African Rains

Out of breath and a bit soggy, Spencer and I just ran back to our house after a thunderstorm rolled through Bungoma. We arrived safely yesterday after a 10-hour bus ride, which was both tiring and slightly treacherous. There were several times when both Spencer and I grabbed the armrests for fear of the bus toppling over into a shallow dugout (there were several turned over trucks from here to Nairobi by the way). But we made it here with little to no harm done besides tired bodies.

Daniel, my host father and cofounder of The Nafula Foundation, met us in Nairobi out of happenstance – he was getting his visa to go to England for a bit in June. We met the rest of the Makecho family in Bungoma, to the tune of many big hugs and kisses. Even Esther, the shyest Makecho, ran up to me with a loud scream and a hug (she was not expecting either of us).

The Makecho’s were able to secure a home for us across from theirs in the same neighborhood. The house is quite nice, concrete floors, bright windows, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a very well used bathroom. In brief terms (no need to get into details) we basically have a “wash-wash” room where we bring buckets of water in for a self-shower, and a small hole in the ground for the bathroom. Needless to say, it takes a bit of getting used to.

Most of the day today was spent showing Spencer around Bungoma, which basically consists of two main streets and a nicer restaurant/bar. Not much has changed since the last time I came except for a few new stores and places to eat. The hospital is still quite overcrowded, as illustrated by the lines of people waiting outside to be seen by a physician. I think that Spencer will have plenty of work on his hands there.

Tomorrow will consist of a tour of the hospital for Spencer as well as introductions at the Kenya Red Cross Society – Bungoma Branch for me. I have, and do know previously, how much need there is for HIV/AIDS education here, but am still a bit nervous as to understanding how I can act the most efficiently in the time I am given. So that has been weighing on my mind slightly in the last few days.

This weekend, we will be staying in Bungoma to go to a church service with the Makecho’s and visit Chebukwa, where The Nafula Foundation works.

In Nafula news, Dan did say that the clean water system in the village of Chebukwa is a great success and people are coming in droves to get water from the tanks. We are now working to prioritize the needs of the area and decide what type of water system (tank or pump) would be best.

Otherwise, all is fine here in East Africa. We’re off to dinner now with the Makecho family and will be up early to visit our friends.

Until then!