JUBILEE

 

Last minute choir practice.

The big Jubilee celebration has finally come and gone.  On 20^th September, Mutomo Mission Hospital celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years of service to the people of Mutomo and the surrounding region.  It was a massive effort, one which the hospital staff has been planning since January.  In addition to our many African guests, we had visitors from all over the world, including Sweden, Ireland, and U.S.  I saw many friends who I’ve met throughout the year, including staff from CMMB Nairobi (who I met on my first day in Kenya), all my friends from the hospital, from the church, the schools, the surrounding Mutomo community, doctors, priests, international volunteers, etc.  As my time in Kenya is quickly drawing to a close, it was a wonderful way to remember my year in Mutomo and see all my friends celebrating together in one place.

Fellow bass singers Evans (left) and David (right)

Entrance procession.

Procession dancers.

Robert on drums.

The bishops and visiting priests.

Being a member of the Jubilee choir, my day started early at 7am for morning practice.  The Jubilee Mass began after 10am.  It was a lively celebration.  The students from the local schools were present to dance in the opening procession.  As the Bible was brought to the altar, another dancer entered carrying the book in a large pot atop her head.  Two bishops were present to lead the celebration.  The bishop of Embu was the main celebrant, and he gave a beautiful sermon for healthcare workers.  He spoke of the distinctness of every human life, that we are not mere photocopies of each other, but each person a unique masterpiece made by God.  If every person is so valuable, no matter how tired and stressed we are as healthcare providers, and no matter how clean or dirty the patient may appear, rich or poor, we are called to treat each patient with love, to act as instruments of mercy to those who suffer.  His words were very inspiring for the hospital staff present.

The local member of parliament (MP) giving a speech after the Mass.  She herself was born in Mutomo Hospital.

The hospital administrator Sr. Mary Okumu.

The hospital Jubilee choir.  Five long months of practice paid off; we sang very well.  On Monday morning I got a lot of compliments; apparently people in town were impressed and were talking about the white man who was able to sing in Kiswahili.

People waiting in line for food.

Posing with Angela Reuben, our hospital counselor.

Fellow bass singer Benjamin Malombe.

The FEAST!  Delicious meal of chicken, goat, rice, pilau, cabbage, chapati, and bananas.

The altar boys from church being put to work on cleanup after the Jubilee.

After the Mass, the guests of honour were called to the stage for speeches.  Speeches are typical of African gatherings and can last forever.  These only lasted a couple hours thankfully.  After speeches and cutting of the cake, a massive feast was served to all the visitors.

After the Jubilee with Anastasia... I have no idea who that kid is; she just jumped into the photo.

The Jubilee was a big success.  It was simple, but perfect, the way all celebrations should be, filled with good friends and food, singing and laughing and dancing.  We continued the celebrations in the evening, with a group of friends meeting at Stress Free Resort where people danced and laughed some more.

The after-party, with myself, Joel, Dr. Anna Tos (dentist), and Dr. Francis Mutua.

Dancing at Stress Free with Anna Mutua, and Ellen.

Unfortunately the afternoon ended on a sad note.  I was informed by a fellow nurse that a patient I’ve been closely working with for the past week died suddenly during the day.  The patient was a young boy, 20 years old, but he looked more like a 10 year old due to severe wasting.  He was born with HIV, lost both his parents and his brother to the same disease, and was raised by his grandmother.  He was admitted last month with a cryptococcal infection and also tuberculosis, then showed good improvement with treatment and was discharged home on oral meds.  I was surprised when he was readmitted last week, this time with sudden paralysis on the left side of the body.  His viral load (a measurement of the progress of the virus) was extremely high, so he was susceptible to many infections.  Unfortunately, without specific diagnostic tests, we aren’t able to determine what type of infection he might have had.   

