Nursery Day

Well today was a little bit more difficult than I thought. I went to the nursery today. Julie took me up there this morning and helped too. First off the nursery is really crowded not only are around 30 babies in one room but they also have to fit the mothers in too to help feed. When I got in there I was a little overwhelmed but as they told us what to do I got more comfortable. I had to wash the baby and then feed it. Now washing the baby is a lot more difficult than it sounds, especially here. The baby I cleaned was adorable, of course, but as I started washing him I noticed that it look like he hadn't been cleaned very well last time. He had his waste stuck on his legs and also all over his bottom and even some on his hands. I guess even if they go to the bath room they have to stay in it until the next feeding. Which is every two to three hours. So I was trying as hard as I could to get him clean and still not hurt him. Lucky me he didn't cry as much as the others, he was a good little boy. When I finished cleaning him I was starting to get a little light headed, but I thought it would pass as I started to get his milk. Also another thing is that I had to feed him because the mother was having psychiatric problems. So, back to getting the milk, while I was waiting for them to get the formula I got really dizzy and couldn't breath. I told Julie and she took me out in the hall. I went outside and laid down until I thought it passed. I hadn't had anything for breakfast and the nursery was quite hot and didn't have the most pleasant smell. I went back not really feeling any better but thought this is what I came here to do. So they had the formula cooled and ready to go. The baby was so cute he kept falling asleep while we were feeding him. So one of the nurses came over and saw that he wouldn't wake up so she started flicking him. He started to cry because she was doing it pretty hard I felt sorry for the poor thing but I couldn't really do anything. When he finally woke up crying she asked me if he was my baby. I guess she thought I was adopting him or something I have no idea, but I explained to her I was just helping. I started to get more light headed and worse so I passed the baby to the nurse and she took over and I went outside. When I got outside there was another girl a little older than me who was having the same problems. We talked and it was nice to know I wasn't the only one having problems. I stayed out there for the rest of the time until Julie was done helping the nurse. I didn't feel any better but we started home. I didn't make it far until I was about to go out, so we went and sat in a church on the hospital grounds until I felt better. We were there for few minutes and then I thought I would feel better if we got home so I said lets go. It didn't take long until I felt sick again, and we ended up on the other side of the church and Julie decided to go get me a glass of water. She couldn't get the water at the hospital because it wasn't as clean. She soon came back and so did another guy named Todd with a glass of water. (Todd is helping construct some dorms, he has just gotten out of college and is staying at Tenwek for a year or so to help.) I felt horrible but I was so glad that they were there. After I drank the water a sat there for awhile I started to feel much better. I was sad that I didn't get to help finish feeding and that I had just left the baby there so I am sad that it happened and I plan to go back and make it through the whole feeding next time. Hopefully I won't feel sick again and be able to finish what I started. As the day went on I felt better and we had Liam's birthday party. It was fun and a lot of the missionary doctors came and so did their kids and wifes. I had a lot of fun and every body was really nice. The day was good and was full of experiences. We are going to Masai Mara tomorrow so I better get to bed I will talk to you later, bye.