0 to 60, then 60 to 0...Kenya Week 21: February 21-27

If I went from 0 to 60 the moment I landed on United States soil, I went from 60 to 0 the second I stepped off the plane in Nairobi. Talk about whiplash…

I got back to Karungu on Wednesday and I expected to hit the ground running once I got back to work on Thursday. But I forget that I’m in Africa…where…everything…happens…just…a…bit…slower…

Restarting the Karungu Jiggers Eradication Campaign has to wait till Tuesday when I can meet with Tom, Barnabas, and Teresa- the other leaders in the Campaign. I guess that’s one of the realities, benefits, and disadvantages of working at the community level. I depend on so many other people that sometimes I have to wait patiently. I’ve often heard, “They’ve had jiggers for years. They can wait a few more days.” While that sentiment nearly drives me nuts, I understand the deeper reality behind the seemingly heartless words. I can’t eradicate every jigger this week and we have to plan well to make the Campaign lasting and effective. Luckily my co-workers have told me that many lists have been compiled of individuals with jiggers, so that’s a great start. Its happening slower than my “go get ‘em” attitude prefers, but I’m excited to see what we can do!

In the mean time, just a few reminders that I’m back in Kenya:

1. We took a shuttle, a bus, a pseudo-taxi, and a motorbike to get back to Karungu. Luckily the nine hours of horribly uncomfortable traveling conditions passed in a jiffy as I slept away my jet lag!

2. I was greeted by cheers and hugs by my precious neighbor kids the moment I stepped into the gate of the Staff Compound.

3. I've finished my book, started another, updated my photos, returned all my emails, and had free time to take a nap, go for a run, and play with the kids. This is Africa.

4. Two of my co-workers had family members pass away while I was gone. Both were middle aged men who had been battling AIDS for about 4 years.

5. The interesting tragedy of the week: a man was attacked and killed by a hippopotamus in a nearby village. Fantasia lies…turns out hippos aren’t sweet and nimble like ballerinas.