First day back
30th August
The holiday is behind us now and we have completed all the shopping for the hospital in Nairobi, which was somewhat of a nightmare. Perhaps we should have had the holiday last…..

It went something like this. You have 6 envelopes with different department names on + the items required and cash enclosed could be in $US, Euros, Kenyan shillings.
The items were: - Sing along with “and a partridge in a pear tree!”
1 generator
1 printer,
1 computer
2 gum boots
3 door mats
4 gaskets
5 memory sticks
6 loo brushes
7 ink cartridges
8 maids uniforms
9 test kits
10 CD’s
But there were many more items, all over Nairobi. Also, many things to purchase from the OLSH website that people had donated. We now have some lovely towels and face-cloths that disappear quickly and are always needing to be replaced!!
By 4pm Sunday we were done, and had a few hours to relax before our flight to Rumbek early in the next morning.

Well, we have arrived in the new Republic of South Sudan. A few things have changed, a few more check points on the road, more guns and soldiers around. BUT the people themselves seem to be a lot happier. As soon as you mention independence a big smile appears.

The unsealed road to Mapuordit was as bad as ever, and the only bridge has been hit by a lorry and is closed, so there is a very dodgy makeshift bridge that is constructed of 3 large sewerage type pipes placed across the river. You then have to line the wheels up and race across, fingers crossed!! The river has about 3-4 inches to rise then the bridge will not be passable. So Ian, you might not get through (watch this space)………..

This week there will be a big meeting here in the market with a lot of government officials, chiefs, and VIPs to discuss the peace agreement between the 3 tribal areas which border Mapuordit. Everyone today had to clean the area they worked in, in readiness for the visit. This was done by soldiers walking around with loud speakers telling everyone they must clean and cut the grass. It seemed to work. The staff thought it was funny that it coincided with my arrival. After last year and ‘Clean up for the Cup’………I’m notorious!

I was welcomed warmly by all the staff, and was so surprised to see all the changes.
A new dressing room at the side of the surgical ward, with a nice new trolley. It even has a tiled floor so it can be mopped at the end of the day.
The HIV clinic is now open, unfortunately receiving many patients but at least they are now coming for treatment, unlike last year when they were too frightened to come. So the education the staff has been giving is paying off.
For the students, there is another dormitory, as we now have 1st , 2nd and the final year students here. They also have their own canteen, with a cook and a nice new kitchen. At least the beans can be cooked on the premises, instead of going up to the market. (not a big variety, beans or lentils, lentils or beans, beans with lentils, and so on!).

At last the maternity unit has a new birthing area, which was badly needed. The women can now wash in a small tiled area, AND there is running water all the time not just now and then.
After many generous donations, all these things have happened, including a new solar panel system which is connected to a pump and a new very high water tower, so all the hospital has somewhere to access water. On top of the tank, flying proudly, is the flag of the Republic of South Sudan. So many great changes, in just one year.

My first day has been spent having hugs from the staff and injecting 24 of them with the Hep B vaccine we collected in Nairobi. Was only able to give to the most at risk: I think everyone is at risk, but not sufficient to go around….