Don't send donations unless they will help

We received a 40 ft container from America today. It was sent by a certain BIG organization in the states that fund us. After 3 months on the sea, it finally arrived and we were all excited to see what was donated. It was full of medications, hospital supplies, and a few computers. But first is first. It arrived in Mombasa and was opened bu customs. The customs officers informed us they cannot allow this container to come into the country because it was full of expired medications. It is highly illegal to bring expired medications into the country (as it should be) so the officers would not allow it. So it was either send it back at our expense or bribe the officers a little kitu kidogo so we can receive it. See we thought there would be at least something we could use in it.

So after paying over 50,000Ksh, the officers finally released it to Monica and she arranged to have it sent to Kisumu. We received it and began to do inventory only to find out that almost all of the medication expired in January of this year or a few months ago. Of the medication that is not expired, it expires next month. The catgut sutures were expired and the sterile alcohol had even dried out. Of the non-perishable goods, they are of no good use. We received a box of single use, disposable nipples to attach to bottles. What poor mother will use one nipple one and dispose of it? More likely, they would wish to use it for as long as possible, and since the material it is made of is not designed for that, it will begin to deteriorate and could be a choking hazard. Plus, we are trying to promote exclusive breastfeeding. Other things, sanitary bags that are designed to fit a certain electric breast pump (not included) So what good are those?They sent glass syringes, and we use plastic. And the list goes on. At least the computers are semi-working. They are very old and have outdated software but I think they can be used with a little updating.

I just hope this was all an oversight because I hear all the horror stories about clinic trials and testing on the poor Africans, and I just hope this was not intentional. It would be horrible to think that this reputable American organization would not really consider dumping all their trash onto the poor poor Africans. Let's just hope it was a severe oversight. This container has ended up costing KMET more money, time and stress than what it was really worth. I guess the intentions were good but ultimately they failed us.