IDP camp experience . . .

So last Wednesday Abby, Rachel and I had the opportunity to join a medical team and help out with their work at an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp just outside of Naivasha. Actually, its not really an IDP camp anymore, although thats what everyone calls it. Back track explanation: A lot of people were displaced during the turmoil and unrest after the elections last December. Due to violence targeted at specific tribes (primarily Luo and Kikuyu) families had to flee their homes and find refuge elsewhere. This group of people were forced to leave their homes and live in an IDP camp near Lake Naivasha. The unusual thing about them is that they pooled together their money from the government and purchased two and a half acres of land starting a new settlement. There is about 850-1000 people setting up tents in this area of land, so space is tight, but it is in a beautiful setting of the Rift Valley, with mountains all around. The people are primarily Kikuyu, and so it was really cool when two New City guys (who are Lua and Luo) discovered this settlement and set out to build a relationship with the people, finding out their community needs. Through this action, New City's youth group went out there one day and helped out however they could. They then got in touch with some of the medical personnel who pulled together the group that went out there this past Wednesday (this was the teams second trip out there). 

Our goal there was to complete a census of the people living there, get medical records of the families, finding out about kids vaccines, deworming, specific problems, etc. People who had serious problems were looked at and treated if possible that day, but collecting information to connect the people with the local hospital and health centers was the primary goal. Rachel (a PA) got to do her doctor stuff, Abby (the only Teeth Expert) got to see a Tonne of people's teeth as well as administer medicine in our makeshift pharmacy (her pharmacudical classes really paid off!) and I, somehow, lost my doctor, and translator, so I got to stumble through my kiswahili asking how people were feeling and did-they-own-pain. This process (mostly my speaking kiswahili) often resulted in a lot of laughter, which I have heard is the best medicine, so I pretty much did my job as a "Dr." then.

Later on, we got to hang with the kids, most were at school . . . which meant there was probably about 3 dozen + kids hanging around who were 8 and younger. These kids were Awesome . . .we had so much fun. 

It was hard to get my mind around the fact that these people had been forced to leave their homes, under death threats, and were starting new lives miles and miles away. I have never been in any position like that in my life, and so my understanding is limited. But the joy in some of these people's faces was unmistakeable. Even in the poverty and turmoil of their situations, that they smiled and sang and welcomed us so warmly really moved me. Seeing that joy amidst the struggles and hardship pushes me to re-evaluate what I place my joy in, what I consider necessary to have to be happy, and to greet others with a smile. Pray for this large group of families as they begin new lives!!

PEACE~ the K in A&K