01 October 2014

Susan, Nancy and Winnie behind 

     If you look closely you will see a space in the white curtain to the right of this picture. One day there was a square neatly cut out of the curtain, about the size of a baby's diaper nappy.  Such is the need in this place that someone has removed a piece of the window curtain!
     This is St. Patrick Dispensary, located in the largest informal settlement (slum) in Mombasa. It is called Bangaladesh because it is near the ocean.  The rains and floods cause people to struggle with poor  dilapidated shacks that often get washed away...much like the very poor country of Bangaladesh.  St. Patrick parish is staffed by St. Patrick priests from Ireland and they opened this clinic four years ago with the help of Judy Walter, the Maryknoll Lay Missioner/nurse whom I live with.  I go to this clinic once a month to consult and teach the staff, one of whom is Winnie, a clinical officer (similar to a physician assistant in the USA). Seated next to me is Nancy.  I saw her in the clinic yesterday and asked her if I could tell you her story.
     Nancy came to the clinic over a year ago with hot painful swollen joints of her wrists, elbows, shoulders, fingers, toes and ankles.  She is a 39 year old single mother with a nine year old son who comes to collect her medicines for her when she is unable to walk.  At one time she was a community health volunteer but could no longer work due to her illness.  I was asked to see her and the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was confirmed in the laboratory.  I explained her illness and began her treatment.  She was to return the following week but didn't show up.  We sent the social worker to look for her.  She didn't have enough money so she didn't come.
     Chronic illness is not well understood here.  People think they should be able to take medicine for five days and if they aren't better they go look for someone else to treat them...often a local herbalist. It took repeated sessions with all of our staff to help Nancy understand that she has a chronic illness and that we will not charge her for her treatment.  There are some people who need complete charity care and Nancy is one of them.
     A few months ago a 25 year old woman came with the same problem and diagnosis...rheumatoid arthritis.  We called Nancy to come talk to her and help her understand more about the illness.  She responded to the treatment well and then she disappeared.  Nancy was concerned and asked if we had seen her.  Now Nancy has come full circle.  She not only realizes the chronic nature of her illness but she is looking out for others who are in the same boat.  I'm in that boat too.  I told Nancy that I have a similar illness (Sjogren's syndrome) and I have to take the same medicine she takes every day for the rest of my life.  Her eyes got big and I could sense a connection between us.
     Nancy has become the model patient.  She takes her medicine religiously, brings all of her records to each visit, asks questions and corrects us when we don't get some detail of her condition right.  She has not responded as well to treatment as the other young woman but she is a whole lot better and we are still trying to get her to go into remission.  There are only two rheumatologists in the entire country, both are in Nairobi 500km=300miles away.  I have been very fortunate to get advice from my own rheumatologist in Champaign Illinois by email to guide me in her treatment.
     Otherwise life in Mombasa continues to be peaceful and we hope it stays that way.

PEACE OF THE FLOATING BOATS TO YOU!           

01 September 2014

Susan back in Mombasa

Greetings once again from Mombasa!  This is a picture that Mary Oldham took on the steps up to our flat with some of the children who live in the home downstairs.  It's good to be back and I'm happy to say that the tensions and insecurity of the past few months have abated.  Last night Judy, Coralis and I went to a restaurant nearby and and there were many families, both young and old, enjoying the evening together.
     On Monday August 20, 1984 I began my orientation program with Maryknoll as a lay missioner.  I didn't actually sign my first contract until December 12, 1984.  It took a few months for both Maryknoll and myself to agree that this was the path I should follow.  Now 30 years have passed and I can say with a very grateful heart that it was the right decision.  In those days, Maryknoll was the only organization in the US Catholic church that offered laity a chance to work oversees for three years.  Most other organizations had short term contracts of 1-2 years and I knew from my volunteer experience that this wasn't enough time to do what I felt called to do.  Maryknoll also offered the chance to renew our contract on an ongoing basis.  I knew in my heart, even at that time, that this journey might last a long time.  And so it has.  
     Because I have completed 30 years as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner I will be a beneficiary of a Defined Benefit Retirement plan which will provide me with $30,000 annually to live a simple and dignified retirement.  Our Association is trying to raise $1,052,000 by the end of 2015 to fund this goal as we have many missioners who have given many years of service. 
     In gratitude for what I have been given over these 30 years I have given $300 to this fund.  I would like to ask you to join me in this effort.  Could you contribute $30, or more, to help us meet our goal?  These are the steps you can follow:
#1 - Make your donation
Online:       Donation link  (Type "Retirement Fund" in Comment box below donation) 
By Phone: 1-800-867-2980 
By Mail:      Maryknoll Lay Missioners, PO Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307
Make check out to Maryknoll Lay Missioners; write in Memo line: Retirement Fund
Outside the US: Send me a message and we'll sort out how to transfer your donation. :) 

