Posted on 06/20/2006 10:04:53 AM PDT by hindsfeetnhighplaces
We are going with a group of ministers who work here in the U.S. to raise funds to build churches and equip ministers in Nairobi, Kenya. Then they go over there for several weeks on a preaching tour.
My husband and I would be brining our two sons ages 5 and 7. We would be staying with families of the churches and not in hotels. We would not be going there as "tourists" but to work. Although I am sure we will do a little site seeing as well.
I have never traveled anywhere except for a few places in the U.S.
What is it like in Nairobi? The culture? The people? The food?
Do you know of any good sites on the web that I can visit with accurate information about the area?
Has anyone traveled to Nairobi?
No, I don't think I would have dual citizenship.
LOL. Thanks for the warning.
Be careful over there.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html
We will and God will be with us.
Well, I have some things to do but I will check this thread throughout the day. Thanks for all of your advice and comments. :)
Get all your immunization shots up to date: Polio (I saw some older adults on the streets of Moshi, Tanzania with limp legs which indicates Polio in the recent past), Yellow Fever, etc. I also was on Malaria pills the whole time and only ate cooked foods (NO SALADS!!! They will be washed in local water and therefore you can get ill from them) and only drank bottled beverages. Also, a good 20 micron water purification 'pump' ($50-$100, sold at any outdoor or backpacking shop here in the States) will take out most bacteria, spores and parasites. Some Viruses are too small and may get through.
Good luck.
Thank you, I will remember that. Did you contract Malaria or were the pills a preventative?
The lifecycle of the malaria parasite is such that it infects the human liver (once injected by mosquito bite) and you have about 5-6 days as the buggers reproduce in the liver and any indication of the disease. The pills affect the reproducing parasite and the emerging form. This is why they usually have you take the pills for at least 7 days AFTER you leave the infected area.
All the Hotels I stayed at supplied mosquito netting for each bed. This is an absolute necessity for sleeping!! Mosquito repellant (High DEET concentration) is also good to carry. If you're having a nice conversation and drink on a veranda in the evening while watching the sun set over the African plains (Beautiful!) and it starts to get buggy, go inside; Don't take chances.
Silverleaf and DoctorMichael have,IMO,given you good advice regarding health issues but there's one thing that hasn't been mentioned regarding malaria prophylaxis...
IIRC (it's been a while since I've been to Africa),you must start the malaria pills some time before you leave home...I think it might even be a month or more.Given this fact (possibility?) it would be wise to get your marching orders from the doctor that you consult long before you plan to leave.
I've not been to Africa, but had a friend that went twice on mission trips
with (mainstream) Church of Christ to Nairoibi and surrounding area.
He was positive about the experience and didn't mention any real downside/danger.
You've gotten good advice from "Doctor Michael" and "silverleaf".
I'd just add a few things...
1.
Google a bunch even after you check State Department
warnings. Even in the
relatively recent past, State Dept. advisories can trail a few weeks to months
behind the emergence of issues of concern/danger.
2a.
Get medical EVACUATION insurance if you can afford it.
DON'T buy it from the same entity that sells you your flight/lodging.
Make sure the insurance is the type that will cover flying you ALL the way
home and maybe even has a nurse/doctor in attendance on the flight.
Sure it sounds paranoic, but Peter Greenburg (he's the travel guy on
NBC/Today Show) always recommends it, especially for international trips.
2b.
Check out trip insurance. I think there are different kinds, such as
ones that cover cancellation of the trip by a travel company and the
type to cover you if you get sick at the last moment.
(again, don't get it from the entity that's providing the flight/lodging)
Be advised that even the best of these policies will have a "force majeaur' (sp?)
that lets the insurer off the hook if a major catastrophe beyond their
control is the cause of the cancellation.
3.
REALLY inquire about anti-malarials.
"silverleaf" gave you wise counsel on that. I'd just add that I read an article
about the awful experience of a traveler that had anti-malarial that
just didn't work (either a bad batch of drug or resistant bugs?) and
had real trouble getting fixed up with good treatment.
I guess I'd inquire about a Plan A and a Plan B for fending off malaria
with your doctor (and Googling).
Also, get a fresh Tetanus shot. Don't get bit by any animals (Bats, etc.): Rabies is endemic. Tanzania would not let you exit the airport after you arrived unless you could show an up-to-date Yellow Fever shot. I've also had both Hepatitus A & B, Meningiococcal and Typhoid vaccinations as well as getting booster shots for all the childhood diseases that you got as a kid years ago. See here................
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm
Here's a link to one of the medical evacuation services recommended by
Peter Greenburg:
http://www.medjetassistance.com/default.asp?partner=
Also, just Google with "medical evacuation insurance" to get a load of
different services to investigate.
Good luck!
As long as you don't, for any reason, leave Nairobi then you should be fine.
They are wrong. But don't bother with the anti-malaria medication. It is much easier to just buy a testing kit(available at drug stores in Nairobi for about $15) and the cure (available for about $5) and keep it with you.
I just got back about 3 months ago, what would you like to know?
Everything LOL! Whatever you would care to share.
I am pretty sure we won't, but not completely positive about that.
Has you group given you any guidelines yet?
The food is pretty good, don't eat anything raw, no unpeeled fruit and never ever drink the water. Do not even brush your teeth with it.
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