Is the word "blogging" a real verb? If not, lets make it one. There are many people working here at the UVP office, trying to get things done, and only one person can use the internet at a time so my ability to blog is limited. I'm sorry about that. I'll try to do this on the weekends, even if it means finding an internet cafe.
In terms of the project that I'm supposed to working on here, I've begun by trying to discover who is already doing work in the areas of maternal and neonatal health here in the Iganga district. A number of assessments have already been performed and we certainly don't want to do things that have already been done. Therefore, we're trying to identify gaps in the assessments as well as areas of intervention in terms prevention and treatment of obstetric emergencies in order to reduce neonatal and maternal mortality. There are several key players in this district and we've been scheduling meetings to determine how we can best work with the involved parties, whether it be a formal coalition or just defining who is doing what where. This, of course, is proving to be challenging as even the people who have been here for an extended period of time do not have a clear picture of this. We'll keep trying though. I think one of the biggest problems in the field of public health, along with lack of funding and resources, is the lack of coordination and communication. It is my vision, and UVP's as well, to try to address this issue in the area of maternal/neonatal emergency care.
I've definitely been a bit overwhelmed since arriving here in Iganga and am just praying for grace and the ability to do this. I have electricity and (warm!) running water. Yay! It does make it easier to get things done since a lot of this project, at least in the beginning, requires the use of a computer and gathering resources and reading through a lot of documents. Only one of my other team members is here so far, which is actually good because there aren't very many tasks for me to delegate out right now. Two more girls will arrive next week so Karly and I will travel to Kampala to pick them up. The living quarters are pretty cramped but I have a bed and mosquito net, so that is all I need. :)
To get around town, the form of transportation, other than walking, which you don't want to do after dark, is a boda boda, or bicycle or motorcyle taxi. That is an experience for sure. Your prayers may want to be focused on safety every time I get on a boda boda. I'll try to take some photos but it will be difficult to upload them.
I'll try to write more this weekend and be a bit more descriptive. Of course, understanding fully what its like here is impossible without being here so maybe you should buy a plane ticket. :)
Love,
Jen
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
No more cereal in Iganga
When I lived at my parents' place, before I moved to North Carolina when I was 18, my mother had the fabulous idea of having each one of us kids cook a meal once a week. (4 kids = 4 times a week my mom didn't have to cook... brilliant huh? I know, if you're reading this mom, you're going to have something to say about that. :) Anyway, I've been on my own for nearly a decade now and, unless you love to cook, which I don't, when you have no one but yourself to cook for, cereal serves as a fine meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Throw some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in there once in awhile for variety, and you're set. Kelley...Lindi... how often do you remember me cooking when I lived with you? Probably never.
Well you see, cereal isn't really an option here. And I just discovered that we are in charge of both buying our own food at the market and cooking our own meals and, trust me when I say, it is NOTHING like trying to cook in the US. Oh dear. Mom, hopefully I learned something. Thank you for trying anyway.
So I've arrived in Iganga which I'll talk more about in a later post but first, perhaps some of you have been able to take a look at the photos I've posted from our hike to Sipi falls over the weekend. That was two days ago, on Saturday. Apollo, the physical therapist at the hospital, who is probably going to end up being my closest friend here, and Isaac, also staff at the CURE hospital (not sure what he does), came with me. Isaac is from Kapchorwa, where Sipi falls is located, and we brought him along so we didn't have to hire a tourguide. It was absolutely beautiful. After we returned to Mbale, I spent the evening with Julie, Derek and Lisa and Derek and Julie cooked an amazing dinner for us (that was for you Dad) and we watched Slumdogg Millionaire. I know, I know, thus far, I'm sure it doesn't really sound like I've spent the past week in Africa. I promise, I'm here.
I will post more later today or tomorrow about Iganga and what it is like here (its much different from Mbale) but first I'm going to go explore and get the crash survival course/tour through the town and market.
You'll hear from me soon!
Well you see, cereal isn't really an option here. And I just discovered that we are in charge of both buying our own food at the market and cooking our own meals and, trust me when I say, it is NOTHING like trying to cook in the US. Oh dear. Mom, hopefully I learned something. Thank you for trying anyway.
