Dr. Mary Fleming is a US trained OBGYN who arrived in Mutomo at the end of September 2017. She will be serving at Our Lady of Lourdes Mission Hospital for the next six months. Here she shares her her story of leaving Nairobi and arriving in Mutomo. 

I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. All day, everyday. My friends know I have great hometown pride.

As I travel, and as people ask me where I’m from, I usually say Kentucky (because no one understands how native Louisvillians say Louisville in the states, let alone abroad), which is sometimes met with a perplexed look depending on where I am in the world. Outside of the states, my follow up response is, “like Kentucky Fried Chicken,” which more often than not sparks some recognition.

A Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kenya

A Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kenya

It’s amazing that wherever I go, from Brazil to Thailand to Kenya, KFC restaurants are present. I’m not sure if they’re the most popular fast food chain abroad or if I see it most often because it’s connected to home for me! Other than the Yum Brands home quarters (KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell), Louisville has a few other claims to fame like the Kentucky Derby, Muhammad Ali, the Louisville Slugger, the Hot Brown and, of course, bourbon.

Several people here have asked me to tell them more about my home state. I typically describe it a relatively small state in the middle of the country. Though each part of the state has its regional differences, I like to think Louisville is the perfect blend of the best parts of the South and the Midwest.

We say pop (instead of soda) and put spaghetti in our chili; we make a mean pecan pie and love to pass warm summer nights on the porch greeting the neighbors as they pass by. Both regions of the country pride themselves on having a warm inviting hospitality. We very well may meet you today and invite you over to our house tomorrow.

Dr. Fleming and fellow CMMB volunteer, Cathryn share a meal in Nairobi.

Everyone here has worked to make me feel at home and I have been blessed with great Kenyan Hospitality. The staff and volunteers of CMMB made sure my dad and I were picked up at the airport, arranged to have dinner with us on our second night in country, helped schedule our trip to the National Park and made sure we arrived to Mutomo in one piece.

Two of the administrators of the hospital, Sister Mary and Anita, personally greeted us on arrival to the hospital compound. And, David has been indispensable in my transition to Mutomo, making sure we had dinner each evening, acquainting us with the town and helping me figure out how to connect to the all-important Wi-Fi!

The night before my dad left to travel to Nairobi and then home, Anita said, I must have you two over to dinner tonight. “We’ll have chicken!”

(Right) Swedish dentist with wife and Dr. Fleming's dad (Left) Dr. Fleming in Mutomo

(Right) Swedish dentist, his wife, Anita, and Dr. Fleming’s dad (Left) Dr. Fleming in Mutomo

Well, we had chicken and then some… lamb chops, toast points, a variety of vegetables and potatoes. Another volunteer joined as well, a dentist from Sweden, who has been coming here for about 6 weeks each year for 9 years!

Completely stuffed, we took the long walk home…one house over. I live directly next door to Anita. And, we again marveled at the mighty Kenyan appetite.

As you can see, fellowship over good food with good company is universal.

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Check the blog for more updates about Dr. Fleming and her time in Kenya!