Round 2...

Well, I decided I hadn't fully experienced Kenya's medical system, so on Monday this week I returned to the good doctor's because my leg wasn't getting any better. After I finished the first round of antibiotics, my left leg was still stiff, but I just attributed it to having favored the leg for the previous 5 days. However, the stiffness progressed to my lower hamstring over the weekend, and my left calf became sorer and sorer, to the point where it was difficult for me to bear weight on the leg, I couldn't straighten my knee, it hurt to point and flex at the ankle, and I was basically limping around everywhere. The doctor ordered a doppler ultrasound to be done, which I had to return on Tuesday for. I don't think I have ever prayed harder in my life than I did Monday night and Tuesday morning...to say I was scared to death about having a blood clot at 27 and to have been dealing with this since I arrived in the country, is putting it minimally. I do have a story to share that pretty much sums up how much God is watching over me thanks to all your prayers at home: when I returned from the city after my appointment on Monday, I was sitting outside a cafe waiting for another volunteer who had also been to the doctor's, with thoughts of doubting my purpose here, anger, fear, anxiety, basically an emotional wreck inside, and I was trying so hard to keep it together, when a middle-aged woman who had been sitting at a table not far away approached me and asked if I was all right. Now, I'm one of those people that can hold it together until someone else expresses sympathy or emotion, and then I lose it, which is basically what happened. She sat down right there next to me as I poured my guts out to her my whole story thus far. She was so sympathetic and sweet, telling me she was a volunteer herself years ago. Then she told me, "I don't know if you believe in prayer or not, but I do, and I'd like to pray for you that this will all work out, which I'm sure it will." If it was possible, I started to cry even harder at that point, telling her that I had been sitting there that very minute asking God for a sign that everything would be ok and that I was meant to do this work here still, and that she was heaven sent! I don't think I have ever felt the Holy Spirit enveloping me more as she prayed with me outside that cafe. A lot calmer and with more peace, Tuesday afternoon I returned for the ultrasound, and there is no blood clot!! Hallelujah, God is good! I'm back on antibiotics for a week for the continued cellulitis/infection in my calf, of which I still have no idea where it came from. So I haven't been to the orphanage for 3 days now, per doctor's orders, and I'm keeping the leg elevated, and it does feel a little better today. So for those of you back home, keep the prayers coming so the antibiotics will work for good this time around, and that I can get on with what I came here for!

One week!