So I've arrived in Iganga which I'll talk more about in a later post but first, perhaps some of you have been able to take a look at the photos I've posted from our hike to Sipi falls over the weekend. That was two days ago, on Saturday. Apollo, the physical therapist at the hospital, who is probably going to end up being my closest friend here, and Isaac, also staff at the CURE hospital (not sure what he does), came with me. Isaac is from Kapchorwa, where Sipi falls is located, and we brought him along so we didn't have to hire a tourguide. It was absolutely beautiful. After we returned to Mbale, I spent the evening with Julie, Derek and Lisa and Derek and Julie cooked an amazing dinner for us (that was for you Dad) and we watched Slumdogg Millionaire. I know, I know, thus far, I'm sure it doesn't really sound like I've spent the past week in Africa. I promise, I'm here.
I will post more later today or tomorrow about Iganga and what it is like here (its much different from Mbale) but first I'm going to go explore and get the crash survival course/tour through the town and market.
You'll hear from me soon!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Chinese food.
Dad, this one is for you. And maybe you too Alison.
My father pointed out that it seems that all I've done so far since I've been here is eat. Therefore, I wanted to confirm his suspicions and make known that I was taken out to yet another very good restaurant tonight by a friend that my sister made when she was here a couple of months ago, the PT I referred to in my previous post. Tonight I ate Chinese though, not Indian. The food was good; the company was great. I learned a lot more about the Ugandan culture, which only confirmed that I love it.
FYI: If someone from Uganda calls you fat, it is not an insult so don't get mad at them.
My father pointed out that it seems that all I've done so far since I've been here is eat. Therefore, I wanted to confirm his suspicions and make known that I was taken out to yet another very good restaurant tonight by a friend that my sister made when she was here a couple of months ago, the PT I referred to in my previous post. Tonight I ate Chinese though, not Indian. The food was good; the company was great. I learned a lot more about the Ugandan culture, which only confirmed that I love it.
FYI: If someone from Uganda calls you fat, it is not an insult so don't get mad at them.
day three
May 29, 2009
If you count the day I arrived in Entebbe as day one, I'm currently on day three here in Uganda. I'm still hanging out in Mbale and staying at the CURE hospital guesthouse, which is really nice and comfortable. I'm definitely not roughing it... yet. When I'm living in Iganga and need a hot shower, I now know where to run to.
I've gotten a good idea of what they do here at the hospital, which specifically targets children with neurological issues (hydocephalus and spina bifida etc.). They've pioneered a fairly new surgical technique for hydrocephalus which is minimally invasive; this is an incredible technology as post-operative infections are especially an issue here. The procedure is called endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Basically, guided by a tiny camera, they punch a hole in the third ventricle to alleviate the pressure. I've gotten into the OR a bit to watch some surguries, including a myelomeningocele repair and an intended ETV that turned into a shunt placement because of scar tissue. Everyone has been very accomodating and I've learned so much about the health care system here.
Today I went to visit the regional hospital in Mbale, which was incredibly sad. The nurses were amazed when I told them that the typical patient load for a nurse in the United States is 6-7. At that regional hospital, which is in much better shape than the district hospitals, I have my doubts that the nurses even know how many patients they take care of every day, particularly considering there are often 3+ sick kids sharing one bed, not to mention all of the families that stay with them as they are responsible for providing bedding, food, saline, any medications, etc. I'll soon be putting up photos of the hospital but you get the picture. Its dirty and crowded and difficult to see; my heart was aching. Even on the private wing of the hospital, the care is not good, but at least they provide food, I mean, since the patients' families are paying and all.
I think the best part of my time here thus far was a conversation I had with the physcial therapist at the CURE hospital this morning. This man, only slightly older than myself, grew up in the northern part of Uganda and spent the majority of his childhood and teenage years fleeing from rebel activity. Nearly all of this friends and classmates were killed, along with his parents. His mother died when he was five. Despite the obstacles, he eventually made it out of the north and moved to Kampala at the age of 17. He finished primary and secondary school and is now a physical therapist, but not without years and years of setbacks due to mostly to finances, not grades. Now, at 31, he would love to go back to university (he only has a certificate now) and eventually get a masters degree in public health. However, at the moment, he does not see how this will happen as he must put his sister through university.