#2 - Add a comment to this blog to be counted among those willing to help us out!
I am not setting a personal goal for this effort.  I am hoping that between now and Dec 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,  many of you will be inspired to inspire others to join me in giving thanks to Maryknoll for what we have been able to do during the past 30 years.  I have received a great deal of recognition for the things I did.  I could have done those things with other groups as a doctor. But for me this has been a vocation...a calling...to live my life as a Catholic lay woman in response to my Christian faith.  Many years ago when I was working very hard "doing" a lot of doctoring a very good friend made the comment that there was so much more to me than that.  It made me broaden my "doctoring" to reflect the light of Christ that is the source of life and all true healing.  Thanks to you for being there with me.

PEACE OF THE MOMBASA SEA BREEZES TO YOU!!!

01 August 2014

 North Coast of Mombasa June 2014

Greetings from Urbana, Illinois.
     I have been to Minnesota for the memorial of my nephew Alex on July 15th.  It was a very good gathering and the first time I have been with all my siblings in seven years.  Alex has brought us all together and he will always be with us in a very special way.
     I spoke at St. Joseph and Francis churches in Taylors Falls and Franconia Minnesota. They wanted to know more about our ministry and are giving donations to remember both Alex and Corey Corradi, a 22 year old member of their parish who died suddenly of an illness last year.  I also met with Mary Oldham and Marty Roers, both lay missioners in Kenya in the past.  Mary's friend took this picture when they visited Kenya in June.  It is a good image of the news that is coming out of Kenya...ominous.  Insecurity has continued and the US has recalled their Peace Corps volunteers.  But as the sun is still shining on this beach, there are many people working to address the ethnic tensions and corruption that is widening the gap between those who have and have not.  This too will pass.
     My brother has informed me of a way to support our Maryknoll Association without spending extra money.  Amazon has a charitable giving program.  If you are purchasing items you should go to the site smile.amazon.com.  They will ask you what charity you want to support and you can enter Maryknoll Lay Missioners.  Amazon will then contribute 0.5% of your purchase to our Association.  It doesn't cost you any extra money.  If you order from Amazon please consider designating us as your charity recipient.
    People here in the USA are asking me about Ebola.  It is a huge problem in West Africa.  I work in East Africa.  So, the current outbreak is very far away from us.  This deadly disease is caused by a virus and the only treatment is supportive.  Strict public health measures that quarantine the patients can contain the outbreak quickly.  This has happened many times in East Africa in the past. However, the outbreak has spiraled out of control in West Africa because procedures for control have not been followed.  People have less belief in modern medicine and have taken these extremely infectious patients home from the hospital or allowed them to travel when they are ill.
     I will return to Kenya on the 12th of August.  Please keep us in your prayer and I will keep in touch on this blog if anything more concerning should come up before next month.

PEACE OF SUMMER SUNSHINE TO YOU!!!

