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MAMA CYNTHIA BLOG
Mama Cynthia trip 2019
October 2019
Jess' Surgical Rounds & Medical Research
Kenya is where my motivation for medicine began and interest in Plastic surgery has grown. Over the past ten years I have been volunteering in rural Kenya as an Occupational Therapist/ Hand Therapist, it was therefore fitting that I return for my final medical elective. I was supervised by a local Plastic Surgeon, Dr Oduor. His passion for surgery, reconstructing burns contractures and congenital deformities is admirable.
Landing in Nairobi with over 60kg of medical supplies is always interesting, with my bag marked “X” I knew I was a customs target. Following negotiation, I passed through avoiding the incoming “tax” on donated goods. I travelled to Nakuru via car, approximately 4 hours north west of Nairobi. I met Nancy who hosted me at Moi Flats, a 30 minute walk from the hospital. Walking was humid, but safe in daylight and an opportunity for many greetings “habari yako” (how are you?), “morning”, “jambo muzungu” (hello white person). Sunday I went to a colourful church service with many orphan girls attending and Monday I started at the hospital.
The Rift Valley General Provincial Hospital is the 4th largest government hospital in Kenya. Although it has 600 beds, it operates at 120% capacity. This was evident on the male orthopaedic ward with patients sharing beds, their exposed bones and external fixations almost tangled with one another. The many “tib-fib” fractures, along with the degloving injuries I debrided, steered me well away from riding on the back of any “piki pikis” (motorbikes). Day one I was straight into the trainee surgical lectures on burns and assisting in theatre to debride and graft burn injuries. Slowly I realised there simply wasn’t enough theatre time or resources to treat patients and their extensive burns. With the exception of children under five, patients had to pay hospital costs. Caregivers were asked to take the script to the pharmacy in town to purchase simple medications such as antibiotics, often resulting in delayed treatment. On arrival one morning I was asked to confirm the death of a two-year-old girl with facial burns, this was shocking and difficult.
There was one physiotherapist for four surgical wards. After hours, I did therapy, including positioning and splinting of the patients. My time with the physiotherapy and medical students was limited, instead empowering patients to do therapy and displaying resources from my work at Alfred Hospital burns unit. In clinics, I was emptying out my backpack of donated dressings and burn compression garments. Interesting cases included chronic ulcers, neglected hand trauma and lower limb nerve palsies due to mistakes in administration of injections in the buttock of children.
Nyabondo Rehabilitation Centre hosts three Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery camps staffed by AMREF each year, alternating with Orthopaedics. The vision of Sister Ludovena who runs the facility is ever expanding, helping the community in a medical capacity and children with disabilities to access an education and vocational training. Walking into the facility brought back memories, greeted by Allied health staff and children from the Cerebral Palsy school. We screened patients on the Monday, mainly children with burns contractures and congenital cleft lips or palates presented. Some Mama’s returned with their children from previous surgeries to show off their child’s new smile and say thank you. I spent the next four days assisting Dr Oduor in the operating theatre. I was intrigued by all aspects of the surgery, the planning of the z-plasty burns reconstruction, using various flaps to cover large skin defects and use of sterile needles for external fixation of joints as an alternate to k-wires. My subcuticular suture lines improved and by the end of the week I was reconstructing a keloid ear scar and closing most incisions.
Following the long days in the operating theatre, I set up a workshop at the nurses station to fabricate thermoplastic splints to maintain positioning for joints following burns release surgery. The children will wear these splints overnight for 6 to 12 months to prevent re-contracture of joints. In addition, I collected data at Nyabondo to capture the past 5 years of Plastic surgery cases to better understand common causes of burns and how to prevent them. I also visited a new medical school at Kisii University to lecture about burns prevention and my research in this area.
My month long medical elective spent in Kenya was both enriching and rewarding. I am grateful for the experience and to be returning to a well-supported internship at The Western Hospital in Melbourne. I look forward to many more volunteer trips in Kenya to spread the burns prevention message and provide assistance for reconstructive surgery.
September 2019
Jen and Sarah's Rewarding Adventures
Jen and Sarah spent the tail end of their African trip in Western Kenya, continuing with Mama Cynthia’s current projects and enjoying reuniting with our past contacts and communities.
