This is our second trip with Dr Starnes and his team joining us. Their team enjoyed the time at Kinondo Kwetu so much last year that they asked to return. We are grateful to have this specialized team with us again. Dr Starnes is able to remove very large goiters which is lifesaving surgery. Their team was with us for three days and we enjoyed sharing the OR space with them. The team room is still converted into OR3, which allows us more space to accommodate all the teams here at once.
It is amazing to see all the growth of the Kinondo Kwetu staff and their ability to adapt and welcome new staff with ease. They quickly learned the different needs of the new members of Dr Starnes team and met them. Because of the Kinondo Kwetu staff, we were able to safely perform 147 procedures while here. This is an incredible amount and has a huge impact on the community.
Another big impact on the community was the new ambulance donated by Kinondo Kwetu trust. This ambulance will be able to provide patients care quicker than before. We were able to get a tour of the vehicle and see all the features.
An exciting part of this trip involved our visit to the Kinondo Primary School. We received a generous donation of school supplies and were so happy to bring those out. We gifted backpacks, note pads, pens, pencils, folders, chalk and more. Donations like these leave a lasting impact on the students because they get to use them throughout the year.
The head of the school identified 100 more students who were in great need of uniforms, and we were able to raise the funds to purchase these. As always, our goal is to provide every student with a uniform and so we are glad to provide some each visit.
While we were visiting, we were able to watch some students performing both dances and musical numbers. These students had been competing locally and had done so well they were invited to compete nationally in Nairobi. Many of these children had never left the county before, so traveling to Nairobi would be a huge opportunity for them. Our team helped to cover some of the transportation costs to ensure all the students invited could attend. One of the dance groups placed 3rd and the young boy placed 8th. This is the first time students from Kinondo Primary have been invited to complete and it’s incredible that they placed.
Overall, this trip was a huge success. Our team has grown so much, and we continue to learn from each other with every visit. We look forward to 2026 when we return for more trips.