Introduction to the Blog

Hi everyone! I am Cassidy, and I will be the blogger for the 2024 nursing trip, along with my friend Amberly. We are new to this team this year and have quickly developed the nickname of the “dream team.” So here we finally go…

Journey to Kenya

Departure and Arrival

On May 2nd, 2024, 15 nurses from across Canada began the 2024 nursing mission. After a couple of long and even cold (freezing, some might say) plane rides, we finally arrived late in the evening in Nairobi, Kenya on May 3rd.

Team Bonding and Sightseeing

We spent the day of May 4th doing some team bonding and attempted to beat the jet lag by visiting the Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, and the African Heritage House. Meanwhile, our luggage (personal and donations) went on a road trip to Kakamega as the suitcases were deemed too big for the plane in the morning.

Arrival in Kakamega

Settling In

On May 5th, we boarded another small plane – with just our carry-ons – and landed at our final destination. Ready to get settled into our new home away from home for the next two weeks, the staff here at the Sheywe were super thankful and excited to see returning staff and meet the new members of this trip. We were not only greeted by people but by two cows, some cats, and even a lizard in a toilet.

Missing Luggage and Team Effort

The original plan was to unpack, settle, and sort donations of clothes, toys, and wound care supplies. Well, lucky us nurses always expect the unexpected. Our luggage was not at the hotel! Some of us were a little nervous it wouldn’t arrive, but thanks to one of our nurse's dad’s travel experience, we had an AirTag attached to a bag so we were able to track it and let out sighs of relief every time we checked to see our baggage was closer to us. After what felt like forever, we were reunited with our suitcases and worked as a team to sort all donations and prepare for our first clinic on Monday.

First Days of Clinics

Day One: Budaywa Friends Church

Nurses week started off for us all on May 6th with our first clinic at Budaywa Friends Church, while three nurses branched off to do health education for CNFA’s maternal/child program. They are focusing on education and teaching local health promoters about healthy pregnancies, deliveries, and signs and symptoms if something should go wrong. After seeing just under 500 people on day one at the clinic, it was planned to begin our blog. However, rain season here brought intense rain, thunder, and power outages, making internet access very limited.

Day Two: Chavuli P.A.G Church

Day two’s clinic was held in Chavuli P.A.G Church, where we saw over 500 people! We handled a variety of diagnoses and problems, assessed, cleaned, and dressed over 20 wounds, provided new reading glasses to 37 people, and offered medication and education to everyone. Donations have been given on both days, and both the children and adults are so appreciative of everything they have received.

Emotional Moments and Technical Challenges

Maternal and Child Program

The maternal and child program had an emotional day when they got to witness jiggers treatment being done and were able to provide a young local boy with a bright new future. After hearing his story, we quickly sorted through donations to provide him with new clothes, toys, shoes, and socks (thanks to one of our small-footed nurses).

Reflections and Technical Hurdles

Tears, laughs, and sadness were all shared during our family supper debrief. But as things go, we hit technical difficulties yet again when my eSIM would not work, allowing for no internet overnight! I guess I’ll be a morning blogger with my coffee.

Looking Forward

Thanks for following along, and we look forward to updating everyone on a daily basis going forward! I promise not all posts will be as long-winded as this one – but we had so much to catch up on.