Return to the new and the old.

The journey over was our best yet. The Brussels Airlines planes had plenty of spaces so we could stretch out a bit. Lack of passengers meant a very short queue at Rwandan Immigrations and our luggage was first off the carousel...awesome!

Uganda welcomed us with an afternoon of rain and a power cut that lasted well into the evening. Never mind, the welcome from the staff more than made up for it.

We did a tour to meet the new additions as well as the old ones.

It is hard to show just how small Claudette is. She is 900grams and was born very suddenly at 6 months of gestation. The Grandmother wrapped her to her chest and rushed her round. She kept her very warm. Such a small baby can get cold very quickly. The biro at the back gives some indication of her size. The suit she is wearing is designed for premature babies and you can see how big that is on her.

 

 

 

 

The newest and smallest baby on site is matched by Rosie's newest and smallest desk on site. The laptop is attached to the couch leg so it can't be stolen. All very space efficient!

 

 

 

Benson and Naboth, pictured above, were twins that had been resettled to family far in the mountains. It was so far that it was not feasible to bring them to Community Support days for checks. Latterly, the family was given a weight record sheet and asked to attend their local health centre for weighing and bring the sheet back after 3 months. Winniefred saw the sheet and was appalled. At 2 years of age their weight had steadily decreased from 12 kilos to 6 kilos in just 3 months. The Medical Centre said the boys must be near death. The family was told to bring them straight in. Actually they were not too thin. The family had not taken them for weight checks and had filled the form in themselves. They should have found out that the numbers were supposed to increase not decrease!!

However the boys seemed very miserable. It was decided to remove the children from that Aunt and find another solution. They rejoined Angels room where they had been before. The tragic thing is that the boys have not progressed at all. When they left us they were standing and almost walking independently...they are still at that stage. They left us babbling but came in silent. The medical diagnosis? Deep unhappiness. How sad. Other relatives have been found but it does mean that the boys will have to be separated, which we had wanted to avoid. They will not be far from each other and the family members do meet together. First, we will nurture them for a while.

Joanne is another sad case. She is 4 years old and in the Nutritional Rehabilitation Unit. Her body is very swollen and she could hardly open her eyes. You can see indentations on her legs where the material that had attached her to her mother's back had pressed into them. This is a serious form of malnutrition called kwashiorkor. The swelling masks the reality of the condition so parents fail to appreciate what is happening.

Lastly, a question from Leonard that I could not answer.....

Can anyone recognise this herb?

My best attempt is bee balm. We don't want to eat it until we are sure it is edible!

Answers please to mikeandsue.hughes@gmail.com.

 

Revamped, replenished, renewed

Potters has been getting a facelift thanks to a visiting team from Didsbury and Linda from Great Baddow with her friend Joyce.

 

Jim and John, an NHS Manager and a Judge have decided that if things get tough in the UK, they could make a good painting and decorating team!

The main gates were getting quite rusty in places so they did a thorough preparation job and braved the sun to achieve a 'good as new' finish.

Having completed their part, they asked Caroline to carefully pick out the words in white. Jim is certain we now have the best gates in Kisoro - we can't disagree with that.

Caroline painted a wonderful mural on the walls outside the babies rooms so that they can play on the veranda as if in a colourful forest. We are so grateful to have the benefit of her amazing talent.

 

 

One evening we were called to collect a baby from Kisoro Hospital. The mother of Precious was psychotic and the medication they wanted to give her would mean she couldn't breastfeed. Mike and I went to collect her. I felt we looked like we were stealing a baby. We were trying to pick our way across the Hospital compound in the dark with a crying baby that clearly couldn't be ours.

The next morning Catherine took on looking after 2 week old Precious. We expected to have Precious until weaned but the Psychiatrist decided that it was better for the mother to breastfeed than be without the baby. We returned Precious but at that stage the mother did not seem to be aware that Precious was hers. We can only hope the baby will not suffer any effects from the drugs given to the mother.

 

Sonia was grateful to have the store made tidier by having the recently arrived clothes sorted into the correct tubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As ever there are the clothes that the babies have rendered unusable that are cut up and recycled into bottom wiping rags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joyce and Linda set about painting Potter's Village in large letters on our sheets in the hopes of preventing so many walking off the site. Linda, being an up-to-date woman, is having a break to text on her phone.

