Back from Kenya

So much good happened while we were in Kenya last time. I want to refer you to another blog that we kept during our most recent trip - www.oasisfororphans.blogspot.com. This documents our trip from the many different people who traveled with us. There is also a really neat YouTube video on Noah Leboo, the child who's congenital foot defect was repaired at Kijabe hospital. The video is now up and working on YouTube.com search on "Noah Oasis Soccer" and you should find it ... or click on this link ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klOafRCG6DE.

Nairobi in a Day

Today, the entire team met up here at Dave and Carrie's house.  We split into two groups.  One headed for the Kiambethu Tea Farm - (see last years blog for info re that).  The other group went back to Kijabe to do a video shoot of Noah.  Now he's a 'movie star.'  

We all met up at 'The Nest' and had a great time loving on the kids there.  They were delighted to get so much attention.  We were excited to see how well run their program is.  They house 70 children as well and it gave us good insight into how we could improve the orphanage in the Trans Mara.  

Tomorrow we leave bright and early for the Trans Mara.  We are anticipating a joyous reunion with our 'family' here in Africa and Noah is really looking forward to getting back 'home.'  

Noah Leboo

Noah Leboo is one of the now 70 children in the Trans Mara Children's home.  After leaving last year and accepting the role of Health Provider for the children, we began making plans to visit Kenya again.  

About two days after taking on this role, I started thinking about Noah and his congenital foot defect.  And then I couldn't stop thinking about it.  We began exploring a road that has ultimately led to his having surgery at Kijabe hospital here in Kenya.  

Today is day 4 post op and was our first opportunity to lay eyes on him.  He is doing awesome! He is pain free and smiling.  He is very excited that his foot is 'straight.'  A family from America gave up Christmas gifts this year to pay for his surgery and sent him a book.  He absolutely loves it!  His sponsor family sent letters from their son, Greg's, sixth grade class and he is looking forward to reading all the letters.  We met with his doctor who said he is healing wonderfully!

What a huge answer to many, many prayers!  

Well, here it is one year later and a group of us are heading back to Kenya. It has been quite a journey to get to where we are now. About 6 months ago Scott Hayward and Chris Herden, the official head's of Oasis, approached me about taking over the medical care for the Oasis children. As I prayed over it and discussed it with Rick we both felt God's hand in my doing this. I am so excited to be in this position and for all of the things that have happened since. 

 

Immediately after accepting this position, I was introduced to another RN, Livia Krzeminski. She is a nurse at Abbott and has been aware of Oasis for some time. We made an instant connection and both had a passion to help. So - we both decided to team up together to take on this role. It has been so fun to work with her! 

 

Our first project became working with the staff to set up some standards of care. As we discussed this we both felt that in order to do this we would need to travel back to Kenya and do some collaborative teaching in order to assess the kids health and address some health needs such as helping a child with a club foot and helping with vision and hearing issues. 

 

So here we are. There are 13 of us traveling to Kenya on February 20. We have 3 nurses, 1 doctor, an audiologist, several teachers, an architect and 4 awesome 11 year old girls! In the mix are two 3 generation travelers. My dad, Dr. Mike Matlak, and my daughter Katie are coming. Jill Hayward's mom, Anita Kaiser, a nurse, is coming along with her and her daughter, Piper. Obviously these will create some special memories.