contraception

The community called Kito is situated in a very swampy area where large holes have been dug for brick making, but have subsequently become filled with water making the inhabitants very susceptible to malaria. .The people there have a lot of young children who are especially vulnerable to malaria, but the poverty there preclude the purchasing of mosquito nets.A need for contraceptive instruction was rather obvious.
So we organised a morning of instruction with questions and answers, the date was set, but unfortunately the
community pastor decided he would not allow us to use his church premises as he felt contraception was not a good idea.In fact as a result of the good pastor donating part of his church roof to a needy person in his parish , and the deluges ofthe rainy season had caused the church floor to become a quagmire , something akin to walking across a freshly ploughed field in winter which made it unusable anyway.We finally found some partially constructed houses we could use as a venue, but come the day we heard that a local official had not given us permission as a major road is planned to be constructedin the area. I was at a loss to find the relevant connection between the two issues!  So I visited the official and got a reassurance that the meeting would not be cancelled next time. Indeed it was a success three days later lots of ladies came
and some decided there and then to have the treatment, which consisted of an injection in a secluded area where their husbands could not see them.This week we wanted to offer the same opportunity in a different part of the community. We first had to liaise with another official who felt we should give him some money. The ladies in the team responded to him in their own language, which I did not understand, but the outcome was that no money passed hands and the chairman offered his garage as a makeshift surgery to see patients, and duly moved his car from within. This was very helpful and another first for me-a surgery in a garage.
I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who had adopted a two year old boy with Downs syndrome, he so reminded me of Sam at that age, mum and I spoke for some time as she spoke good English.

Four days later Doctor Sheilah from Wellspring and I went to the garage hoping this time to give contraceptive advice. On the way we met a lady carrying her child who expressed a wish to receive contraception there and now. This was slightly difficult as we were in a public street. Fortunately ther are many unfinished buildings in the community so we escorted her into one in order to give her some privacy. We asked her a few medical questions and checked her blood pressure. Finally some pills were given, we turned to depart and saw that behind us had been a gathering group of inquisitive youngsters
onlooking! The lady seemed totally unconcerned confidential in Uganda doesn't seem to be the some issue as it is in the UK.
Unfortunately no ladies arrived at the chairman's garage for our talk , but word had spread that we were present and another informal medical clinic evolved that morning. At the end we were about to depart when a group of stern looking young men and a policeman with an accompanying nonuniform gentleman carrying a truncheon. They spoke Lugandan which I didn't understand, but the medical team I was with seemed unconcerned. " What was that about ?" I asked, apparently they'd been dealing with some disputed land and afterwards had drifted over, being curious as to our activities in the garage.

Rainy season

.Well the rains have come and the perennial dust has turned to sludge but not all the time! We still get hot, sunny days
But when it rains it seems relentless and an additional problem is that when it rains the power often goes off.
Kito z(the area where David is giving out wellspring nets and I am doing adult literacy) has become a swamp complete with frogs and toads. The church where we work is under water as the pastor gave away some of the roof to a needy resident.
The physiotherapist arranged to take us around Kampala on Saturday which was great. He and his friend took us to the museum ( much of which had been looted in the 1970's), the Catholic and Protestant cathedrals, the royal tombs (burned by all shebab in 2010) and a beautiful Baha'i temple. In return we took them to a Greek restaurant for dinner. It was very authentic as it was run by a Greek and a very new experience for our guides who knew of its existence but had not eaten there. We chose a meze which they really enjoyed. Our waiter was Ugandan tho' David insisted on calling him Stavros. Luckily he had a good sense of humour!
On Sunday evening we were fortunate to be invited to the graduation party of one of the younger staff members. This was a formal affair with a compare,  young people dancers in national costumes and sppeches. Speeches were made by work colleagues (including us), pastors and family. A lovely meal was provided for all then the graduate made a speech of thanks after which people gave gifts to the graduate. It was delightful to participate in Carol's celebration together with many of her friends, neighbours and church family.
Note -although the official language is English, most people speak Luganda amongst themselves. The church sermon is always in Luganda. However, as with the graduation, there is always a translator so we do not miss anything. Those who have not been to school do not speak English and those with little education speak only a little. Luganda is the language of the majority of people who are from the banda tribe. In other areas they speak other languages so need English to converse with one another.
Well I am over half way through my time here but there is still plenty to do whether literacy, special needs, making pom POM's, secondary education or community work. David and i also enjoy doing a practical science lesson once a week -this week it is volcanoes!! We have just had yellow fever injections in preparation for a trip to Western Uganda next month. We may also be revisiting tororo.
Continue to keep in touch and pray for us.

