Kipsongo Round 3!

If you haven't read any of my previous posts(I'm not offended) then you don't know what or where Kipsongo is. Kipsongo is a slum in Kitale where living circumstances are very grim and horrendous. We did a medical clinic with Sister Freda in Kipsongo today. First, we were given a tour of the area of Kipsongo. We were escorted by a few young men that live in Kipsongo and Sister Freda trusts. Ashley and I were accompanied by Candice, a med school student who is from Village Volunteers, and Sara a woman from the UK. All four of us stuck together while children pulled at our hands and we witnessed Kipsongo. Many people live in huts constructed of twigs and plastic bags. More and more homes made of wood and cow dung are being made, but the majority of the people live in the poorly constructed huts. We saw numerous people making the local brew, a form of moonshine. The tour lasted about an hour and then we headed back to the church where Freda and her staff were already operating the clinic. I was able to assist Freda with injections for the first time today. I feel so blessed that she trusted me to be gentle and efficient. I guess I learned from the best! I was able to give shots to a young baby and an older man. I was also able to give an intravenous injection to a young mama. Despite what you might think, I didn't miss the vein and I very slowly pushed the fluid out of the syringe. I feel so greatful to be able to do something that most medical students never have the chance to do. I was also able to assist with bandaging and cleaning numerous wounds. I'll shut up and show you the pictures, which I'm sure is what you really want to see!