Beacon of Hope Medical Camp

Saturday's free medical camp at Beacon of Hope was a HUGE success! When our team arrived at 7:30 am, there were already a few hundred people lined up ready for the doors to open at 8:30 am. The camp was held in partnership with Gertrude Children's Hospital. In addition to seeing physicians, attenders were also able to receive HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, medicines, nutritional counseling, and lab tests. Our team was dispersed throughout the camp to help with a variety of tasks - checking blood pressure/pulse, giving medical examinations, filling prescriptions, ushering people to specific areas, cooking for staff, testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS, and musical entertainment for those waiting. By the end of the day, we had provided services to 2000 people which was a new record from previous camps where 1300 people had been seen.

From a personal point of view, I was impressed with how organized things seemed to flow as well as how members of our team were willing to do whatever was needed to be done. Two days prior to the camp, two team members each day traveled in a van, with a generator in the back and a PA system, throughout the community for 4 ½ hours each day advertising the medical camp. They listened to the same announcement over and over again while trying not to get carbon monoxide poisoning from the generator fumes. They were a bit dazed when they returned but yet their task was a success based on the many people who attended.

I enjoyed being a part of the music entertainment at one point in the day. It was our goal to sing and play some songs for the many people who were waiting to be seen. What started out as Joel and the group turned into an interactive Kenyan karaoke band. Regardless, it helped pass the time while waiting and we were able to hear various versions of several songs.

At the end of the day, some of us were tired and some were sunburned but I think we were all pleased with the success of the day and grateful to have been a part of it.

Lisa