Sunday Morning Fishing Trip

As our boat speeds towards Bird Island,

Leaving behind a fluorescent green spray,

The sun peaks out over the mainland,

Heralding a bright new day.

I wanna catch me a big Nile Perch!

"Throw the lines in the water!" I let out a cry,

China teacups clang with the boat’s sudden lurch,

Reminding us it’s time for our good morning chai.

We cruise ‘round Bird Island to get a good look

Of cormorants perched on a scraggly tree,

Conjuring memories of The Jungle Book

With the vultures, Shere Khan, and Mowgli.

A brief exchange with some omena* fishermen:

“How much for one of the girls?” they shout.

“Just give us some fish and we’ll call it even.”

“Wait! What? No deal! I’m out!”

We’ll catch our own fish with some moss on a hook.

Edwin dives down to find us a fish.

Placing the hook in the hole is all that it took

To snag us a fresh Tilapia dish.

Let’s all jump in for a swim around Takawiri!

But beware the bilharzia, crocs, and hippos!

Of these dangers you better be leary,

Lest you find yourself eaten the minute you doze.

Then back to the Lighthouse we speed

With the wind in our hair.

Captain Craig, take the lead!

Steer us home as fast as you dare.

*omena: a small fish, about an inch long, that is caught in nets put out at night by fishermen on Lake Victoria

Mbita Hospital

Oct 3, 2012

Judy (the health educator I work with) threw me up in front of about 30 people today and made me give the health talk in Swahili. My brain can only think so fast in Swahili! I made it through (and then she translated it into Luo anyways), but it really stretched my brain!

The rest of the day was spent screening women for cervical cancer using a method called visual inspection with aceitic acid. Basically, you take cotton on a stick to paint the cervix with table vinegar; then you look at it with a flashlight and see if there are any spots that turn white. White spots are concerning for pre-cancer and require follow-up and/or treatment. It’s cheap, easy, gives immediate results, and saves lives!

My favorite part of cervical cancer screening (at least today): when I get to hold the baby while the mom is examined by Sabina (the amazing nurse and project coordinator that I get to work with). One child was sleeping and then woke up in my arms, took one look at my ghost-like face and started screaming! A slightly younger one smiled at me, put his head on my shoulder, then peed on my lap. Haha. Speculum, please?