I have worms again! Joy! Joy! Joy! And as I speak (write) my stomach is beginning to hurt again and I feel that I may need to rush to the toilet again! (Its a good job they have toilets her - otherwise I would be really stuck! Even thought they are only 'squatty pottys'! Anyway, way to much information there!!!) I've had it over a week now. I didnt think it was worms at first so thats why I didnt go to the nurse before, which I guess wasn't very clever! I had a bad night yesterday because of it, but I hope that I will start to get better soon!
The little boy I took to get an x-ray last week to check for TB - does indeed have TB. So he will need to go to the TB clinic in Kampala and start a series of treatments. On Wednesday I went to have a blood test to check my blood type. We have a little baby girl called Priscilla who has Sickle Cell Anemia and is quite ill at the moment since she has an infection. So I went to get tested in case I have the same blood type I could then give her a blood transfusion. But alas I am not compatible.
Next week I may have to travel to Impala (not quite sure where that is) to take Mathias a little boy to the hospital there. They have a specialist unit there. A doctor who visited here a while a go thinks that he may have water in the brain or on the brain so he may need a drainage. I hope that it is something that can be easily treated.
Things in Pre-school are going well. On Friday it was just me as the other mad-venture people have gone away for a long weekend. I was quite worried that things would go pear-shaped but the routine was followed and the mamas were with the older and younger group while I taught pre-school/school.
We had the reward day on Thursday this week as the mad-venture people were away on Friday. We had a teddy bears picnic! Ben the Bear came along too! (For those of you who dont know about Ben the Bear - Im not crazy! We had some party food and some healthy food and we played party games. The kids had great fun - I think and they enjoyed the games and food especially! We felt like we were on show for the local community - we were enclosed by fencing and there were at least 50 school kids clinging onto the barbed wire trying to sneak a peak at the Mzungus (white people/westerner) feeding black kids cupcakes and bananas! We most of put on quite a show because more and more of kids started to come and watch!
On Wednesday we took the older kids who don't sleep for a walk down by the Lake. We stopped on some grass and had a sit down half way there. We then saw this guy running towards us, I presumed he was going to tell us that we were on private property and that we had to get off. So, when he approached us I asked him if we were okay to sit here, he said we were fine. So anyway, he started questioning us, asking us where we were from, how old we were, why we were here etc. Obviously, I am very wary of random men asking me such questions and even more intimate ones so I just ignored him for a while. He then asked me if I could come and sit with him and talk to him etc. I said that I was busy with the children. He then asked me why I was being so rude! I just said to him that I was here with the kids and they are my priority and that I wasnt going to leave them alone while I talk to a stranger. He then accused me of being racist towards black "Why do you hate balck people" he asked me! "Why do you come to our country and steal our money and jobs and you hate us so much?" At that point I probably should of upped and left, but I stayed and answered his accusations. In the end he walked of in mard - muttering something to himself about Americans coming to Uganda and treating black people like dirt!
Now, some people might think this was rather rude of me, but its not uncommon for Mzungus to get unwanted attention around here. I think at least every girl here in the V-house has there own personal stalker. They follow you, they come to the baby home, they leave notes declaring their undying love for you, they manage to make an appearance wherever you are!! Its to obvious that these men just want a ticket out of the country, and its quite sad to see how desperate they are and to what lengths they will go to to try and get a Mzungu girlfriend. So, yes I have had one Ugandan ask me to marry him, after having spoken to me for like 5 minutes. Its quite sad as well because so many guys do it, you just don't know who to trust anymore, and that is a big shame.
Saturday, 28 July 2007
Saturday, 21 July 2007
This week has been rewarding in many ways. Regarding the preschool the mamas have been fantastic! they have been sitting with the kids during class and encouraged them to learn and praised them when they have been successful. They sit with them at the table and help the kids write their names. It was a big concern for me knowing how the mamas might react to the new pre-school programme, but its been amazing to see them participating and actually enjoying being with the kids in a pretty chilled out atmosphere!
