A YouTube Video about the Kenya Working Group

The Kenya Working Group has put together a great video that talks about the program and shows individuals being assisted by the program. The following link will take you to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rkyxgWdPug

Why am I going to Kenya?

I'm going to Kenya through the Kenya Working Group (KWG) to complete my final placement in my physiotherapy program at McMaster University. KWG began in 2004 with the goal to provide health care to the disabled individuals throughout Kenya. More specifically I will be assisting with the "Disability Services Programme" that is in an outreach clinic in Rongo (on map) and Homo Bay. The purpose of these clinics is to not only assist those with disablities but link those with disabilities with vocational and educational opportunities. In the past, this program has also offered equipment and facilitated surgcial interventions.

Other objectives of the Disability Services Programme include:

• Develop a community structure for delivering efficient and effective services to disabled persons
• Educate and sensitize the community on the abilities as well as the needs of disabled persons
• Equip people living with disabilities with the skills that are relevant to their unique challenges
• Provide “training of trainers” to enable the community to effectively serve the needs of people living with disabilities in their community
• To educate and reduce stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
• Give support to HIV/AIDS orphans
• Promote and advocate for positive behavioural change among the youth
• Improve accessibility to the basic health care amenities, education, and community resources for people living with disabilities
• Strengthen collaboration among other local and international service organizations/agencies focusing on children and disabilities including HIV

To learn more about the Kenya Working Group, please visit their website at: http://www.kenyaworkinggroup.org

Countdown: within the last month before departure

My Journey to Kenya

Wow, my time to departure is quickly approaching and I've been slowly preparing. I finalized my KLM flight (back in May) from Toronto to Nariobi with a stop over in Amsterdam. From Nairobi I will need to get to Kisumu (a large city west of Nairobi). I decided that I would avoid a long bumpy 8 to 10 hour bus ride from Nairobi to Kisumu and take a local plane. Originally, there was a little problem. The flights from Nairobi to Kisumu, offered by Kenya Airways were not available due to construction at Kisumu's airport. I did some hunting and found another airline called Fly540 that allowed me to book local flights from Nairobi to Kisumu through the internet (which is great). When I arrive in Kisumu, I will meet my preceptor at the airport. From there I'll go to Rongo (approximately 2hour car ride from Kisumu). In my next blog I'll tell you exactly why I'm going to Rongo and Homo Bay (another town in Kenya) and how the Kenya Working Group offers assistance to locals within these towns.

Last Minute Details

I started to take my anti-malaria medication a week ago. It's recommended that you start taking one prophylactic anti-malaria pill a week before departure and continue throughout your trip. You continue to take anti-malaria for four weeks after your return as well. The first time I took this medication I required A LOT of water, which is also recommended (as stated on the box). The second pill wasn't so bad. During the last month I've also started packing my "backpack" very very slowly. I took my "princesses" canopy and decided to use that as a mosquito net rather than paying an additional sixty dollars. I sprayed the net with some Double Action Raid that contained Permethrine and Tetramethrin. This is suppose to help keep both flys and mosquitos away (which is perfect). I also started to roll all my clothes to save space in my bag. I only want to pack within 44lb so that I can avoid any problems with the local flights within Kenya.

Toilets??

Why do I have a topic on toilets? Well, from my understanding it is difficult to find a toilet in public areas in Kenya that will be equipped with the essentials (ie. toliet paper). As a result, I've managed to stick 8 rolls into my bag. Also, I've been informed that the common type of toilet is a latrine (aka hole-in-the-ground). I've included some advise that I have received from others below. a) Even if you are in a place where they go to great trouble to get you the key for the "choo" (toilet) out the back, don't expect the area to be clean or maintained at all b) Roll up your trouser legs as these will get soaked with the urine of others spilled all over the floor c) Wipe your shoes on the grass after d) If possible, go in the open air as the risk of other people's waste on your clothes is less e) CARRY A TOILET ROLL in your bag at all times. Even hotels outside Nairobi don't stock any; when I asked why I was informed "because people steal it"! f) Purell or other sanitizers are good idea to carry g) Use the latrine at our preceptors home before leaving for the day.

My reaction

Well, what can I say. I talked to some friends about the toilet issue and they became more interested in my placement (ironic). For those individuals who wanted to hear more about squatting for 6 weeks (and you know who you are), I may mention this topic again (maybe).

For the rest of you who would like to know what I'm planning on doing during my 6 weeks in Rongo and Homo Bay and the objectives of the Kenya Working Group,....stay tuned for the next blog!!

Plan ahead: Safaris and other adventures after placement

3 Types of Safaris

Usually most tours and accommodations are all inclusive (including meals and drinks) with transportation, regardless of the type.