01 July 14

Giriama Soak Pit

GIRIAMA DISPENSARY

     In five days I will leave to go to Minnesota. All of my family will gather for the first anniversary of the passing of my nephew, Alex Vitalis, on July 15, 2013.  The family asked that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to my ministry account to help people in need in Kenya.  Attached are pictures taken of the renovations to Giriama dispensary that included building a soak pit and improving the 

Giriama medicine dispensing station

pharmacy and laboratory.  These were empty rooms  with nothing in them at this time last year.
     Additionally money was donated to pay for a salary for a nurse at St. Patrick Dispensary for one year.  They opened a maternity unit in the informal settlement (slum) of Bangaladesh in April 2014 and have been delivering 6 to 8 babies each month.  This is a place with 50-60,000 people and no safe facility to deliver babies.

Giriama Pharmacy

 It is not safe to go out at night  and most women delivered their babies at home and hoped for the best.  Now they have skilled nurse/midwives to assist them and assistance to take them to a bigger hospital if needed.  We hope that after one year the service can be self sustaining and pay for the nurse's salary out of the money collected for doing the deliveries.     Alex was a person who cared deeply for others, especially those who were in need or excluded for one reason or another.  His memory lives on in the lives of these people and we are grateful to those of you helped us with your gifts.  We will never forget him.
   
 

Giriama Laboratory

   Many continue to ask how life is in Mombasa with the insecurity of this past month.  There is tension.  I met Sr. Veronica two days ago and heard the details of how her father was murdered.  It is a gruesome story and no one knows for sure who is responsible.  Al Shabaab claims they did it but the attackers knew the names of many of the 60 people they killed and were looking for them specifically.  This suggests that the attackers knew the town very well and perhaps had even come from the town.  When I ask people if they feel safe they say NO!  Personally, I don't go out at night and I don't go to big modern shopping centers or restaurants.  I go to a small little grocery in our neighborhood and when I go to a bigger store to buy something special (olives or ice cream) I don't look around at all.  I just buy what is on my list and leave as soon as possible.  The churches are also targets and I go to the Saturday evening Mass which is for the children's choir.  Not many people attend and while the children have a bit of trouble getting the right pitch and rhythm it's nice to support them.  It's not a liturgy that would be much of a target for someone trying to cause trouble.
     My work has not been affected too much. The trips I do to rural clinics are not in places that are very dangerous.  The roads are bad and the people are isolated so they don't pose much of a threat to anyone.  I continue to be amazed and frustrated by the incompetence and negligence of the public health sector.  I suppose after all these years I should start getting used to it and not waste my energy on things that don't work.  This causes me more angst than the insecurity.  I'm sure that getting a break and being with my family will help.  I plan to return to Kenya the middle of August.
     On Saturday the new moon was seen and the holy month of Ramadhan began.  This is the fast that all Muslims perform each year to purify themselves and bring them closer to God.  Hopefully we will all remember we are children of one God and should love one another as God loves us.

PEACE OF THE MOON OF RAMADHAN TO YOU

16 June 2014

Mary and Sr. Veronica

FAREWELL 

          
Today has been a difficult day.  Mary, the woman I lived with for three years here in Mombasa, has been visiting us for the past week.  We had a party for some of her friends on Saturday.  This is Sister Veronica, her former supervisor for the HOPE project, Helping Orphans Pursue Education. 
     This morning we learned that Sr. Veronica's father was killed last night.  He lived in a small town six hours north of Mombasa.  40 well trained and armed men attacked the town at 8:30pm and killed 52 people, all men.  Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the carnage.  They burned the police station, three banks, two hotels and 40 vehicles over a five hour rampage.  It has been a great shock for all of us.
     I am fine.  I left Mombasa this afternoon to go to Voi, three hours away, to do a clinic.  So I said farewell to Mary and we are praying for the families of all those who must now say farewell to their loved ones in this tragic incident.  We continue to work and pray for peace.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

01 June 2014

Hansen's disease (Leprosy)

     Another very interesting clinic at Bamba this past week.  I can hardly believe I saw what I saw myself.  There were twenty patients waiting when we arrived after our two hour drive.  I saw 23 and, as is usual, the last were the sickest.  This man was #22.  He'd been sick for five years and had been seen at the government hospital to no avail.  He was losing the toes on his left foot and couldn't close his left eye.  His right hand had contractures of two fingers and his limbs had no feeling...the numbness of Hansen's disease that attacks the nerves.  Other patients had cancer of the prostate and cervix, elephantiasis caused by filariasis, a 10 year old boy with such bad heart disease his chest was thumping, a 60 year old woman who also had a thumping chest because her high blood pressure had ruined her heart and two men who had had strokes because of high blood pressure.  We are trying to hire a clinical officer to see patients on a daily basis.  Currently Sr. Veronicah goes once a week and I go once a month.

