Stiv Twigg is an intern with CURE International serving in Africa. He will be posting occasionally to the CURE Blog with stories, observations and other tidbits from his travels throughout East Africa.

Stiv Twigg

Let me briefly introduce myself.  My name is Stiv Twigg.  I have taken the position of Africa Media Intern with CURE and am in the process of traveling around to the different CURE hospitals in Africa to document the work they are doing and to tell the patients’ stories.  I am originally from England and have spent various amounts of time in several different countries growing up.  It is a pleasure to be working for CURE and to meet all of these wonderful people.

I am currently in Ethiopia and recently spent a few weeks in Kenya.  I’d like to start off with some of my experiences in Kenya.

While in Kenya, I started to study some KiSwahili.  I have effectively learned the greeting, “Habari!?,” which means “Hello, how are you?”  To which one typically responds, “Muzuri” (Fine).   In a more informal context or with someone more familiar, I have heard “Sasa!” (Hey), with a hearty “Sawa,” or “Sasa” as a response.  “Pole kazi” [pronounced po-le Ga-zi] is a common phrase to say to people whom you cross during the day, which means “Well done” or “Thanks for the work,” but does not seem to be used literally all the time.  I have also picked up the highly useful phrase, “Asante sana” (Thank you very much).

Working in the CURE hospital went very well, and there were plenty of patients to keep me busy.   Many of the patients there have severe burns, amputations, spinal disorders or clubbed feet.  AIC-CURE Kenya is the best hospital for them to go to, and by the grace of GOD and the support of donors, it is also very affordable.

Nicholas and Alfred

I have had the great pleasure of meeting Nicholas and Alfred, two boys who had been helped by doctors at CURE Kenya over the past few years.  They live down the road from each other and attend the same school.  Both boys had bilateral clubbed feet and went through surgery, casting and corrective splints.

It was my pleasure to meet both of these boys and watch as they ran around, played tag, joined their friends at school and played a soccer game.  They are overjoyed at their healed legs. They and their families were delighted to share how God has touched their lives and how CURE has made a difference.

Stay posted for stories from Ethiopia.

Grace and peace.