I've been here a month now, I think I have definately settled into life here. Its no longer strange to walk down a dirt path followed by 3 or 4 enormous cows, or to turn a corner and run into a family of chickens, its no longer as scary to be walking around outside in the dark and see bats everywhere! Im used to the smell of burning rubbish at every corner - although my lungs probably never will be! Im used to riding on boda-bodas and piki-pikis and am slighlty more relaxed about it - although I do still have to hold on with one hand. Im used to having to boil drinking water or to not often having electricity. I am appreciating life here and realise how lucky I am to be living here in such beautiful surroundings. The Ugandan people are fantastic, they are so welcoming, despite having very little they will give everything just to make you feel welcome and will prepare enormous feasts fit for a king.
On Tuesday, Duane and Josephs parents had to travel back to the States without them. The judge hasnt had time (yeah right) to make a ruling and the earliest he is likely to make one is September. Joseph the older one, took the news well and understood that Mummy and Daddy would be back soon to pick them up. Duane on the other hand didn't I think really understand. So when it came to them leaving Duane got very upset, but was fine afterwards. Its been amazing to see the confidence Duane has gained whilst his parents have been here for 3 weeks. He's a little chatterbox and enjoys singing 'the wheels on the bus'. He also used to sit outside sucking his thumb for hours and rarely move from one spot, he now enjoys running around outside and playing with the other children. I hope that Duane continues to be as outgoing whilst his parents are away, and I will certainly try my hardest to ensure that this happens. I took him to the cafe once and we had chips - he accidently dropped one on the floor and he just cried for about 5 minutes none stop - obviously I didnt let him pick it up or eat it - but he was so distraught despite having a plate full of chips in front of him! But then I suppose it is understandable, because I think they rarely eat enough to full them up, so every piece of food is treasured.
Yesterday, I got my trousers caught in the wheel of a piki-piki (motorbike) and they tore a little - I also burnt my ankle on the wheel as we were going over a bump my foot slipped. Today, the boda-boda mans bike broke as we were on it and we both fell! No worries though Im still in one piece!
I was quite sick on Wednesday night - throwing up and diarrehea (sp?) and extremely bad stomach aches - I had to crawl back to my bed in the midddle of the night after spending 2 hours in the toilet (you didnt really want to know that but anyway!) because I was so weak. Anyway, Im fine now after having slept a lot. I think it might have been food poisoning because I had a rolex that evening - which is basically a ciabbati and an omeltte inside which we got from town - so it was most probably the egg.
Yesterday, I took one of the preemies to the clinic in town becasue he had to have an xray - he has suspected TB! I went back again today - to pick up the x-ray and get the results but it wasnt ready so they told me to come back later. Nathanial is currently in quarantine because he has Impertigo (sp). Although, on Thursday he was eating with the kids and sleeping in the same room!
On Friday, we took the kids on a boat to the Source of the Nile, 6 kids came and 3 had to stay behind as they hadnt got enough stars. We had a really good time, the kids enjoyed throwing stones into the river. I will post a few photos from our trip. I have been to the source of the Nile before however this time our boat driver told us that the source of the Nile actually comes from under the ground and that before the dam was built there was a waterfall flowing from Lake Victoria running down into the Nile, but now there is just the lake which runs into the river. So the guide said that the lake is about 40m deeps whereas the river - where the waterfall was is about 143ft (not quite sure on way he quoted one in metres and one in ft!) .
I've been here a month now, I think I have definately settled into life here. Its no longer strange to walk down a dirt path followed by 3 or 4 enormous cows, or to turn a corner and run into a family of chickens, its no longer as scary to be walking around outside in the dark and see bats everywhere! Im used to the smell of burning rubbish at every corner - although my lungs probably never will be! Im used to riding on boda-bodas and piki-pikis and am slighlty more relaxed about it - although I do still have to hold on with one hand. Im used to having to boil drinking water or to not often having electricity. I am appreciating life here and realise how lucky I am to be living here in such beautiful surroundings. The Ugandan people are fantastic, they are so welcoming, despite having very little they will give everything just to make you feel welcome and will prepare enormous feasts fit for a king.
