8am – a young traditional samburu girl (Nalangu, 20 years old) and her husband (Loipima, 26 years old) approach and wait patiently until we acknowledge them. Their young child has a cough and fever. Mercy takes a temperature reading and gives liquid cough medicine, and liquid pink flavored paracetemol. The husband hands over 2 small dirty plastic bottles to received it. I give them 2 small jumpsuits, donated by the women of the British Army base next to Nanukyi. Nalangu is so pleased, it is very cold here at night and this will surely help. The child is only 7 months old, first-born, the young parent are so very proud. It is very unusual to see the husband accompanying his wife to see us, and he was very interested in everything we could provide.
There is a government clinic nearby but Nalangu & Loipima don’t like to take their child there for vaccinations, there seems to be some misunderstanding or lack of information: they are scared of the injections thinking that it gives fever, so do not wish to continue the vaccination treatment. The child had its first set n March, but the parents did not return of the second set. Sofina tries to explain the importance of vaccinations, it takes quite a discussion. It is good to see the husband interested. They have agreed that we can give the child another set of vaccinations, but they will need to return to Kirimon when the CHAT motor mobile returns in a months time to continue the treatment.
Interestingly, Nalangu had trained her baby to go to the toilet after telling mum (by crying) that he needs to go. Very smart mum and baby! With only 2 set of clothes this is very practical especially with such cold, rainy weather we have had. So, the new jumpsuits are much appreciated.
They did not ask about our family planning services, and we did not push it, as the father was here, perhaps later… we start to wander around the village chatting quietly to the ladies to mobilize and tell them about family planning.
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Now we see Grandad, Mum and boy.This is his first-born daughter and first grandson, who is less than a year old. They think he might have malaria but as we have no testing facilities for malaria they take some cough medicine and paracetemol. I give them a jumpsuit for the boy, pink.. but they didn’t mind!
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Three ladies come to see us. Orange lady came to us for a 5-year implant, she has 4 children. Green lady is very very poor, even the others encourage that I give her something; I give them all British army jumpsuits. Green lady has a 5-year implant inserted today. They have come without their husband’s knowledge; they waited very patiently and were worried that they had no money to pay. They all said thank you, thank you over and over.