1.Budget Safari

This type is very similar to camping in a park. These tours will provide a standard tent and a guide with meals. Washroom facilities may or not may not on site and showering may not be provided on daily basis. Usually with these safaris the tour guide will take you on the game drive and transportation between sites. This type of safari is good for those who do not mind "roughing it". For those who wish a shower and bed daily, this would not be the best options. This would be a great option for those who love to camp and be "one with nature". Another advantages is that in some cases you can camp right in the park and be closer to the animals.

2. Lodges

These type of accommodations are for those who are not used to "roughing it" and never have camped before. Lodges are similar to hotels as they have restaurants and swimming pools and spas. These are typically not in the park but located just outside the park and some will highlight views of animals in the park or scenery. In all cases, the lodges are going to be priced higher than standard budge safaris and in some cases, lodges are more expensive than luxury tents. For these accommodations, each lodge will provide a separate game drives at scheduled times.

3. Luxury camping

This is a combo of lodges and budget camping. This is great option because it provides the camping experience but the tents have washroom facilities and showers located within the park grounds. Also the beds are raised. This type of safari provides the hotel experience in the wild. Unfortunately these accommodations fill up quickly and are highly priced. Like the lodges, luxury camping will provide scheduled game drives with a guide from the camp grounds.

Our Selections

We decided to do a little of type 2 and 3, lodges and luxury camping, respectively. We didn't pick option 1 due to the sleeping arrangements (the lack of a bed) and daily shower and toileting facilities. We decided to splurge (after all, how many times will I visit Kenya), so we choose 2 days in luxury camping and 3 days in lodges. We tried to get a 3rd day in luxury camping, however it fills up very quickly. So my advice is that if you know you are traveling to Kenya and you know what you want, better to book far in advanced.

Count Down: 3 months

At 3 months

Check with the High Commission for the country that you will be visiting Do you need a visitors visa? What are the time lines for entry? Kenya's High Commission allows a 3 months window from the data that the visa is issued to entering the country. Tanzania's High Commission allows a 3 month window from the date the at the visa is issued to the date that you DEPART from the Tanzania. This means that you need to account for the time you will spend in Tanzania. Currently, both embassy's are very good in Canada. Both are located in Ottawa and passports can be sent in registered mail. Kenya states that it will take 7 days from the date the passports are received and Tanzania states that it will take 5 days. Currently, if you are planning on visiting both countries in your travels, you can send your applications to one High Commission and they will take it to the other country's High Commission if you indicate with a note. For example, I sent both my applications (Kenya's and Tanzania's visa applications) 1st to Tanzania's High Commission and left a note stating that I wanted them to take it over to Kenya's High Commission. From there, Kenya's High Commission sent it back to me with a self -addressed enveloped. For further details, check out the following links: http://www.kenyahighcommission.ca http://www.tzrepottawa.ca/home.htm In both cases, you need to apply for your visa at the 3 month mark; not before and not too soon to the date of departure.

Travel Doctor

When traveling to a developing country it is best to seek advice from a medical doctor about the vaccinations and medications that you will need to take while there or prior to your departure. For Kenya and Tanzania I was advised to take the following inoculations (vaccinations). I have included prices for those that I did need to purchase for my entire trip (8 weeks). Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever: $95.90, Typhoid (Typhim): 36.30, I was also asked to take the following pills/vaccinations orally. Cipro: $21.83 - take only if fever and diarrhea while on trip, Dukoral: $64.36- required for Cholera and travelers' diarrhea, Apo-MeFloquin (Larium): $66.89- once a week anti-malaria propholatic medication,

Travel doctor fee

You must also account for the fee for the travel doctor; I payed $50 and if you have another traveler with you they will cost an additional $25. The doctor will speak to you both at the same time for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Yellow Fever Confirmation and Wait time

When you receive your Yellow Fever vaccination, the doctor will ask you to wait for approximately 1 hour after the injection in the office to ensure that you do not have any adverse allergic reactions. To enter Kenya and Tanzania, you will require a yellow card from the Government of Canada (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis) and signed by the doctor that you have received the Yellow fever vaccination before entering both countries.

Count Down: 6 months

Hi and Welcome

I have started this blog to share my travels and experiences while I am on my clinical placement in rural Kenya. I am starting to become very excited as I will be leaving in 2 weeks. To prepare for my travels I had to begin almost six months prior! I plan to share these tips with you now before I leave so they are fresh in my mind. I have made a list for things to consider at least 6 months in advance when traveling to a developing country.

At 6 months

Buy your plane ticket: It might sounds straight forward, but the longer you wait, the more expensive the ticket becomes. Usually, for large airlines, a certain number of seats are allocated to different price points. For example 100 seats will be given the price $1000, the next 100 seats will be sold at $1200 and the last 100 would be $1800. If you book early, you can get a seat that is $1000 rather than $1800. Where are you going to stay? It is never too early to seek your accomodations if you have not already. There are many hotals that are now on line that you can book through. Luckly, my accomodations were already set prior to my placement comfirmation with the Kenya Working Group (KWG). For more information about the KWG please check out the following link: http://www.kenyaworkinggroup.org/index.html