A DIFFRENT KIND OF DOCTOR

“Once I was beaten and left for dead by a client and three of his accomplices. He lured me to his house in pretense of wanting services, on arrival we found other people waiting. They locked the door beat me senseless, stripped me naked then threw me into the street in broad daylight. I was totally humiliated”.

This is just one of the many cases of brutality that ‘Barry’ experienced for 18 years while  working as a sex worker in Mombasa. The 34 year old was lured into sex trade as a teenager by friends who were earning big from it. At first it was good business but as the years progresses so did the challenges. Discrimination got worse, constant STD infections-with no available treatment were common and emotional trauma when he lost many of his peers to HIV.

His life however took a dramatic turn in 2000 when he was invited by a friend to a peer session for female sex workers. From the session he got to know of the -Reducing the Risk to HIV/STI for Female Sex Workers and Men who have sex with men program, implemented by a local NGO. He started accessing treatment, lubricants and counseling services from their Ganjoni HTC drop in center in Mombasa town. He also acquired capital to start small scale businesses and stopped relying entirely on sex work.

13 years down the line, Barry is a peer educator and a HTC counselor at the center currently being supported by a health care program. He shares the knowledge and skills he acquired over the years as part of the program to reach out to other male sex workers- many whom he says are suffering. His presence at the centre encourages them Male sex workers to come by for services as they can talk to one of their own.

“Sex trade is getting more and more dangerous. The clients are becoming more aggressive and turn violent at the slightest provocation, putting the sex workers at great risk of physical violence not to mention HIV infection” Said Barry.

Barry is now married with two children and works hard to fend for them. He aspires to go medical school so that he can avail services to MSMs and people other different sexual orientations without discrimination.

Finding lake Jipe

Findiing lake jipe

 The year is already looking up. Most recently, i had the pleasure of discovering the utmost beauty of lake Jipe.

Situated 10 KM from Taveta town and inside the Tsavo West national park, Lake Jipe can only be described as a little paradise amidst a wilderness.It offers the perfect escape for nature lovers who would want a break away from civilization.

I should warn you though , the road leading to the lake is  ragged to say the least- better to have a four wheel drive. After a 9 km ruff ride ,it comes to an end, we were inclined to  asked for directions from the local fisher-folk communities to get to the lake. 

But our destination was worth the wait.The massive lake spreads out to the hills on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border.The environment is enriching with various form of wildlife including hippos and alligators that rule its waters and  gazelles,zebras and buffaloes that come by during the day for a drink. Occasionally  the guide tells us,lions and Elephants come by too.

There are speed boats at hand if one wishes to explore the hills,but we chickened out-doesn't seem  safe to be gliding on waters full of alligators and hippos.

The KWS lodge can only accommodate four  individuals at a go and you have to come with your own food-to make use of the fully furnished  kitchen.

Outside-night camping is however discouraged due to the presence of Hippos in its waters.

The green strip of grass stretching out to the lake from the lodge offers a perfect picnic area,where families can set up tables and chairs or sit on blankets and enjoy sites and sounds from the Lake.

Find time and visit !