tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52096061489881868682024-03-08T11:48:57.731-08:00Life In KisoroAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-12936054364595198402016-09-03T07:06:00.001-07:002016-09-03T07:06:14.004-07:00Apologies - blog won't work<p> Having put a blog together I have discovered the site will not work. It seems the app no longer exists. It says it cannot find photos so I am hoping it will publish text. If I was computer savvy I would probably find a way round it. I will need to wait until we return to the UK in October.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-56908544538998743842016-08-07T10:58:00.001-07:002016-08-07T10:58:23.251-07:00Thanks to the staff.<p> July is the month of appraisals, August is the month of pay rises so it is a good time to celebrate...congratulations for the past year and hopes of a good year to come. We always like to do something at this time as a morale boost for the staff. </p><p>This year we could add congratulations all round that we have passed the inspection for registration as a children's home. </p><p>Debby & Beth Mclelland were visiting PV again with first-timers Rebecca and Ruth. They had come prepared to give wonderful gifts to the staff.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y1dadR03BI/V6dz8erXziI/AAAAAAAABdg/Uk73QvtyPoQ/s2048/Photo%25252020160807185052993.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y1dadR03BI/V6dz8erXziI/AAAAAAAABdg/Uk73QvtyPoQ/s500/Photo%25252020160807185052993.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066074.393" class="alignleft" alt="" width="414" height="307"></a></div><p> </p><p> The women got to choose cloth and a necklace. The men got to choose a new shirt. These were then added to a bag containing a plastic poncho, bar of chocolate and toiletries.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jjq0Xb49fbs/V6d0SeoWeCI/AAAAAAAABdk/8fEkASkcTec/s2048/Photo%25252020160807185053231.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jjq0Xb49fbs/V6d0SeoWeCI/AAAAAAAABdk/8fEkASkcTec/s500/Photo%25252020160807185053231.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066069.2534" class="alignright" alt="" width="436" height="325"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> They also bought a goat to be added to the staff's usual canteen meal. The gravy was delicious.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLPYaXUIY4k/V6d023_rFeI/AAAAAAAABdo/4yR7G-yVZEY/s2048/Photo%25252020160807185053470.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uLPYaXUIY4k/V6d023_rFeI/AAAAAAAABdo/4yR7G-yVZEY/s500/Photo%25252020160807185053470.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066051.6248" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> To show their appreciation and joy, the women got out the drum and started to dance and sing. We couldn't understand how they could jump around after the huge platefuls of food they had just eaten - but fortunately no one was sick!</p><p> Betty gave a speech of thanks and said that they felt so appreciated that they would work twice as hard this year....does that mean if we don't equal the standard of gifts next year, they will work half as hard? No pressure!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hTuKEMNuCRc/V6d1HBAzDDI/AAAAAAAABds/J4fGjF3BBlc/s1774/Photo%25252020160807185053739.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hTuKEMNuCRc/V6d1HBAzDDI/AAAAAAAABds/J4fGjF3BBlc/s500/Photo%25252020160807185053739.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066110.4792" class="alignleft" alt="" width="363" height="363"></a></div><p> </p><p> Young Alban isn't feeling inclined to be happy. He has a huge and leaking abcess on the back of his head. He does look rather cute with his bandage though.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhpdoU5UldU/V6d1ej9xBSI/AAAAAAAABdw/JIVZFiz4A_g/s2048/Photo%25252020160807185053959.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhpdoU5UldU/V6d1ej9xBSI/AAAAAAAABdw/JIVZFiz4A_g/s500/Photo%25252020160807185053959.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066031.931" class="alignright" alt="" width="452" height="337"></a></div><p> Twins, Moses and Hope, who will be PV residents in time, are out of their incubator. They are starting to feed with bottles but not taking very much just yet. They are both anaemic which is a common problem here. Probably the mother was anaemic herself which could be a factor in why she bled to death. The twins do not need a blood transfusion as some do. They will manage on oral iron.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sz7LMHGF2vc/V6d14oU6BiI/AAAAAAAABd0/cvFEHf_X7og/s1774/Photo%25252020160807185054188.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sz7LMHGF2vc/V6d14oU6BiI/AAAAAAAABd0/cvFEHf_X7og/s500/Photo%25252020160807185054188.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066075.287" class="alignleft" alt="" width="312" height="312"></a></div><p> Joan (pronounced Joanne) formerly Nyiramahoro (yes, it's confusing) is doing very well. She was the latest one found down a drop-pit toilet. She is a strikingly beautiful little girl. She decided to fall asleep just as I wanted to photograph her so unfortunately you cannot see her big dark eyes. Geoffrey is going to visit the mother in prison to see if we can get a definite answer on who the father might be.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYbi-LjKZp8/V6d2PHkubbI/AAAAAAAABd4/gMaVizZYdZA/s1808/Photo%25252020160807185054422.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VYbi-LjKZp8/V6d2PHkubbI/AAAAAAAABd4/gMaVizZYdZA/s500/Photo%25252020160807185054422.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066047.0244" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="446" height="351"></a></div><p> To comply with health regulations, we had to remove the cage area in the Faith baby room. It does make the fantastic underwater scene more prominent.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YjqrhyX3keU/V6d2ug1C0oI/AAAAAAAABd8/Fi3YKOdOSQU/s1936/Photo%25252020160807185054768.