It is Wednesday afternoon here, we just finished clinic, and came to town to try to email some pictures to MTI for a fundraiser they have coming up. No luck though.
We had the busiest day yet on Monday. I think we must have had over 300 patients, plus the antenatal clinic. We continue to see lots of children with malaria, babies with pneumonia and dehydration. This week it seems that there are so many newborns! Lots of women have their babies at home and then bring them to the clinic to be evaluated.
You cannot imagine the living conditions here, for the refugees. The tiny huts they make out of sticks, mud and the plastic tarp they are given from UNHCR looks to be about 5' x 4'. It is so tiny, with a dirt floor. The whole family stays in this tiny space. Often times, the crops they are trying to grow for food are right around the hut. This makes for a good environment for snakes. A Black Mamba crawled in the hut of one family and bit the 3 year old daughter on the arm. (this was in late February) This snake is extremely poisonous, people were amazed the little girl was still living when the parents brought her the MTI's clinic 8 hours later. She ended up being transferred to Kampala Hospital for surgery. They managed to save her arm, did some grafting, and now she has contractures, but can hopefully be surgically corrected. She came to the clinic this week for follow up. She looks great all things considered.
Each day, I am so touched by the patience of the people. We arrive to see a large crowd of people lined up at the entrance to our makeshift clinic. Women with babies on their backs, toddlers at their legs, wait patiently to describe what is wrong and hope that we have the answer to their problem. Some will wait for 6 hours or more, in the hot sun, never complaining. The children play in the dusty area around the clinic, with each other, because they have no toys. Yet you can here them laughing. Yesterday, I heard a sweet voice singing a song, Hallelujah, hallelujah, this little girl was singing. The smile on a face just because you greet them with a handshake and "Jambo", warms my heart. I wish you could see what I see, it really is amazing.
Mungu akubariki
Lisa
4 comments:
Good afternoon, Lisa! I hope you have a good nights rest. Wow, 300 patients. I can't imagine trying to give time to that many people in need.Both exhausting and exhilarating at the same time? I also can't imagine having lived in a 20 or 30 sq ft space with Tommy and our two kids. No wonder they all have such tremendous patience.
Only 10 more days to go for those of us waiting to have you home! I thank God for who you are, both in our family and out in the world!
Lisa,
I did not realize you see that many patients a day-absolutely amazing work you are doing for everyone. The people sound amazing and very grateful for what they have! Very grateful to have someone like you to help them.
We are counting the days you come back, we miss you very much.
You obviously haven't been visited by one of these snakes, because I'm sure I could have heard you scream all the way from Uganda : ) You just love snakes so much. What a scary experience for that little girl. It sounds like a miracle she's still alive.
Marcia and I decided it would be such a neat experience to visit one of the churches there. It sounds like it's just pure worship...no PA system, no fancy lights, just God's people worshipping him.
We can't wait to see you!!!
Hi Lisa,
This month is crawling along for us. We miss you here at SGCMH. I really miss your 6am calls while you drive over to work. You sound like you are truly needed and appreciated there. I am proud to have you as a friend. I love reading your posts, they remind us all that we are truly blessed and need to share whenever we can.
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