue’s. One for myself, and the other for my mum. KSH 6000  it cost (42 GBP), which I thought was a little expensive, but she said it was because it was Nigerian, and the colour doesn’t run. Hmmm – lets see.

Went to Margaret, the dressmakers in town, and asked her to design me an African dress. We got a free lunch in the office today, as they are holding interviews....my favourite... chapati's! I shall never get bored of them! As I left the hospital today, two pharmacy students from Nairobi approached me, and started chatting about Eldoret. They were talking about healthcare in Kenya, and how it costs 15,000 KS (100 GBP) to have a Caesarian Section here. If people can’t afford, then the social worker gets involved. JJ and Tess arrived at that point. The hairdresser, believe it or not, didn’t have the hair extensions that they’d promised to find (we weren't surprised, although JJ was saying how when they'd been in last week, they were very convincing, and seemed to understand what they were asking for, and would definitely have the braids ready for them today!), so we went out looking for suitable extensions. In the hair extensions shop, they had some interesting looking lotions and potions, including breast enlarging creams! JJ and I were intrigued to how it works!? They were also playing some Kukuya music, which I liked, so I got the bands name from the shop owner, and would try and find it in town.

It looks like we won’t get Tess’s hair extensions tonight, but the hairdresser was hopeful she’d find them in town tomorrow. We were supposed to be meeting Jesse at the hairdressers, to have dinner with him, but we had no means of contacting him, as he’s lost his phone. Speaking of phones, the girls told me they’d bought a mobile over here, thinking it was a NOKIA make, anyhow, it turns out the shop owner had stuck a sticker over the make, and it’s actually a cheap phone, and they’ve been having problems with it ever since! So we wait outside the arcade, and Jesse shows up about ½ hour afterwards. Had dinner out at Mama Mias restaurant. It was a nice evening.

*I've changed the name in this posting.

My turn to cook…

I met another statistician, who works on the floor below. She analyses the birth and death rates in the hospital. Already, there have been 83 deaths this month. Many HIV, and oncology patients. She also does audits. So spot checks on wards to ensure doctors/nurses are carrying out procedures correctly.

The Swedish nurses were comparing the equipment here to back home. Here it is more about using senses. For example, hands and touch and a stop watch to time the contractions to ensure that the lady has gone into labor. Whereas back in Sweden, they use a band going round the mothers stomach to monitor the contractions, and it is more about relying on monitors.

We all went out with Jesse again tonight. I ran with Jesse back to his student accommodation to get his laptop (just opposite Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)) Jesse has a small room, with an electric coil, that he cooks on, there is hardly room for 2 people to sit comfortable. He was so proud to show me his living quarters though. When leaving, it was pitch black, but luckily, the road was lit up by car head lights. Back at the guesthouse, I attempted to cook chapati’s for everyone, although they didn’t turn out how Evelyn and Judy had cooked them!

I tried adding spring onions and red peppers to the mixture, but in the end, we had to remove them, as they kept making holes in the mixture, and we couldn’t cook them properly. It took 2 ½ hours to make, – can you believe! Jesse ended up helping me! We didn’t eat until 9.30pm.

 

Everyone was starving by then…oops sorry guys! JJ skyped home as it was her eldest daughters birthday, so we all sang happy birthday!

Not a good start to the day, but one that ends well!

Ergh – not a good start. As I reach immigration at Nairobi airport, the officer asks what I’m doing in Eldoret. I’m half asleep, and not thinking straight after the long flight. I tell him I’m working at the Moi University (rather than telling him I'm volunteering for the Global Network NGO). He asks me for my work permit, so I explain awkwardly I don’t have one, so he tells me I need to go to the immigration offices in Eldoret, and get a “special pass”. He stamps my passport for a 1month stay. I don't get it though, why was it fine when I entered the country back in July? There's no arguing with the immigration officers though.

Chris is waiting to pick me up at Eldoret airport, and drives me to the immigration offices. The immigration officer in Eldoret can’t see a problem with my visa, as I have one lasting the entire year. I asked if he can stamp me in, until the end of my stay, but he refuses, and tells me to come back after a month. I’m hoping all will be ok when I go back in a month’s time, and they don’t deport me, or put me in jail.

