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.
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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.
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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.
The village of Buzira
I had another lovely welcome on arrival in the village of Buzira (the one I call the ‘killer climb’ but a much easier route has been made, though still lots of huffing and puffing and complaining goes on..by me!!)
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It now boasts 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 Rainbow Room
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.
The Triplets
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. 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.
Primary and Nursery schools
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.”
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visiting the prison
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. As there are always children of staff wandering about the compound I made sure there was enough stationary for them too.
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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!
rosie
I first met Rosie 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.
The last day
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.
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​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.
All the projects mentioned in my blogs have been started with the consent of Kagando Hospital Management. I do my very best to ensure that they are fully funded and not be a financial burden to the hospital.
Rita
October 2022