Community Health Clinic in Matebete

On Wednesday this week, I traveled to the Masai Village of Matebete with the Community Health Nurse from Chimala Hospital.  The Masai are a specific tribe of people found in Kenya and Tanzania.  They are usually dressed in purple and/or blue.  Although, I do not profess to know a lot about them, I will share with you a little of our clinic day.

The purpose of these outreach clinics is to provide well baby and child check-ups.  However, the Chimala Hospital only visits villages 2-3 times per month and therefore, only a few villages receive this care.  The clinic provides newborn and toddler vaccines, weight records and a little health education for no charge to the people.  I have been priviledged to ride along on the couple of clinics which have been held during my time in Chimala.  (And for those of you who are counting.....no this does not quite add up.  I have been here for 7 weeks and to my knowledge they have only gone out on 2 occassions.  This would be an area in which we could work on improving...)

One nurse from the Chimala Hospital, myself and 4 nursing students were on hand to help with the clinic.  A young lady, Anna, who has just moved to Chimala with her family also came with us to see what we do and take pictures.  (Anna's father, Chad Wagner, is the new mission's coordinator.)  All the children are weighed and have a health record which is updated.  While the weighing is taking place, the Chimala nurse registers and provides a new record for any newborn babies since the last clinic was here.

While everyone waits for the weighing and registration to take place, there is time for playing, eating and visiting.  The nursing students had brought some bubbles with them and so the little children played and learned to blow bubbles.  Most everyone enjoyed the play time.  A few of the young children, however, never did warm up to the white people.

After all the children have been registered and weighed, the vaccination process begins.  The nurse quickly sorts through all the records of those who need vaccines.  She groups ages together and calls them to line up.  Some only receive one or two vaccines, while others may receive 3 or 4.  The Chimala nurse shows the nursing students how to administer each type of vaccine and then she allows them to administer them for experience.  The students really learn a lot this way.

This day was a day for me to watch and learn.  I want to first learn how and what the Tanzanians are currently doing.  This will allow two things to happen.  During this time, I will built relationships and hopefully they will be stronger because of my interest in "their" processes.  Second, it gives me time to evaluate and think about any changes or adjustments which may need to be made and take a little time to evaluate the BEST way to implement these adjustments in a helpful way.  I have seen those who have come into a mission with a "Bull in a china shop" attitude and it has not worked very well. The "American" way does not always work best in places which are NOT American.  I do not want to try to "change" them into the American way, but to work side by side and perhaps help educate them in some easier, better or more productive ways.  But more importantly, I want to show them that we are all one, we are all God's children and as such we can work together for His Glory.  Living every day, showing each person I come into contact with what being a Christian should look like.  To show them love...peace...joy....kindness....compassion...self-control....gentleness and kindness in everything I do.