Island in the sun

QA week of variable activities, but for me the highlight of the week was to go on a cruise to an island in the tropical sun.
OK, maybe the image is a bit pina colada by the pool?
In fact we drove to the edge of lake Victoria which incidentally is the largest single lake in the world, and got on a fishing boat with our bags and mobile dispensary. We were greeted after a two and a half
hour trip by very friendly locals who treated us to a lovely fresh fish lunch. Afterwards we stopped through beautiful lush tropical  countryside where there were no roads only footpaths. On arrival at a school we set up a mobile clinic, limited dispensary, HIV and cardiac counselling services and blood testing.  We all worked hard and certainly felt somewhat fatigued at the end of it. Night came fast as it does in these parts and we spent some/time sitting/around a fire by the lakeside with the flames, moon and fireflies to illuminate the area , fantastic! A late supper finished the day,and we retired to our respective tents and bunkhouses.
4.30 am and a tropical storm arrived to test our/tents! Sadly they all leaked and the advice that no showers were available on the island was incorrect, we all got a free cold early morning shower. It wasn't all roses in the bunkhouse, the thunder scared the goats and they all fled into the bedroom for shelter. My friend woke in the morning with a couple of them by his feet!
Next morning we did a second session, I chose a position under a large shady tree overlooking a bay ,that was another first for me. The locals hospitality was wonderful , they made us feel so welcome .We returned back to Wellspring refreshed and exhausted , what an amazing experience.

Daily life

Well you may be wondering what daily life is all about. Suffice to say that every day brings a new surprise! However we do have a vague routine!
We are generally awoken by a noisy bird (nicknamed cheeky chappy) at around 7am. Breakfast and shower (if electricity is on or even if it is not!).
Monday is Kito - a community about 20 mins away who lack basic amenities like water and electricity. One toilet per 10 families.David visits homes in this community offering basic medical advice and will be giving out mosquito nets provided by wellspring to those in need. Malaria is a major problem. He is accompanied by a local lady who may continue health promotion classes with my group Meanwhile I teach basic literacy to a group of ladies and one gentleman plus basic English -quite a challenge as they are unfamiliar with any English as most have only received one or two years (or in some cases no) education. That lasts for two hours then back to base for lunch  - posha rice and beans. After lunch on Monday is PEP which is prayer and worship for half an hour. After lunch I go and teach in the secondary school and David visits the clinic to see patients. The day finishes around 5pm (ish) then back home for me to prepare work or both of us to make resources. David often goes up the road to buy vegetables - cabbage, aubergine, avocado and maybe a few carrots and some Irish's (potatoes to us). David cooks dinner and I wash up -water heated in the kettle or on our calor gas stove. Drying up is necessary as we do not leave anything exposed! We might chat, play games or (as a treat) watch one of our DVDs brought with our own portable player!
Tuesday school for me starts around 7.30am as teachers meet and greet the primary pupils as school starts at 8am I take 3 SEN pupils for an hour and then go to the secondary pupils - 4 pupils of mixed  ages following an English on line curriculum.  Meanwhile David does the washing (by hand of course heating water as he goes)  and then deals with medical matters in the clinic. lunch is as usual and the rest of the day is as Monday.
On Wednesday  my day is similar but David visits a different community with a physiotherapist and visits disabled children in their homes. A house here comprises of one room, no running water or toilet nor electricity in many cases. Many are now using splints and frames provided (with donations) by wellspring. Some have not yet got seats or frames as money is limited and wellspring has to allocate their limited funds judiciously. More funding is always needed. In one case food is also provided as many people still consider that disabled children are cursed so parents are reluctant to acknowledge their existence. Wellspring, by their actions,  put lie to this and parents seem very grateful.
Thursdays are similar to Mondays and Fridays are like Wednesdays. However we have started Open the Book sessions after lunch in the primary school acted out with the help of the secondary pupils.

Every other Saturday has required us to be available - we went to Tororo one weekend and next weekend david is off to a rural island community (camping as no accommodation is available and providing medical services!) and I will be doing in-service literacy teaching with the primary teachers. On one Saturday per month, the children's workers provide a fun factory I.e games, a bible story (which we do), snack and a drink for up to 100 children from the local community then more washing up! It is the equivalent to a party provided to the community by wellspring
Sunday is church from 10am till 12.30pm.
That is not a complete picture as different things crop up on a regular basis - now I know why baden Powell said 'be prepared'!