On Tuesday, Duane and Josephs parents had to travel back to the States without them. The judge hasnt had time (yeah right) to make a ruling and the earliest he is likely to make one is September. Joseph the older one, took the news well and understood that Mummy and Daddy would be back soon to pick them up. Duane on the other hand didn't I think really understand. So when it came to them leaving Duane got very upset, but was fine afterwards. Its been amazing to see the confidence Duane has gained whilst his parents have been here for 3 weeks. He's a little chatterbox and enjoys singing 'the wheels on the bus'. He also used to sit outside sucking his thumb for hours and rarely move from one spot, he now enjoys running around outside and playing with the other children. I hope that Duane continues to be as outgoing whilst his parents are away, and I will certainly try my hardest to ensure that this happens. I took him to the cafe once and we had chips - he accidently dropped one on the floor and he just cried for about 5 minutes none stop - obviously I didnt let him pick it up or eat it - but he was so distraught despite having a plate full of chips in front of him! But then I suppose it is understandable, because I think they rarely eat enough to full them up, so every piece of food is treasured.
Yesterday, I got my trousers caught in the wheel of a piki-piki (motorbike) and they tore a little - I also burnt my ankle on the wheel as we were going over a bump my foot slipped. Today, the boda-boda mans bike broke as we were on it and we both fell! No worries though Im still in one piece!
I was quite sick on Wednesday night - throwing up and diarrehea (sp?) and extremely bad stomach aches - I had to crawl back to my bed in the midddle of the night after spending 2 hours in the toilet (you didnt really want to know that but anyway!) because I was so weak. Anyway, Im fine now after having slept a lot. I think it might have been food poisoning because I had a rolex that evening - which is basically a ciabbati and an omeltte inside which we got from town - so it was most probably the egg.
Yesterday, I took one of the preemies to the clinic in town becasue he had to have an xray - he has suspected TB! I went back again today - to pick up the x-ray and get the results but it wasnt ready so they told me to come back later. Nathanial is currently in quarantine because he has Impertigo (sp). Although, on Thursday he was eating with the kids and sleeping in the same room!
On Friday, we took the kids on a boat to the Source of the Nile, 6 kids came and 3 had to stay behind as they hadnt got enough stars. We had a really good time, the kids enjoyed throwing stones into the river. I will post a few photos from our trip. I have been to the source of the Nile before however this time our boat driver told us that the source of the Nile actually comes from under the ground and that before the dam was built there was a waterfall flowing from Lake Victoria running down into the Nile, but now there is just the lake which runs into the river. So the guide said that the lake is about 40m deeps whereas the river - where the waterfall was is about 143ft (not quite sure on way he quoted one in metres and one in ft!) .
left to right back to front Jesse, Philip with Tonia, Jimmy, Dan, Maria, Joseph, Zuchina and Junior
all hands in the water 
the boys peering out over the front of the boatSaturday, 14 July 2007
Good news! & Bad news!
Well, this week has been good and progress has been made! The pre-school programme started on Wednesday - the first day was just trail and error really, everyone just finding their feet and learning what needed to be done. By Thursday things were running very smoothly. The kids are enjoying the structure I think and everyone is relishing the calm! Its really great to walk into the pre-school and see all the kids sitting down and playing with the play-doh or to go onto the porch and see the older kids learning their letters.
All week the older kids hae been talking about swimming, you hear this sentence in Lugandan and then you hear swimming in the middle, it so great to see these kids excited about something. Unfortunately, not all of them managed to get 10 stars on their reward chart, so 3 of them had to stay behind...at least they know that we are serious about this and they'll know to try really hard this week so they can do something special. The time at the pool was fun and although the kids were hesitate - but very excited, they had a great time.
On Wednesday, 3 families got to go home with their children!!!! Something that they have been waiting for for about 11/2 - 2 years! It was such a special moment seeing everyone standing on the lawn saying their goodbyes, and to see how happy everyone was to see these children finally being able to leave to start their new lifes with their new mums and dads. All the mamas were happy too, but sad to see these kids go, as many have been with them since birth. One of the kids who hasnt really bonded with her Mum, screamed as she was carried into the van, she obviouslyu enjoys life at the orphanage - as she knows nothing different or is scared of leaving all her friends behind, she is also rather suspicious of mzungus - whites/westerners!!
