Nsabimana ( we call him Saba) came into our lives just over 2 weeks ago. He was 6 months old and his mother had just died of TB. He had spent his life with her, sucking on her near empty breast for comfort. He had a cough and was very malnourished so it was very likely he also had TB and was infectious. We couldn't mix him with the children or Carers so it was down to the 'whites' to look after him. The 1st day I just held him while he frantically sucked on a dummy with his face buried into me. He quickly settled and wolfed down bottles of milk as well as working out how to eat mashed banana. The only medication we can get is out of date but will have to do. Having started at 5 kg, he put on 800 grm in his first week. He cannot sit yet but it won't be long. Without other visitors to help, particularly at night, we would not have survived. We are extremely grateful to Beth, Becky and Sue. (Debby was doing a sterling job caring for Abigail and keeping clear of us). On Thursday morning we handed him over to Babies B and Mike & I spent Friday and Saturday night at Lake Mutanda Resort just to sleep.....bliss! It was a bit cruel but I admit I was glad he woke up every 3-4 hours for the Carers for a feed during the night. It would have been gutting if it was only us! He is impossibly cute so all is forgiven.
We have also had the help of a team from Knock Church in Northern Ireland. Some put up this bamboo fence, others painted balustrades, sorted drugs, diagnosed patients, moved cots, cleaned rooms or cuddled babies.
The Medical Centre has been quieter this week although we have two very sick children amongst the others on the ward. Baby Maureen in the Prem Unit continues to do well. It will be a good day when there is flesh covering those ribs.
Mike went back to Kabale to continue to get documents sorted. He was told that nothing had happened to one document as it hadn't been authorised. Who authorises it? The man at that desk. Mike went over and the man brought it up on the screen. With a sigh as though it was a great effort, he wrote on the screen....'I authorise this.' A 2 hour journey to achieve that! Frustrating.
Life was peaceful and slow at Lake Mutanda...except for the frogs at night. Last year there was the tinkle of reed frogs reminiscent of bamboo wind chimes. This time it was like frantic scraping on wash boards. No wind chimes could ever sound like that. Presumably some big toads have moved in. It made a change to babies crying or Carers talking. However
