Dear All,
I finally got round to posting this blog…any longer and I’d be writing my next trip’s blog! In fact I started the Newsletter in October, a few days before leaving Kagando. Aside from describing the stillness of the evening, the lights twinkling in the mountains where solar panels are providing precious light, and a hum of insects in the garden foliage, I didn’t seem to have got far! I can’t remember what stopped me from continuing but as I reflect back I am so acutely aware that this continuing Kagando journey, which began in 2010, could not have happened without the wonderful support of family, friends and strangers alike.
Returning to Kagando Hospital is always a joy. I’m invariably greeted with a warm welcome, instantly making me feel so much part of the place.
The hospital has many challenges, in particular financial, but the commitment and dedication of hardworking staff enables many rural communities in the Rwenzori to access healthcare.
It’s not easy to cram 3months work into a 4 week stay! My ‘to do list’ already has another heading ‘ March 2023’.
The trip started with my having to make one very difficult decision due to a decrease in the Rwenzori Women for Health funds (RWFH) : sadly, for the sake of sustainability of the project, one team member’s contract wasn’t renewed at the end of October. This was hard as the person concerned is a good friend but hopefully the project can continue…well at least for the moment and as long as RWFH doesn’t take on other initiatives. Problem is, I cannot guarantee, should yet another need present itself, not to address it…it’s so difficult to simply walk away…
My days passed quickly as I fluctuated between hospital and Community whether on Outreach with RWFH team or on my own account.
Outreaches to the villages in the Rwenzori hills are always varied: one day can find us teaching the health topic of the month (which in October was on ebola, as there’d been an outbreak in central Uganda); at another we held a ‘sight outreach’ clinic; we also went to schools to talk about puberty/sexual health and teach the girls how to make their own sanitary pads. It can be an extremely stressful time for the girls when they reach puberty at the best of times, but here so many challenges which can even impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
I had another lovely welcome on arrival in the village of Buzira (I used to find the route difficult and exhausting but a much easier one has been made, though still lots of huffing and puffing and complaining goes on..by me!!)
Banana Leaf to Keep It Clean.
It now very proudly has a health centre: two very basic rooms, but a lot can be achieved with just that. I’m delighted as we can run a ‘drop in’ clinic when we’re visiting and we can also take a midwife with us. This will be of enormous help as there are still women who miss their hospital antenatal appointments, if they come at all. When you live far into the hills, and you have to walk to the lowlands, maybe in the heat of the day or in the rains, you are not likely to attend hospital appointments, and when in labour you will probably rely on ‘traditional birth attendants’. The government banned this practice many years ago but sadly for some women there is no realistic alternative, with potential serious consequences, as you can well imagine.
The health centre rooms were bare but thanks to a wonderful donor there are now an examination couch, a table and chairs. They were made by the talented Kitojo at Kagando Hospital’s Workshop of Hope. I was sent photos of the furniture being carried up the mountains on the November Outreach and that very day they had their first clinic!
At the RainbowRoom there’s lots of play in the afternoon and every Wednesday is nutrition day. Sadly malnutrition is ever present and from a monthly nutrition day RWFH are now holding it weekly. Basically every Wednesday women whose children have been admitted to hospital with malnutrition and/or HIV come to the RainbowRoom including those who are post discharge, but still need RUTF (important nutritional supplement in management of malnourished children ). That way we can keep an eye on the children who are weighed and further assessed, and their mums supported and counselled. On the day we also teach the mums about nutrition and they prepare the meal together under the direction of two RWFH ‘nutrition nurses’ from Paediatric Ward. They go to the market and buy the food early morning before clinic starts. Everyone involved enjoys a good meal – for some it will be the best they’ve had in a long time.
During my March visit, one year old triplets had been admitted to Kagando Hospital severely malnourished. Lovely mum had done her very best trying to breastfeed her little ones but it’s hard particularly as there wasn’t enough food at home for her to have a decent meal; they were eventually discharged with instructions to continue attending Nutrition Wednesdays. However, she subsequently stopped attending and the team were very worried about the family. I encouraged them to start a follow-up system (despite the financial constraints. It’s one of those can’t walk away situations! However, what does help is the use of the donated motorbike. Such a blessing!). They went a few weeks before my arrival taking with them food clothing etc. The team returned for a second visit, this time I was able to join them.
