MEASLES RESULTS AND CELEBRATION PARTY 12th of 27 Email from Africa‏

Hello from Nairobi!

Initial reports from the measles campaign are rolling in and the results are wonderful!
Kenya's country-wide goal was 85% vaccination of all children 9 months to 5 years. So far, it looks like around 75% has been achieved in the country...and, 93% in the areas that Corwin & Peggy are responsible for! It's been so great to work so closely with them and we are not surprised their results are so much better, because of their great dedication. Their mission here is a special 3 months mission and we've been privileged to have been part of around half of that.
A celebration party was held in the Chyulu Hills area where black laundry bags were used to block the glass-less windows, so the slide presentation that Lawana made could be shown Red hats and shirts were everywhere as the volunteers rejoiced together over their great work. They loved to see their pictures in the presentation. Our white shirts and ties were given to a young man headed on a mission soon to Kompala.

Everywhere we go now, people see the measles sign on the truck and give a thumbs up or other greeting. That has especially happened whenever we wear the red shirts/hats. It's been a benefit in an unexpected way, too, as we do everyday things that are sometimes difficult because of the language and those infrequent times we aren't treated nicely because we are whites. And, we think it's perhaps kept us even a little more safe, too. That's because when the people see our red shirts or hats, many of them have had their children given the “jabs” or heard about the measles shots. You can see the nice feelings for us in their eyes even when they don't speak...it's a wonderful feeling for us and really makes it all worth it. Big articles have run in the newspapers and the radio jingles have been running regularly, so the people seem to know a lot about it and are quite appreciative. Health is such a huge issue here, because of the poverty and the high cost of trying to prevent the spread of disease.

We love you all. Thanks for listening.
May Heavenly Father continue to watch over you while we are gone.

Dick & Lawana (Dad & Mom; Grandpa & Grandma; and, your friends in Africa)

NOTE: To continue reading the African Blogs, scroll down or click on the "older post" on the right.