This is simply what you do for family here.
What must it be like to live in a culture where truly, family comes first? And its not just family.
One of the most striking differences between Uganda and Haiti, for me, has been the fact that Ugandans don't appear hungry. This certainly is a poor country but food does not seem to be an issue. This had been a silent observation of mine upon arrival but my new physical therapist friend (or "physio" as they term it here), unprompted, began to tell me that Ugandans do not die for lack of food. If you see that your neighbor needs something to eat, you give them something to eat.
This is simply what you do for fellow humans here.
He brought up the fact that as Christians, we are commanded in the Bible to bear one another's burdens and so if someone is hungry, it is your responsibility to feed them. Incredible. While he was speaking, it literally brought tears to my eyes because this truly, is how we should all live our lives, taking care of one another. The last sermon I heard before I left the States, one which I thorougly enjoyed at my parents' church, also included the scripture my friend was referring too. (I think I'm supposed to learn this.) I wrote it down because it was kind of a wake up call for me and served to somewhat renew my passion for the work that I want to be doing.
Galatians 6:2-3 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
This is how we love.
I'm already falling in love with this country. The culture, the beautiful green land, the Ugandans, all of it, has proven to be lovely beyond my expectations, which were high as usual. It has been my tendency, upon arrival in new places, to try to keep some walls up because I tend to get attached too easily and then it breaks my heart to leave. Anyone that knows me, however, can tell you that my walls don't last long. This time.... two days.
If you count the day I arrived in Entebbe as day one, I'm currently on day three here in Uganda. I'm still hanging out in Mbale and staying at the CURE hospital guesthouse, which is really nice and comfortable. I'm definitely not roughing it... yet. When I'm living in Iganga and need a hot shower, I now know where to run to.
I've gotten a good idea of what they do here at the hospital, which specifically targets children with neurological issues (hydocephalus and spina bifida etc.). They've pioneered a fairly new surgical technique for hydrocephalus which is minimally invasive; this is an incredible technology as post-operative infections are especially an issue here. The procedure is called endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Basically, guided by a tiny camera, they punch a hole in the third ventricle to alleviate the pressure. I've gotten into the OR a bit to watch some surguries, including a myelomeningocele repair and an intended ETV that turned into a shunt placement because of scar tissue. Everyone has been very accomodating and I've learned so much about the health care system here.
Today I went to visit the regional hospital in Mbale, which was incredibly sad. The nurses were amazed when I told them that the typical patient load for a nurse in the United States is 6-7. At that regional hospital, which is in much better shape than the district hospitals, I have my doubts that the nurses even know how many patients they take care of every day, particularly considering there are often 3+ sick kids sharing one bed, not to mention all of the families that stay with them as they are responsible for providing bedding, food, saline, any medications, etc. I'll soon be putting up photos of the hospital but you get the picture. Its dirty and crowded and difficult to see; my heart was aching. Even on the private wing of the hospital, the care is not good, but at least they provide food, I mean, since the patients' families are paying and all.
I think the best part of my time here thus far was a conversation I had with the physcial therapist at the CURE hospital this morning. This man, only slightly older than myself, grew up in the northern part of Uganda and spent the majority of his childhood and teenage years fleeing from rebel activity. Nearly all of this friends and classmates were killed, along with his parents. His mother died when he was five. Despite the obstacles, he eventually made it out of the north and moved to Kampala at the age of 17. He finished primary and secondary school and is now a physical therapist, but not without years and years of setbacks due to mostly to finances, not grades. Now, at 31, he would love to go back to university (he only has a certificate now) and eventually get a masters degree in public health. However, at the moment, he does not see how this will happen as he must put his sister through university.
This is simply what you do for family here.
What must it be like to live in a culture where truly, family comes first? And its not just family.
One of the most striking differences between Uganda and Haiti, for me, has been the fact that Ugandans don't appear hungry. This certainly is a poor country but food does not seem to be an issue. This had been a silent observation of mine upon arrival but my new physical therapist friend (or "physio" as they term it here), unprompted, began to tell me that Ugandans do not die for lack of food. If you see that your neighbor needs something to eat, you give them something to eat.
This is simply what you do for fellow humans here.