We firstly spent a couple of days at the Jesfa Joy Academy. The school is in its first year run by Fatuma, a kind-hearted, talented teacher that Jess sponsored through her teaching degree. We were fortunate to catch the last week of school, getting to know her 17 students. Hard cover books, writing implements, toys and pre-loved scissors, were just a few of the items generously donated. The students were so excited to see all the new resources that the next morning they came knocking at the school door much earlier then the formal starting time just to play and read. Through generous donations we were able to purchase new furniture for their classrooms, as the school looks to grow to 90 students. The ‘fundi’s’ (builders) rolled the new furniture down the long dirt road on a wagon. Fatuma was extremely grateful for all the supplies, as they are well equipped for a successful year of stimulated learning. We have also arranged a re-payment support system for Fatuma to extend her rent to accommodate the growing numbers.
Sarah and Jenni spent time at the Educational Assessment and Resource Centre (EARC) in Mumias. It was reassuring to see the amount of growth and passion still driving this centre. Jenni ran a full day workshop for the local therapist on cerebral palsy and burns management, whilst Sarah taught at the new established Autistic School next door, up skilling the teachers in deep pressure stimulation, along with a lot of singing and dancing. In the afternoon we ran a burns prevention program to the ‘Graduated Mamas’ under the shade of the trees.
We also spent time at Rise and Shine School for the physically disabled.” The school Vivian and Cynthia attend, who we have been supporting their education and board. It was so rewarding to see their faces light up as we walked into their classrooms, reuniting again. Cynthia has cerebral palsy and is 16 years of age. She is in her last year of schooling, with a focus next year to see what opportunities there are for her to complete vocational training, so that she can earn and income and contribute further to her community. The school also welcomed a package of donated resources, which will be gradually introduced to the children overtime. We also spent the day getting about on 'piki-piki’s' (motorbikes) with Vivian’s teacher, to organise a comprehensive plan for Vivian to attend her second stage surgery. This included getting consent from her mother and organising Aunt Jennifer to accompany her to surgery.
Mama Cynthia, Cynthia, Jenni, Vivian and Sarah at Rise and Shine School
Soon after Vivian’s surgery, we are thrilled to hear, she is walking around on two legs with the assistance of crutches and a heel insert. We continue to receive updates from the therapist in Mumias about her ongoing recovery.
We look forward to many more volunteer trips in Kenya to continue to spread the burns prevention message, empower local therapists, support Jesfa-Joy school and children with disabilities and continue to provide assistance for reconstructive surgery.
Aunt Jennifer, Vivian and her Grandma after walking on her newly reconstructed leg for the first time in her life!
Mama Cynthia trip 2017
November 2017
Fundi Matt's intro to rural Kenya
Matt joined Jess on a trip to Kenya to visit the “Mama Cynthia” projects. The logistics were a little challenging given the recent election violence and ongoing protests. Though Sundays were peaceful, so we travelled on Sundays. We visited Dr Oduor and Vitalis our Physiotherapist friend in Nakuru, who then kindly drove us (on a Sunday) to Nyabondo Centre for the Disabled. We had a lovely welcoming party including many allied health professionals and few of the school children who didn’t have homes to go to over the holidays. We talked burns prevention, made a splint for Eunice a long-time nursing friend who sadly had a stroke and shared ugali and beans courtesy of the amazing on-site chefs. Matt was starting to get a sense of the Kenyan hospitality.
Following this we went to Mumias. We visited Amida’s beautiful new house, Principal Ali at Matungu Primary and the EARC to host a burns prevention workshop for locals. We loved our time spent at Fatuma’s school where Matt built a school book shelf surrounded by curious children. We felt privileged to be the honorary guests at ‘Jesfa Joy Educational Centre’ graduation, the parents sung and danced to celebrate their children’s achievements.
A brief but amazing trip allowed us to look ahead and plan for future “Mama Cynthia” projects.
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Mama Cynthia trip 2015
19-23rd October
Corrective surgeries at Nyabondo
Our group of 11 piled into the private van and made the way comfortably down to Nyabondo, until of course we hit the ridiculously bumpy dirt road up to the top of the hill where the Centre for Disabled is tucked away. We were thankful to have Clare join us for part of the journey. Clare was one of the original success stories sponsored by the Akhonya Trust UK to have her right foot post burns contracture released. She is happy and health, and has gone on to study economics at university.