 

 

In order to save money, Alan wanted to use some of the metal from the non-functioning and rusty windmill. I secretly cheered as it came down. I've always considered it an eyesore but met with opposition when suggesting it be removed.

Malcolm, a Consultant Paediatrician and Trish, Paediatric Nurse, have been of tremendous help. Here they are removing fluid from a very sick boy's lung cavity. Dr Rosy in the background acted as a moveable and useful tray stand.

Malcolm also showed Mike many useful ways of using the Ultrasound machine. It transpires the machine does not function as it should so Malcolm is kindly taking it back to the UK to see if he can get it fixed.

 

 

Elsewhere Bill was beavering away doing many things electrical around the site. Martin painted the Immunisation room as well as helping with computer issues.

 

The elections passed without too much trouble though this man came to have his head stitched after getting caught up in a nearby fracas where stones were being thrown at an MP but hit him instead.

 

 

 

We have had many very sick children including Elia with a skin condition covering his whole body. He is being treated for Pemphigus as it had not responded to antibiotics given elsewhere but got significantly worse.

 

 

 

 

 

This very malnourished child came in, not because he was so thin but because he had breathing problems. He had pneumonia and sadly died. 24 hours earlier and he probably could have made it. It is so sad that people cannot see that a child who is very thin needs help. It will take a lot of educating in the community. One thing we want to do is make posters with photos so that people can compare their child to the photo and maybe recognise the danger the child is in.

 

 

We were delighted to welcome young Simon, son of Leonard and Annet. He was born at 8pm the night before the elections. The next morning they told Annet to take the baby to Potter's Village for immunisations as they were closing the ward for Election Day. What was going to happen to those who go into labour that day? Anyway, it was lovely for the staff to see Simon.

 

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The rains have passed and it is sunshine every day....sorry to rub it in!

 

Over a week ago we packed up the car with all Doreen, a little cerebral palsied girl, would need for her first term at school as well as clothes, bedding and soap for Jackson. Mike and Mama Annet journeyed up to Mukono over two days. The first night they stopped at a place on the side of the main road. Doreen slept well but the others didn't.

Although Doreen was painfully thin when she came to us in December, you can see she has filled out nicely. She cried when left at school but when I phoned a couple of days later they said she was smiling happily and eating well. Most of the pupils had not arrived for the new term so she was getting a lot of attention - that would definitely make her happy. Her father had phoned to see how she was settling which was very positive.

For those who met Doreen when she was a resident baby here, she has grown into a calm and more relaxed girl. She is picky about who she wants to feed her but full of smiles whenever approached. When the school talked about her smiles it rang true.

 

 

Another visitor was Miracle. He was the little lad found crawling in the rain late one night on a path behind Potters. We could find no trace of a family and he has been fostered to a good home. I like the matching outfits. Sadly, he was not for remembering any of us. I hope that is a good sign that he has bonded with his new family and doesn't want to be taken backwards. We know he is greatly loved...and spoiled..so have no concerns. A happy outcome for him.

 

 

 

We had a spate of tour groups. This is probably our largest yet...17 Swedish people + 3 Ugandans. I split them into 3 groups to go round the rooms but the site looked overun with white people. It provided afternoon entertainment for patients and friends sitting outside

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Cook, his wife Claire and boys, William and James are providing immense help to us. Here Alan is contemplating a job that should have been easy but has discovered the pipe is half the diameter it should be and the drainage runs uphill. Ha! One of the many challenges that has come his way. He is getting inventive - he has been making tap washers out of rubber and a hot screwdriver. You can buy taps here but not washers!?

 

 

 

 

Claire has been brilliant and turns her hand to anything. Thanks to her help while Sonia was on leave, I can now see my desk. She and boys come 3 mornings a week. The boys were talking about playing football with Guiness. Guiness? Is there a member of staff I don't know about and named after a beer? Turned out to be Kenneth.

This little baby came in with a very marked depression in his skull. It may not be clear in the photo but what you might assume to be hair on the top of his head is a dip. This was caused during the birth process. Mike scanned his brain and found there was no damage. Slowly it is rectifying itself. It is amazing what the skull can accommodate.