I arrived at work, exhausted. I was sent home early, as all the travelling just caught up with me, and I was just falling asleep.

When I got back to the guest house, I was just about to fall asleep, when JJ arrived home! She explained she was going running with Jesse tonight (a Kenyan nurse student), who was looking after her and Tess during their stay. I couldn’t resist inviting myself along, excited to experience running with a Kenyan, the elite runners, and find a better route than the Ugandan road! 

We ran to the Eldoret club, where there was a field to run round. It was hard work. Jesse was keen to do some exercises after running 2 laps of the field…it killed me! I realised my fitness needs some work! It was starting to get dark, and the mossy’s were coming out, so Jesse knew a short cut back and JJ cooked for us all - pasta with tomato and morzella..was yum. Tess (my other house mate) had been out working with AMPATH in the villages, so didn’t get back until 7pm. Jesse stayed for dinner. We chatted about the Kenyan culture and how the Kenyan wife must cook for the rest of the family; the perception of African families, i.e. the bigger the family, the richer they are. Was a really nice welcome back home to Eldoret, despite the bad start!

Journey to London (1st October - 10th October)

Mum met me at Heathrow. How weird getting on the London Underground again..it’s been a while!

Spent the weekend in Brighton with Shane! Was awesome! Ate out at Terre a Terre, had fish and chips by the pier, went shopping in town. Loved it all!

On the Monday, I had a meeting with Shona and Steph (from Fast Track) at GSK House. Shona is keen to keep the Run for Good event small, around 100-150 people. She wants to see this run in Eldoret as a pilot run, and if it’s successful this year, hold another run next year on a bigger scale. They also suggested running the event in the High altitude training camp in Iten, as Shona has met the manager, Martin, and suggested that it would be less disruption than holding the event on the streets. She will look into providing 330ml bottle’s of water, and lucozade boost on the day. They can provide caps for the volunteers at the drinks stations. They also suggested inviting GSK Nairobi, and charging an entry fee for those participating, and for those watching. Shona has asked me to provide a summary paragraph, including the charity that we are raising money for (i.e. which villages), how many people will be participating, when and where the event will be held, and the key stake holders.

Steph will post me a sample goody bag, containing the t-shirt, wrist band, medal and race number to my UK address, so I can take back and show the team in Kenya.

They also asked about health and safety, so I’ll need to confirm this with the team back in Eldoret, and suggested selling the wrist bands, which they will ship over to us.

GSK are also happy to provide flyers to advertise the event. We will also need to draw up a budget of the predicted cost of the event. Was a good meeting.

Went to see the rainbows after, and we took them to the park. It was great to see how Vicky was leading the group competently. Felt a little strange to be back, as there were quite a few new ones, whom I didn’t recognise.

We had a BBQ in the evening with Shane, Mum and bro. Was great to be all together, I realised how much I’ve missed this.

On Tuesday, I spent the day with Amy H. It was great. We couldn’t stop talking, we had so much to catch up on. I realised how Skype really makes a difference. With people I’ve been able to Skype, it was just like I hadn’t been away, but with some of my friends, I haven’t had the chance to Sypke, only email, or Facebook, and with these friends, we just had so much to tell each other. Alicia and Liz joined us later on in the evening. We went to a restaurant in Brentford. The whole way through the evening, I was just thinking how nice it was to be back with these guys again! I’ve missed this so much!

Wednesday was hectic. Felt I was running round seeing everyone. I met up with Jo in Waterloo, it was such a shame though, because it felt so rushed. We only spent an hour together, and then she had lectures. I saw Emily in Holborn, and we went for Mexican food in Abobo. Talked loads and loads! She looks really well, and was wearing a little badge to say “Baby on board”. I guess the next time I’ll see her, she will have a little baby..exciting!

Travelled over to see Cara in West London. Again, loved catching up and hearing her stories about Denver, and Churchill, her adopted dog! 