It was wonderful to be welcomed by Sister Ludovena the head administrator of the mission, she was most excited by the plaster saw and skin grafting blade that made the journey from Australia. A few familiar faces started to appear including Dr Odour (Plastic Surgeon), Eunice (nurse), along with many new local staff and volunteers from AMREF which formed the team for the next few days. The brand new guesthouse equipped with hot water and a western toilet felt like a hotel upgrade at this point in the trip, not to mention the great meals we shared.
The pre-op education books Jenni illustrated were a hit, along with the knitted teddies and toys donated by the AHTA. The nurses could see the value in this project for future surgical rotations.
23 cases passed pre-screening and were then operated over 3 days. Unfortunately it seemed that the greatest number of burn patients were from Mumias. Therefore we are hopeful that our burns prevention program sparks awareness and takes effect in the community. Dr Odour was looking forward to sharing the poster with colleagues who are working on similar preventative strategies, his view is that poor outcomes and severe contractures are likely a result of professionals not showing an interest in the acute management.
We held the hands of the children clutching their teddies and the Mama’s as they waited to fall asleep and once again when they woke up…
Hidaya 1.5 years sponsored by Caitlin at Royal Melbourne – attended with her Mama Wonisha now a single mother of 3 children at just the age of 20 years. Hidaya underwent a release of her left wrist contracture that was reportedly sustained at 3 weeks of age with boiling water.
Zaituni 3 years sponsored by Jen at Melbourne Hand Therapy – attended with her Mama Wsonga also a single mother of 3 at the age of 27 years after her husband took a second wife. Zaituni’s burns were sustained when her siblings lit her mattress on fire at just 3 months of age. She had surgery to release her left wrist contracture and Dr Odour is hoping to obtain a skin stretcher so that he can stretch the remaining hair to cover her scalp.
Vivian 5 years sponsored by Bernarda at Royal Melbourne – attended with her Mama Carolyn who is now pregnant with her 6th child. Vivian’s burn on her leg was sustained at a young age reportedly from boiling water. Although a major surgery with a deep v incision and large skin grafts to release the fixed flexion deformity of the right knee she also bounced back quickly.
Dalmas 9 years sponsored by Bernarda at Royal Melbourne – a beautiful young boy that attended with his Mama Sarah, familiar with the process having had his right wrist released in the past he underwent an impressive and delicate reconstruction of his right ear. We look forward to seeing the follow up.
In between theatre sessions Jess worked in the workshop with Orthotech Ponplaus on CP night splints, Jenni visited the creative vocational school and we both handed out the navy blue jumpers to the elated children in the CP school. Once again we were sad to sign off at Nyabondo and tell the team that we would aim to return in 2 years, while Mama Cynthia would aim to continue to support surgical cases that are in need.
Thank you for your support along the way to make the Mama Cynthia projects a success. We hope that you are also as excited about the beaming smiles on the children’s faces.
This will be last post for the trip as Jess donates her laptop and we continue onto Nairobi tomorrow and home to Oz Sunday.
Asante sana,
J&J Mama Cynthia xo
17-18th October
Last weekend in Mumias
Greetings, greetings and more greetings, on reflection it seems that we shake hands with at least 50 people each day here in Mumias. There is nothing like being greeted with “habari” or “how are you” and a warm Kenyan smile throughout the day.
It was certainly special to be greeted once again by Martin’s wife Rose, 3 of their 5 children, plus a few extra cousins. Martin’s property had grown in size and colour, now boasting a second building of bedrooms. This was to be our lively home for the weekend, feeling very welcome. We watched as Rose prepared chapatti with her strong Ugandan arms, the two girls washed all the week’s clothes and Elliot pulled a huge wheelbarrow load of feed for the livestock.
Some of the highlights from the weekend included:
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Kicking off with a Kenyan ½ marathon through the Matungu dirt streets, backed up with 10ks
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Fatuma prepared us lunch in her modest 1 bedroom house, an impressive upgrade from the mud brick she previously resided in. It is very humbling to see that sponsoring her university school fees has made such a big change in her life, she has flourished.
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Said goodbye to Priscilla and Tim (our early hosts), as Tim shaved Priscilla’s head in preparation to go to Eldoret for 6 months of military training despite being employed as an OT.
