Malaria....

So sorry for long silence on blogging. It has been busy with lots of coming and going of people, and the students returning to college. I found out today that I have malaria, which explains why I've been so tired and feeling rough. I can now feel sorry for myself, start treatment and justify a few quiet days. Malaria here is very very prevalent - by far the biggest health problem for local people. It can be quite mild - as mine- and if caught early and treated one recovers easily. But for many local people, who already may be otherwise unwell or undernourished, or in young children, it can be very severe. Over 70% of the admissions in Shunga hospital are cases of malaria, sometimes combined with other problems. There is a government bed net campaign, but people are still somewhat suspicious of nets, having an idea that they reduce fertility(!!). More often than not one sees the government issued nets in the gardens to keep the birds off the crops. Alastair is involved in a survey to find out about net usage, and then hopes to start a project to distribute nets in the villages. There's still no vaccination for malaria. I am sure if it was a Western illness a lot of money and research would have gone into it and there would be much better prevention and treatment. It is called the "forgotten killer" and is yet another example of the imbalance of resources in our world.

Becky and Rehema

Enough deep thoughts .....
Alastair is in S Africa this week, working with his PhD student on his long standing research into Cancer of the Oesophagus. He's gone with a shopping list from me! Becky is here which is lovely, though at Shunga during the week involved in the variety of nursing in the hospital. She comes "home" to us at the weekends. I also have Sarah, a lovely American young woman staying this month. She is visiting from the Californian partner churches.
The mouse is still in the kitchen, but I think it's better to peacefully co-habit.
No more Swahili sermons though I preached in the Cathedral on Sunday having been asked to do so during the previous service!