Start of The Jigger Campaign

Today was the start of the jigger campaign. It's a health initiative where community members and volunteers join together to help eradicate bug infestations in homes that can cause serious health problems. We also gave out dewormers and Vitamin A tablets to those who needed it.
We started the morning off by driving to the health clinic to split up into groups and get the pills and pesticides. After leaving the clinic, we went into the villages to start our work. These were the first REAL AFRICAN houses that I got to see up close and personal. They all varied. Some were nothing but steel sheets with wood and concrete. Others were made of stone and wood and seemed a little bit more stable. They were only about two rooms, an outhouse, and a separate shack where they cooked their food. They had little furniture and a lot of families slept on a bed with no mattress or even the floor.
We visited about 12 houses, each with their own story. They seemed to progressively get sadder as we went along.
There were two homes that stuck out the most to me. The first one, where a grandmother, her son, and three grandchildren lived had a very bad jigger problem. We went in the home and saw the place where they slept. It was horrible. The father (a drunkard) and the three kids slept on this bed that had no mattress and no blankets. The grandmother, who was VERY VERY old, slept on the floor in their living room which had nothing in it but a calendar on the wall. The three children were HIV positive, and the mother had died in January from the disease. They had nothing at all, yet there was still a smile on the grandmother's face. She lives for her grandchildren, everything she does if for them. Such an amazing thing to see.
The other home...if you want to call it that, was no bigger than my bedroom. Three children and their mother lived there. The mother worked 20 kilometers away, so she wasn't there, which apparently was a good thing. She didn't want the help that we provided. She never enrolled her children in primary school, which is free for Kenyan children. The children all had severe jigger infestations that the mother knew about. She cleans her own feet, but wont take care of her children...I just don't get it.
The youngest child was three, though looking at him it looked like he was 9months. He couldn't stand, walk, or talk. Him and his brother and sister both had infections in their hands and feet. We cleaned them with hydrogen peroxide, gave them the dewormers and Vitamin A, and bought them some bread and milk. The public health officer is supposed to return to the home tonight to talk to the mother, and hopefully report her to the proper authorities.

I saw so much more, but I really don't have the energy to write about it. I'm so emotionally and physically drained from today. The number of families who have lost people to HIV/AIDs and other preventable diseases just really put me in a down mood. Four more days of it...I hope I can take it.

We are just so blessed, you have no idea how much we are.

HOPE

Today was pretty good. We started off by grabbing breakfast at this cafe. It was very good and very cheap. I had bacon, toast, eggs, and a cup of coffee for KSH250, roughly two american dollars. Kenyan bacon is good, but Kenyan coffee is out of this world ha. After breakfast we went on the induction tour around to different volunteer sites around the area. The first one was a school with about 70 kids. This was one of the better schools we have seen. They had a shack where they cooked meals, three classrooms where they taught, and two small offices. This is pretty rare in this area. The next site wasn't as fortunate. There were about 40 kids in a school no bigger than my bedroom at home. There was one teacher to care for the lot of them, so she really needed some help. We visitied another school/boarding house which was much nicer, and finally a halfway home for babies and their mothers when they return from prision. We got the chance to choose a site where we wanted to help, so I chose the second site, Hope School. I helped them with math problems and shapes. We played outside for a good bit of the time. The kids were so energetic! Nothing but smiles and laughter, it really warmed my heart to see it because they were so appreciative, yet they had so little. There were a few kids who did break my heart though. A girl, probabaly 6, was taking care of her younger brother. She carried him on her back and took him everywhere she went. She was so mature for being so young, so responsible and had so much love.... she's someone American children can def. take a lesson from. There was also this boy who had a stomach bug and diarreah. He had a wart on his foot which made it really painful for him to walk, and it's so sad because there was nothing anyone could do. His mother was mentally diasbled, so there isn't much care given at home. All he can do is wait it out. It seemed like thats all they really ever do... is wait it out. 15 of the children were HIV positive. They played around with the other kids, even is they got a cut or a scratch. Im pretty sure that they didn't know they have it, the disease is such a subject of taboo here.

Im learning that it's great to help now, but there should be things that we do that can make a lasting impact that will actually affect these people in the long run. The only problem is finding out what those things are...

We learned a bit of Swahili today, hopefully when I get back to The States I'll be able to speak a little. We got the schedule for our Safari this weekend. We leave tomorrow morning for the game park and stay the entire weekend. There are lions, cheetahs, giraffes, baboons, crocodiles and much more, so I'll def. have some good pictures to upload.

I'm still learning more from the friends we made from UK. I've caught myself picking up a bit of their accent from time to time, which is pretty funny. We had a discussion on the American/English ways of life last night which was pretty eye opening. I'm sure I still have a lot more to learn..

I probably won't get back on until the beginning of next week, so peace out until then. Hopefully we aren't eaten by a pack of lions...