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Attending church with Rose and the kids, enjoying the singing, swaying of hips and the pastor kindly translating the Kiswahili into English.
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A wonderful guided tour of Martin’s property, including the crops, his step mothers and 85 year old mother’s house.
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Visit to Rise and Shine school to pay Cynthia’s school fees, buy her a new mattress and blanket. We also filled the school with bubbles and 30 orange balloons for the children to play with.
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Visit to Amida, this time accompanied by her now tall daughter Fatilda happy to hand over the remaining 20 knitted school jumpers.
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Finished the weekend and last day in Mumias sharing and not so “baridi” (cold) Tusker beer with Rich and Danielle from the UK, overlooking the passers by.
We went to bed so thankful for all the friends we had caught up with and the many new friends we had made. Saying goodbye to Mumias is always tough, especially knowing that it would be for another couple of years.
Thursday 15th October
Kakamega visit for Diana and OT district meeting
An early morning visit to Kakamega Hospital was in store with Martin scheduled to attend the first Western District Occupational Therapy meeting, with surprise, surprise Jess and Jenni Medland as keynote speakers. Discussion surrounded the referral process and professional development in Australia and how this may translate to Kenya.
Chris an OT from the hospital took us on a tour of the Physiotherapy and OT department. Interestingly each physiotherapy bed was accompanied by an ultrasound machine, while the OT department appeared a lot more practical with functional tools and toys. As we were waiting for the OTs to gradually arrive we couldn’t ignore the number of inmates being escorted to the facility for outpatient physiotherapy. Many injuries allegedly sustained from beatings in their villages. Jess shook hands with one, curiously asking why she was in prison, the casual reply “murder.”
Our other mission for the day was to seek an opinion about Diana’s (an 11 year old girl) chronic osteomyelitis. Diana was discovered a week prior limping across the road from Lunganyiro School with a hankie tied around her grossly swollen leg. After knowing that her parents didn’t have the money treat or even the education to know that she was battling a life threatening condition, we decided to arrange for her to come to hospital with her teacher Habel. X-rays revealed a very spongy bone being eaten away by the infection. The single consultant that was attending to the entire hospital for the day reassured us that an amputation was not necessary at this stage, instead suggesting a course of strong antibiotics, daily dressings to clear up the superficial ankle wound withthe plan for washout surgery in a month time. Diana is now boarding at Lunganyiro to follow through with the management plan. We hope to continue to support her to conquer the osteomyelitis so she can go on and be a dakari (Doctor) herself.
Friday 16th October
Mumias PD workshop
With some last minute late night preparation of powerpoints including compilation of resources, photos from our trip and some google images we somehow scraped together a full day workshop. On the day morning were amazed to be able to print the handouts, a registration sheet and successfully use the projector in between blackouts. As Jenni often says “somehow in Kenya things just work out.”
The participants included allied health professionals and two mamas that had brought their children for opinion, complimenting the presentation particularly in regard to burns. The topics on the day included: burns prevention and management, basic upper limb fracture management and best practice for CP with a practical session on night splinting. It was exciting to have many participants interact during the presentation some commenting that they valued our approach to treating the patient and not just the condition, reinforcing the importance of developing rapport and consideration of the psychosocial factors that are common when a child sustains a debilitating burn. On reflection it was a successful day that ended with a great feast prepared by Sulimina (sponsored by the AHTA), participants received certificates while continuing to ask many questions after the conclusion.
Wednesday 14th October
Workshop opening
Apparently we were attempting the impossible, trying to get back to Mumias by 11am for the grand opening of the EARC workshop. What was meant to be a 4 hour trip back from Nakuru turned into a 5 ½ hour trip, due to a very lost driver. Who would have thought google maps and Jess’ navigation in Kenya would us find an alternate route.
Finally we arrived, realising the workshop opening was no ordinary celebration. There were people scattered about the EARC gardens: with the VIPs sitting up the front, a marquee off to the side for the teachers at Special Ed Schools and a marquee for the Mama’s and their children with disabilities. The thank you speeches went on and on and on under the hot Kenyan sun from 11am all the way through to 4pm. About an hour in we realised that despite our late roll up time, we barely missed a thing. The celebration was complete with the cutting of the ribbon by the Harambee trust founders, welcome tours of the workshop, dancing and singing by the Mama’s and plenty of heavy ugali and meat to feed the patient and hungry bellies.
