(Vanity)We have an opportunity to go to Nairobi.Anyone been to Nairobi that could tell me about it?

[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?

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

No, I don't think I would have dual citizenship.

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

LOL. Thanks for the warning.

[unixfox]

Be careful over there.


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

We will and God will be with us.

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

Well, I have some things to do but I will check this thread throughout the day. Thanks for all of your advice and comments. :)

[DoctorMichael]

Sorry for all the doom-n-gloom. Just as a point of interest: I had a great time in both Bombay & Tanzania and suffered no illnesses...................

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.

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

Thank you, I will remember that. Did you contract Malaria or were the pills a preventative?

[DoctorMichael]

The pills were preventative. No, I did not get ill, so they must have worked (besides being very careful!!). Yes, I was in areas where Malaria was endemic.

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]

In Nairobi (and elsewhere in Kenya) crime against tourists especially is endemic, from petty to very violent. Your skin color will mark you as targets. Don't carry many valuables, not enough to worry about risking your life over if you are confronted.

If you make local friends and they offer to show you around, accept. If they warn you, listen. If in doubt, ask.

Be SCRUPULOUS about antimalarial prophylaxis. Stay in touch with the doctors who serve the US embassy about their recommendations and keep their contact information. If you need medical care, avoid Kenyan hospitals, needles and blood as much as you can. Study what to do and when to get worried about things like fevers and diarrhea and insect bites. Missionaries who have been in Kenya for a long time have more resistance to local germs and bugs then you will for the next 30 years.

Africans are going to be pretty warm and friendly for the most part, especially with your kids. Many will speak some English or good English and they will enjoy speaking it with you. Many are quite religious (Christian but also some Muslim) and modest and generous. Talk to your hosts about local customs and manners.

I am adventurous but...with small kids I would temper urges to go "native" in food and drink, or to go off the beaten track without a local guide (or 2) along to help you stay out of trouble. Before you travel, ask your hosts what you can bring them from the States. People get cravings for things and it is a kindness to take them something they miss and can't get in Africa. I took some videos, some books, and some maple syrup.

[Gay State Conservative]

Did you contract Malaria or were the pills a preventative?

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.

[VOA]

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).

[DoctorMichael]

Yes, the regimen of pills starts BEFORE you enter the infected area. The cost of the pills varies widely too, depending on what chemical & formulation you want; some have side effects.

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

[VOA]

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!

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

The CDC web site says that there is no risk for malaria in Nairobi. Would I still need to take the preventative medications? I can't take doxycyclin as I am allergic to it. They listed several other medications too. I guess I would just have to talk to my doctor about it. There is one doctor I know that has done extensive traveling so I am sure he would be able to answer all my questions.I will have to make an appointment with him in the next couple of months. Thanks for all your comments. I appreciate your taking the time. :)

[DoctorMichael]

....no risk for malaria in Nairobi....

As long as you don't, for any reason, leave Nairobi then you should be fine.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

The CDC web site says that there is no risk for malaria in Nairobi.

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?

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

Everything LOL! Whatever you would care to share.

[hindsfeetnhighplaces]

I am pretty sure we won't, but not completely positive about that.

[silverleaf]

Your doctor may simply read the CDC web site. For up to date information talk to the Africa desk officer for east Africa in the US State Department.

Or email the embassy. Whatever the US embassy doctor advises for staff in Nairobi is the advice you should follow. I have read that proliferating small vegetable gardens in the slums of Nairobi have reintroduced the spread of mosquitoes and malaria, making old information that Nairobi was "malaria free" perhaps obsolete.

If you choose to leave the urban setting at all, you will need to be protected against malaria and the prophylaxis takes days or weeks to protect you.

During the time I was in Africa, US embassy personnel from a neighboring country were evacuated for resistant malaria and for encephalitis. Both died. Another dependent (Somalia I think) had died from rabies contracted from unknown source, possibly bats. Another tourist (French) was killed by a hippo while swimming in a lake. Africa is still a lot different from here so talk to people in Africa who know how you can protect yourself in the here and now..

The anti malaria drugs are deadly if used in overdose so protect them from curious children (another sad lesson).

My husband's cousin was shot by carjackers in Nairobi, so yes to evacuation insurance. You do not want to receive transfusions or needle pokes in any African hospital

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

You sure? I can be pretty wordy when I get on my favorite subject.... :)

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.