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YjqrhyX3keU/V6d2ug1C0oI/AAAAAAAABd8/Fi3YKOdOSQU/s500/Photo%25252020160807185054768.jpg" id="blogsy-1470593066022.854" class="aligncenter" width="427" height="427" alt=""></a></div><p> The pigs also have improved accommodation. They have individual rooms for the night with soft bedding from wood shavings from the nearby vocational training centre. They also get ensuite shower facilities - or in bed showers to be fair. </p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-80577881040941140952016-07-17T07:16:00.001-07:002016-07-17T07:16:35.854-07:00Bigger is better...unless it is fish.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lMwObBECdNg/V4uP5la_k2I/AAAAAAAABZs/JUMAXAwe0dg/s2048/Photo%25252020160717150545888.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lMwObBECdNg/V4uP5la_k2I/AAAAAAAABZs/JUMAXAwe0dg/s500/Photo%25252020160717150545888.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325676.5193" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="608" height="453"></a></div><p> Benson and Naboth decided they needed bigger shoes. They put on Mike's shoes and shuffled their way back to their own room. They could barely go 3 shuffles before falling over but they were very determined. A team from the Fort Portal children's home came to visit their relatives. It was such a hard climb up the mountain that only one of the team of four made it to the house. He was completely exhausted afterwards. The end result is that they agree that there is no future for the twins in their community. Once Fort Portal has completed their paperwork, they will take the boys for 10 years and attempt to resettle them to their community as they reach their teens. Meanwhile we enjoy the antics of the twins - even if they did get into the milk kitchen cupboard and break the hydrometer for testing the water content of the milk. We need this to ensure the milk is not being watered down too much before reaching us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JPOOpUYTV0E/V4uQWjDdLjI/AAAAAAAABZw/ZpJcaL3X8ds/s1955/Photo%25252020160717150546129.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JPOOpUYTV0E/V4uQWjDdLjI/AAAAAAAABZw/ZpJcaL3X8ds/s500/Photo%25252020160717150546129.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325722.6533" class="alignleft" alt="" width="408" height="271"></a></div><p> We went away for a weekend and I forgot my toothbrush. We were in Kabale so I bought a Ugandan one. What an experience. The head is so long that you can brush half a set of teeth with the minimum of movement. Now that's a way to save time!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kiHU7B3eSBY/V4uSAvQb7RI/AAAAAAAABaA/K_UCw2rn_TA/s1345/Photo%25252020160717151422237.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kiHU7B3eSBY/V4uSAvQb7RI/AAAAAAAABaA/K_UCw2rn_TA/s500/Photo%25252020160717151422237.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325694.7405" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="457"></a></div><p> These tiny dried silver fish smell pretty awful but are high in protein. We have gone into production to grind them into flour and sell bags of fish flour to mothers who have gone through the Nutrition Unit. A sprinkle on food and the protein element is ticked. Fortunately the smell is much better when in powder form though I have seen people munch the whole fish like crisps. The flour is very popular and mothers coming for immunisations are now asking for it too. Another brilliant idea from Henry, our unit community nurse.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hi05visswj0/V4uSKuF9dGI/AAAAAAAABaE/BeJokgukNec/s1600/Photo%25252020160717151422396.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hi05visswj0/V4uSKuF9dGI/AAAAAAAABaE/BeJokgukNec/s500/Photo%25252020160717151422396.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325677.3003" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="374"></a></div><p> Our latest Potter's babies came in 5 days ago. Their 28 year old mum died in hospital following a Caesar. She haemorrhaged so they opened her up again. She was given 6 units of blood but bled to death. Very sad. The twins (Moses on the left and Hope) are slightly premature but are doing well in their incubator. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N-Wrl7TlYVU/V4uS5nUq4wI/AAAAAAAABaI/IPlWZTKLM8s/s2048/Photo%25252020160717151422682.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N-Wrl7TlYVU/V4uS5nUq4wI/AAAAAAAABaI/IPlWZTKLM8s/s500/Photo%25252020160717151422682.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325704.1934" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="403" height="539"></a></div><p> Elisa, aged 2, has been on the medical ward for several weeks with the most horrendously painful burns. The family had been boiling cassava leaves for several hours when the pan got tipped over him. He arrived with some of the leaves still stuck to his body. You can see he was extensively burned. It has been a challenge getting the right dressings and has meant the nurses boiling Vaseline to sterilise it then applying it to bandages. There is only an area on his stomach left to heal. Understandably, he bursts into tears whenever Mike approaches as removing the bandages is so painful. It is also feared he may have TB but so far the mother won't let him or herself be tested. They both have suspicious coughs and there is a history of TB in the family.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ICx_f_jNSWw/V4uTPQWoVcI/AAAAAAAABaQ/XtcVbz7MV4o/s1864/Photo%25252020160717151422915.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ICx_f_jNSWw/V4uTPQWoVcI/AAAAAAAABaQ/XtcVbz7MV4o/s500/Photo%25252020160717151422915.jpg" id="blogsy-1468765325663.0454" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p> It's a lovely hot afternoon. The Carers and babies have found cool and shade under the wet washing.</p><p> <br></p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-17488673851080902522016-06-11T08:23:00.001-07:002016-06-11T08:23:31.733-07:00Determination to survive<p> It has been a very busy 10 days with many new babies coming in. We got to the point of having 20 resident babies which is too many for the existing staff. We have taken on 2 new Carers until we can get the numbers down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YoPqwMjh_zI/V1wp6jXGXvI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Da6v4-gHwKs/s1659/Photo%25252020160611161223297.