Exciting times ahead for the Mumias EARC community, they now equipped with a recently implemented physiotherapy service, an orthotists and prosthetic service and the ability to build many aids and equipment.
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9-13th October 2015
Mt Kenya adventure
We rushed up the road already breaking a sweat at 6.30am to make our matutu shuttle to Lake Nakuru, our tardiness due to Priscilla assuring us the early departure time was only written because they factor in that “ladies take longer to get ready”. It was however the real departure time. We met with our driver Willy in Nakuru after sorting out some banking and set off on the long drive to Chogoria on the East side of Mt Kenya. It was an exceptionally long drive, partly due to very cautious driving and lots of interesting conversation about Kenya and family. We even briefly stopped for some tourism and a photo with some dressed up Masai at Thomspon Falls. We arrived at our modest hotel after a total of 14 hours travel time. Willy joined us for dinner before he hit the road back to Nakuru. Duncan a local Kenyan founder of Equitorial Star and our guide Patrick met us at the hotel for a briefing over chai, it was mostly silence therefore Jenni rightly pointed out there wouldn’t have been any briefing if it wasn’t for our questions.
Day 1: Hotel Lizlow --> Chogoria Gate (2900m) --> Chogoria campsite (3300m)
A rattly and beastly old land rover picked us up from the hotel, along the way to the Chogoria gate we collected our new friends and crew: Patrick (guide), Eldet (cook), Simon (porter), James (porter), plus the addition of a mechanic to ensure the beast made it along the unsurfaced road to our destination. From the gate of Mt Kenya national park we could already see the beauty inside as our friends served us a picnic lunch. Again like when we hiked Kilimanjaro we were made to feel like very dignified guests. Today was a pretty cruisey hike of 6km, complemented by a walk to the waterfall nearby Chogoria’s campsite. The day ended under the stars sharing stories around the campfire with our hiking crew.
Day 2: Chogoria campsite – Mintos (3300m --> 4200m)
Waking to the sound of birds we hiked from Chogoria (3300m) to Mintos Campsite (4200m). Although only 7km, it felt a little more challenging with the increasing altitude. We were spoilt by amazing views overlooking the valleys and waterfalls, ascending from the grassland up to the dry and rocky environment. An early night sleep was on the cards in preparation for our early morning summit hike.
Day 3: Mintos (4200m) --> Peak Lenana (4985m) --> Shipton Hut (4200m) --> Old Moses (3300m)
A 3am start, ensured that we saw the sunrise at the summit. Although only a 7km hike up, a combination of a very steep ascent, increasing altitude and a disciplined guide gave us the feeling that we were going to topple over. Fortunately the skies were mostly clear, allowing a 360 degree view from the top, including the summit of Mt Killamanjaro in the distance peering through the clouds. After a couple of photos and a hot cuppa, the -10 degree temperature limited our time up the top. We made a quick decent 5kms down to Shiptons Hut for some breakfast and then pressed on for another 14km to the Old Moses campsite, where we were to spend our last night on the mountain. After hearing that none of the crew carried a first aid kit nor had been trained in basic first aid, we were inspired to run a brief first aid course for our guide Patrick which we complimented with a mini first aid kit.
Day 4:
A cruisey day ascending 9km from Old Moses Campsite (3300m) to the Sirimon gate (2600m) was just perfect especially for Jen battling a number of blisters from the 26km day before. We farewelled our trekking crew over another Kenyan Masala Tea and then made tracks back to Nakuru to meet up with Vitalis, a physiotherapist and friend involved in the corrective surgeries.
Thursday 8th October 2015
Amida jumpers, plaster faster, schools and Jen preps Fred
“Strong, strong” were the words of the local Kenyan’s this morning as we embarked on our 15k run. We wandered up towards St Mary’s hospital as Jess tried to remember the whereabouts of Amida’s room that she shares with her daughter Fatilda behind the shops. It was so lovely to find Amida looking well 5 years later. Amida a friend with paraplegia had been knitting away, perhaps even through the night to finish the 10 jumpers for the school children. She was elated to receive a solar lantern that would not only help her to do her work, but to simply find her way around at night.
