The day of the dedication of the Kizimani Mission Clinic finally arrived under very drizzly skies, which didn't seem to deter our mamas from the Manyatta village from coming out to greet us.
Ann and I are always game to dance along with them.
Our plans for a simple dedication mushroomed into an extravaganza due to the Govenor of the County (friend and former classmate of Janet's) deciding to attend. This meant the dedication was now our of our control and advance teams and entourages came to set up seating for about 500, tents, canopies, platforms, speaker systems, choirs, drapery, flag, and red carpets. Yes, red carpets.
Ann and Inge were good sports waiting for the Governor Alfred Matua to arrive, who of course was late. This was one of four events he was planned to be at that Saturday.
It became clear that both the Kizimani Board and the Kiziman Kenya Boards, plus other officials would need to line up in front of the clinic to shake hands with the Govenor as he arrived to cut the ribbon in front of the clinic. Dr. Bob and the medical team were expected to then "demonstrate" the clinic in action. We found a few local "patients" to attend to.
Here is one of two benches commemorating our key donors and supporters. Very sweet to see familiar names listed.
Here is Govenor Matua leaving from the inside of the clinic to then plant a commemorative bush in the new landscaping. Plus he then went to the school to see the bore hole for a new well that just got put in a day or two before. This literally came about after Janet visited just three days before the dedication with the Govenor and the Minister of Health, who is a woman, who promised it would be done by the dedication. And it was.
After the ribbon cutting, clinic demo, tree planting, and bore hole visit, we then went back to the field to hear several speeches from the local dignitaries present including the Minister of Health for the county, the Minister of Energy, and of course the Govenor here below who brought up Janet to acknowledge her and the work of Kizimani. He promised free medicine for the clinic and a fulltime nurse paid for by the government. Because his motto for his administration is "Chop, Chop!" meaning he gets things done, we will see. He actually does get things done and is considered the best governor in Kenya, using more money for public works, jobs, health, etc. than other govenors. Miriam, Janet and their mother Monica were all under the official canopy and each gave a speech.
Needless to say, it was a LONG day and we didn't get lunch until very late. Our team was very gracious to be so flexible with a day that was nothing like we anticipated. We were so thankful to get back to Mamma's compound to have lunch and relax. Our mammas who come to help cook and take care of us were wonderful.
After lunch we dispensed food parcels and family gift bags of clothes. The next day a small team went to visit a few of our sponsored families to deliver bags of clothes that hadn't been given out already, plus gifts of new sheets and a few bed rolls.
We had a wonderful time walking the roads of Manyatta village and getting a better understanding of our families. Here is Stephanie with one of our mamas receiving a bed roll.
I also had a few minutes to visit the medical clinic in action (for real.) Dr. Bob and his crew are simply amazing, practically working non stop. They were seeing close to 200 people a day.
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