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YoPqwMjh_zI/V1wp6jXGXvI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Da6v4-gHwKs/s500/Photo%25252020160611161223297.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886596.5554" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="483" height="379"></a></div><p> Medius was another one left down a drop pit toilet. A Rwandan lady asked to stay in the house of a community overnight. In the morning, the lady above heard the baby crying in the toilet and assumed the mother was in there with her child. Three times she called to the lady to see to her child. She went and grazed her sheep but on returning the baby was still crying. She went in and there was the baby floating in the mess of the toilet. Her neighbours gathered round and they broke down the floor to get to the baby. The baby emerged covered in maggots and faeces. No-one wanted to touch her but this lady had compassion and bathed her before taking her to the Police then Potters. She and her husband are childless and she desperately wants to keep this baby. Medius is about 2 1/2 months old and understandably has been very sick. Currently she is on the Malnutrition Unit as this lady can be taught many parenting skills there. What comes after that? It will be several months before Medius is weaned. Do we separate new mother & child and keep Medius here until weaned? Can we teach her to bottle feed with cow's milk and trust she will keep good standards of hygiene back in the community? We don't know the answer yet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4CR8drdSYz0/V1wqKg2-GgI/AAAAAAAABXY/u_CgfWtOY4U/s1631/Photo%25252020160611161223496.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4CR8drdSYz0/V1wqKg2-GgI/AAAAAAAABXY/u_CgfWtOY4U/s500/Photo%25252020160611161223496.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886610.7534" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="440" height="586"></a></div><p> Then came Isaac...but we already had one of those so he is called Zak. A super cute baby with enormous eyes whose mother died after the birth. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9k4Hm7_VZo/V1wqjaz-45I/AAAAAAAABXk/OFpxKkmCbvs/s2048/Photo%25252020160611161223775.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9k4Hm7_VZo/V1wqjaz-45I/AAAAAAAABXk/OFpxKkmCbvs/s500/Photo%25252020160611161223775.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886616.3386" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> Fortunately for us, we had Sue and Linda visiting from St Mary's Church in Ely. On her last visit Sue took in Nsaba, a TB infected baby. She did not hesitate when asked if she would like to take in Zak. She had him every night of their stay which was superhuman in my mind...Linda helped out. </p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After Zak came James whose mother died. She gave birth at home but the placenta failed to deliver. Being very rural and no cars could reach there, they put her on the back of a motorbike (oh, my goodness!!!) to get her to hospital. However she bled so much that she died en route. Alan & Claire Cook had just returned to Kisoro. When I tentatively asked Claire if she would like a baby for the night, there was no hesitation. Wonderful!</span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-fg_wZ-yY0/V1wrIFCtlWI/AAAAAAAABXs/fen5ukfmDVY/s2048/Photo%25252020160611161224024.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-fg_wZ-yY0/V1wrIFCtlWI/AAAAAAAABXs/fen5ukfmDVY/s500/Photo%25252020160611161224024.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886565.347" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> Jackson (above), now renamed Daniel, was our latest and most troubling case. He was found under some bushes still attached to the placenta and wrapped in a sack but covered in earth. The person who found him took him to the nearest Health Clinic where they cut the cord and wrapped him in a blanket. They did not clean off the soil and stones - I can't understand that. From there he went to the Police Station and then to us. In all 6 1/2 hours after he was found before arriving at Potters. Why do they do things so slowly? This meant the baby had an unrecordable temperature by the time he arrived. Hot water bottles were quickly made and it took many hours for his temperature to be normal. Meanwhile, the mother was found and arrested. The Police wanted to imprison her but Winniefred asked that she come to us so we could find out if we could help her. The mother had 3 children by her husband, had divorced him and had two children with another man but he already had a wife he lived with. She had a very lively 2 year old with her. She had no money, no land, no food and had defaulted on the rent for two months. She was desperate and had attempted to abort the child twice. She seemed so depressed it was very sad. However, she opted to go to prison for a year rather than have freedom and our help - even if she did not want her child. Two days in prison and the Police actually asked us to try again. She was depressed and would not talk to anyone. They feared for the 2 year old. Long story short, she is a different woman. We have given her the private room so she does not have to answer to other mother's comments. She has accepted her baby but sadly he is not wanting to suck so is being fed by tube, although she is expressing milk. She is much more positive. We still have to figure out what happens after she leaves here. Clearly we have to put something in place for them to survive out there but she is strong and willing to work. </p><p> Moses, the other baby left down a toilet, has bounced from infection to infection but we hope has stabilised. In order to reduce our numbers, Mandi, husband and daughter have taken him in until we can find a permanent place for him. They are Americans working for Amazing Grace Ministries. The Pastor they work for has adopted David, the lovely Batwa boy we had. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn_P5G0Qa2k/V1wrlTexPtI/AAAAAAAABX4/tW_woWiiPsg/s2048/Photo%25252020160611161224345.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sn_P5G0Qa2k/V1wrlTexPtI/AAAAAAAABX4/tW_woWiiPsg/s500/Photo%25252020160611161224345.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886625.4207" class="alignleft" alt="" width="357" height="478"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> In the last blog there was a picture of Joanne in the Unit. She was very malnourished and so swollen that she could barely open her eyes. Here she is fully recovered and ready to go home.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--srLvGnJ9gc/V1wsWuNL7_I/AAAAAAAABYE/UhXJ5ws4_RE/s2048/Photo%25252020160611161224608.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--srLvGnJ9gc/V1wsWuNL7_I/AAAAAAAABYE/UhXJ5ws4_RE/s500/Photo%25252020160611161224608.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886621.719" class="alignright" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> </p><p> Another one doing well is our superprem Claudette now weighing in at 1.6 kilos. She's still tiny but so much much bigger than when she arrived.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>On top of all of this we are having the effects of entering the dry season. That means it is windy - you have to remember to keep your mouth shut when walking around or you get a mouthful of dust - or is it just me who has to think about that? Electricity is a fluctuating commodity and water even rarer. This does not bode well for the next two months. The theory is that they think there will not be enough water to last so they are turning it on in a very sparing manner. The lack of electricity has been put down to wind blowing the lines - but it has not had this affect before. I have had to hand wash the clothes today using the minimum of water. Babies will now get bathed 3 times a week and I am hoping for the water to return so I can have the first shower in 3 days tonight. Fun!</p><p>...and finally. We have sharing the problem of needing more chairs. Some break and some go missing. Chair thieves start young these days! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MmeVdKKdu9s/V1ws7y1YqLI/AAAAAAAABYQ/D1wL6LGCvZk/s2048/Photo%25252020160611161224833.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MmeVdKKdu9s/V1ws7y1YqLI/AAAAAAAABYQ/D1wL6LGCvZk/s500/Photo%25252020160611161224833.jpg" id="blogsy-1465658886636.2573" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-13688790055869804982016-05-07T13:17:00.001-07:002016-05-07T13:17:40.467-07:00Return to the new and the old.<p>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!</p><p>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.</p><p> We did a tour to meet the new additions as well as the old ones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JdvE2-EidpU/Vy5LSesJocI/AAAAAAAABVQ/qKoNEdnTTjg/s2048/Photo%25252020160507210955370.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JdvE2-EidpU/Vy5LSesJocI/AAAAAAAABVQ/qKoNEdnTTjg/s500/Photo%25252020160507210955370.jpg" id="blogsy-1462652481965.658" class="alignleft" alt="" width="440" height="328"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2KXJ7LEUdhI/Vy5L0qEBE3I/AAAAAAAABVY/myQVDPuNjsE/s2048/Photo%25252020160507210955640.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2KXJ7LEUdhI/Vy5L0qEBE3I/AAAAAAAABVY/myQVDPuNjsE/s500/Photo%25252020160507210955640.jpg" id="blogsy-1462652481988.4106" class="alignright" alt="" width="440" height="328"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>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!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCHvJ0ZROCQ/Vy5MSCxC1OI/AAAAAAAABVc/QWeFCS-SOOI/s1936/Photo%25252020160507210955954.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCHvJ0ZROCQ/Vy5MSCxC1OI/AAAAAAAABVc/QWeFCS-SOOI/s500/Photo%25252020160507210955954.jpg" id="blogsy-1462652482040.343" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p> 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!!</p><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OE3Lra0FfCo/Vy5Mv_CprrI/AAAAAAAABVk/TgzQhefRYmM/s2048/Photo%25252020160507210956264.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OE3Lra0FfCo/Vy5Mv_CprrI/AAAAAAAABVk/TgzQhefRYmM/s500/Photo%25252020160507210956264.jpg" id="blogsy-1462652482040.1895" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p> 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. </p><p>Lastly, a question from Leonard that I could not answer.....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNWJofQJkl4/Vy5NXy3iv8I/AAAAAAAABVw/YphfpRSCEA4/s1936/Photo%25252020160507210956549.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNWJofQJkl4/Vy5NXy3iv8I/AAAAAAAABVw/YphfpRSCEA4/s500/Photo%25252020160507210956549.jpg" id="blogsy-1462652481984.5652" class="alignleft" width="412" height="412" alt=""></a></div><p> Can anyone recognise this herb? </p><p>My best attempt is bee balm. We don't want to eat it until we are sure it is edible!</p><p>Answers please to mikeandsue.hughes@gmail.com.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-56353017406377819462016-02-20T06:04:00.001-08:002016-02-20T06:04:06.828-08:00Revamped, replenished, renewed<p> Potters has been getting a facelift thanks to a visiting team from Didsbury and Linda from Great Baddow with her friend Joyce.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bRSZGnxuadQ/VshXxPvqvPI/AAAAAAAABLY/y_fiEkFe350/s1936/Photo%25252020160220121003222.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bRSZGnxuadQ/VshXxPvqvPI/AAAAAAAABLY/y_fiEkFe350/s500/Photo%25252020160220121003222.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151480.702" class="alignleft" alt="" width="300" height="300"></a></div><p> </p><p> 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!</p><p>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.</p><p><span style="text-align: right;"><br></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mx-FtZgTMNo/VshqGuOh9hI/AAAAAAAABLs/tGgHYky2VZ4/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132837323.