Arriving late to the EARC meant that there were many mama’s with their watotos (children) waiting for us. Despite our burns prevention work the previous day we were sad to see yet another fresh burn from hot porridge on Zatuni’s foot, a 4 year old girl already with severe burns to her body that require corrective plastic surgery. Jess dressed her foot as Jenni helped prepare her mother and another child with a cleft palate for attending the Nyabondo surgeries. It is a mystery how we managed to fit it all in, however in the workshop Jess prepared three night extension splints for children with cerebral palsy, while Faith and Jenni completed to some lower limb casting. We soon realised the great value of the plaster saw the Australian Hand Therapy Association donated as we cringed while Faith hacked a cast off a child using a hand saw.
The afternoon was filled with the excitement of returning to Lunganyiro, one of Jess’ favourite schools that she stayed the night at camping out under a mozzie net. We were greeted by many children with varying physically disabilities including congenital amputations, severe club foot and brittle bones syndrome. The children were elated to receive the solar lanterns from Australia, these would help them to study after dark and find their way to the bathroom overnight. While over this side of town we couldn’t miss visiting the new Matungu Special School for children with developmental delay, Ali the wonderful teacher there had helped relocate them to a small farm plot with tin sheds constructed for classrooms and dormitories. We were most impressed as we observed the consideration the children showed to one another, they took us on an official tour and when they noticed it started to rain they brought Martin’s helmet and jacket inside.
At the end of a long day it was time to say our goodbyes to our mate koo koo Fred. Priscilla did the honours while Jenni distracted herself elsewhere in the house, surprisingly returning to overcome her fear and prep Fred for our dinner. Well done Jen – we shared a delicious dinner following prayer at 10.30pm.
Wednesday 7th October 2015
Interactive burns prevention and Cynthia visit
The clients turned out in great numbers at the EARC for therapy and their support groups. When the enthusiastic mama’s gathered in the shade under the trees we saw an opportunity to run the interactive burns prevention workshop with Martin’s charismatic assistance. Disabled children in Kenya are at greatest risk of sustaining burns due to convulsions from epilepsy or inability to understand the danger of heat. The myths were true many participants thought that it would help to apply flour or butter to a burn. They did however come up with some innovative ideas for closing off their fires and keeping their “watoto” (children) safe. We were thanked with lots of “lalalala” and dancing as they received a safe solar lantern for their homes.
Jess spent the afternoon unpacking the workshop bags and making night resting splints for eager cerebral palsy clients while Jenni passively stretched limbs and entertained them with games. We saw so much potential for new workshop when materials are available to use.
The best part of the day no doubt was visiting Cynthia and her Grandmother in the village. It was amazing to see that Cynthia had grown into a young woman at 14 years of age, the same beautiful smile had not left her face. Mama Cynthia was so excited by our offer to pay her school fees that she presented us with a “koo koo” (chicken). We subsequently named Fred. She put him in a box and walked with us all the way to the junction, it reminded us of her strength and determination to carry Cynthia some 4km to the EARC on her back. It is Kenyan’s like Mama Cynthia trying desperately to give their child a better start that remind us of why we are so drawn to helping in Mumias.
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Tuesday 6th October 2015
EARC work begins
No better way to start the day than with a 10k at 1500m altitude, no doubt there was lots of encouragement from our 100s of Kenyan coaches “good job” “mzuri sana” and “faster faster” of course.
Our grand tour of the EARC was most exciting: the new disability friendly playground, seeing a workshop with many machines to create orthoses, currently limited by no materials; Job and Simeon were busy at work in the audiology centre hand crafting hearing aides; the physio gym contained many creative walking aides made locally and the sensory room was filled with lights. Many Mama’s came from afar with children big and small on their backs for therapy. We assisted with developmental assessments and met with the Harambee founders Raun and Maryann from the Netherlands that built the EARC facility in 2009. They now have a house in a nearby town that they visit a couple of times a year to check in with their many successful education projects. Since this time we have been keeping our eyes peeled for local blocks of land!
The friendly staff took us on a mission to town to check off several jobs: transferring money for the trek, what we thought would be a simple task of getting a phone with wi-fi turned into a long African challenge, our patient friends including Fatuma (whom Jess sponsored her university fees) waited and then took us to a shop to get measured for our traditional Kenyan dresses as a thank you. We reflected how much Fatuma’s confidence has grown to become a passionate and hard-working teacher.