On Thursday, I travelled out to see V in Uxbridge, and had lunch at Weatherspoons. It was too short again, as she had to leave for a meeting at 2pm, but she mentioned about the tickets for Isle of Wight going on sale this week….hoorah – I’m in :) Ate out with Shane at Amico Bio...ummm!

Friday, left for the wedding in Ireland with Shane. Was fun, although, struggled to understand everyone’s accents :) (Plus I couldn't keep up - an Irish wedding goes on all night..different from us Brits!)

On Monday, I met up with Louise in Welwyn Garden City. Was so nice to hear about her wedding. I felt we hadn’t spoken in ages! Managed to get shopping done for my colleagues at the Global Network as they’d put in a request for English scones and pot pourri. It was frantic when I got back home – I found a dry cleaners receipt, and realised I’d forgotten to pick up a dress from more than 3months ago! I had 2hours to pack, get to the airport, and get all checked in! My mum’s a star, and collected the dress for me, luckily they still had it! Did some frantic packing, as was taking back clothes that Caroline and Frank were donating to the Sally Test Paediatric Center, then rushed to Heathrow. I can’t believe the week is over so quickly. I feel sad, but also rejuvenated, to start the final 3 months of my assignment.

UK, here I come and two new flatmates!

This day has finally arrived. I finished writing up notes from the stats classes and got them emailed out. I left at 1pm, not being able to control the excitement. I met my two new housemates (2 Swedish student nurses) when I arrived home. I tried to tell them everything that would’ve been useful if someone had told me when I first arrived in Eldoret, including the good places to eat, not to use ATMs on Mondays, where there’s a nice swimming pool, African time etc. They were meeting one of the Kenyan nursing students for lunch, who was very late. I had warned them about African time :)

Chris, the taxi driver, dropped me at the Eldoret airport. Grace (my housemate) uses him, as he’s the driver for one of her class mates. He doesn’t charge Muzungu prices – I like this guy!

When I arrived in Nairobi, I bumped into the other PULSE volunteers from Kisumu. I remember they mentioned about spending this weekend in Nairobi, but I thought my flight times were out of sync with theirs, so it’s nice I could chat to them (even though it was brief). Turns out poor Emma (Damian’s friend) hasn’t been well, and had to delay her flight. She was so sick, she couldn’t fly home yesterday. It’s such a shame that she got so sick over here, and was only over for a week. Here’s hoping she’ll get better soon!

Crazy queues at Nairobi airport! Took me ages to get through customs, plus the “queuing” system didn’t apply for many people flying...ergh! Was great just having hand luggage on the flight though. Saves so much time checking in.

Hint of new house mates….hoorah

I held the training session today, since I’ll be in London next Monday. I felt the training went really well, as we had a good discussion, and good feedback on hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. We had a Global Network meeting, and had a good discussion on the “Run for Good”. I have lots to ask Shona when I’m back in the UK next week. Went for lunch today with my colleagues Judith and Colleta at the Vegetarian restaurant.

My landlady was round to collect the rent, and it felt strange when she said I’m paid up until the beginning of November now. Time is passing quickly. My landlady said we have two new Swedish people arriving tomorrow. She doesn’t know anything else about them. She wondered if I’d be around to help them settle in,and of course, I’d be happy to help them settle tomorrow afternoon when I’m back from work, but have a flight to catch late afternoon. It’s weird, because up to now, I’ve been so insanely excited about coming home, and now I’m feeling a little apprehensive..I don't know why, I can't really explain. I guess I wonder whether I've changed? Will I fit back into my old life again?

Run for Good

We discussed the Run for Good at the EmONC (Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care )

meeting this morning. The team anticipate a really good response (around 1000 participants). They said any run in Kenya attracts many people. We discussed how any money raised would be distributed amongst the 8 clusters, and each cluster would write a report detailing how the money would be spent. Following the meeting, I helped Betsy summarise the challenges, difficulties and achievements faced by the clusters from the EmONC meeting in Bumula. Went out to buy gifts for people back home. There’s an awesome gift shop in town, called Roberts. He sells a lot of crafts and jewellery (must make quite a bit of cash - I saw some bowls which they'd been selling by the Equator for KSH1000, whilst he was charging KSH1500. He explained it was because his bowls were only made from the finest wood!). Also, made another trip to the Imani workshop – I love this place!
I took some photos of the workers below:

Judith is my colleague in the middle. The two ladies either side work at the Imani workship

I helped my house mate, Grace load Skype onto her computer, as she is also travelling back to Tanzania soon, and wants to keep in contact with the other students off her course..3 days and it's UK here I come!

