06 February 2025 Marj returns to Kitale Kenya!

 Message from Marj on 05 February 2025

Marj in Diocese of Kitale

I have arrived in Nairobi and have much to do before I depart for the airport to go to Entebbe this afternoon.

But I want to catch you up a little…more after I reach Kampala as I will have a few days there before driving up to Gulu.

 

The time in Kitale was really good!  I have, so far, been impressed with the diocesan personnel I have met, including Bishop Henry Juma Odonya, the Diocesan Health Coordinator, Fr. Abraham and his assistant, Carolyn Nalyanya. Fr. Abraham has a masters degree in hospital administration and seems very sincere with his heart in the right place but also very good skills! They have a vision for the diocese, especially with outreach to the poorest and most underserved in West Pokot.

The diocese is expanding but it seems organized.  Time will tell, but  Fr. Abraham and Carolyn, a lay woman, have been most welcoming.  I knew Carolyn from my time at KAP when she worked with a Frenchman named Dominic with Handicap International.  They would often bring medicines to KAP.  She remembered me, so that was a good start.

Our old KAP (Kitale AIDS Program) site is now an outstation of Kiminini Hopsital, with full staff including consulting medical officers (general and specialists).  There are a few beds for “observation” until it is determined if they can be treated there or need to be referred to another facility.

People are extremely worried about USAID issues. The effects have been immediate and already many, many health workers have been laid off, and the future of ARVs, of course, very uncertain.  A few Kenyans I spoke with don’t think it is necessarily bad that they will be forced to find their own way to being more self-sustaining. It is just that there was NO notice and no chance to transition into new ways of surviving and giving good medical care.

The result, of course, right now is chaos.  And total disregard for the very poor who are so desperate.

I will be vising more health sites when I return to Kitale in June.

I am well and happy, Susan.  And promise to write more later.

KAP renovated into an outstation of Kiminini Hospital

Marj giving history of KAP at the opening of the new hospital

Joanne and I now have plenty of money for the 'Restorative Justice' training course aspect of the ministry. But of course, I welcome more donations now for other work in Uganda and in Kenya. 

08 February 2025  Feast of St. Bakhita

Additional note from Susan....Marj and Joanne have both arrived in Uganda and are preparing to travel north to Gulu on 11 February 2025.