Well, I've officially been here one week, and quite honestly am feeling comfortable getting around, using basic Swahili phrases, etc. I'm pretty much settled in--staying at the i-to-i house in Jamhuri estates, a "suburb" of Nairobi. There are about a dozen other volunteers staying there as well, so it's been great gleaning information from those that have been here quite some time, and sharing "newbie" experiences with those that have only just arrived. My start date coincided with two other volunteers in particular, so it's been fun learning the ropes with them. The house is fairly large, 3 levels, with about 7 bedrooms, 4 baths (complete with showers and toilets, although there are no toilet seats in all of Kenya!), a kitchen, dining room, and living area. We have a housekeeper who takes care of all the cooking and cleaning, which is great. I will definitely have an British accent by the end of my time here, as the other volunteers are mostly from England. "Brilliant" will probably be the new phrase for me when I return home, although my favorite so far has been "cheeky sod" (i.e. don't be such a cheeky sod). Getting around is always an adventure, and there are many options: taxi is a bit more expensive, so mostly I've been using the "citi hoppa" buses and the infamous "matatus," which are an experience in and of themselves. A typical matatu is a small van that seats about 14, although I've been in a couple with 17 bodies squished into them. They are usually equipped with a very extensive sound system, so picture hip-hop, Kenyan, or rap music blaring as loud as possible. Matatu drivers go as fast as possible, swerving in and out of traffic to get to their destinations in record time, so combined with the typical Kenyan road, this makes for a very bumpy and roller coaster-like ride. I've even gotten to ride in the "watch your death coming seat" as a previous volunteer here termed it, which is the front seat (explanation: the front of the matatus are flat, and since the operators like to ride as close to the car's bumper in front of them, so as to be completely unable to avoid an accident if the car in front should stop suddenly, and at the aforementioned high speeds, hence the term "watch your death coming seat")--surprisingly there is no extra charge for this seat of thrills! Food has been pretty good--meals mostly consist of starches (beans and rice) and vegetables, very rarely will meat be added, and only in small, like a stew. As of this week, we are actually not allowed to have any meat with the recent outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (the equivalent of our Mad Cow Disease), which has been one of the top stories on the news. I did try sugarcane for the first time the other day--pretty good! And last evening, one of the volunteers from Switzerland was feeling a bit homesick, so he suggested we go to a Swiss/French restaurant just down the road, and we feasted on cheese fondue and chocolate mousse for dessert!! It was amazing!! The owner is from Switzerland, and has been living in Nairobi for many years--he was so fascinating to talk to! Just when I was starting to get used to being in a 3rd world country, and then I go and have a gourmet meal at a fantastic restaurant!! Internet cafes are pretty much all over, however the connection speeds vary, depending on the system and weather. I did try to use two international call centers the other day, however the systems were down all over the area, so it can vary from day to day. Shopping for supplies has been quite interesting...the store of choice around here is called "Nakumatt" and is strikingly similar to our Wal-Mart back home, from the layout of the store (huge!) to the blue aprons all the employees wear with the store motto emblazoned on the back! My first laundry experience was this week--handwashing everything in a large basin! Mental note to self--do less more often!! I have gotten sunburned already--trying to keep covered up, but it's about 80 degrees here on average, and we haven't had a cloudy day yet!! Basically, I had to come to Africa to be a redneck! Trying to drink enough water so I don't get dehydrated again--which has got to be the worst feeling in the world! I had a follow-up doctor's visit in the city on Wednesday--he said the leg looks great and I finished taking my antibiotic, so I should be good to go. It basically just looks and feels like a bruise the size of an orange on my left calf. Still a bit stiff in the morning and I feel it at the end of the day if I overdo it with the kids at the orphanage, but I'm fine. I figured out this morning that for one night's hospitalization, bloodwork, a follow-up visit, and to get a prescription filled only cost me 105 U.S. dollars!!! Unbelievable!! This week at the orphanage was good--getting used to the kids and them getting used to me. It's hard to give enough attention to all of them--just sitting down to color a picture with them or playing a game of "football" (soccer--they love it here!) outside with them is just the best ever in their world! I've already introduced hangman and the dot square game--the older kids love both and it gives them a chance to use their English! Hopefully this week I'll be visiting a couple of other projects, and maybe even a pediatric orthodpedic hospital in nearby Kikuyu, which I'm really excited about. For those of you that have asked about sending care packages, I initially thought I wouldn't be able to receive any mail here, but I can! Just send it addressed to me, Stephanie Varnold, c/o Irene Wairimu, Sirona House Room 201, P.O. Box 1249-00100, G.P.O Nairobi - Kenya. Not sure how long it will take to get to me, so I'd say the cutoff for any mail to me should be sent about 3 weeks before I leave for Tanzania, which is on March 10. Love to all of you and I'll be in touch soon!

My first day...

It's finally here...my first day volunteering!! Yesterday (Sunday) a few volunteers and myself actually took a trip to Kawangware (the slum we'll be working in), saw the orphanage and HIV clinic we'd be at specifically, then met with a local doctor and a few other residents of Kawangware who have begun an HIV/AIDS support network for those residents infected with the virus. What an experience to meet those on the frontlines and see where this is actually happening in Africa! How humbling and sad to see the endless rows of corrugated tin-roof shacks, but reinforcing at the same time to see the citizens of that community coming together to help those most affected by this disease.
So about my specific project...another volunteer and I are working together at Shade Orphanage right smack dab in the middle of Kawangware. There are currently 53 total children at the orphanage, however, in the morning (starting at around 9), we're working in the preschool with 2 teachers and about 20 children and who are too young to attend primary school yet. Most of them are orphans from HIV/AIDS, although we have no idea who has the virus and who does not, but some are merely there for the preschool while their parents go to work during the day. Around lunch time, the children in class levels 1-3 return from school for lunch and then we help them with homework, reading, or crafts, while the little ones nap, or just play! The rest of the kids return from school around 3:30, our day ends just after that around 4ish. Within the preschool group are so many different developmental and ability levels, and I was impressed with how the teacher handled each one but as a group (all the teachers I know out there are probably going, well, duh!). I hope to have a role as aiding the teachers whenever possible, as well as working on different developmentally appropriate activities. Some volunteers previous to us were working on getting a specific structure to the daily routines of the orphanage and helping it to become a little more self-sufficient, so we'll most likely continue that work as well. This morning was little overwhelming, but after talking to the other volunteers, I just have to keep telling myself, "whatever I can do will be helpful," as there's just so much to be done. The kids are amazing though and already have found a special place in my heart.

The complete Kenyan experience...