First Taste of Mission Work

So today we went had orientation for our placement. There are a lot of options to volunteer out in the community and I am very excited for a few of them. Next week we are going to be starting a jigger campaign where we go out into the slums, sanitize homes, disinfect jigger wounds, and help out with other deworming. I'm pretty excited to start that next week, I'm sure there will be a lot to see and to share.
This morning we went to a local feeding program. There were tons of old women there getting food for themselves and their families. We also went into a small school, not bigger than the common room of my freshman dorm, where kids were learning their ABC's. It was definitely a humbling experience. Everyone seemed so grateful for what they had and were so nice.
After that, we went to a special needs school on near Mt. Kenya. The ride up was bumpy, but the view was beautiful. African driving is definitely something you have to get used to haha.
When we got to the school, we helped them write their ABC's. They really didn't have a clue how, at least the children I was working with. After school work, we went out into the field and started to play with the children. One girl, Joyce, who is autistic loved to be thrown up into the air and caught. After about 5 times I got pretty tired, but she kept coming back for more...and who am I to say no to the heart of an African child.
We played soccer, jump rope, and tag the entire afternoon. The children loved to take pictures! I seriously didn't know where my camera was for a while because they took it and started to photograph things.
We go back next Wednesday, so it should be exciting to see what we do.
Tomorrow we go on a tour of all the sites, so we can choose what we want to do. Friday we head to our weekend Safari, needless to say I'm VERY EXCITED.

I'm learning a lot while I'm here, and not just about African culture. We are volunteering with other nurses from England who have shed some light on their culture. Didn't expect that at all, but its a nice surprise.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired...again. Looking forward to tomorrow, we learn Swahili...or will try to ha. Until next time...

Finally Made It

Finally made it to Kenya!
Thanks to the volcano ash clouds in Europe, our trip was delayed a little longer than expected. We were supposed to fly into Amsterdam, but we were diverted to Paris because of the ash. We spent around 8 hours in the airport, 4 hours of which was in a line. Let me just say, the French do not like Americans, haha. I'm not too fond of them either, they are a little too rude for me. So we get to the receptionist and he spends like an hour trying to find us a way to Kenya. He finally tells us that we can go through Dubai to Kenya, needless to say I was pretty excited to go to Dubai, even if it was just the airport.
The plane ride over to Dubai was legit, the nicest plane I had ever flown on. The food...not so good, but everything else was great. We land in Dubai....it has to be the nicest airport in the world. It's soo big and everyone was so helpful and friendly...I definelty want to go back.
We boarded the plane to Kenya, ate some peanuts, and woke up on this great continent.
Patrick, the driver, was waiting on us when we got there and then we headed to our lodging at Brackenhurt. It was an hour and a half drive and we saw a lot. The traffic was crazy, there are people walking around everywhere. There were little kids who had to be like 6 years old walking around alone in the flooded streets. I really am in culture shock, especially being around other volunteers from Europe. I've never felt so American in my life!
Anyway, were going to a shelter tomorrow and Thursday we are getting placed into our mission assignments. Very excited.
I'm also very tired, so if my writing seems sporadic sorry. I'll try to write back on this before the end of the week, but if not I'll catch up next week.
Until later....

Welcome

Hello Friends,

My name is Jamar Brown and I'm on a mission to go to Africa this May. I'm very excited for the opportunity to travel to Kenya and make an impact on not only the community, but myself. I see this trip as a life-changing experience however I do need your help to make this dream come true.
We are traveling through a volunteer program called KayaVolunteer. They are an international volunteer organization who has laid out an extensive and exciting two-week experience for myself and the other College of Charleston students I'm traveling with. The role of a volunteer, as stated on their website is as follows...


Role of the volunteer

As the hospital has so many patients, volunteers are needed to help organise patients and create a system that will free the doctors to attend to the patients' needs instead of trying to maintain order. You will also be able to help nurses carry out vitals measurements before the patients see the doctor. This hospital is particularly well known for its specialized eye unit. Volunteers will have the opportunity to observe eye specialists performing eye surgeries, and learn from experienced medical doctors. Furthermore, volunteers would be able to observe health professionals in the maternity and orthopaedic wards and assist them when needed. For example, you may be asked to help with the weighing of babies or with recording results of eye tests.
The orphanages need you to help with teaching the children, and general care such as cooking for the children's meals or organising sports and play activities to promote their well-being. There is also building and refurbishment work needed to make it feel more like home for the children: by painting pictures on the walls, repairing furniture, etc. Some of the orphanages we partner with are building to expand and improve their facilities. Your pair of hands will be greatly appreciated in this practical work.
In the Mukuru slums, volunteers are needed to help with the administration in clinic and community programme support, and to work hand-in-hand with the nurses or visiting doctors. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in home-based care for those patients who are unable to visit the clinic. You will also be able to help teachers in surrounding schools, assisting at orphanages and getting involved in the feeding program. For those who are brave at heart, there is the massive task of helping to clear drains, which are the main source of water-borne diseases and malaria. This is not for the faint-hearted. But it is an irreplaceable opportunity to make a large impact on the quality of life and well-being of the community, and perhaps even open doors to involve community members in preserving and looking after their own environment.

The cost of the program is $1400, which includes a place to stay with three meals a day. There is also 24 hour emergency assistance, a small language class, cultural excursions, and funding for individual projects.
Round trip flights, visas, and immunizations are not included, but are estimated to be approx. $1500.

I have been able to raise a substantial amount thus far, but I still have a long way to go. I NEED YOUR HELP! I am afraid the fundraisers we are doing now won't be enough to cover the cost of the trip, so I'm asking that you donate however much possible to this cause! No amount is too small.
If you wish to donate, please email jrbrown1@edisto.cofc.edu with your name and amount you'd like to contribute.

Thank you so much, and I'll constantly be updating this blog with new information and updates.

-Jamar Brown