Our trip to Western Kenya continued Saturday with a visit to a Shikusa Boys' Prison, home to about 300 boys aged 16-18. Shikusa is a surprisingly cheerful place. Although, I may not have an accurate picture of things because seeing a van full of cute, American nurses may have contributed to the smiles on the boys' faces; we did get a few wolf whistles when we entered. The superintendent, Chacha, is clearly deeply invested in the boys and really wants prison to be a chance for rehabilitation. The boys can go to school, learn furniture making, farming, and a variety of other trades. Some of them may actually end up in better situations after prison than before!
After introductions, we did a medical camp for the prisoners. While we triaged and treated a variety of infections (including one super awkward moment involving genital warts), a group of boys volunteered to wash our van. This small act of service really touched me. I think it is indicative of the positive tone of the prison and a true testament to the leadership there!
Saturday afternoon, we visited a school for the deaf. The kids were so excited to receive us that they started jumping up and done as soon as the van turned into their driveway. They were so sweet and so grateful. It was such a joy to see their smiles! My favorite part was that they all wanted to pose for pictures and then see them. They were total hams!
Sunday morning might have been one of my favorite parts of the weekend. We went to a local church in Kakamega, and let me tell you, Kenyans know how to worship. At one point during the music, a whole bunch of people made a conga line and started waving their chairs over their heads. It was pandemonium, in a good way! Church was great people watching! Especially great was the tenderness of men with the children! Many Kenyan men are distant fathers, both geographically and emotionally. The men in this church are loving daddies. As a total daddy's girl myself, I know how important a father's love is! Again, I attribute this small, but great, thing to good leadership. Respect for the family is ingrained in this church. It felt so nice and homey.
On the way home, we made our driver stop at the Equator for a few pictures and even a dance. It was such a fun, touristy thing to do!
We got back to Nairobi late Monday night so tired and so changed. Spending a weekend giving so much was draining, but so refreshing! Bringing hope to the desperate and coming alongside the needy is true religion and comes with great rewards!
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