Take one step forward, take two steps back.

Did you used to play "Simon says"? Some days I feel life is like that. Evangeline, our patient with the huge tumor in her neck shown a couple of blogs back, came back from Nairobi without having done the scan. I had given her a check for the scan and cash for the bus. Just before reaching the hospital the bus was attacked by thugs who took everything and beat the people, causing some to be hospitalized. By the best of luck, some good soul said "don't beat her; she's sick". So she escaped being hurt, but they took all her documents. She had hidden the check deeper within her clothing, so they didn't get that. But here she is back sitting in front of me telling me that she must go and get the original documents. They can't do the scan without the written order so she's back to step 1. Monday she'll go back to the place that referred her (an hour's ride from here), and get new documents. Then she'll take the bus again to Nairobi and try once more. One day at a time!!!

John the Carpenter

John decided he'd have his carpentry students make model furniture so they could learn jointmaking and so that he'd have miniature samples to show potential customers. He started with beds. I can't wait to see the sofa sets......

TITUS TEACHING HIMSELF TO PAINT AND MAKE SIGNBOARDS

Titus, mentioned previously as a senior waiting for his government exam results, is teaching himself lettering and sketching. We're very pleased with his results, and it makes a little pocket money for him to buy shoes. Here Evans, whom he is playing Big Brother to, is assisting him. Having brought himself up, so to speak, Titus is in a good position to assist other orphans, and he is a great help to us as we place children in schools. He has helped Evans get all the necessary items for school (here most schools are boarding schools as kids can't afford public transport to go to and fro, and their homes don't have electricity for studying at night); and tomorrow he will act as his parent/guardian as he escorts him to his new school as a freshman.

ENDURANCE

There are many times in a day's work when you have to say: "Sorry I can't help." But this isn't one of them. Our friend here has had to put up with this "volleyball" in her neck for such a long time now. Needless to say, breathing is very difficult for her. She couldn't afford an x-ray which is of course a pre-requisite for any surgery or intervention, or even the transport to Nairobi. So early tomorrow she'll be on her way down to Nairobi Hospital for the x-ray and evaluation.