Mathare and Kericho

The past two days have been amazing. On Wednesday, we started off in Mathare where it looks as if we have found a solution to really empower the staff there to fully embrace the capabilities of the HITSystem in their pediatric HIV/AIDS program. It is a clinic that has the potential to have a tremendous impact on the HIV positive mothers and their infants living in the Mathare Slum. We will be training a new employee there next week to help facilitate all aspects of their childrens HIV/AIDS program and how it relates to the HITSystem. This is exciting and we are anticipating outcomes that will make life-saving differences in the lives of these mothers and their children.

Today we made it to Kericho District Hospital and KEMRI/Walter Reed Lab in Kericho. The laboratory where all of the HIV exposed infants in this catchment area are tested is one the highest quality I have ever seen. The District Hospital was also encouraging where we were kindly greeted. But what really made the biggest impact on me was the staff that work with the HITSystem in both the lab and hospital here. Words can’t describe the passion they have for this work, the knowledge and commitment they already have in the HITSystem…all of this translates into hope and life for these HIV positive mothers and their babies. Sharon, Anthony and Joseph. They are in the trenches working with these mothers and babies, insuring that they are not lost and insuring they get the HIV care they need to live. Being with them today encouraged me beyond what I could have anticipated before we arrived here. They are the reason the HITSystem is working here in Kericho. I love it that we get to collaborate which such special and gifted people.

I cannot sign off tonight without mentioning our KEMRI and GHI team here. Dr. Khamadi and Vincent are our KEMRI partners. I have worked with the both of them for a few years now both in Haiti and here in Kenya. More than ever I am convinced that they are one of the primary reasons the HITSystem will be successful on a national level here in Kenya. They are passionate about taking care of these children. Khamadi made a statement today in one of our meetings that sums it up for me. “It is great that we are testing and helping many children for HIV. But what about that one child that could possibly fall through the cracks, just that one child that may be saved. He could become the president of Kenya one day, we just don’t know what kind of an impact it could have just to save one.” I agree. We were celebrating here earlier this week because in the largest maternal hospital in the country, we have reduced the loss of HIV exposed babies within in the HIV program from 40% to 1% in just 9 months using the HITSystem. But Khamadi’s statement makes me realize I can’t, and we won’t, be satisfied until that 1% is actually 0%. We believe it will happen.

The GHI team…Julie and Rustin. Rustin and I have been everywhere together and his mad video skills continue to bless our work. He is able to tell a story like no other. And…he is a blast to travel with. Julie Dougherty is our newest addition to GHI. Besides being a “colleague”, she is one of our dearest friends and has been involved with our work as much as anyone for the past 10 years. She is brilliant, but also has the heart to go with it. Being here and seeing this first hand is only going to strengthen her ability to work with the HITSystem here in Kenya. Thankful for both of them.

Thanks for your prayers and support! They carry us many long hours while we are here!

God bless,
Brad