We are now starting a 3 week Swahili class at a Danish camp that works with langauge and NGO development (non-governmental organizations). Personally, I think it's great--the classes are terrific, the food is good, the beds are comfortable, the kids are having fun...
We arrived Sunday night and Mark went to bed with an upset stomach. He was up all night visiting the nice bathroom and spent all of Monday either in a bathroom or lying down. By dinner we were worried that it might be malaria (the symptoms can come on looking like the flu). Also, we are about 10 miles from Arusha and a hospital and if I had to drive him in the night I would have to bring the kids. The camp has a driver's service so I packed him off at about 8:30.
He arrived back home at 11:00 with good news--no malaria, but a stomach bug and a prescription for Cipro. He's feeling much better today. It was actually a blessing--I have worried about the kids getting sick or hurt and visiting the hospital, but now Mark has seen first hand that they are good and we know the way so I feel much better now.
BTW, "hopital" is used loosely. This is in a house. They are Tanzanian docs but well-trained and have a reputation for knowing when they are not adequate and referring out to Nairobi. They have a lab and have a good reputation for sterile work. They have 5-6 beds, all in a bedroom, so you can imagine what it might be like to have a sick kid on a night with a person who might have pneumonia or another with the flu. Medical care here does not include any personal care or feeding--that's up to the family.
The whole bill--visit, labwork, meds--20,000 Tshillings--less than $20.
He was also sent home with oral rehydration mix to drink (lovingly provided by the World Health Organization). Step one reads....
"Pour 1 litre (two 500ml beer bottles) of drinking water into a clean container."
Now I ask you, what kind of place clarifies a measurement with beer bottles? Honestly.
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