The family turned out to be one of the most needy I’ve seen in a long time. Two rooms, 9 children poor beyond words. Mum now herself looking malnourished trying to breastfeed the triplets. The father was there too and he was very supportive, which was lovely to see – but what struck me was that despite all their hardships they could still smile. Truly humbling. They told us they didn’t attend on a Wednesday as they weren’t able to afford the journey (about£1).
Anyway we got them organised with clothing, food and financial support and encouraged them to attend Nutrition Day. The team told me that they have continued to come and the wonderful thing is that I was sent photos of mum talking to other mums/carers about food preparation.
This is one of the key aims of RWFH project: empowering women with the knowledge to care for their families and community and cascading information to others.o
Various personal visits included Kagando Primary and Nursery school. I was pleased to see that the safe water unit had been finished: hopefully it will reduce the many water borne infections that are a cause of much sickness among children and adults too. I go to another local nursery school called Linda Care; they have children whose parents are destitute or being cared for by just one parent, usually mum. There is polygamy and mums often have to cope on their own, with no source of income. The school relies in the main on donations but the parent/carer gives what they can for the term. When I handed over some money to Robert who runs the school he put his hands to his face then said “the children will be able to have porridge again and today we will make it with milk.”
When I visit the local prison in Nyabirongo, I generally take with me a few bibles and for the first time I was able to get them in Lukonzo, the local language. They were delighted when I told them. This time I also took notebooks and pencils. I was told that there were 67 prisoners, but only 12 prison staff and the compound has no fence. When the numbers are high the prisoners have to stay locked inside for long hours (just one room 2 latrines=grim). So I thought it might be worthwhile to enable those prisoners who can read and write to help others learn. Hopefully some may leave prison with a new worthwhile ‘legit’ skill!!
As there are always children of staff wandering about the compound I made sure there was enough stationary for them too.
During my visit I did ask the prisoners what would help them pass the time and I was greeted by various shouts for footballs basketballs and drums…and the guards were equally enthusiastic!! Prior to leaving Kagando I was able to organise footballs and a drum for them. Ha, the guards might come to regret the introduction of the latter!
Some of you may remember lovely Rosie – I first met her when she was 15yrs, but underdeveloped with learning difficulties and visual impairment. I can’t believe she’s now 20yrs old! When we arrived at her home, she was sitting on the dirty rough floor wearing a threadbare dress… Her mum was not around, (she was probably trying to find something to bring home to feed the children). Her much younger brother was there and when he saw us he put Rosie in her wheelchair. By the time we left she had some clothes, and toys, including a lovely childproof mirror; if she holds it close to her face she can see herself and smiles- we also left some groceries.
I’d like to think she now recognises my voice as she always reacts to it when I call out “Rosie Posie”
I was invited to the Commissioning of a building for Rehabilitation of ex prisoners. The tireless fundraising for this building, together with various projects supporting prisoners in the district of Kasese has been undertaken for many years by Jo, a nurse from UK. Very sadly Jo passed away last year. Her husband Tony came over not only for the ceremony but to fulfil her legacy. I had the privilege of meeting Jo, several times over the years, so the service had an added poignancy for me.
I did manage to fit in a teaching session at the Nursing school too on my last day. I do enjoy being with the students but unfortunately because of time constrains I can’t teach as often as I used to.
Throughout the month I had wonderful support from Carol, a health visitor from UK, who is a regular visitor to Kagando and occasionally our trips coincide. This time Lottie her granddaughter came as well; then there was Dominic from Australia, and Sarah (both soon to qualify doctors) and carpenter husband Robert from Germany. A lot of hard work went on with moments of tears and heartache but always much laughter.
So that’s it, except for an important thank you. My apologies for not mentioning you by name as I’d worry I’d leave one of you out, but from prayers to ‘thinking of you’, for the generous donations, wonderful knitwear and a cornucopia of other items …not forgetting toothpastes and bras…thank you for continuing to come with me on this Kagando journey and making it possible.
With Love
Rita
x
Rita in Africa 