Mgr. Jakub Tatarka, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Health Sciences, is currently participating in an exchange program at the Catholic University of Eastern African in Nairobi. We asked him to share his first impressions, and we hope you find this an inspiring read:
The first few days were very challenging for me, both in terms of adjusting to the local culture, the weather, and the daily routine. From the very beginning, the whole experience represented a significant step outside my comfort zone. After about a week, however, I can say that I’ve gotten used to the hustle and bustle of Nairobi quite well and no longer perceive it as anything out of the ordinary. Another interesting aspect is that I’m often the only white person for miles around, and at times I feel almost like a local curiosity. Life here isn’t easy, and the contrasts are stark—on one hand, tall buildings and expensive cars; on the other, slums, poverty, violence, and the daily struggle for survival, which is evident, for example, among the people selling small goods in traffic jams at intersections.
The Catholic University, which serves as my base here, strikes me as a place full of hope for a better future. I was very surprised by how popular the nursing program is here and how many men are studying it; back in the Czech Republic, I was often the only man in my department. The curriculum is broad in scope, and there is a clear commitment to providing a high-quality education. Another major advantage is that, in addition to Swahili, English is the second commonly used language, so all classes are taught in English, and I’m able to understand them well. During the first week, I had the opportunity to get involved in student life and, at the same time, I took on the role of instructor for nursing students for two hours. It was a very valuable experience, and I believe it was beneficial for the local students as well.
This week, I’m involved in hospital activities. Although it’s clear how significant a role limited resources play here, I was surprised to find that paper documentation is hardly used at all and that a substantial portion of the records is kept electronically. In this regard, I see considerable room for improvement even for us here in the Czech Republic. I’m increasingly realizing that, despite our major differences, we can learn a great deal from one another. I also had the opportunity to visit a children’s home where they care for children from infancy onward. It was a very powerful experience. Many of these children lost their mothers to HIV or other illnesses; some were abandoned, found in plastic bags, on the street, in a park, or in a hospital; or their mothers tried to sell them. Many of the children are HIV-positive or at risk of exposure, and without this place, they would have almost no chance of survival. Their daily lives are primarily cared for by nuns, who provide them not only with medicine and food but also with what matters most—a sense of safety, acceptance, and home. In this place, I felt the immense love, peace, and utter selflessness of the people who care for these children. Although there isn’t much free time, over the weekend I had the opportunity to visit a national park and go on my first safari. I also visited a facility that cares for orphaned elephant calves and a giraffe center. These experiences, too, are a significant part of my entire stay and help me better understand the local environment.
My stay here is far from over, but I’ve already had many powerful experiences and inspiring encounters. In the coming weeks, I’ll be moving to North Kinangop Hospital, located 100 km outside of Nairobi, and I’m very curious to see what life and work will be like outside the capital.
Jakub Tatarka