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mx-FtZgTMNo/VshqGuOh9hI/AAAAAAAABLs/tGgHYky2VZ4/s500/Photo%25252020160220132837323.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151534.4077" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="429" height="429"></a></div><p><span style="text-align: right;"> </span></p><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DnII8OaX77U/VshrJ-28VKI/AAAAAAAABL4/B5CKJ1cGa7E/s2048/Photo%25252020160220132837630.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DnII8OaX77U/VshrJ-28VKI/AAAAAAAABL4/B5CKJ1cGa7E/s500/Photo%25252020160220132837630.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151529.7834" class="alignleft" alt="" width="430" height="320"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QYkHtFh1Tt8/VshsFflkHlI/AAAAAAAABMA/5OanhM1GeHI/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132837901.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QYkHtFh1Tt8/VshsFflkHlI/AAAAAAAABMA/5OanhM1GeHI/s500/Photo%25252020160220132837901.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151524.7551" class="alignright" alt="" width="437" height="437"></a></div><p> 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. </p><p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GRohS-AaLhk/Vshs-zzfidI/AAAAAAAABMI/o0bzlg3vGjM/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132838158.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GRohS-AaLhk/Vshs-zzfidI/AAAAAAAABMI/o0bzlg3vGjM/s500/Photo%25252020160220132838158.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151484.5586" class="alignleft" alt="" width="401" height="401"></a></div><p> </p><p>Sonia was grateful to have the store made tidier by having the recently arrived clothes sorted into the correct tubs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ksTZQLIgIyk/Vsht_QBtZjI/AAAAAAAABMQ/k_gzbemXkP4/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132838412.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ksTZQLIgIyk/Vsht_QBtZjI/AAAAAAAABMQ/k_gzbemXkP4/s500/Photo%25252020160220132838412.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151503.808" class="alignright" alt="" width="382" height="382"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>As ever there are the clothes that the babies have rendered unusable that are cut up and recycled into bottom wiping rags.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8NgtYcgRG4/Vshuy5cnbmI/AAAAAAAABMY/0Q9pDLYWbZ4/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132838664.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8NgtYcgRG4/Vshuy5cnbmI/AAAAAAAABMY/0Q9pDLYWbZ4/s500/Photo%25252020160220132838664.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151507.8315" class="alignleft" alt="" width="368" height="368"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vj08bmfTAQI/VshvdRLTOGI/AAAAAAAABMc/Iql9Rtom_8M/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132838926.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vj08bmfTAQI/VshvdRLTOGI/AAAAAAAABMc/Iql9Rtom_8M/s500/Photo%25252020160220132838926.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151543.5378" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="394" height="394"></a></div><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qSnVe004Nxo/Vshv-JJAKkI/AAAAAAAABMk/s726UBCH7zc/s2048/Photo%25252020160220132839368.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qSnVe004Nxo/Vshv-JJAKkI/AAAAAAAABMk/s726UBCH7zc/s500/Photo%25252020160220132839368.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151497.6008" class="alignleft" alt="" width="411" height="308"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Elsewhere Bill was beavering away doing many things electrical around the site. Martin painted the Immunisation room as well as helping with computer issues.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RjqheDFA4e4/VshwibD5xyI/AAAAAAAABMw/yrLBExBUHJM/s2048/Photo%25252020160220132839722.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RjqheDFA4e4/VshwibD5xyI/AAAAAAAABMw/yrLBExBUHJM/s500/Photo%25252020160220132839722.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151519.9336" class="alignleft" alt="" width="354" height="265"></a></div><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1gw15JuxrmU/VshxA1IzDOI/AAAAAAAABM4/WIangA5xVC4/s2048/Photo%25252020160220132840112.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1gw15JuxrmU/VshxA1IzDOI/AAAAAAAABM4/WIangA5xVC4/s500/Photo%25252020160220132840112.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151581.6887" class="alignright" alt="" width="409" height="307"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c5mB5SZkl2E/VshxoUtU11I/AAAAAAAABNE/H_sYq71Qx4c/s2048/Photo%25252020160220132840478.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c5mB5SZkl2E/VshxoUtU11I/AAAAAAAABNE/H_sYq71Qx4c/s500/Photo%25252020160220132840478.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151491.2898" class="alignleft" alt="" width="379" height="284"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WeJAEMILp50/VshyUHMDd7I/AAAAAAAABNM/x3zRP4PMya4/s1936/Photo%25252020160220132840813.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WeJAEMILp50/VshyUHMDd7I/AAAAAAAABNM/x3zRP4PMya4/s500/Photo%25252020160220132840813.jpg" id="blogsy-1455977151554.8245" class="aligncenter" width="416" height="416" alt=""></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-43663066122710522872016-02-06T03:00:00.001-08:002016-02-06T03:00:16.874-08:00Untitled<p> The rains have passed and it is sunshine every day....sorry to rub it in!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pFeNGVKw4hc/VrXMFPLEsTI/AAAAAAAABJs/vmxJV2Ly2uU/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103311204.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pFeNGVKw4hc/VrXMFPLEsTI/AAAAAAAABJs/vmxJV2Ly2uU/s500/Photo%25252020160206103311204.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496638.028" class="alignleft" alt="" width="335" height="335"></a></div><p> </p><p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZrrrC1ZyPak/VrXM2y5NbsI/AAAAAAAABJw/kFLGpltyAzo/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103311478.