He came unable to walk, but made tremendous improvement in the first few days.  He was able to walk again, but still dragged his leg.  His arm was weak, and his hand still remained completely paralyzed.  I spent a long while with him one afternoon going through various physical therapy exercises, repeating them over and over, and making sure he knew how to do them by himself in case of discharge.  As I watched him struggling to even lift his arm, I recall listening to the sound of the students at the next door school running around and playing football outside.  What a contrast to see kids playing and enjoying their youth, and then to see this young boy only a few meters away suffering  and struggling to walk.    As is common with many HIV patients, he also suffered from oral candidiasis, a fungal infection of the oro-esophageal mucosa.  His was much more severe than with most patients, causing him severe pain, even to the point where the nurses would find him in tears.  This was his biggest discomfort, so much so that I had to go into town one day to find some throat lozenges for him at the local chemist (they aren’t stocked in the hospital pharmacy).  His voice became very weak to the point of a whisper.  He also suffered from chest pain, probably due to the TB, and had to sleep in an upright bed at night.   

The standard treatment for HIV is antiretroviral medication (ARVs).  The boy had been taking ARVs for some time, but wasn’t responding so well.  He had to be started on 2^nd-line ARVs.  Besides monitoring his HIV and TB treatment regimen, most of the nursing care focused on managing his pain, and also supplementing hydration and nutrition with oral rehydration salts (ORS) and ready-to-use-therapeautic-food (RUTF).   

Although he was very sick, he was strong and seemed to be making improvement, and I had high hopes for him.  Before the Jubilee celebration, I was at the church for morning prayers and made a point to pray for him.  So it was a devastating surprise later that day when I learned of his death.  While many of us were outside celebrating the Jubilee, he was in his bed, struggling through his last hours.  The nurse reported that he’d developed difficulty in breathing that morning and was put on oxygen, but was later weaned off.  In the final hours his voice became so weak that he had to use a pen and paper to communicate.  Finally he told his grandmother that he was tired and wanted to sleep.  It was discovered shortly after that he had passed in his sleep.

He was a patient loved by the whole ward staff.  He suffered so much, yet never complained about his situation.  He was patient and gentle, yet strong, willing to work towards recovery.  Though his English was limited and I was only able to communicate through my broken Kiswahili, I could tell he was a smart kid.  He had such a hard life.  May he find joy and rest now with God and the rest of his family.

It can be frustrating and discouraging sometimes to work in a place with such limitations.  At home, I am used to seeing illness cured.  Some months ago I was working closely with another volunteer on medical ward, Dr. Layla from Sweden.  We were losing many patients during the month of December, and we were both feeling particularly down.    I recall her one afternoon commenting that we can’t always save every patient; sometimes our job is only to relieve suffering.  I’ve tried to remember her words throughout this year.  With many patients there is little we can do to save them, but I like to think I’ve played some role in easing their suffering.  Despite all the limitations and difficulties of the hospital, I’m grateful for its being here and serving this poor community through the past 50 years.

I’ve seen a lot of death and suffering during my time in Mutomo.  For me it is a reminder of life’s fragility, but also a reminder to make the most of each day, to do good, and to enjoy and cherish every moment.

That being said, let me move now to some very good times I’ve had here in the Mutomo throughout the past couple weeks:

At work with (left to right) Evans, Dr. Petronilla, and Benjamin.

With Sr. Clair, department head of maternity ward.

Hospital staff: Evans, Gilbert, Benjamin, Patrick, and Jane.

My final day working with Benjamin on medical ward.  This week he will be on night duty, and then off duty next week.

Learning to cook with Moses and Benjamin.

Holy Family students at church for Sunday Mass.  I'll really miss these kids when I leave.

Cooking Sunday afternoon lunch.

Learning how Africans do their laundry.

Posing for a victory photo... I finally won a game!

Helping Sr. Esther prepare the night before the Jubilee.

And here are a few fun videos:

One of our choir songs: Hodi Hodi.

 Some clips of me hanging out with friends around Mutomo.