Lake Bogoria and then home

Nora’s still not feeling great this morning unfortunately :(but she made it through the day - she's a star!

We were on the road to Lake Bogoria – final destination. We stopped off at the sign post for the equator and did the water experiment demonstrating the Coriolis force. 

The water swirls clockwise North of the equator, and anti-clockwise South of the equator. It was about a 3hour drive. We were staying in the SPA resort in the middle of the village. Lovely surroundings, and extremely hot. We had the afternoon for ourselves, and went and relaxed by the swimming pool. Had a quick swim too (we weren’t put off by the spider or bloated frog floating around in the water.)

Late afternoon, we travelled out to Lake Bogoria National Park. The Flamingos looked fantastic, surrounded by a sea of pink.

Saw little dik-dik’s too (deer). You always see them in pairs. Apparently, when one dies, the other dies shortly after from shock.

We stopped off at the hot geysers and springs, and saw where others had tried to boil eggs. 

We also saw the Flamingoes balancing on the hot springs.

After dinner, we had a game of 6 Take (German card game). Really good fun, but got eaten by mosquitoes, and they even attacked through my trousers - evil things! 

Monday 26^th September 2011

We left the resort at 9.30am. Alex, our driver, dropped me off at the road junction (105KM to Nakuru and 88KM to Eldoret). They were travelling back to Kisumu via Nakuru. Alex communicated with some of the locals there, who were able to get on the phone, to find out where the next matatu to Eldoret was. Turned out it was faster than I thought arriving..and only cost about 250KS (~1.70 GBP) for around a 2.5hour drive home.

Stocked up at the supermarket, and went for another run along the Uganda road. I’ve got to find a nicer route, as each time, I’m getting intoxicated with traffic fumes.

 

Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate

We left for Hell’s Gate this morning. The hotel was located near to Lake Naivasha, called Fish Eagle Inn. I highly recommend by the way! This was probably my favourite day of the trip – I loved it! We travelled out to Hell’s gate, and got our bikes sorted. David (our tour guide), took us out on our cycling tour. We were all given mountain bikes, which turned out during the course of our tour, to be a little unpredictable, like the gears not working, or one of the breaks broken, but we all managed fine. It was great to be cycling so close to the animals, in the open. We saw water hogs, Zebra’s, Giraffe’s, Buffalo, Impala. 

Michael, Yannik, Emma, Nora and Damian with David, our guide

We cycled past Fisher’s Point, and Damian had a small accident, where he fell off his bike. All ok though, just a few grazes to his arm. (Dr Michael had to ascertain that he had his tetanus jab!)

We made it to the Gorge, and climbed down into it, which was fun. We did a bit of scrambling too, which I loved. Of course, David practically ran up the rocks, and 3 of us followed a bit more cautiously behind. David explained it wasn’t too far from Centre Point, but we’d left some of the group behind, so it wasn’t really fair for us to go on further.

Damian showing his strength

Nora and Yannik balancing in the rocks

I'm so camouflaged with the rocks!

Damian and Emma

The PULSE volunteers with David

We returned via the route with hot waterfalls, and rode back on our bikes. It was a steep uphill climb most of the way back. 

 

Nora, unfortunately wasn’t feeling great tonight. She thought it might’ve been a bad egg she ate for lunch.

In the evening, we went hippo hunting. Sadly, we didn’t find any down at the lake. We bumped into the security guard on the way home, and he said he’d show us the hippos. He took us on a different route, and claimed he could see their shadows. I wasn’t so convinced (I think he might’ve just been after the tip!)

