“I have worked as a construction manager with MSF since 2012. My main duty is to help with construction, mainly of wards and consultation rooms, for different health projects.
I have known about MSF since childhood as I used to see their vehicles back in Ongaro, my village in Homa Bay county. I later saw them in Dadaab and replied to a job advert for a construction manager. It is now 10 years since I joined the organisation and, so far, I have worked in Kenya, Nigeria and South Sudan.
I am currently working on a nutrition project in Katsina, Nigeria, mainly dealing with infants who are malnourished. My main duty is to build tents with the help of my colleagues. MSF is trying to make an impact in this region since most children who come to our hospital are emaciated. MSF is trying to manage the situation and hopefully save the babies' lives.
Every day at work is a learning day for me. The experiences outside construction work are fascinating to me. One incident that stands out was in 2018, in South Sudan, when a boy came in with a wound on his head caused by a snakebite. The boy was in hospital for over three months since he had difficulty responding to most of the medications. Our medical staff used honey on the wound until it started healing better, while continuing to treat the boy with medication till he was fully recovered. This was an eye opener for me: I didn’t know that honey would help heal a wound caused by a snakebite, and I also appreciated the fact that our medics used alternative treatment methods to ensure that the patient was taken care of.
All in all, it is challenging to work on a construction site. One of the main challenges I face is getting construction materials delivered to site. Sometimes materials can be delayed for up to six months. Bad roads are a constant factor we grapple with when getting materials delivered on time, especially during the rains, when our vehicles can get stuck in mud for days.
My assignment in Mombasa, Kenya, is the most memorable part of my MSF journey so far because it had the least challenges and because I feel it was very successful. Amidst the everyday challenges, I still feel delighted whenever I get a building up within the time set.”