Kageno

It is amazing how the place has grown since I was last here. The grounds, once filled with sand and fishing boats are now filled with trees and plant life. The facility now has running water, with a flushing toilet for the surrounding community. Behind the community center sits a garden for the community to learn to plant different vegetables and trees and may bring them home upon finishing.
When I was here in 2006, the plants and trees were just being planted. The grounds were bare and the community center with a computer center and clinic were the only standing buildings. Now, a new clinic addition is almost finished behind the existing clinic. There is also a goat project underway for the community, where Kageno is breeding goats and selling them online to donate to the community. The people of Kalunga beach can then use them for milk, a much needed nutritious resource scarce here on the island.
The clinic is staffed full time with a RN, Magdeline, from Mon-Friday. She sees the community, the Kageno school children, and the Kalunga beach women for family planning. The lab is now up and running allowing for specific testing to take place. One can be tested at the clinic for malaria, pregnancy, urine analysis, syphilis, TB, and various stool testing can take place. Behind the clinic sits a VCT center (volunteer counseling and testing center for HIV). Patients can be tested and counseled on HIV.
The pharmacy is now stocked with many antibiotics, anti-fungals, and anti-parasitic agents. There are many topical medicines for the ever present ringworm in most children seen. The only thing lacking are ARVs for HIV therapy. After a discussion with Magdeline the RN at Kageno, she states she is preparing for training in order to administer ARVs. This will allow many in the community to receive their treatment for HIV at the facility instead of sending them to Tom Mboya medical center which is nearby.
The visit to Mfangano island was also filled with advancements made by Kageno. During my previous visit, Kageno Mfangano had not yet broke ground. The island essentially looks the same except for a new project underway. Kageno has built and is now running a nursery school for children on this remote island. Nearby, a newly constructed clinic is almost ready for patients. We will be traveling there next week for the opening of the clinic. The clinic looks great, there are 3 examination rooms, an office and a latrine will be built prior to the opening next week. The facilities are second to none here on Mfangano. After opening, the chief will announce it to the island and people will come to our clinic. I look forward to being present for the grand opening of such a facility on Mfangano.

The chief of Mfangano had invited us to his home for a wonderful lunch where a goat was slaughtered for all to feast on. The home was filled with various family members and people of the Mfangano community. Alphonce, Dan, Anjali and I were honored for being present and it was a fantastic honor. The chief had actually remembered my last visit when my OCA team resided on Mfangano. I found my return to Mfangano quite humbling. The island is as I remember, except for a seasonal waterfall off in the distance. That was not present on my previous trek. The rainy season is definitely present, trekking through mud in order to feast on goat, however, it makes the scenery quite lush and green. Imagine Jurassic park at its finest.