The sad news is that the 3 other families were supposed to recieve their ruling sometime this week, but the judge is going on holiday on Monday, and then will rule only on Criminal cases and will not start family cases again until September. So these families who were hoping to leave sometime in the next few weeks with their children have to go home without them. The saddest part is that these kids have bonded with their parents - especially with the older ones and they understand that mum and dad are leaving without them.
I find it so hard to understand why the gov. is making it so hard for these people. I suppose that they are worried about child trafficking but these people are so commited, they have spent so much money and have scarificed so much. Its not hard to differentiate the people with good motives and wrong motives. The judge has had 2 weeks to deliberate on these cases, all he has to do is say 'yes' - he doesnt even have to write anything up his seceratry does all of that. This process has been so hard on all involved - parents and children and I cant see why they think its best for these kids to grow up in an orphanage than in a loving home. The whole situation just boggles my mind!!
All week the older kids hae been talking about swimming, you hear this sentence in Lugandan and then you hear swimming in the middle, it so great to see these kids excited about something. Unfortunately, not all of them managed to get 10 stars on their reward chart, so 3 of them had to stay behind...at least they know that we are serious about this and they'll know to try really hard this week so they can do something special. The time at the pool was fun and although the kids were hesitate - but very excited, they had a great time.
On Wednesday, 3 families got to go home with their children!!!! Something that they have been waiting for for about 11/2 - 2 years! It was such a special moment seeing everyone standing on the lawn saying their goodbyes, and to see how happy everyone was to see these children finally being able to leave to start their new lifes with their new mums and dads. All the mamas were happy too, but sad to see these kids go, as many have been with them since birth. One of the kids who hasnt really bonded with her Mum, screamed as she was carried into the van, she obviouslyu enjoys life at the orphanage - as she knows nothing different or is scared of leaving all her friends behind, she is also rather suspicious of mzungus - whites/westerners!!
The sad news is that the 3 other families were supposed to recieve their ruling sometime this week, but the judge is going on holiday on Monday, and then will rule only on Criminal cases and will not start family cases again until September. So these families who were hoping to leave sometime in the next few weeks with their children have to go home without them. The saddest part is that these kids have bonded with their parents - especially with the older ones and they understand that mum and dad are leaving without them.
I find it so hard to understand why the gov. is making it so hard for these people. I suppose that they are worried about child trafficking but these people are so commited, they have spent so much money and have scarificed so much. Its not hard to differentiate the people with good motives and wrong motives. The judge has had 2 weeks to deliberate on these cases, all he has to do is say 'yes' - he doesnt even have to write anything up his seceratry does all of that. This process has been so hard on all involved - parents and children and I cant see why they think its best for these kids to grow up in an orphanage than in a loving home. The whole situation just boggles my mind!!
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
I've been here about 17 days now - it seems like longer!!
Yesterday the baby at the hospital was brought to us here in the orphanage. He sleeps in the incubator at the minute but seems to be doing well - he certainly is a little fighter! He was abandoned outside on a rainy day and when he was found his blankets were soaked through! On the way back from the hospital, the probation officer called to say that there were 2 toddlers who needed picking up too. The little boy was abandoned in a coffee plantation, and the little girl was left by a dustbin. Its difficult when a baby is abandoned but its so much harder when a toddler is - they obviosuly understand more whats going on and find it difficult to adjust to being in a new places - with new faces - especially white ones!! Nonetheless Nathaniel seems to be doing well, he has a cheeky little smile and a very cute giggle when tickled. Unfortunately Nathaniel appears be suffering from kwashiorkor - a protein deficiency, so his face and stomach are swollen from malnourishment.
On saturday evening I went with Dwayne, his adoptive parents, and their daughter to the clinic, Dwayne and Scilila were very sick. After a few blood tests it was determined that Scilia had malaria and Dwayne had an intestinal bacterial infection. The doctor said that on a level of 1 to 4, 4 being the worst Scilia was at 1 - the fact that she was on malarone helped a great deal! They had only arrived in the country 10 to 11 days ago so she most have been bitten on her 1st or 2nd night in the country! The medecine they are taking is extremely effective and they are both doing really well.
