New Project

Jambo! Habari yako?

I know its been a few days and I have had requests to keep them coming so here goes. This week has been rather uneventful in the "fun" category because I ahve been in a training class all week for my new project called MUE (Medication Uterine Evacuation). Traditionally, the only method of performing post abortion care in Kenya has been the manual vacuum aspiration which is very invasive, very painful and a horrible procedure for women who might have uterine or cervical damages from the induced attempt. Now, with the help of this wonderful organization KMET, the misoprostol is available in Kenya and we are piloting a new project to see how it is received compared to the MVA. A few members of Planned Parenthood in the States came over to teach how to use it, and a few professors from Nairobi came to teach the legality and advocacy issues. After the training class, we had 10 trained OB/GYNs supplied with the medication and the counseling documentation to perform the procedure in their clinics and I get to monitor the results. First, I have to create some coding documents, and record keeping documents that will make it easy for me to collect data on the 10 clinics over the next 4 months. That is my next step. Then I get to travel once a month to pick up the records and interview patients. Through SFC, we will teach the complications of unsafe abortion, give statistics on why you should seek help and try and lobby to get policy changed (this is also what I am focusing my thesis paper on-changing policy). The SFC girls will spread the word that this medication is now available at 2 clinics here in Kisumu, then maybe we can travel with them to the other clinic sites to spread the word there. Its exciting to have my own project though for sure!

Aside from all this training and networking, nothing much has happened. I have found a relaible guy on the street that sells DVD's so I have been watching a lot on my laptop, its keeping me sane as far as entertainment. Kristin is leaving next week and I will have no friends. I need to get out and meet some of these peace corps volunteers or CDC people around town, or just anybody, I guess I need to just get out more. I think another student is coming at the end of October from Minnesota, not sure what project he will be working on, but at least someone will be at the house with me. Monica the director, who lives in the main house is so busy with this NGO, entertaining guests, and completing her thesis herself, is never around.

Oh we haven't had running water for 2 days. I am sure I stint very badly, thank god for deodorant. Apparently there is a water shortage (why? not sure, the Lake is right there) and they periodically shut off peoples water with no notice. UGH.

We have a security guard on our property, he spends 16-18 hours at the house and I noticed that he just sits on the porch or walks around the property. We have started including him in our dinner plans, making him a plate or bringing him our leftovers when we go to dinner. I make him tea and toast in the morning because its really a shame that he is here for all that time with no food or drink. Monica kind of shakes her head when we do this, because its all a caste system and she thinks he does not deserve to be "part" of the family, but I figure he takes care of us by patrolling the property and keeping bad guys out, the least we can do is feed him. He probably gets paid less that $100 a month. His name is Bernard, he has 3 kids and a wife back in his home village and I am not sure when he ever gets to go home and see them since he is at our house everyday.

Well, thats about it. Its the weekend, and I am not sure what is in store, but I am thinking of going to Kakamega Forest for a hike and monkey viewing on Saturday. And I think Kristin is going to do some networking for me tomorrow night and introduce me to some poeple she knos around town.

More later...I have a meeting with KMET lawyers, probably about the legality of the misoprostol to cover our @sses.