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Monday 5th October 2015
Mumias Bound
What an exciting day for J&J knowing that we were finally Mumias bound. Setting off at 6.15am to down town Nairobi, arriving at the Easycoach bus terminal only to find it wasn't so easy to find 2 tickets as we joined the many school children returning following a 30 day unresolved teacher strike. After Jess' 10 trips and security frisks between the customer service and bookings offices and giving away a free pen, she managed to surface with 2 tickets. The mountain of bags again looked inviting for extra luggage charges by the official man in a white coat, it seemed instead of paying 200 Kenyan Schillings per bag by the book, we arrived at the price of 200KSH total to contribute to his and his friend's breakfast fund.
The 8 hour bus ride grew having encountered several unusual delays including the bus reversing into a BMW in Nakuru, leaving a student behind at a stop, stopping at many schools in the district and running off the road merely missing the small shops and colourful Kenyans. After 10 hours we were excited to be greeted by Martin and many of the EARC staff. It was amazing to share in how much the EARC has grown in its resources to help service the many disabled children in the Western district that show up for therapy each day.
Just one last delay, the car broke down on route to our accomodation. Luckily the driver was Martin's friend and a mechanic, we were on our way to bed soon after. Priscilla and her partner Tim very welcoming hosts in town had organised "koo koo" (chicken) and a comfortable bed.
3rd- 4th October 2015
The Long Journey to Kenya
Alan Joyce, what a legend! Not entirely sure what was written on the check in screen, but all 5 bags of 130kg+ were sent down the conveyer belt ready to start the journey with J & J to Kenya. The Air New Zealand longue courtesy of Jess’ patient was thoroughly enjoyed before transition to rural Kenyan life. We thought there may have been a slight hiccup with luggage excess at the Emirates check in desk on transit in Dubai, instead it seemed the extra time was spent arranging us seats in the exit aisle to accommodate our extraordinary long legs.
After a long taxi out and around all the planes on the tarmac we joined the masses of Muslim’s travelling back from the Hage in Mecca. The inside of the plane was chaos with people scrambling for overhead space and “please sit down sir” yelled out many times as we were taking off and landing. The arrival in Nairobi was almost smooth sailing, to our amazement all 5 bags were relocated as Jess hurled them off the carousel onto trolleys. Then… we were stopped at customs and sent to “the naughty corner” or so Jenni labelled it to wait and negotiate after expired plaster and an expensive “taxable” plaster saw was discovered. It was a challenge to explain that the expiry date was only an indicator of when the material would no longer work and how the children in Mumias would benefit rather than “get a disabled arm from it” or so the official ironically explained in her reasoning. Jess turned on the waterworks at the thought of the supplies being confiscated, however we both realised the real predicament was how much “tax” was going to go into the official’s pocket. When the price was announced at $52 we were fortunate our chuckles were mistaken for distraught cries. We walked away paying nothing and exchanged low fives for dodging the dodgy Kenyan system.
Sunday 27th September 2015
Mama Cynthia High Tea Fundraiser
What a day! The sun was shining, tunes were playing and many delicious treats were consumed. Thank you to the many friends and family that joined us to support Mama Cynthia. We are excited to announce that you helped to raise over $2500 today!
We can't thank the following people enough:
- Brydie from Flora and Fleur for the stunning floral arrangements
- Nic & Charlie for their live tunes
- The Source Camberwell for the "guess the lolly jar" and $100 voucher
- Burger Burger Surrey Hills for $50 voucher
- Reunion Cafe Surrey Hills for $50 voucher
- Zimt Surrey Hills for the $70 High Tea experience
- Chemmart Surrey Hills for the 2 fun filled hampers
- Hector Rose New Zealand for $100 voucher
- All the wonderful chefs that shared their best in the bake-off
Please refer to our "Supporters" page to find the links to their websites
This time next week we will be setting foot on Kenya soil to partner up once again with the amazing locals and start putting into place the Mama Cynthia projects. We look forward to updating you with many stories and smiles from the Kenyan kids that you have helped to support. No doubt the next blog will be written from Melbourne airport trying to get over 100kg of medical equipment on the plane, should be fun!
Asante Sana,
J & J xo