Being in the pre-school/toddler room observing last week has been emotionally challenging - to say the least. The way things are done in there want to make me either scream out in anger or frustration or just cry because its makes me so upset. Forgetting the fact that I am a nursery nurse some things should just be so obvious but the workers just dont see it. The kids range from 20 months to 7 years in preschool. They expect the children to sit for 1 hour listening to story after story after story - and when they dont sit and listen they get 'beaten' - spanked. The guy who leads pre-school makes me laugh - in a bad way - there are about 11 kids who do school lessons and he gets them to sing the alphabet song together about 5 times and then on their own twice!! and then we do the days of the week, and lest they get anything wrong they'll get 'beat' too!! I've walked out on the odd occassion because I just cant handle seeing these kids being spanked because they aren't singing the alphabet song right.
So. yesterday I had a meeting with all the Mamas, after spending a long time revising the schedule, and I explained the schedule to them and asked them if there was anything they would want to change or if there was anything they thought would not work. They didnt really say much, and its quite hard to get them to convey any feelings or opinions. I suppose for them its probably hard having some 'stranger' walk in and change things - but as I explained to them - Im trying to make everyones life easier and we are all working for the common good of these children. Ive also set up a reward system for good behaviour, for obeying, for good manners etc, all the kids seem really keen and excited about it - since the reward/treat will be a trip to the swimming pool! Well, the official preschool lessons and schedule will start tomorrow, so Im hoping that things will work as well as planned! Although that is rarely the case!
Yesterday the baby at the hospital was brought to us here in the orphanage. He sleeps in the incubator at the minute but seems to be doing well - he certainly is a little fighter! He was abandoned outside on a rainy day and when he was found his blankets were soaked through! On the way back from the hospital, the probation officer called to say that there were 2 toddlers who needed picking up too. The little boy was abandoned in a coffee plantation, and the little girl was left by a dustbin. Its difficult when a baby is abandoned but its so much harder when a toddler is - they obviosuly understand more whats going on and find it difficult to adjust to being in a new places - with new faces - especially white ones!! Nonetheless Nathaniel seems to be doing well, he has a cheeky little smile and a very cute giggle when tickled. Unfortunately Nathaniel appears be suffering from kwashiorkor - a protein deficiency, so his face and stomach are swollen from malnourishment.
On saturday evening I went with Dwayne, his adoptive parents, and their daughter to the clinic, Dwayne and Scilila were very sick. After a few blood tests it was determined that Scilia had malaria and Dwayne had an intestinal bacterial infection. The doctor said that on a level of 1 to 4, 4 being the worst Scilia was at 1 - the fact that she was on malarone helped a great deal! They had only arrived in the country 10 to 11 days ago so she most have been bitten on her 1st or 2nd night in the country! The medecine they are taking is extremely effective and they are both doing really well.
Being in the pre-school/toddler room observing last week has been emotionally challenging - to say the least. The way things are done in there want to make me either scream out in anger or frustration or just cry because its makes me so upset. Forgetting the fact that I am a nursery nurse some things should just be so obvious but the workers just dont see it. The kids range from 20 months to 7 years in preschool. They expect the children to sit for 1 hour listening to story after story after story - and when they dont sit and listen they get 'beaten' - spanked. The guy who leads pre-school makes me laugh - in a bad way - there are about 11 kids who do school lessons and he gets them to sing the alphabet song together about 5 times and then on their own twice!! and then we do the days of the week, and lest they get anything wrong they'll get 'beat' too!! I've walked out on the odd occassion because I just cant handle seeing these kids being spanked because they aren't singing the alphabet song right.
So. yesterday I had a meeting with all the Mamas, after spending a long time revising the schedule, and I explained the schedule to them and asked them if there was anything they would want to change or if there was anything they thought would not work. They didnt really say much, and its quite hard to get them to convey any feelings or opinions. I suppose for them its probably hard having some 'stranger' walk in and change things - but as I explained to them - Im trying to make everyones life easier and we are all working for the common good of these children. Ive also set up a reward system for good behaviour, for obeying, for good manners etc, all the kids seem really keen and excited about it - since the reward/treat will be a trip to the swimming pool! Well, the official preschool lessons and schedule will start tomorrow, so Im hoping that things will work as well as planned! Although that is rarely the case!
