Enthusiasm in Kisumu

It’s really an exciting time to be in Kenya with Kenyan presidential elections right around the corner. Kisumu streets are filled with truck-loads of campaigners that weave past the matatus and tuk tuks and frequently make their way into the hospital grounds blasting loud music and loud speeches. At moments it can get tense, especially when two opposing groups meet momentarily. Yet everyone is very friendly underneath all of the tension and excitement. Everyone is still very nice, despite their passions.

In the hospital, the enthusiasm is even higher but the atmosphere is much more relaxed. The mixed international and Kenya team is working very well together. It is common to find the doctors between cases singing, dancing and laughing with the pre operative patients. All of which is usually led by one of our plastic surgeons from Canada, Rogrigo Niera. He is a fun guy with a great heart and he really loves the kids.

Anyone who didn’t know this was a joint international mission might think that our team has been together for more than just 7 days. Sadly, tomorrow it all comes to an end and we go home, but the need to help will never leave. Screenings and new patients line up everyday hoping we can make a difference in their lives. The hospital will do its best to take care of them when we go, but there are not enough plastic surgeons here and they have relied on Operation Smile to help every year since 1992.

So far we are a little more than halfway through Thursday and we have completed 132 patients and should reach 141 by the time we wrap up for the afternoon. We have another 23 patients scheduled for tomorrow and then we pack up and send the hard working dedicated volunteers back to their families. I’m sure they all are tired, but they are also glad they could help. You can tell by their smiles. Trust me, after this week, no one here will take a smile for granted.

- Jay McCord, Operation Smile staff