Last days in Kenya
My stay at the hospital here at Lake Elementeita is almost over, and I can look back at 2 highly eventful weeks. I have learned a lot about the health care system in Kenya, and I have seen a range of diseases, such as malaria, HIV and TB, which are very uncommon in Denmark but unfortunately everyday stuff here in Kenya.
Me, John and Mary,- some of the wonderful persons working at the hospital.
It has been an exciting but also, at times, frustrating stay. Some patients cannot afford the kind of treatment, which would have been most appropriate for their condition, and they are therefore sent away with painkillers and a wish for a miracle, when surgery or advanced medical care is what they need. It is heartbreaking to see parents, who cannot afford the surgical procedure that would remove their little son’s brain tumor. You feel powerless, when children are brought to the hospital with bone deformations caused by rickets, which could have been avoided, if the parents have had sufficient information and money to provide their toddlers with the right kind of nutrition, and then you have to remember that Kenya is actually one of the better African countries, when it comes to health care.
Monkey business.
I’ve also gained insight in some topics, which I would have preferred to go without knowing, such as the high level of corruption, which is poisoning the country from within and means that money often falls in the wrong hands. Apparently, no part of the society is spared (not even, or rather especially, when it comes to the church) in terms of enriching yourself at other people’s expenses. Many Kenyans also see all mzungu (white persons, yellow persons) as walking ATM’s with unlimited funds for them to withdraw. It is therefore not uncommon that people you have just met ask you for money and a gift or try to manipulate your compassion by talking about their family’s hardship “..and maybe you could spare a small amount..?”.
The backside of Kenya.
Interestingly, my experience has been that even the poorest people have some amount of dignity and therefore do not ask for much, while the people who are well off, want even more and can be rather ruthless in order to get it. You must therefore be tough and sometimes put your foot down to avoid being taken advantage of. During my weeks in Kenya, I have thus learnt a lot, both in relation to my studies but most of all, as an individual.
Have some zebras and a nice weekend:)
15 Comments
Very typical of many African nations…
Though, I think it’s not an African phenomenon…Under the same circumstances, I think the situation would have been the same in Denmark..
What a great experience – despite the negative overtones regarding socioeconomic differences & the diseases that should be eradicated by now.
The wildlife pics are phenom!
It was so amazing to see all those animals. In Denmark the “wildlife” is rather limited…lucky if you spot a cow out grazing.
What another wonderful post Mitzie. I learn so much about places like this through your words and your great photos. My list of places I want to visit in my life keeps growing with each of your posts! Keep it up because I have lots more blank paper to continue that list.
That was such a nice comment. It really means a lot to me to know that some of you enjoy reading my post. And don’t worry, as long as I can breathe, I’ll be traveling around the world:)
My pleasure Mitzie. Safe travels on all your journeys ahead. I’ll be following along!
The hospital work sound so interesting (and some of it sad)! It would be nice if everybody could always get the care they need.
Yes, in Denmark medical care is for free (that’s why we are one of the most heavily taxed countries in the world:)), so it has been hard for me to understand and adapt to the fact that here, you only get medical treatment, if you can pay.
What an amazing and educational experience you had. Your brief recap has got my mind racing in all directions. Thank you for sharing such intamacies…the good and the not-so-good.
These weeks have just been packed with all sorts of experiences. I’ve been sleeping 9 hours each night, -probably because my brain also needed time to cope with all this stuff:) Thanks for commenting:)
I wish to experience Safari in Africa. One of my many dreams
Thanks for sharing Mitzie!
Lake Nakuru National Park was a great experience, but I hope that I’ll have the opportunity to visit Masai Mara someday in the future, since that should be the one with most animals.
I think that besides taking some pleasure in a trip, we also open our eyes to our destinaation. Including all that formerly we ignored or perhaps misinterpreted.
At the best, we come home a little wiser for the experience.
You are so right. It really gave me a lot to think about.