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Tuesday 03/07/07
On Sunday went to hospital with director because she got an urgent phone call saying come and pick up a new-born asap. When we got to the childrens hospital we were taken into a ward with about 30 people crammed into a small space with kids lying on beds and parents sleeping on the floor at their bedside. We were taken into a small room at the back of the ward where there were 2 cribs and a lady sleeping on the floor. The lady who called us showed us the crib with the baby - I wanted to take a photo but thought it might be inappropriate!...in the bed was a tiny, very pale baby weighing approximately 1.5 pounds she had some kind of tube in her hand and lo and behold on this tiny crib with the baby was a kerosene lamp...yes a kerosene lamp with a mosquito net draped over the top!!! Apparantly they are trying to simulate an incubator because they do not have one in the hospital! Apart from being a fire hazard it also gave off smelly and dangerous fumes for such a small premature baby! They were also giving the baby cows milk as they didnt have any formula! So the next day someone went back to give them some formula. We couldnt take the baby with us as the nessecary paperwork hadnt been completed and the police had not been contacted regarding the abandonment of this baby - here it is a criminal offence to abandon a baby anywhere except in a hospital. So we will have to see what happens to this baby.
Today, I visited a village with some people from the orphanage - I was there to take photos for a project that is being set up in order to help the local community...more about that another time.
News from the cases that went to court on Friday...the judge was very positive and upbeat - even talking personally to the adopting parents - something which has never happened before. So the final ruling takes place this Friday and this will determine whether 3 families can take their kids home!!
Pray for Hope who was been her 18 months trying to get Phin home, things seem stuck on the US side as she has beem granted full legal guardianship.
I have been asked to teach some kids how to read a few hours after school a couple of times a week. So I will try amd teach them phonics as they do not learn this at school.
Yesterday, on my way home I saw what might be an Iguana!! it was about 1 metre long and a very light green colour! It was very beautiful and I was surprised to see it - but anything can happen in Africa right?
It would seem that I am allergic to mosquito bites - which would explain why they swell up so much!
On Sunday went to hospital with director because she got an urgent phone call saying come and pick up a new-born asap. When we got to the childrens hospital we were taken into a ward with about 30 people crammed into a small space with kids lying on beds and parents sleeping on the floor at their bedside. We were taken into a small room at the back of the ward where there were 2 cribs and a lady sleeping on the floor. The lady who called us showed us the crib with the baby - I wanted to take a photo but thought it might be inappropriate!...in the bed was a tiny, very pale baby weighing approximately 1.5 pounds she had some kind of tube in her hand and lo and behold on this tiny crib with the baby was a kerosene lamp...yes a kerosene lamp with a mosquito net draped over the top!!! Apparantly they are trying to simulate an incubator because they do not have one in the hospital! Apart from being a fire hazard it also gave off smelly and dangerous fumes for such a small premature baby! They were also giving the baby cows milk as they didnt have any formula! So the next day someone went back to give them some formula. We couldnt take the baby with us as the nessecary paperwork hadnt been completed and the police had not been contacted regarding the abandonment of this baby - here it is a criminal offence to abandon a baby anywhere except in a hospital. So we will have to see what happens to this baby.
Today, I visited a village with some people from the orphanage - I was there to take photos for a project that is being set up in order to help the local community...more about that another time.
News from the cases that went to court on Friday...the judge was very positive and upbeat - even talking personally to the adopting parents - something which has never happened before. So the final ruling takes place this Friday and this will determine whether 3 families can take their kids home!!
Pray for Hope who was been her 18 months trying to get Phin home, things seem stuck on the US side as she has beem granted full legal guardianship.
I have been asked to teach some kids how to read a few hours after school a couple of times a week. So I will try amd teach them phonics as they do not learn this at school.
Yesterday, on my way home I saw what might be an Iguana!! it was about 1 metre long and a very light green colour! It was very beautiful and I was surprised to see it - but anything can happen in Africa right?
It would seem that I am allergic to mosquito bites - which would explain why they swell up so much!
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