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It's funny how things can change. Our principal memories from January 2010 involve debating issues like whether a 13 tog duvet and a sweater was sufficient or whether we should put the heating on again, building projects delayed awaiting a temperature rise to allow the concrete to set properly, a treacherous morning commute in Becky's Mazda MX5 over snow to find a line of medical professional colleagues with broken limbs in the A&E queue and a bus sliding down an icy hill damaging every parked car on the way down. 2011 has so far provided a contrasting set of experiences!
Mike's parents had gallantly swapped the chance for December in England for winter sun in Kenya, a decision which seemed better with every news report of the big freeze!In addition to seeing something of IcFEM's work and meeting our colleagues, they rolled up their respective sleeves to practically contribute to the development at the Dreamland Medical Care Centre (DMCC) and to assist with gardening and mechanical expertise. We even were able to visit a technical teaching college started by Peter Steynor, a long-time friend from the family church in Clapham, Bedford.
Having spent several years working together around Lake Chad in the late 70's; it was particularly memorable to witness their return to Africa after a long absence. It was also extra special for Mike's mum who had done most of her schooling in Egypt and Kenya and who had lived in Kampala, Uganda. We were able to visit her old secondary school in Eldoret - 2 hours drive from Kimilili - where she received a warm welcome from the current principal, and before joining us they were able to visit some familiar places in Uganda.
Our plans for the New Year were turned upside down right before Christmas as Becky's grandfather passed away suddenly. The desire to return home to be with the family and attend the funeral was only complicated by Becky's responsibility for DMCC during January & February. This challenge was overcome by a massive amount of work right through the Christmas holiday which meant formal handover notes, meeting details, financial requisitions and contingency plans were all prepared by New Year's Eve when we flew home to briefly be with the family.
Before we knew it we'd arrived back in Kimilili, reflecting on a temperature swing of nearly 30 degrees, the important times around the funeral, and also flying visits to two churches, several homes containing very familiar faces kindly offering bed & breakfast, a lot of miles on roads that don't have potholes and are well signposted, and a reminder of many things that we greatly enjoy - especially time with friends and family!
Becky is particularly busy taking temporary control of DMCC and she is devoting more time to management and development work than to actual treatment. She has been joined by a new physio who she is beginning to train, and she has been hard at work with IcFEM colleagues preparing for the next phase of medical outreaches which begin this coming week.
Mike and his two colleagues in the Youth & Sports team have been joined by Ben, an 18 year old GAP volunteer from Wales who is focusing on football and rugby coaching during his two months in Kenya. Aside from the inevitable and lively banter caused by the opening game of the Six Nations tournament (swing low.... J ) things have been going well so far! Alongside weekly coaching sessions in schools and in the community, the longer term target for the team is to run a multi sports tournament in mid-March, so much of the current activity is preparing for that event. It's a busy time all round!
True to local expectation, the weather has been particularly hot and we're becoming very familiar with (not to mention lightly coated in) red dust. However, there have been a couple of massive rain storms in this past week and almost every day has seen some form of power cut, including one lasting about 26 hours - not exactly conducive to effective and efficient working!
So on that note before the battery dies on this computer it is over and out!!
Please keep do keep in touch!
Much love
Mike and Bec
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