Saturday, the Women’s Conference

The meeting went wonderfully. There were over 40 women that attended. There were several groups of women: the physically disabled, the blind, and the deaf. There were also some parents of children with disabilities and two health care workers.

After the formalities of the Kenyan opening greetings, we divided into 3 groups to complete a survey which hopefully will bring about some global awareness of the situation of the women with disabilities in Kenya. Evey is hopeful that the results of her study can be published.

The survey was followed by a break with tomato sandwiches and water. Next Evey presented a short talk then the women formed two groups. Evey taught one group while I taught the other. I spoke about labor and delivery and some of the issues faced by Kenyan women when they get pregnant. I found everyone very open and they asked a lot of good questions. Evey and I switched places and taught the opposite groups so the participants did not have to go to the trouble of moving around.

We served mandazies and soda for lunch along with an orange. In the afternoon we passed out books and little gifts to each of the women. The love notes inside the books from the women of Beth Tikkun were very much appreciated. There was the Kenyan closing ceremony then each participant was given money to pay for the transportation to and from the meeting.

My friend Christine, Pastor Timothy’s wife, signed throughout the conference for the women who were deaf. I was communicating a bit with them too, with my limited sign language. There is definitetly a place for people who can sign to minister to those in Kenya. Child birth educators, doulas, people who have time to sit down and visit would also be welcomed. There is even a place for those who like to talk. Conversation with someone who has respect for the women would help to build self worth and help with loneliness.

Handicap accessible, in Kenya, means the destination is only a short distance along a rough path and a couple of steps that can be maneuvered by hanging on to anything they can reach while the crutches and canes dangle and hopefully get to the top step about the same time as the person. One enterprising woman made a front pack for her baby so she could ride boarda-boardas (bicycle with a board on the back wheel for a seat) and bring her child along safely. The baby could eat on the way if it was a long distance.

After the meeting we drove back to Gambogi where Naomy Ruth lives. The next morning we went to church, and then had an interview with a woman confined to a wheel chair in the back of her shop. One of the women from Timothy’s church was also part of the interview. She was blind.

Next we went back to Naomy’s where we ate and relaxed for a bit. In the evening we debriefed.