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZrrrC1ZyPak/VrXM2y5NbsI/AAAAAAAABJw/kFLGpltyAzo/s500/Photo%25252020160206103311478.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496645.764" class="alignright" alt="" width="380" height="380"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YzJgDmqkWts/VrXNxMzNHfI/AAAAAAAABKA/U57fk3vU7Mo/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103311727.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YzJgDmqkWts/VrXNxMzNHfI/AAAAAAAABKA/U57fk3vU7Mo/s500/Photo%25252020160206103311727.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496704.0127" class="alignleft" alt="" width="357" height="357"></a></div><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvoj-BQCnVA/VrXOiF1HOBI/AAAAAAAABKI/jfVTJ1JTYRI/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103311968.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvoj-BQCnVA/VrXOiF1HOBI/AAAAAAAABKI/jfVTJ1JTYRI/s500/Photo%25252020160206103311968.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496617.8376" class="alignright" alt="" width="348" height="348"></a></div><p> 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</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wjVz4JgNIe8/VrXPwKjKYpI/AAAAAAAABKY/AUmey65IGQ8/s2048/Photo%25252020160206103312357.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wjVz4JgNIe8/VrXPwKjKYpI/AAAAAAAABKY/AUmey65IGQ8/s500/Photo%25252020160206103312357.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496618.8083" class="alignleft" alt="" width="393" height="338"></a></div><p> 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!? </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbbv8D4tEyA/VrXQhlpkB2I/AAAAAAAABKc/0ACZ5zlTJt4/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103312630.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbbv8D4tEyA/VrXQhlpkB2I/AAAAAAAABKc/0ACZ5zlTJt4/s500/Photo%25252020160206103312630.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496669.4622" class="alignright" alt="" width="301" height="301"></a></div><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-daw_QMuQfO4/VrXRQRgjG-I/AAAAAAAABKk/7hR7v3Z4GcU/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103312904.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-daw_QMuQfO4/VrXRQRgjG-I/AAAAAAAABKk/7hR7v3Z4GcU/s500/Photo%25252020160206103312904.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496700.761" class="alignleft" alt="" width="361" height="361"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h74bTjXHfRE/VrXSOHDTQ3I/AAAAAAAABKs/N_EZiAhWbBM/s1936/Photo%25252020160206103313171.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h74bTjXHfRE/VrXSOHDTQ3I/AAAAAAAABKs/N_EZiAhWbBM/s500/Photo%25252020160206103313171.jpg" id="blogsy-1454756496683.879" class="aligncenter" width="396" height="396" alt=""></a></div><p> Having said the baby part wasn't for him, Alan shows his softer side.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-16981146693289967632016-01-10T07:36:00.001-08:002016-01-10T07:36:19.889-08:00New Year....New Life.<p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fIO9Wae8wcc/VpJyk26j0xI/AAAAAAAABFk/QuwfSjC0_qU/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145105573.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fIO9Wae8wcc/VpJyk26j0xI/AAAAAAAABFk/QuwfSjC0_qU/s500/Photo%25252020160110145105573.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221893.6729" class="alignleft" alt="" width="436" height="325"></span><br></a></div><p>Invaheza (who is definitely pregnant) now has a large paddock area so she doesn't chase the dog or visitors!</p><p>There is a smart bike shed being built by the gate.</p><p>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?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fnTF3z5Qybg/VpJz1zA0EWI/AAAAAAAABFw/jC8ZZY-rNm8/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145105814.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fnTF3z5Qybg/VpJz1zA0EWI/AAAAAAAABFw/jC8ZZY-rNm8/s500/Photo%25252020160110145105814.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221912.9543" class="alignright" alt="" width="437" height="326"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> The carrot patch looked after by Vicent (toilet attendant) was only being planted when we left. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> We have 18 resident Potter's babies which is rather too many. Muhumuza and Justine are being resettled to their families very soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0kwNHmTiqnQ/VpJ023cE_LI/AAAAAAAABF8/Ty9RZyal4Z8/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145106067.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0kwNHmTiqnQ/VpJ023cE_LI/AAAAAAAABF8/Ty9RZyal4Z8/s500/Photo%25252020160110145106067.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221947.2405" class="alignleft" alt="" width="398" height="297"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mxc4KoHMZq0/VpJ1y2obHiI/AAAAAAAABGI/1LDM2CWdOmw/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145106282.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mxc4KoHMZq0/VpJ1y2obHiI/AAAAAAAABGI/1LDM2CWdOmw/s500/Photo%25252020160110145106282.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221964.7937" class="alignright" alt="" width="410" height="306"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9o5lD9kF-8/VpJ2okZFONI/AAAAAAAABGQ/DKa6L1sQbvk/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145106610.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9o5lD9kF-8/VpJ2okZFONI/AAAAAAAABGQ/DKa6L1sQbvk/s500/Photo%25252020160110145106610.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221956.216" class="alignleft" alt="" width="364" height="487"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Mackline is a new one. Her mother died. She will live with her father and older sister in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pl-Bo3pTaWk/VpJ3QLF-SnI/AAAAAAAABGY/OHD-gHJMKr8/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145106884.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pl-Bo3pTaWk/VpJ3QLF-SnI/AAAAAAAABGY/OHD-gHJMKr8/s500/Photo%25252020160110145106884.