VHT elections

7.22.10
Tuesday, we had a sensitization on patient rights as well as our VHT elections. People started showing up after a burial of an older woman that took place in the early afternoon. At first, I was surprised by the turn out. I didn’t see any of the regulars…meaning those (mostly women) who came to our sensitizations. The LC1 was there as well as Eliasa, our mobilizer, and a handful of men who are friends with a guy named Amos. Amos was first introduced to us when we were moving throughout the village. He seemed well respected at first, but soon we began to hear that maybe he wasn’t a man true to his word and of good character. He didn’t show up to a single sensitization after the initial meeting, but here he was at our elections with a group of his friends. Great. We were concerned that perhaps the VHT would not be a good representation of those interested in our work, but of mere figure heads that liked the idea of being on the committee…probably in hopes of some type of financial incentive, which of course we don’t give. Good thing we had a drama on patient rights because it lasted around and hour or so and as a result gave time for more of our regulars to show up and those tired of waiting that weren’t genuinely interested to filter out. The drama was entertaining, as usual and drew a good crowd. By the end the rain had started and the people gathered beneath the mango tree. Nominations for the VHT were shouted out and we tried to write them all down. Some weren’t even there…Amos’s name ended up on the list. By the end 30 names were volunteered, a good start to what will most likely eventually be around 10 or 15 once everything is said and done. We have training on Monday and Tuesday of next week, which not all will be able to make and then after they start working with UVP on a regular basis we’ve been told some will drop out from lack of time and then some will drop off because of lack of incentive. All in all, I think we have a good group that will naturally evolve into an even better group of leaders who can inspire change in the community…only time will tell.

Namungalwe Rural

7.20.10
I took some pictures yesterday as we were mobilizing for our Village Health Team elections today. We have finally finished all of our sensitizations and the time has come for the community to elect leaders to serve on the VHT and carry on our work when we leave. UVP will continue to follow up and work with the VHT over the course of the next three years. As we moved through the village, I tried to take some pictures that captured the essence of Namungalwe rural. I’m here only for about another week so I’m working hard on remembering. I don’t want to forget what life is like here. As we talked with people, they were sad to hear we were leaving so soon, after only just starting to get to know us. I thought 2 months would be a long time to live and work in the community, but in fact, it was just enough to get situated and become known and trusted. Hopefully, the follow-up work done by the year-round UVP staff will be successful at continuing to train the VHT and work in the community to improve their health. There are an overwhelming number of problems and frustrations that will take time to resolve with sustainable solutions. Our work here was short and superficial, but a start. I’m excited to see if the villagers elected today will have the motivation and leadership to continue the work.
I’m torn as I think about leaving in just under 2 weeks. I’ve loved my time here and feel as though there is so much more that can be done in the community. Things take longer here…it’s just the way it is…and so it is hard to leave when things are just getting started. I know that there are staff here year round but they are spread pretty thin and it’s not the same as having someone living in the village working alongside the community, teaching and inspiring them to work towards a better quality of life. However, at the same time I’m looking forward to coming home, seeing my family and friends, taking a real shower, using a washing machine to clean the Ugandan dirt off my clothes, and finish my medical school applications. I have loved getting to know Mutesi and her family…a term used loosely here in Uganda as the household includes nieces and nephews, and grandchildren. I will miss them the most.

Mabira

Mabira National Forest

7.19.10
On Sunday, the team minus the Ugandan interns, took a day trip to hike in Mabira National Forest. When we asked Simon-Peter and Hannington if they were interested in hiking we were given looks of “are you kidding me…why would I want to walk around in a forest?” Too funny. So we left them behind and took off for the small village of Nejembbe. Travel in Uganda is anything but predictable, kind of like the weather. So, after switching matatus (taxis) in Jinja we headed toward the forest into some pretty ominous looking clouds. Next thing we know we’re in the middle of a full blown hailstorm. I pull out my peanut butter and banana sandwhich…by now it’s already past 12pm (after leaving the house around 10am) and hope for the best. We are crammed into this taxi…water splashing up through holes in the bottom of the van, dangerous puddles of water collecting on the roadway, and unfortunately the van’s defrost system wasn’t working…why would it? Everyone is a little on edge…for our safety and plans for hiking. By the time we are dropped off in Nejembbe about 20 minutes later the rain is now a steady Seattle drizzle. Typical Ugandan rain…lasts about 30-40 minutes and then disappears. Lucky for us it was when we reached the forest and as we started our walk the sun was shining through the trees and the butterflies (over 200 species live in the forest) are out.
The forest was beautiful…lush, tropical and full of life…mostly plant life, but we did see some birds, butterflies, dragonflies, spiders, ants…by the time they were biting us, millipedes, and yes…a red-tailed MONKEY! We didn’t happen upon the monkeys until the end of the hike, but we saw a bunch of half-eaten fruit on the ground so we started searching in the canopy high above and sure enough saw what looked like a large squirrel from our viewpoint. The camera’s zoom revealed a red tail with a furry body! We were pretty excited. I tried to get a picture, but the resolution is not that great…but still…we saw a monkey on our own little safari through the forest.