The day is the 8th of October, I’m supposed to have a meeting with the Community Health Promoters at the Eldume Dispensary. I am a bit nervous because this is only week 2 and I’m supposed to travel alone in this new environment that I was not quite used to.

I was to share the motorbike ride with my host mom who was headed to Marigat town. The idea was to drop me near the Health Centre and I was miraculously supposed to find my way there. After a whole 20-minute ride on that dusty road, I was dropped by the road in the middle of nowhere. The boda-boda rider just pointed to a certain set of blue iron sheets to his right and said, that was where the dispensary was located and immediately sped off.

In front of me was a thicket full of shrubs and Cacti plants. How was I supposed to get there? 

I mustered courage and decided to find my way through the bushes. After walking for 20 minutes, I reached a homestead which was deserted. No sign of life. At this point, I couldn’t see the Blue Roofs of the Dispensary. I was surrounded by trees (mostly ‘Mathenge’ Trees) I panicked. I came across a grave site while still trying to find my way out of the compound (must be where they buried their loved one). I almost cried from all the frustration. I went around in circles for a couple of minutes until I saw an opening. I took it.

5 minutes later, I could hear guys conversing at a distance. Finally, Civilization!  I approached them intending to ask for directions. As I approached the men, I was hit by a strong stench. I then realized that I was walking into a Busaa Den by the bushes. I was scared for my life. This day couldn’t get any worse. Surprisingly, the guys were quite friendly. One of them even offered to take me to the Dispensary. Finally, I got to the Dispensary bid the guy Goodbye, and patiently waited for my counterpart.  

What A Day!