Leaving Tenwek

Today is my last day at Tenwek--time has flown! It has been an incredible month! I am so thankful for this experience and for the opportunity to work alongside such amazing people caring for the people who live in this area. I wanted to post some pictures of scenes around Tenwek Hospital.

This is the sign that stands outside Tenwek's gate. It is a wonderful reminder that we care for patients as much as we are able, but it is God who actually heals them.

This is the entrance to the hospital. Casualty is the name they use for Emergency--since Kenya uses a British system, there are different names for terms here.

This is the surgical theatre. It is an impressive building with several OR rooms, recovery area, library, classrooms, and even an amphitheater for various events. This building is where the main general surgery cases are held, as well as some c-sections and ophthalmology cases.

This is a picture from one of the men's ward. When the ward gets full, the men double up in these single beds. It's pretty impressive to see! I have heard from people here that if all of the beds are doubly full, then they even move patients to the floor. It is amazing how they don't turn people away for space reasons.

This is a picture from one of the 2 pediatrics wards. The parents are allowed to stay with their children, so the ward can become very full.

Here's a picture of the outside area, where there is a fountain. The setting of the hospital is open to the outside, and patients are often found sitting out in the sun around the fountain or on nearby grass during the day.

Here is a picture of one of the waiting pods for the outpatient area. It can get quite full, and it always amazes me that people can sit for long periods in such tight quarters awaiting care here. There are so many needs.

These are the 2 original Tenwek Hospital buildings. It is incredible to see how big the hospital is now in comparison to its origin. One of these buildings was the ward (a small one!), and another was the operating room, where Dr. Steury began caring for patients.

This is the waterfall and dam that provides the energy that powers Tenwek Hospital. It is about a 1/2 mile down the mountain from Tenwek and is a huge blessing, as this hydroelectic powerhouse fuels the hospital day and night.