After looking back on the last eight weeks, I am very glad that I had the opportunity to live and work in Eldoret. Before coming, I really had no idea what to expect. I knew that I would see multiple patients per bed, many medications would be out of stock, and I would encounter many HIV positive patients. Outside of these things, I was clueless to what I would experience and see. Throughout my time in Kenya, I have learned so much. Kenya has given me much more than I could give back. I have learned to be flexible, to try new things, meet new people, and step out of my comfort box.
Rounding on the wards was a completely new experience for me. Initially, I was very nervous and unsure of myself. I was afraid of touching anything and being touched by anyone. As time went on, I got much more comfortable and was able to turn rounds into a learning experience. I really enjoyed having patient presentations in the afternoon because it provided an opportunity for me to have an impact on rounds and to increase my clinical knowledge. I really liked the opportunity to learn by taking care of the patients we were seeing everyday. It is very rewarding to know that the interventions we are making will better someone else’s life.
I am also glad that we had so many presentations and projects. The best way to learn is by doing, and we were able to learn a lot through our presentations. It is also encouraging to know that our work is not without purpose. It is encouraging to know that our projects are going to last long after we leave. The HIV adherence project is going to have a lasting impact on patient care in Kenya and other parts of the world. I am so thankful that we are able to look back on our time in Kenya and know that we are making an impact on patient’s lives while we are here and it will continue when we leave.
The best learning experience for me were the people I had the opportunity to meet and get to know. My favorite parts of my time spent in Kenya are the times spent in the car with a Kenyan or working alongside a Kenyan and getting to know their stories. Many Kenyans have a much different outlook on life than the typical American, and it is a refreshing view. I was talking to an AMPATH driver who was a victim of the post-election violence. In telling me his story, he told me that he and his family were very, very fortunate, all they lost in the violence was their property, and his mother’s home was burned. He went on to tell me that God was so good to his family and they were so blessed. I was very surprised by his views, if the same situation happened in America, many people would say “we lost everything, our home is gone, our property, everything”. It showed me that many Kenyans have much different values and priorities than a stereotypical American. I was also surprised by the hospitality and generosity of the Kenyan people. Many Kenyans were so welcoming of us and what we are doing. I was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality and friendship we were shown by the Kenyans.
During these past eight weeks, there have been some really good times and some really frustrating times. Overall, I would highly recommend this rotation and experience to anyone. It is definitely not a glamorous job and you may not have a phenomenal, life-altering experience; but it is definitely worth the time and effort to be here. It is an experience that will change you, maybe in huge ways or maybe little seemingly insignificant ways, but it is a wonderful experience.
Lauren Hull,
PharmD Candidate, May 2009
