Unfortunately we received news that little Peter lost his battle with malaria and an inflamed spleen on Thursday morning (while we were on safari). He was buried on Friday afternoon at Kyampisi (near the fresh water well), well-supported by the KCM family and the Kyampisi community at large. According to Peter Sewakiryanga there was a very large gathering at the service which was followed by a long walk (over 1 kilometre) to the burial site.
On the other hand, it seems young Hope is doing quite well. She was taken by a witch doctor some years ago, had her tongue removed and was bound for 18 months while left alone out in the bush. All this has seen her suffer nerve and brain damage. She has also developed significant issues with muscle tone, limb movement and general well being. KCM have agreed to assist in her ongoing treatment and therapy.
I took Hope and members of Hope's immediate family to the Physio-Therapist on Tuesday afternoon. It seems the Physio is willing to work with Hope at the Jesus House for as long as is required. One twist in all this is it seems that Hope may have contracted Cerebral Palsy following a bad case of malaria while she was bound by the witch doctor. Apparently CP is not that uncommon in infants if they get a bad case of malaria and it remains untreated, especially when they're very young.
The Physio is quietly confident that he'll be able to restore Hope back to her former self but he's unsure what impact the CP will have on this outcome. Only time will confirm this.
In the mean time, we're praying for a miracle in her life.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Monday, 29 October 2012
The Surgery
Today (Monday) saw us drive to 'The Surgery', a Medical Clinic set up predominantly for Mzungu (western) patients. This is our third visit to the clinic in less than a week. Our previous visits were for Eli (last Thursday) and for Hannah and Lydia (last Friday).
To cut a long story short we've been quite sick as a family for more than a week. While we were all sick at the same time initially, it's been the kids, especially Hannah and Eli, who have been sick the longest.
Our visit last Friday revealed that Lydia had caught an Intestinal Amoeba. Based on the symptoms being the same for all 3 kids, Dr Stockley diagnosed that Hannah and Eli had the same problem and prescribed the same medication.
While Lydia and Eli responded quite quickly to the treatment, Hannah's symptoms continued.
The reason for dropping into 'The Surgery' today was to deliver a stool sample from Hannah and Eli (to confirm the presence of an Intestinal Amoeba). While there I decided I might as well give a stool sample to check myself out as well.
According to the test results we are all clear of Intestinal Amoebas (praise the Lord) but as Hannah has high levels of yeast (probably due to her not eating very much and her taking the wrong medication for the past few days) Dr Stockley prescribed her some alternative medication for the next 4 days.
While the initial medication for Intestinal Amoebas cost 100,000 schillings, Hannah's new medication only cost 2,000 schillings.
Interestingly we waited for a total of 5 hours on our 3 visits to 'The Surgery'.
Of even more interest was that we met Lynda, a lady from Australia who is married to Peter (Joel) Schuurs, older brother of Mark Schuurs who was in my Year 11 and 12 class at St Peters Lutheran College. It certainly is a small world?
To cut a long story short we've been quite sick as a family for more than a week. While we were all sick at the same time initially, it's been the kids, especially Hannah and Eli, who have been sick the longest.
Our visit last Friday revealed that Lydia had caught an Intestinal Amoeba. Based on the symptoms being the same for all 3 kids, Dr Stockley diagnosed that Hannah and Eli had the same problem and prescribed the same medication.
While Lydia and Eli responded quite quickly to the treatment, Hannah's symptoms continued.
The reason for dropping into 'The Surgery' today was to deliver a stool sample from Hannah and Eli (to confirm the presence of an Intestinal Amoeba). While there I decided I might as well give a stool sample to check myself out as well.
According to the test results we are all clear of Intestinal Amoebas (praise the Lord) but as Hannah has high levels of yeast (probably due to her not eating very much and her taking the wrong medication for the past few days) Dr Stockley prescribed her some alternative medication for the next 4 days.
While the initial medication for Intestinal Amoebas cost 100,000 schillings, Hannah's new medication only cost 2,000 schillings.
Interestingly we waited for a total of 5 hours on our 3 visits to 'The Surgery'.
Of even more interest was that we met Lynda, a lady from Australia who is married to Peter (Joel) Schuurs, older brother of Mark Schuurs who was in my Year 11 and 12 class at St Peters Lutheran College. It certainly is a small world?
Rote Learning
It seems the prevailing teaching method in Uganda is rote learning. Teachers teach from textbooks and students learn definitions for the upcoming test.
While I was teaching the Social Studies topic 'the environment' to the Primary 3 class last week I thought I would open up discussion to define different aspects of 'the environment'.