     Now, notice the small woman standing next to the man.  Her name is Tecla and she is my new translator and assistant.  Sr. Veronicah has a passion for helping people in need and I told her that I needed someone who speaks Giriama because so many of these people don't speak Swahili. Both Tecla and I were in need. Sr. Veronicah knew Tecla had been working in a little store seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.  She is 24 years old but is a dwarf.  Veronicah decided to give her a chance and see how she would work out.  She is one of the best assistants I have ever had...bright, kind, sensible and eager to learn. We are paying her a better salary than the store and she doesn't have to work 84 hours a week!   

     I have also accepted elder status this week as I drove through a busy market trying to find my way out.  The road was blocked at several corners and the young men all called me grandma and encouraged me to drive around the obstacles!

     The local economy on the coast is destroyed because all the tourists have left due to insecurity.  7000 people have lost their jobs in the tourist industry and one shop owner downtown said she can go for a whole week without selling anything.  While I was waiting in the long line to cross the ferry one of the young men who sells trinkets to the people waiting in their cars greeted me.  I rarely buy anything but he likes to say hi.  He noticed that my shoes were getting worn and asked if he could have them for his wife when I was through with them...he called it 'booking' and asked me to put him first on the list!  I told him there were no other names on the list and bought two rosaries from him...my small contribution to assisting the local economy.

     The insecurity is real.  Two young men arrested with huge bombs hidden in their cars are in the local prison.  The bombs were exploded by police in Shanzu, about 12 miles away, and the tremors were felt here in the city.  Those were big bombs and would have killed many people if they'd succeeded.  The two men almost escaped from the prison with the help of a police officer who had been paid billions of shillings to get them out.  Now the judges go to the prison for their trial as they are too dangerous to take to court...or the system is too corrupt to manage them properly. And corruption is the key word.  Last week a young man who is a volunteer at the Cathedral walked a block down the street to buy some bread.  The police picked him up and threw him in jail because he didn't have his ID on him.  So the priest had to go down and pay money to get him out. The police make a lot of money picking on little people who are just going about their daily business while the big people buy their way to cause real trouble. 

     Today is Madaraka (Responsibility) Day...the day that Kenya received freedom for internal governance from the British.  Since it falls on a Sunday we will have a holiday on Monday making it a three day weekend.  The skies are overcast and hopefully some rain will fall for the farmers.

PEACE OF THOSE HARDWORKING RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE TO YOU!!! 

24 May 2014

     Two nights ago, around 9:30pm, another incident occurred downtown when the police were arresting a man to be questioned for criminal activities.  Three men emerged from behind them and hurled a grenade which injured one officer and a passer-by.  Panic ensued and the suspect and three attackers disappeared into a narrow alley.  I had heard this story Friday morning but waited until I saw something in the paper today, Saturday, to confirm that it happened.  The Mombasa County Commissioner has "assured Coast residents and visitors that Mombasa is safe and that 'isolated cases' of insecurity should not scare them".  I am smiling.  We do not go out at night and tomorrow our Maryknoll community has rescheduled our monthly meeting to be held at my house in the afternoon.  I have just returned from Saturday evening Mass and the streets are deserted.  Very unusual.
     On a good note, I did go to my clinic near the Tanzanian border yesterday and it went well.  This is the clinic that had fallen apart at the beginning of the year and I was so disappointed.  However things have turned around and it is busy once again.  The last two patients were very sick and I was sorry that they hadn't come earlier as we had to refer them elsewhere.  There was no difficulty making the trip and again the traffic was unusually light so it didn't take us hours to get across the ferry.  We were home before dark.  Peace of the twinkling stars to you!