Half way already! I really can´t believe it… In past six weeks there has been huge amount of new people, new co- workers and new friends. And lets not forget all the amazing experiences I have gone through!
During the practical trainings in hospitals I have realized that almost everything here is done by “back to basic” method. Everything is written by hand and in the hospitals there are no machines that will do the monitoring of the patient. Everything is done manually. In Finland it is very important to talk with the patient. Here, not that much. And in generally working is not that effective. But during the work shift you will see lots of different patients with different cases. Others are better than the others. Life in the hospitals is rough. In worst case you might have to shareyour bed with two other patients. HIV and malaria are the most common diseases here. There are no resources to care the patients like there is in Finland. These are two very, very different worlds. While I have been here I have seen very sad destinies and felt very bad because I have realized there is nothing I can do to help them. In some situations there just are no words that would fit in. It´s awful. And you can only imagine how devistated I felt when a young girl in Remand home (prison for children) asked me would I take care of her if she came to Finland. That is when I poured the first tears here. And those tears haven´t been the only ones.
Ah, Kenyan lifestyle. First of all, the time. Or actually there is no time or schedules for Kenyans. Most of the time every Kenyan is 30min to 60min late. Except our local teacher, she is always on time. There is no hurry to go anywhere. And Kenyans are never late, they are always on the way. Maybe that´s why people don´t stress that much here. Kenyans are very friendly and love if you ask about their family etc. So learn some small talk before heading here. And be ready to tell (good stuff) about Finland. Okay, food is good here. There is a fruit market close to our accommondation and that is where we buy fresh fuits and vegetables from. Milk products are expensive but generally food is cheaper than in Finland. In a restaurant you can eat a good meal with less than 5 euros. An even if you choose to eat in a better restaurant you get your meal with about 10 euros. Not bad, ha?
Traffic is a mess here! Left sided traffic and basically no traffic rules. Or that is how it looks like at least. Matatus (little bus), boda- bodas (motorbike), tuk- tuks (three wheeled mini cars), bicycles, normal cars and vans and trucks are mixed in traffic. No traffic lights or signs. Or no- one to control the traffic. Controlled chaos I would say. But you will get used to the traffic as you will get used to the African time.
Here comes the best part: Free time. Here in Kisumu during free time I usually go hang around on a roof top near our accommondation or go to one of the pools that are here. Or I just stay at home. Very often I go to run with my roommate Susanna. No, it’s not too hot because of the rainseason. Days go fast here and usually there is always something to do. During the first week here we went to Hippo Safari to the lake Victoria and saw some hippos in the lake. Last week I had a holiday that I spent in Uganda. Huge experience! I went to a safari in Queen Elisabeth National Park where I saw elephants, baboons, hippos and a leopard, and drove almost 2000km by car (well, our driver drove, I sat in the back seat) and saw 10 mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park. And I ate red ants for dessert in Kampala. I also had time to swim in the river Nile and do some kayaking there. That was amazing!
Check out pictures in my other posts!
xxx Anu
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