Hey everyone!!
It would be a lie if I said that this past weekend was not difficult. We had three children die in our village of Bugabula from what is suspected to me Malaria. They were eight, three and one and a half. We went to two of the burials and it was the saddest thing I have ever seen. The only thing you could hear was the wailing of the grieving mother. These events have just made our group want to work harder to prevent anymore children from getting sick. We can only hope and pray that we can help save the children of this village.
So, enough of sad news, this past week as been very busy with more interviews. Our outreaches begin on Tuesday with a Malaria education session. We did visit a health center level 2. Which was basically a house that gave out medictions. Granted they did not have any medications to give out. They were suppose to receive a new supply in March but it never came and the malaria season is already approaching. We also found out that they offer birth control and condoms but it is taboo to use them. The only way a women can protect herself from pregnancy is by getting the shot depo provera in secret so their husbands don't know about it. And a woman can have anywhere from 8 to 10 kids, that they can not take care of.
We also went to the maternity ward at the health center 4 which doesn't have much. Not even feeding tubes or oxygen. If a baby is in distress they have to send them to the hospital in Iganga. There are always women lined up to get antenatal checkups. The lack of supplies blows my mind.
Oh, I also found out that my name in Lusoga means charcoal so now all the children call me that instead. But I do have a Lusoga name which is Jubulingi, apparently it means loved or something like that.
Okay that is all the time I have now, next weekend I will be white water rafting on the nile so I don't know when I will update.
Miss you guys, hope everyone is well.
ps. mom if you need to call me (which you should cause I miss you) make sure you dial + first or it won't go through
pps. sergio, justin and kriselle, make sure my picture doesn't get too dirty, although if you rolled in the dirt it would resemble more of what I look like right now; dirty. I can't wait to take a real shower.
ppps. I have finally mastered the pit latrine!!! yay, I'm not sure if I should be too excited about that but I wanted to share.
Kaale (okay in lusoga) see you later!!
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Hey Amanda!! Wow I couldn't imagine what is must be like to have witnessed the deaths of those children that you have just meet, and im sure became very fond of! White water rafting in rather jealous of you right now!! I have been so bored at home, working just a couple of days... sadness... Well enjoy yourself lady!!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, you are such an inspiration to me. You are doing something I've always dreamed of. My prayers are with you and the children that you are helping. You are an amazing woman and I feel honored to be your Aunt, I've been bragging to everyone I know about what you are doing in Africa. Keep up the great work and be safe! Love, Aunt Sherry
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about those kids. It's so unfair how they have to suffer. I wish you the best over there. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteHey A!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to talk to you yesterday. Don't worry, everyone is fine here, don't let it distract you from all the wonderful (and not so great) things you are doing in Uganda. I am proud of you and tell everyone about you and they think its amazing. Hopefully we can talk again soon. You are always in our prayers. Okay, lady, love you BYE!
Hello Amanda, Good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear about the children. Even in Nicaragua it didn't seem that bad. I will continue to lift up you and all that you meet in our prayers. God Bless. How do you say that in lusoga?
ReplyDelete