Where is the clinic located?
The flower farm where Bea Andersen lives, neighbours the clinic in the village of Chepchoina, North-west Kenya, close to the Ugandan border.

The closest town of any significance is a 40km drive - on rough roads – distanced from Chepchoina.

Population
The inhabitants of this area are traditional in their family roles and division of labour.

Many are dependant on the weather to produce the corn they need on tiny plots of land. Mount Elgon Orchards flower farm is one of the largest employers in the area, having around 1200 workers.

The illiteracy rate is high, coupled with a low understanding of health and disease. Ignorance of the causes of aids and the local practice of having more than one wife have led to a high percentage of HIV infections – estimated to be more than 25%.

This means that a large number of the populace is sick and dying. Often it is the breadwinners that are affected, inevitably leading to children being orphaned.

Healthcare
There is a low level district goverment hospital in Kitale. The Health Ministry is alsosituated in Kitale, where various vaccination, TB, Aids and malaria projects are ongoing.

Government healthcare is characterized by a lack of materials and medicines. Hospital beds are sometimes shared by 2 or 3 patients, no money is available for cleaning materials, the staff are not motivated and emergency cases are not treated as such, leading to unnecessary death and suffering caused by delays in treatment.

Private sector services, such as mission hospitals and private clinics, try to alleviate suffering. As does the Mount Elgon Farm Andersen Medical Centre which was set up by Bea Andersen.