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221916.9563" class="alignright" alt="" width="354" height="473"></a></div><p> </p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d81Ryub4_qE/VpJ370SdXqI/AAAAAAAABGg/teBMnRyuRTY/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145107180.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d81Ryub4_qE/VpJ370SdXqI/AAAAAAAABGg/teBMnRyuRTY/s500/Photo%25252020160110145107180.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221890.8298" class="alignleft" alt="" width="433" height="323"></a></div><p> </p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUWqzL0KA4M/VpJ4jIU5QqI/AAAAAAAABGo/chyI3HvEXqs/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145107420.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUWqzL0KA4M/VpJ4jIU5QqI/AAAAAAAABGo/chyI3HvEXqs/s500/Photo%25252020160110145107420.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221941.8118" class="alignright" alt="" width="314" height="420"></a></div><p> </p><p> Young Brian is now doing very well and growing a lovely soft mop of hair. He was the baby found in the plastic bag. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_tkpvxW5wHA/VpJ5b1nKT7I/AAAAAAAABGw/KZKhuuEwtcE/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145107690.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_tkpvxW5wHA/VpJ5b1nKT7I/AAAAAAAABGw/KZKhuuEwtcE/s500/Photo%25252020160110145107690.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221891.0645" class="alignleft" alt="" width="424" height="316"></a></div><p> </p><p>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!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mr9VjVgKbJk/VpJ6DLLqAHI/AAAAAAAABG4/MOkdBCADVHs/s2048/Photo%25252020160110145107939.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mr9VjVgKbJk/VpJ6DLLqAHI/AAAAAAAABG4/MOkdBCADVHs/s500/Photo%25252020160110145107939.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221948.1145" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> 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!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fQic4prnazg/VpJ6be_rUOI/AAAAAAAABHA/iOQDKxoY73I/s1562/Photo%25252020160110145108112.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fQic4prnazg/VpJ6be_rUOI/AAAAAAAABHA/iOQDKxoY73I/s500/Photo%25252020160110145108112.jpg" id="blogsy-1452440221907.475" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="344" alt=""></a></div><p> 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!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-8642088201361859152015-09-20T08:06:00.001-07:002015-09-20T08:06:34.384-07:00Antenatal care at Potters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2t4L3GCZeB4/Vf7IjPn1yAI/AAAAAAAABCA/Ul9baOx8DLw/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155540868.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2t4L3GCZeB4/Vf7IjPn1yAI/AAAAAAAABCA/Ul9baOx8DLw/s500/Photo%25252020150920155540868.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790280.12" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="416" height="310"></a></div><p> 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..</p><p>...How can you tell if she is pregnant?</p><p>...By sticking your arm up her backside.</p><p>...Any other way? </p><p>...Do you think a human pregnancy test would work?</p><p>...Who's going to volunteer to collect the early morning urine specimen?</p><p>...Good point, I guess we'll just wait and see if she gets noticeably fatter.</p><p>Yep, we are nothing if not thorough!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cGEq-T3MG4/Vf7I3jv9-BI/AAAAAAAABCI/z6M6Vor2TZE/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155541175.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cGEq-T3MG4/Vf7I3jv9-BI/AAAAAAAABCI/z6M6Vor2TZE/s500/Photo%25252020150920155541175.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790237.0708" class="alignleft" alt="" width="357" height="267"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2gj8nXe3uiY/Vf7JjOtRTOI/AAAAAAAABCU/BN4T-xUS3rk/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155541501.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2gj8nXe3uiY/Vf7JjOtRTOI/AAAAAAAABCU/BN4T-xUS3rk/s500/Photo%25252020150920155541501.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790230.707" class="alignright" alt="" width="392" height="342"></a></div><p> He tried Mike's glasses on but looked as though he felt a bit seasick and quickly took them off. </p><p>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'</p><p>The staff laughed at his politeness.</p><p>What a wonderful boy and being very well brought up.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odKhuMCiL60/Vf7JyLQ0QSI/AAAAAAAABCc/a3AqR5MRExQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155541827.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odKhuMCiL60/Vf7JyLQ0QSI/AAAAAAAABCc/a3AqR5MRExQ/s500/Photo%25252020150920155541827.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790283.6404" class="alignleft" alt="" width="436" height="583"></a></div><p> </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E6ZwBdcB_Zo/Vf7KYMfgZAI/AAAAAAAABCk/P-jY-XrjyMk/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155542116.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E6ZwBdcB_Zo/Vf7KYMfgZAI/AAAAAAAABCk/P-jY-XrjyMk/s500/Photo%25252020150920155542116.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790238.4204" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="425" height="569"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-603NWE-2EU4/Vf7K2YtBp7I/AAAAAAAABCs/zaptWNo2Lck/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155542368.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-603NWE-2EU4/Vf7K2YtBp7I/AAAAAAAABCs/zaptWNo2Lck/s500/Photo%25252020150920155542368.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790268.4153" class="alignleft" width="363" height="486" alt=""></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6YD2kXMhZ-Y/Vf7Lcs_j27I/AAAAAAAABC4/j5AsVu104NI/s2048/Photo%25252020150920155542693.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6YD2kXMhZ-Y/Vf7Lcs_j27I/AAAAAAAABC4/j5AsVu104NI/s500/Photo%25252020150920155542693.jpg" id="blogsy-1442761790214.828" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="374" alt=""></a></div><p> 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.