The Fundraiser – Part 1
In Kenya, there are no free medical services. It costs money to see a doctor, get a prescription, buy medicine or receive treatment. Most people have very little savings or spare cash for emergencies. So when something serious is diagnosed there is no way of paying for it by yourself.
A system has emerged to help with this. Communities hold a Fundraiser. Friends and relatives come from far and wide to give as much or as little as they can afford. Fundraisers are also well attended by both pastors and politicians. The former because they enjoy a free meal and an opportunity for a sermon, the latter because they can canvass a captive audience.
Before I arrived this time, I had received news that a friend of mine, Milla, had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Of course, it was devastating news. She is only 38 years old. She hoped to go to India for treatment – a popular choice in Kenya. A fundraiser would be held while I was in Olepolos and I was one of the guests of honour. I confirmed my attendance.
So on Saturday, I headed over to Milla’s house. The invitation said 10am – 4pm. But I knew better than that so I decided 1pm would be about right. Yet still I arrived to discover I was one of the first there. Will I ever get it right?
At 1.30pm, Milla decided to have a shower and begin to get herself ready. It is just so different to back home! There was a steady trickle of people from about 2pm. Important guests were ushered straight into the house. Others took chairs and settled under the shade of the acacia trees to wait for the formal proceedings to begin.
At about 3pm, a meal was served. A large group of women had been preparing and cooking food for almost 24 hours. We all had rice, potatoes and beans. VIPs got meat too. I discovered I was a VIP when my plate arrived, laden with beef!
The meal finished, it was time to go outside to the tent where the proceedings would begin at 4pm Maybe that’s a clue. Next time I get an invitation – aim to arrive for when the event is supposed to finish! As I walked through the crowd, I saw several school staff- Wambua, Norah and Susan. By this time there were about 400 people in attendance. I was led to the front row of the VIP tent and seated next to Milla. I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
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