My mission today was to administrate...get more cases. We were running out of patients. When we arrived at 8:00 AM I went to Dr. Daniel Alushula's office and talk with him about this situation as the team sets up for the surgical day. I was given a driver and a nursing student as my interpreter for a 2 hour drive to the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital, in Kisumu. I spoke with the coordinator for Operation Smile and one of their surgeons from the Netherlands. They could not help me. I did not want to leave without giving it my all so I went the hospitals director Dr. Juliana Otieno. I left a bit disappointed but quite educated in this process. I made some great connections, maybe my Thomas Jefferson Mission group will one day come to fruition!!
I asked my two travelers where we could grab lunch...I truly believe their experience with restaurants have been minimal.
Pulling off a dirt road at the first place we stopped, I asked if we could find another one as my stomach is not as tolerant as theirs yet. Let me tell you, where we stopped you would have been in shock!
There was a MALL!!!! In the middle of dirt roads! Well, not a mall like we know, but a mall with a real restaurant. Africans customarily eat with their hands so the waitress came around with a pitcher and basin pour water over your hands and you wash before and after at the table. Quite a nice custom.
I observe people rarely smoke in public. I have seen one person in 4 days.
I went to a hospital in service ( CEU ) the topic was, Corruption all doctors must attend. It is a big problem here.
One quick note that is just so bizarre is comical....there is a big deal made of all people entering the 'theater' to change their shoes. You choose a pair of plastic white boots or clogs that have been cleaned with Clorox. The 'theaters' are so dirty and old that the shoes are really the least of their concerns but it seems to be paramount!
Well, last night as I was about to but my sneakers on there was a roach the size of what appeared to me, a small child! I started screaming for Margaret, the night nurse who was up to her thighs in Clorox. With her beautiful accent she says, " I will just take it with my hand." I was flipping.. She started laughing that the tears were flowing from her eyes. Don't ask!!!
Needless to say, I am NOT changing my shoes again!!!!
We were out by 10:30 PM.
