The last week was a bit of an odd week. I came back from Kakuma with quite heavy mental impressions that you can have read a bit about in my previous post, and I still felt a bit weak. I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend in Nairobi, but then I got the same complaints including a fever again. I saw another doctor, and a few days later another one, and eventually after a lot of tests it turns out that I never had malaria at all! After taking a major germ-bomb antibiotic that will kill any kind of bacteria, virus or worm for that matter that was having a party in my stomach, I am glad to report that finally today I am feeling great again.
In between feeling sick, I’ve spent the last week investigating the Kenyan market a bit more, I visited WFPs activities in a town called Eldoret and saw some great work they are doing to help HIV/AIDS affected beneficiaries there, and I enjoyed having DSM colleagues from South Africa here in Nairobi. On the photo you can see a small DSM gathering we had yesterday with from left to right Damiet, Brian, Thabang and me – Georg you should’ve stayed another day! Today I shadowed Brian in his activities as key account manager for Sub-Saharan Africa and we did some work and some brainstorming on MixMe and on Kenya as well which was great.
Time is flying away and I now have only 2 weeks left on this assignment. Thanks for your great comments, they really keep me going strong!
Hi Eveline,
I am glad you are taking it a bit easier on this Sunday after what sounds like some very very rough days. Although still worrying, I was quite relieved to read that you had not contracted Malaria after all, but “just some ordinary germs”…
… keep up that soaring spirit of yours!!
Reading your blog from Kakuma transformed me right back to my visit there last October, which seems like an eternity away. I can’t believe it took until now to get those bikes for the FAC members, but I am glad they arrived!!
I’ve spent part of last week in Washington helping to lobby for new legislation that will support the “Roadmap to end Hunger” which was developed by a number of NGOs, including the Friends of WFP in the USA. The title is rather presumptuous, but created the right expectations. The US is bankrolling about 40% of WFP funds, and if this new legislation passes, there could be another $500 mln be dedicated to Nutrition relief via USAID, that would be great!
When you come “home” we will need to learn from all your inisghts to improve our approach to make a difference in Kenya, Bagladesh, and , and, and,…
Lots of strengtht for the final stretch, Eveline!!
Stephan