 

 

 

 

Having said the baby part wasn't for him, Alan shows his softer side.

 

New Year....New Life.

I can honestly say that I have never seen the site look better. The rain has meant that everywhere is lusciously green. Leonard and men have worked very hard to get the site trimmed to perfection with neat edges and colourful flower borders.

Invaheza (who is definitely pregnant) now has a large paddock area so she doesn't chase the dog or visitors!

There is a smart bike shed being built by the gate.

Sadly moles have attacked the sweet potatoes. Young boys came in and caught 31. The going rate is 20p per mole so in their terms they made good money. I haven't asked what happens to the moles. Mole stew anyone?

 

 

 

The carrot patch looked after by Vicent (toilet attendant) was only being planted when we left.

 

 

 

We have 18 resident Potter's babies which is rather too many. Muhumuza and Justine are being resettled to their families very soon.

Moses came in this week. His mother delivered in a rural health centre but haemorrhaged after delivery. She was taken to Kisoro Hospital on the back of a truck with her feet hanging over the end. There was no blood at the Hospital so she was loaded onto the van again. She died en route to Mutolere Hospital so they diverted to Potter's to leave the baby with us. Such a very sad death.

 

 

 

Jimmy is a little one in the Prem Baby Unit. His mother came over from the Congo where her husband and 4 children had been killed. She also brought another little boy who had latched on to her. She delivered in Kisoro and being a little small, Jimmy came to us. He is doing very well and won't be with us much longer. Naturally, the mother had no clothes with her so the staff found her and the boy some from our store room. The Refugee Camp just outside Kisoro is providing food for them.

 

The babies have grown so much it has been a case of relearning who is who. I think I have the Angels room more or less sorted.

 

 

Mackline is a new one. Her mother died. She will live with her father and older sister in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ngabirano is also new. His mother left him with the father. The Gran tried to feed him but he was underweight and had malaria when brought to Potters for help. His Gran visits him regularly. Ngabirano is well known for crying in the evening and competes with Judith in the next room. After a spell of crying he is fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Izabayo has always been a character. She is chatty, smiley and full of mischief. Very soon she will be walking. It is such a shame it is proving difficult to find someone in her family to take her.

 

 

 

 

Young Brian is now doing very well and growing a lovely soft mop of hair. He was the baby found in the plastic bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim and Joel, the identical twins...have developed identical bottom shuffles. I's either that or commando style crawling which is good for cleaning the floor!

 

 

 

 

Lastly there is Tim on the left and Bridget on the right. Bridget is going to be a shy and quiet girl. Tim wants to put everything in his mouth and here is going to see if Bridget's hand will stretch far enough. It won't. A few seconds more and you would see him lean forward with his mouth wide open to attempt a mouthful...it was rather reminiscent of a Jaws movie moment!

The last new babies have been these cute piglets. We have 8 altogether. Leonard came to ask for porridge for his babies. Is this taking the baby weaning lessons too far, I wondered. I'm told it will only be for a month and then they will be sold. It is lovely to see them scampering around the vegetable patch. Definitely free range pigs!

 

Antenatal care at Potters!

We were thrilled to be given a beautiful cow by the Government as part of their wealth creation scheme. She is supposedly pregnant so we stood looking at her..

...How can you tell if she is pregnant?

...By sticking your arm up her backside.

...Any other way?

...Do you think a human pregnancy test would work?

...Who's going to volunteer to collect the early morning urine specimen?

...Good point, I guess we'll just wait and see if she gets noticeably fatter.

Yep, we are nothing if not thorough!

I was sitting at my desk when a pint-sized whirlwind appeared at my side with an enormous grin - young Ivan had arrived. He sat on my knee chatting away about goodness knows what. He then climbed off and I was told he was asking to see the Grandfather. We went to the Medical Centre where he insisted Mike admire his shoes. He then demanded his porridge. Having been given some, he asked for more for his Mum (Grandmother). We took some back for her and some for him. He sat on the ground and insisted Mike share his cup.

 

He tried Mike's glasses on but looked as though he felt a bit seasick and quickly took them off.

When departing and handing me his cup, his Gran asked him what he should say to me. He didn't just say 'thank you' his response was to say 'thank you for cooking for me'

The staff laughed at his politeness.