He brought up the fact that as Christians, we are commanded in the Bible to bear one another's burdens and so if someone is hungry, it is your responsibility to feed them. Incredible. While he was speaking, it literally brought tears to my eyes because this truly, is how we should all live our lives, taking care of one another. The last sermon I heard before I left the States, one which I thorougly enjoyed at my parents' church, also included the scripture my friend was referring too. (I think I'm supposed to learn this.) I wrote it down because it was kind of a wake up call for me and served to somewhat renew my passion for the work that I want to be doing.
Galatians 6:2-3 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
This is how we love.
I'm already falling in love with this country. The culture, the beautiful green land, the Ugandans, all of it, has proven to be lovely beyond my expectations, which were high as usual. It has been my tendency, upon arrival in new places, to try to keep some walls up because I tend to get attached too easily and then it breaks my heart to leave. Anyone that knows me, however, can tell you that my walls don't last long. This time.... two days.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
New photos!
Once again I'm completely exhausted so this is going to be a lame entry. However, I just wanted to alert you to the fact that there are new photos up on my picasa site: http://picasaweb.google.com/jnomides22/. Today was a little rough because my body does not want to be in this time zone yet. I took a two hour nap earlier and it really did nothing. Hopefully my brain will soon figure out that its going to have to deal with being here for a little while and I'll feel like myself again.
On a very up note, the people here keep taking me out to these amazing places to eat- all Indian restaurants. Tonight we had REAL Indian food, as in, the stuff they cook in their homes not the typical restaurant dishes. I can't even begin to describe how incredible it was. So now I'm going to bed with my belly full and content. :)
Miss you all!
On a very up note, the people here keep taking me out to these amazing places to eat- all Indian restaurants. Tonight we had REAL Indian food, as in, the stuff they cook in their homes not the typical restaurant dishes. I can't even begin to describe how incredible it was. So now I'm going to bed with my belly full and content. :)
Miss you all!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
It has been 56 hours since I laid down in a bed to go to sleep. I've gotten an hour or so at a time of massively interrupted sleep here and there throughout the trip but I am COMPLETELY deliriously exhausted. I'm here though, lying in bed, ready to pass out and pretty content. I'm safe and sound and everything went very smoothly so thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. Arrived at the airport in Entebbe, got my visa very quickly with no issues whatsoever, my bags were the first out and my driver eventually made it to the airport to pick me up, only slightly late.
I will hopefully post some photos tomorrow that I took on the ride from Entebbe to Mbale. I have already met some incredibly nice people, including the regional director (of finance?) for the CURE hospitals and projects in Africa. We actually just got back from eating dinner at an amazing Indian restaurant with some other people (Americans) visiting and working with CURE. I will write more about the hospital later but for now... SLEEP!
I will hopefully post some photos tomorrow that I took on the ride from Entebbe to Mbale. I have already met some incredibly nice people, including the regional director (of finance?) for the CURE hospitals and projects in Africa. We actually just got back from eating dinner at an amazing Indian restaurant with some other people (Americans) visiting and working with CURE. I will write more about the hospital later but for now... SLEEP!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
An e-mail from UVP
Hi everyone:
Just wanted to bring your attention to 2 fantastic articles in the New York Times today that are relevant to this summer:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/travel/24uganda.html
- This rafting spot is less than an hour from Iganga.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/health/24birth.html
- The situation detailed here is unfortunately, the fate shared by the mothers of Iganga.
For team leaders journeying to Uganda: safe travels, and tusangire - welcome!
For those traveling soon, a reminder on one reasonable place to stay in Entebbe if you arrive the night before: Frank's Backpackers. Here is the link: http://www.traveluganda.co.ug/frankstouristshostel/
- The UVP Board
Just wanted to bring your attention to 2 fantastic articles in the New York Times today that are relevant to this summer:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/travel/24uganda.html
- This rafting spot is less than an hour from Iganga.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/health/24birth.html
- The situation detailed here is unfortunately, the fate shared by the mothers of Iganga.
For team leaders journeying to Uganda: safe travels, and tusangire - welcome!
For those traveling soon, a reminder on one reasonable place to stay in Entebbe if you arrive the night before: Frank's Backpackers. Here is the link: http://www.traveluganda.co.ug/frankstouristshostel/
- The UVP Board
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