The past 24 hours have been crazy!
We decided to split up. Our two technical experts, Anatole and Philip traveled far away from our home base in west Pokot to help set up computers at a boarding school for girls who have been rescued from female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. In this area the rate of female genital mutilation is 75%, and many girls are not so lucky as the students here to escape. The school provides a refuge for the survivors and children who would be sold as brides.
Meanwhile, our trainers Shilpa and Jason went back to the same school we visited yesterday to help train teachers on technology. Our manager, Maciej, and I (Haley) went with them.
The training was a success. The teachers were so grateful and receptive, we had never experienced engagement in a classroom like this before. One of the teachers told us he felt he had been "reborn," and the enthusiasm was contagious.
Unfortunately, a few hours into the training and our leader Maciej was starting to look very ill. He had broken out in a rash on his neck and arms the day before, but was sure it was only a reaction to the immunizations we took prior to our trip. Then the night before he could not sleep as he experienced waves of chills followed by sudden overwhelming heat. By midday it looked as though he may pass out and was barely able to stand.
Our driver, Peter, recognized some of his symptoms right away as a textbook case of malaria and rushed him to a hospital. There he received diagnostic blood tests which confirmed he had malaria as well as another type of blood infection.
It is lucky our driver recognized the symptoms and persuaded Maciej to get help immediately. Malaria is very easily and completely treatable, but can be very dangerous or deadly if ignored. has since made a near full recovery and has even returned to work.
Back at the school for rescued girls, Anatole and Philip finished their technical tasks and began the drive home only to become trapped by a flash flood. When the rest of us returned to the hotel we were worried to find they did not return for hours. They should have been home by 4:30 but it was not until 11 that we found out they were completely stuck because of the floods.
Our driver once again came to the rescue. They were able to find a crossing point on foot and abandoned their vehicle and rode home with Peter. When they returned we could not believe the video footage they had captured of the flash flood, the roads were dry that morning but a raging river had suddenly appeared.
I cannot believe how much has come to pass in so little time, I can't even relate everything that has happened this day in one post. We are all so thankful that everyone has made it home safe and well!
Check out the photos from today:
Photos: Facebook album - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.279131175762413.1073741831.145950932413772&type=1&l=d8bdedca88
I will upload videos of the insane flood as soon as I can get strong enough internet!
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