What a wonderful boy and being very well brought up.

 

 

No-one has come forward to claim young Miracle found abandoned beside Potter's Village. He is starting to copy what is being said and two days ago walked alone. Here he is walking and talking with Rev Florence our Chaplain.

So far we have been unable to find anyone willing to foster him. They fear they will grow to love him and a family member will appear to claim him. Unlikely really. Poor Miracle.

He now gets out of his room and toddles or crawls to the next baby room and calls for Isaac to come and play. He is a very happy chap with a lovely smile.

 

Leonard got creative on the side of this standing frame for Deus. The frame is an excellent fit and very sturdy. It should be good for strengthening Deus's legs and for helping him feed himself. I had to get creative for the material part to keep him stable. I sacrificed our shower curtain in order to have ready made strong holes and discovered some key rings given to us were the perfect size to fit over the pegs. Nothing gets wasted here.

 

As for young Brian, the other abandoned baby, it's hard to get him to keep his eyes open for more than a fleeting look. He has been known to manage 12 mls by bottle before giving up. Often it is no more than 5 mls. It's a big worry. He was the one found in a plastic bag still attached to the placenta. We really do not want him to be profoundly brain damaged. I give him daily pep talks but I think he sleeps through them all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Dad of premature twins is very hands on. He is very proud of his sons and assures me he will come to the office every day until I get him a copy of this photo printed. The mum was busy trying to breast feed Kato, hence the photo taken from behind.

 

How much would you be worth in coca cola?

In what was a wonderful riot of colour, we spent Saturday afternoon at the Give Away ceremony for the Bishop's daughter Charity. We were entertained by dancers while we waited and then the bartering began between the two families. Traditionally the bride price was measured in cows, now it's crates of sodas - mainly coca cola. Once the price is agreed the groom's family bring in the crates and put them in front of the bride's family to be approved. Coca Cola would never have imagined their product could one day be a bride bargaining commodity!

 

 

 

The two Doctors, Ruth and Rebecca were also invited. They are here for nearly 4 months and have settled in well. Behind them, Rev Florence wanted to make sure she got into the photo.

Back on site, this lad was reluctant to go home. He had to stay to finish his treatment for typhoid but you would not have known he was ill. From morning to night he was outside on the wooden bike. Whizzing down the ramp from the Omega ward kept him amused for hours. Leonard came to say there was a possible fight brewing between mothers as this lad would not let anyone else have a go. I found a plastic one but no....everybody wanted the wooden one. Once he left, the others lost interest. It was good to see it so well enjoyed.

 

Bridget, our latest Potter's baby, arrived on August 24th. She was born on July 2nd but at 2.2 kg was very undernourished. She has a big appetite and is putting on weight at an amazing rate. We were told her teenage mother had become mentally ill. Winniefred visited the family. The mother is deaf and unable to communicate apart from a few basic signs. Since the birth she has been disruptive and making a lot of noise banging things - though she can't hear that. She has made aggressive gestures towards the baby though not harmed her. She has refused to breastfeed. What can you expect? Who has ever explained sex and birth to her? She must be so confused and frightened.

How do we begin to help in this situation? The girl used to go to a school for the deaf but kept running away so the family was told to keep her at home. They are a very simple family so it is hard to have constructive conversation.

 

 

The girl is Bridget's mum with her mother and brothers. The house is very dirty and they share it with animals. Can we really put Bridget back into this? One good thing is that the girl is on family planning - so long as the mother monitors it carefully.

 

 

 

 

 

For those who gave money for fruit trees last Christmas, Leonard has been grafting two varieties of apples onto one tree. He is having problems with aphids and fungus on many of our vegetables, not helped by all the dry weather. It is a race as to whether the aphids kill the seeding broccoli before the rains come and kill them. He has used so much soap powder on the plants that he fears to use any more. We will have foaming broccoli not sprouting broccoli!

 

 

There is a good crop of tree tomatoes forming, the lemon trees are looking good but the mango trees need to put in a lot more effort. They are going for quality leaves....but 10 good leaves 5cm from the ground cannot be called a tree.

 

Spot the mango tree! It's had to be marked with a small stone so we can find it and not tread on it.