Horrendous Matatu accidents are common on the extremely poorly maintained highway. There is no electricity except in the bars. Mosquitos are everywhere and carry the deadliest form of malaria. The Malaria pills, one's only real protection, often have unpleasant side effects. Typhoid, hepititus, TB and on and on.
People are very poor, get sick, are hungry and die.
Our kids, who we know and love, get sick and some die. All are innocent, none deserve these things that happen to them. And for most of these problems volunteers can do nothing but watch. This is not an easy assignment. We do not say these things to scare off potential volunteers - they are simply facts, the facts that cause MCC to be in Makindu.