It was pretty clear that the only definition the students (and their teacher) wanted to discuss was that defined in the textbook: 'the things around us'. While this is true, it seemed a little narrow to me.
I was hoping to break the class into small groups (each with a sheet of butchers paper) and ask the students to work as a team and write down as many different aspects of the environment that they could think of (e.g. the natural environment v the man-made environment). I think I'll try this strategy next time I'm asked to teach - and I'll appoint a scribe, a reporter and someone to collect the required materials (pen and paper). I think the students will really enjoy the strategy, as will the teachers.
I'll let you know how it all pans out!
While I was teaching the Social Studies topic 'the environment' to the Primary 3 class last week I thought I would open up discussion to define different aspects of 'the environment'.
It was pretty clear that the only definition the students (and their teacher) wanted to discuss was that defined in the textbook: 'the things around us'. While this is true, it seemed a little narrow to me.
I was hoping to break the class into small groups (each with a sheet of butchers paper) and ask the students to work as a team and write down as many different aspects of the environment that they could think of (e.g. the natural environment v the man-made environment). I think I'll try this strategy next time I'm asked to teach - and I'll appoint a scribe, a reporter and someone to collect the required materials (pen and paper). I think the students will really enjoy the strategy, as will the teachers.
I'll let you know how it all pans out!
Soccer v Borda Borda team
After driving little Peter to the Medical Clinic in Kalagi (on Friday afternoon) members of the KCM team (including workmen assisting at the Kyampisi building site) competed against the local Kyampisi Borda Borda drivers.
The word 'compete' is a good one, as the game was highly competitive. Even though I'd played competitive soccer at high school many years ago I felt like a boy playing against men - not in relation to my age or size (actually I was the oldest player on the field and probably one of the biggest) but in relation to my skills - Africans play soccer at every available opportunity and can do things with a ball that I can only dream about! Their natural talent is certainly well developed.
At half time the score was 1-1. During the second half KCM scored two goals (actually Peter Sewakiryanga scored 2 goals) and the Borda Borda team failed to score any.
I was a little surprised by Peter's skills, but after hearing that he used to play in the National soccer team, I can fully appreciate where he gained his prowess.
As there had been some rain falling on the field, those of us not wearing soccer boots found it quite slippery. To be honest though, even if I had been dressed appropriately, I would have still looked second-class at best.
At the end of the game we took a team photo, gave 3 cheers for the Borda Borda team and prayed for those who had been playing and spectating.
The word 'compete' is a good one, as the game was highly competitive. Even though I'd played competitive soccer at high school many years ago I felt like a boy playing against men - not in relation to my age or size (actually I was the oldest player on the field and probably one of the biggest) but in relation to my skills - Africans play soccer at every available opportunity and can do things with a ball that I can only dream about! Their natural talent is certainly well developed.
At half time the score was 1-1. During the second half KCM scored two goals (actually Peter Sewakiryanga scored 2 goals) and the Borda Borda team failed to score any.
I was a little surprised by Peter's skills, but after hearing that he used to play in the National soccer team, I can fully appreciate where he gained his prowess.
As there had been some rain falling on the field, those of us not wearing soccer boots found it quite slippery. To be honest though, even if I had been dressed appropriately, I would have still looked second-class at best.
At the end of the game we took a team photo, gave 3 cheers for the Borda Borda team and prayed for those who had been playing and spectating.
Malaria Test with little Peter
Prior to playing soccer at Kyampisi on Friday afternoon, Brittney (a married lady from Tennessee, USA) and I drove little Peter to the Medical Clinic at Kalagi.
Peter has an enlarged spleen which has led to other complications including anaemia and a lower tolerance to infection. He has also required 4 blood transfusions over the past few months.
After presenting with a high fever and diarrhea it was thought he may now have malaria. The Clinic nurse gave Peter one of the standard Malaria Tests - which requires a drop of the patient's blood (together with another solution) being placed on a short plastic 'ruler'. After about 20 minutes the Test indicates whether the result is positive or negative.
In Peter's case, the test came back positive and he was given the appropriate medication, via a needle in his thigh - much to his horror!
This particular treatment required Peter to have 2 follow-up needles on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Unfortunately Peter hasn't improved and we plan to take him to Case Medical Surgery on Monday for another blood transfusion and they'll probably admit him to hospital.
Peter has an enlarged spleen which has led to other complications including anaemia and a lower tolerance to infection. He has also required 4 blood transfusions over the past few months.