...wouldn't be complete without a visit to the hospital. Yes everyone, I had to make a trip Saturday evening to the hospital because I believed I had a blood clot in my left leg...I had noticed what felt like a muscle ache after I got off the plane on Friday morning, then by Saturday morning, there was some increased swelling and redness on my left calf (for you medical people, I had a positive Homan's sign). So another volunteer accompanied me to Melchizedek Hospital, where they did a complete exam, took some blood (don't worry, was fully monitoring the use of sterile techniques) and decided to admit me to the ward. I got a private room, with a bed, a chair, and a table, with one window, and a mosquito net. I was then seen by the specialist who after looking at my coagulation results, which were normal, and my blood cell counts, determined I only had an infection in the leg, which I still have no idea where that came from. He ordered an infusion of IV antibiotics to be started, and some Ibuprofen, which I really didn't think I needed. However, after multiple (four) attempts to start a "canula" as they call an IV here in my wrist and hand, with what looked like a needle the size of a pipe cleaner, I welcomed the ibuprofen. Didn't get much sleep that night, but my leg did feel better the next morning and was less swollen. It was determined I could be discharged after I was seen by the doctor, who scheduled more bloodwork for Monday (which I just came from) and then a follow-up visit with him on Wednesday. I am taking the Cipro I brought from home as my antibiotic, as well as ibuprofen as needed. No need to worry--I am on the mend and I feel fine! Thank heaven it was only an infection and not a blood clot!! Although with my paranoia now I might never sleep on a plane again since I will be up and moving around so much!

Everything that could go wrong...

...did, basically! My flight from Newark to Amsterdam was a beaut, arriving around 5 am after a 7 hour flight. Got a little sleep, wandered around, then spent the next 13 1/2 hours doing the same as my flight kept getting delayed due to some crazy windstorm Amsterdam was experiencing. We ended up finally departing at 6:30 pm, with an 8 hour flight to Nairobi, arriving at 3:30 in the morning on the 19th (almost being diverted to Mombasa due to heavy fog). I got through customs fine, however when I picked up my bag, which was soaked, I smelled nothing but detergent. I spent the next 2 hours in the wc at Nairobi airport washing out my bag and wiping down the contents (which were thankfully all in plastic bags!) Got to a hotel for my first overnight, thankful to take a shower before falling into bed, but discovering that my bottle of sunscreen had also exploded inside my ditty bag. At that point, I was so exhausted, I ignored it, got my shower, then fell into bed underneath my mosquito net. Was awakened about 10:30 this morning by my fellow volunteer, had some breakfast, then have been doing orientation stuff, seeing the sights of the city center of Nairobi, and now letting you all know I'm here...tired, with a bag full of things to wash out, but safe and sound and in one piece. There's 2 other volunteers here with the same length of project as me, so it's nice to have some peeps to stick with. It's been great so far--everyone's real nice, but still getting used to the laid-back Kenyan attitude. Love to all of you. Kwaheri (bye) for now!

The Great Departure!

Well, it's finally (almost) here...I'm set to leave Wednesday, January 17th at 4:40 pm out of Newark airport, connecting in Amsterdam, then on to Nairobi, Kenya, arriving at 8:20 pm on the 18th. I found out a few weeks ago that my 7-week placement is at the Shade Orphanage near Nairobi. It was founded by a social worker from Nairobi and her husband, and currently accommodates 53 orphans from one of the slum areas of Nairobi called Kawangware who range from 3 years upwards, having lost their parents from HIV/AIDS. I'll be doing such things as teaching, cooking, cleaning, sports, and counseling. I will be staying in a volunteer "flat" with 2-3 other volunteers, pretty basic but with everything I will need.
It's been awhile since my last posting, so here's what I've been up to:
My last day of work was December 29th followed by happy hour. My coworkers gave me a great send-off with lots of covertly-collected and much-needed supplies (thanks again guys!). That same day a new baby arrived, and after spending New Year's down the shore, I drove up to Massachusetts to help the Lower Family get settled with their new addition. The 22-month old twins, one of which is my goddaughter, kept me busy, but the week and a half I spent up there I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! I arrived back home on Saturday, January 13th. On Sunday, I shared with my church what I would be doing this coming year, and I have never felt more sure about anything as they annointed me and sent me off with many hugs, prayers and tears...God is good, all the time! Sunday afternoon I spent with family--so good to see them before I go! So the past two days have been filled with last minute, loose-ends tying up. I'm getting through my list slowly but surely, will pack today, have dinner tonight with the girlz, then tomorrow my man is driving me to the airport. If the next 13 weeks go by as quickly as the last 3 have, then I'll be home before I know it! So for those of you marking your calendars, I will be in Kenya until March 10th, then I leave for Arusha, Tanzania, where I will spend 6 weeks there on project. I depart for home on April 21st, connect in Amsterdam again, then arrive back in Newark on the 22nd at 11:35 am. Should have pretty regular internet access, so I'll be sure to keep you all posted of my Africa adventures! Please keep me and those I'll be working with in your thoughts and prayers for safety and good health.