“Volunteering with P4P makes me feel that I am doing something to help make the world a better place and is a reminder to me that we are not all born with the same advantages.  Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the P4P team is full of wonderful, fun and inspirational people.”

Born in Billings, Montana, Melissa’s family moved to Spokane when she was in third grade. She now works in sales for Honeywell. In her free time, Melissa enjoys the theatre, going to movies, comedy shows, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and watching her nieces’ and nephews’ sporting events.

She’s thankful for her life and thankful to P4P for helping her to share her blessings with those who need it most.

“I appreciate P4P's dedication and commitment to bring things that I take for granted to people in need…simple things like water, food, medical care and education that are so easily obtained in the corner of the world where we live.”

David, Sami and Courtney went to two high schools with science teacher Victorine to teach water analysis and testing. Students used UV light to look for coliform bacteria in water. Two students found E. coli in the samples they brought from home.

Courtney, Sami and Days for Girls (DFG) representative Annetta delivered kits to the Boya Primary School and taught feminine reproduction and hygiene. The volunteers enjoyed working with girls.

Angie and Nereah traveled to Migori to meet with LimAfrica, an organization that helps communities start poultry businesses. This potential project looks promising for the area. Gianna and Lynn oversaw creating a daily Facebook blog post. 

September 17. Nereah advised that the Ministry of Health gives Kenyans a patient record book which they take to their doctor visits for recording. The team decided to include medications in the patient books.

Mobile clinic was held at the Manyera Church. The church was sizable, however, there was no electricity, so we set up under the three windows. We discovered the need to bring more of our own diagnostic equipment (stethoscopes, otoscopes, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, penlight or head lights, an adult scale). A busy day and we saw 135 patients at the mobile clinic and 43 patients in Ogada Clinic. Four translators assisted during the day.

September 18. Mary, Courtney and Sami went to a pharmacy in Migori to purchase 40 bottles of benzyl benzoate for scabies treatment. Angie and Nereah met with the Sub County Medical Officer for Health and the Sub County Nutritionist. Providers saw 145 patients at the Ogada Clinic.

Brandon taught basic business bookkeeping to Maendeleo Pamoja group officers and farmers who have received P4P seed and fertilizer. He gave them much-appreciated ledgers and calculators. Brandon enjoyed this opportunity.

We had a delicious lunch at Faith’s house (clinic manager Robert’s wife) and later visited the local market for cultural immersion and a little shopping.

Mary, Courtney, Sami, and Nereah visited the Lorena School for Deaf Children. Courtney and Sami taught the children how to analyze drinking water. Mary examined the children and Sami and Courtney applied enamel varnish to their teeth. The children are healthy, happy and learning sign language. 

September 19. Power of Milk (POM) day at Ogada Clinic. Providers examined 31 infants.

Angie reported that nutritional supplement supplies are being quickly depleted because too much is given to infants who are not currently enrolled in POM. It would be more efficient and less expensive to make the supplements locally if safety requirements can be met.

Courtney and Sami taught health education. Providers treated 92 patients.

Lynn, Charles, and Courtney visited a bee farmer’s operation. The farmer sells the honey and honeycombs for wax at the Kopanga market but says it is not very profitable. Bees produce more honey and wax in the wet season than in the dry season.

September 20. We treated 63 patients in the morning then departed for the Ministry of Education Award Ceremony to honor high school students who earned academic success.

Courtney and Sami conducted health education sessions. Chuck conferred with Robert about implementing nasogastric feeding for undernourished infants. Angie and Gianna made a second visit to the orphanage to treat scabies.

The P4P team treated 535 patients this week. Volunteers worked very hard and were enthusiastic about the work performed and the people they met and were glad they had come on the trip.

September 21. The team departed for safari or travels to other countries, before heading back to the States.