After presenting with a high fever and diarrhea it was thought he may now have malaria. The Clinic nurse gave Peter one of the standard Malaria Tests - which requires a drop of the patient's blood (together with another solution) being placed on a short plastic 'ruler'. After about 20 minutes the Test indicates whether the result is positive or negative.
In Peter's case, the test came back positive and he was given the appropriate medication, via a needle in his thigh - much to his horror!
This particular treatment required Peter to have 2 follow-up needles on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Unfortunately Peter hasn't improved and we plan to take him to Case Medical Surgery on Monday for another blood transfusion and they'll probably admit him to hospital.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Electricity Challenges
The past week has seen us living more often without electricity than with electricity - especially during those hours when having it is a blessing!
To be honest, the novelty is starting to wear off, as it's a little frustrating when the phone, computer and camera have all run out of charge and you want to use them. Similarly it's a little frustrating if you have charge on the computer and you want to access the Internet, but it's not available as there's no power to run the router.
I understand the Ugandan Government is selling it's hydro-power to neighbouring countries to help pay off their growing debt (something that seems to be a growing global problem).
To be honest, the novelty is starting to wear off, as it's a little frustrating when the phone, computer and camera have all run out of charge and you want to use them. Similarly it's a little frustrating if you have charge on the computer and you want to access the Internet, but it's not available as there's no power to run the router.
I understand the Ugandan Government is selling it's hydro-power to neighbouring countries to help pay off their growing debt (something that seems to be a growing global problem).
Ja Ja Margaret
Last Wednesday afternoon Peter took the KCM men to meet some of the local Kyampisi identities - one of these was Ja Ja (grandma) Margaret, a 90 year old lady who lives with her extended family and is blind. After we'd spoken with her for a while (in Lugandan) Peter asked me to pray for her family. Before praying, I asked Peter to ask Margaret if there was anything that she really needed and that would make her more comfortable. She asked if we could repair her leaking roof and provide her with a mattress, sheets and a blanket.
After I prayed, we returned back to the Kyampisi church where we've been working for the past week - building the roof for the new ministry centre at the back of the Children's Church.
Last Thursday after taking Sonia and the kids to 'The Surgery' a Mzungu (western) doctor's surgery in Kampala (separate blog) we drove home via Hardware World in Ntinda to buy roofing sheets and roofing nails. A very kind young man at Hardware World secured the iron sheets on the back of the KCM 4WD with rope.
Later that afternoon on our way out to Kyampisi, it was very wet and the rope managed to loosen sufficient to allow the sheets to fly off - in the Main Street of Kijabijo. I quickly stopped the 4WD. As I walked towards the sheeting I could hear the community cheering and see a taxi approaching. I'm thinking 'I hope he manouvers his way around the sheeting' but alas, he drives straight over them and they went flying in all directions.
To cut a long story short, two friendly men and I gathered together the sheets, bound them with rope and fastened them on the back of the 4WD. I paid them both 1000 schillings for their help. Within 15 minutes we were back on our way out to Ja Ja Margaret's home.
We left the roofing sheets with Margaret for erection the next day.
As a team we fixed her roof and gave her a mattress, sheets and a blanket on Friday. Unfortunately as we were at 'The Surgery' again on Friday morning I wasn't a part of this exercise, which was disappointing as I provided the materials and was keen to practically serve her in this way.
After I prayed, we returned back to the Kyampisi church where we've been working for the past week - building the roof for the new ministry centre at the back of the Children's Church.
Last Thursday after taking Sonia and the kids to 'The Surgery' a Mzungu (western) doctor's surgery in Kampala (separate blog) we drove home via Hardware World in Ntinda to buy roofing sheets and roofing nails. A very kind young man at Hardware World secured the iron sheets on the back of the KCM 4WD with rope.
Later that afternoon on our way out to Kyampisi, it was very wet and the rope managed to loosen sufficient to allow the sheets to fly off - in the Main Street of Kijabijo. I quickly stopped the 4WD. As I walked towards the sheeting I could hear the community cheering and see a taxi approaching. I'm thinking 'I hope he manouvers his way around the sheeting' but alas, he drives straight over them and they went flying in all directions.
To cut a long story short, two friendly men and I gathered together the sheets, bound them with rope and fastened them on the back of the 4WD. I paid them both 1000 schillings for their help. Within 15 minutes we were back on our way out to Ja Ja Margaret's home.
We left the roofing sheets with Margaret for erection the next day.
As a team we fixed her roof and gave her a mattress, sheets and a blanket on Friday. Unfortunately as we were at 'The Surgery' again on Friday morning I wasn't a part of this exercise, which was disappointing as I provided the materials and was keen to practically serve her in this way.
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