This morning we said goodbye to many of the college students because they have finished their semester. On the right is a photo of Lucy and me. She and I quickly became friends and have taught each other many things about our cultures. I am so grateful that I was able to get to know Lucy and look forward to staying in touch with her!
This afternoon we went to a soccer field near the District Hospital in Loitokitok to bring sports equipment to one of the local teams. It was awesome to see the boys receive new equipment and to watch them begin to learn the game of baseball. Some of them were pretty good actually for their first time!
As we were leaving the field, we stopped the truck for a moment to get directions. Upon stopping, we observed that there was a man lifelessly sprawled out, face-first, on the front steps of the hospital. Around him, people chatted casually and walked by. No one acknowledged his presence or urgent need for medical attention. This was shocking.
My grandma sprang out of the car and ran to the steps yelling “Someone get this guy some help!” I mean seriously, what kind of hospital was this that no one gave the poor man any medical attention even as he lay helplessly on the ground, spitting up blood and fluids? As soon as my grandma started calling attention to the scene, a stretcher was brought out and the man was taken to an exam room for X-Rays. He was barely able to speak but informed the nurse that he had been hit by a taxi and dropped off (more like abandoned) on the steps. At this point, I left the room to give the doctors some space to work on reviving him. I found out 20 minutes later that he passed away just minutes after I had left the room. It was difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that someone who I had been with moments ago had just died. I sat there contemplating if there was more that could have been done to save his life, wishing that I had a solution or a means to help.
As we were leaving the field, we stopped the truck for a moment to get directions. Upon stopping, we observed that there was a man lifelessly sprawled out, face-first, on the front steps of the hospital. Around him, people chatted casually and walked by. No one acknowledged his presence or urgent need for medical attention. This was shocking.
My grandma sprang out of the car and ran to the steps yelling “Someone get this guy some help!” I mean seriously, what kind of hospital was this that no one gave the poor man any medical attention even as he lay helplessly on the ground, spitting up blood and fluids? As soon as my grandma started calling attention to the scene, a stretcher was brought out and the man was taken to an exam room for X-Rays. He was barely able to speak but informed the nurse that he had been hit by a taxi and dropped off (more like abandoned) on the steps. At this point, I left the room to give the doctors some space to work on reviving him. I found out 20 minutes later that he passed away just minutes after I had left the room. It was difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that someone who I had been with moments ago had just died. I sat there contemplating if there was more that could have been done to save his life, wishing that I had a solution or a means to help.
In the evening, we were faced with another troubling situation. We went to the hospital to visit three children who had been diagnosed with aflatoxin ingestion after eating maize that had bacteria growing on it. Two of the kids’ health was improving, but one boy was in critical condition when we arrived. He was wheezing with every shallow breath he took, clearly struggling to breathe. As he gasped for air, he gurgled up fluids. His stomach was inflamed three times its normal size. I wished there was something—anything—that I could do to help him. Looking at his helpless body, I realized no amount of money in the world could help the boy now. Often, we measure the value of many things in dollars, but you really can’t put a price on life.
We left the hospital to pick up some vital medicine for the boy, hoping that this would improve his condition. As my dad was searching through the pharmacy, he received a call from one of the doctors at the hospital…The boy had passed away.
I’m still processing the things I saw today. It's evident to me that the people out in "the bush" don't have the resources or means to receive good health care. Because of this, two people (and probably many more) lost their lives to illness today. What I find most troubling is that what I saw happen today occurs multiple times a day, all over the world. There is certainly a lot that needs to be done to improve healthcare in third world countries but I am grateful that there is actively something in the works in Kenya. Right next to KSLPS college, my grandparents and others are in the process of building a hospital. I am certain that this hospital will bring better health to the people of Kenya and restore a sense of hope in the people.
We left the hospital to pick up some vital medicine for the boy, hoping that this would improve his condition. As my dad was searching through the pharmacy, he received a call from one of the doctors at the hospital…The boy had passed away.
I’m still processing the things I saw today. It's evident to me that the people out in "the bush" don't have the resources or means to receive good health care. Because of this, two people (and probably many more) lost their lives to illness today. What I find most troubling is that what I saw happen today occurs multiple times a day, all over the world. There is certainly a lot that needs to be done to improve healthcare in third world countries but I am grateful that there is actively something in the works in Kenya. Right next to KSLPS college, my grandparents and others are in the process of building a hospital. I am certain that this hospital will bring better health to the people of Kenya and restore a sense of hope in the people.