A trip to Lake Nakruru with the other 6 PULSE volunteers

Really noticed the temperature increase in Kisumu compared to Eldoret. I woke to the sound of the cockerel, and Muslim prayers at dawn. It was about a 4hour drive to Lake Nakuru. Passed through Kerichio Valley, and got some pictures of the tea leave pickers:

We’re staying at the Waterbuck hotel. Unpacked our stuff, and then set off for Lake Nakruru National Park, with some fresh pineapple to keep us going (hmm – hoping my tum’ll be ok, but it’s just too good to resist!). The first Safari was a great experience! We saw Zebras, Impala’s, Buffalo, White Rhino, lots of Flamingos, Storks, Thompson Gazelles (apparently, Gazelles have the straight horns, and Impala’s have the curly ones.) 

Disappointingly, we didn’t get to see any Lions though. The Monkey’s came and sabotaged our lunch, and got away with a few bananas, and the rest of our pineapple. After the game drive, we went back to the hotel for dinner. I was super tired. Think all the travelling has caught up with me. I was snoozing by 9.30pm!!!

Busia to Kisumu

The meeting was a little rushed this morning, as the Professor had a flight to catch to Nairobi, and had to leave at midday. We still had time for an African sing song though. The cluster coordinators, like yesterday, were extremely positive about the project, and had many similar experiences. I took the Acacia bus from Busia to Kisumu, which was an experience in itself. My colleagues were explaining it's  a more reliable way of travelling to Kisumu, since it's direct, and sometimes with the matatu's, they stop off en-route, and wait to fill up, so you never know how long the journey will take. Luckily, my colleagues explained this was a better way to travel, rather than the matatu, as matatu's can stop mid-route, if they are not full of people, and wait until they have filled. I really feel looked after by my colleagues, which I really appreciate. Kevin spoke to the conductor asking him how long it'll take (2.5hrs), and how much (280KS = approx 2 GBP). He said he'd expect a text from me once I'd arrived safely in Kisumu. The bus was crowded, and above my head, there were sacks, full of maize, and everytime there was a jolt, I got covered in dust from the maize!! I took a tuk-tuk from the petrol station to the OGRA foundation when I arrived in Kisumu. It's great. All the 6 PULSE volunteers all live so close to one another. I stayed with Yannik and Nora, and had my own bedroom. We went to the Green Garden restaurant for food. There were people visiting from Direct Relief International in Santa Barba. Mike Marx was also there (a consultant for OGRA foundation). I was whacked at the end of the evening from all the travelling, and crashed out pretty much after dinner.

Prof is made Principal

Running late this morning. I had two missed calls from Betsy on my phone, and then Judy called. My colleagues were all worried about me. I was really touched by that. Evelyn said she was even going to call the police if I hadn’t showed up by 10am! I heard from my mum that Rainbows is still continuing. Sounds like everyone is doing a great job without me. I will be redundant on my return to the UK! Apparently, the mums have been asking for me - I think they are missing me more than the Rainbows!

Professor Esamai is being made Principal of the Collage of Health Sciences today, and so we went to watch his ceremony. The Deans of the University were all present, and the chief administrator for the University too. There was a blessing to start the ceremony, and a prayer to bring the ceremony to a close, which is a little different to how meetings are run back home. After each speech was made, the speaker was thanked, and we had to clap 5 times, within an interval of 3 claps while we counted “moja, mbili, tatu, nne, tano” (= 1 to 5 in Swahili), this came from their Former President, President Moi. The ribbon was cut on the Professor’s chair, and he was given a certificate. The School of Medicine, Public Health, and Dentistry were all present. 

Prof

Gospel Choir

My colleagues all ate lunch with their hands, whilst I tried with a knife and fork, although struggled with the bones on my fish. One of my colleagues commented on how I had no idea on how to eat fish. I tried with my hands, but unfortunately, didn’t make better progress! I just seemed to make a mess! Ergh, just something else to make me feel different.

Another of my colleagues asked for the training slides when we got back to the office, so I was happy to send them on. It’s positive that my colleagues are showing such an interest in the slides, and training sessions.