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-27582086635431710842015-08-30T08:14:00.001-07:002015-08-30T08:14:38.178-07:00How much would you be worth in coca cola?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hld53Ek0Tk8/VeMbmBsXbYI/AAAAAAAABAg/ZQ-2IZD8X-E/s2048/Photo%25252020150830160638867.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hld53Ek0Tk8/VeMbmBsXbYI/AAAAAAAABAg/ZQ-2IZD8X-E/s500/Photo%25252020150830160638867.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843605.2527" class="alignleft" alt="" width="400" height="298"></a>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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EqI6FcU8Kyc/VeMb-ArckpI/AAAAAAAABAo/P6MOfvXwYSw/s2048/Photo%25252020150830160639186.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EqI6FcU8Kyc/VeMb-ArckpI/AAAAAAAABAo/P6MOfvXwYSw/s500/Photo%25252020150830160639186.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843525.4526" class="alignright" alt="" width="383" height="286"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fH2fto7d08U/VeMcOElZvrI/AAAAAAAABAw/g9ZOFB4wT4Q/s1510/Photo%25252020150830160639383.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fH2fto7d08U/VeMcOElZvrI/AAAAAAAABAw/g9ZOFB4wT4Q/s500/Photo%25252020150830160639383.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843589.3455" class="alignleft" alt="" width="327" height="258"></a></div><p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k7KXrpuF3-M/VeMcQoMyDpI/AAAAAAAABA4/5CKGgynVK2E/s471/Photo%25252020150830160639448.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k7KXrpuF3-M/VeMcQoMyDpI/AAAAAAAABA4/5CKGgynVK2E/s471/Photo%25252020150830160639448.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843578.1233" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="402" height="333"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-knBi50kug30/VeMclQgjd_I/AAAAAAAABBA/yXRy9MTLFAI/s2048/Photo%25252020150830160639765.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-knBi50kug30/VeMclQgjd_I/AAAAAAAABBA/yXRy9MTLFAI/s500/Photo%25252020150830160639765.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843610.8042" class="alignleft" alt="" width="370" height="496"></a></div><p> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mV08UEYJa6Y/VeMc9ws3kZI/AAAAAAAABBI/b0qczDZC5Z0/s2048/Photo%25252020150830160640174.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mV08UEYJa6Y/VeMc9ws3kZI/AAAAAAAABBI/b0qczDZC5Z0/s500/Photo%25252020150830160640174.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843565.6067" class="alignright" alt="" width="409" height="307"></a></div><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tqnC0YKCWG8/VeMdYwa7zOI/AAAAAAAABBQ/7tzmzTFdXqk/s1800/Photo%25252020150830160640414.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tqnC0YKCWG8/VeMdYwa7zOI/AAAAAAAABBQ/7tzmzTFdXqk/s500/Photo%25252020150830160640414.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843577.1133" class="alignleft" width="399" height="537" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>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!<br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o3yr31KTXBA/VeMd1xe7HVI/AAAAAAAABBY/h4HhniqWwtA/s2048/Photo%25252020150830160640792.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o3yr31KTXBA/VeMd1xe7HVI/AAAAAAAABBY/h4HhniqWwtA/s500/Photo%25252020150830160640792.jpg" id="blogsy-1440947843589.1494" class="alignright" width="395" height="294" alt=""></a></div><p> Spot the mango tree! It's had to be marked with a small stone so we can find it and not tread on it.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-70294595288789249742015-08-11T08:39:00.001-07:002015-08-11T08:39:33.880-07:00Vibrations.<p> A few nights ago most folk here woke to being shaken a little. I woke thinking how pleasant it was to have a massaging bed. Then I realised it was an earth tremor and what is a pleasant shake to us, can mean disaster elsewhere. Going outside in the morning, I looked at the volcanoes and asked God if they were still dormant. They are. The epicentre was on the other side in the Congo and although not a massive earthquake, it was enough to kill two children and flatten many flimsy dwellings. For those thinking of visiting Kisoro, don't worry, tremors here are rare and no damage was done on this side of the mountain range.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pn75ITwSuV0/VcoWB_3srkI/AAAAAAAAA_s/qNpL6ZvfcPo/s1936/Photo%25252020150811163421083.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pn75ITwSuV0/VcoWB_3srkI/AAAAAAAAA_s/qNpL6ZvfcPo/s500/Photo%25252020150811163421083.jpg" id="blogsy-1439307707427.8872" class="alignleft" alt="" width="405" height="405"></a></div><p> </p><p>Mike and I took off for a weekend of R&R. We traversed the bends to Kabale and stayed at a Hotel looking down over Lake Bunyoni. Photos never do justice to the amazing view. It was very peaceful and pleasant. The food was a bit of a gamble...you couldn't be sure you would get what you ordered but so long as you ordered a couple of hours in advance, it arrived on time...well almost! </p><p>Mike's hot chocolate fudge sundae was a definite disappointment. It amounted to a hot baked banana with a minimal drizzle of chocolate sauce from a squeezy bottle. It takes a lot of imagination to regard that as a hot chocolate fudge sundae!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qGxae_ph0QY/VcoXFHck3nI/AAAAAAAAA_4/KJ79u9TSK9k/s1936/Photo%25252020150811163421386.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qGxae_ph0QY/VcoXFHck3nI/AAAAAAAAA_4/KJ79u9TSK9k/s500/Photo%25252020150811163421386.jpg" id="blogsy-1439307707493.285" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p> Before heading back, we went down to the lakeside for lunch at the Bird's Nest. This is the most expensive Hotel in the region...and you can see why. Here the spectacular view was along the lake. On the left is a jetty area where tourists take canoes or motor boats to stay on some of the further islands. It is also where local fishermen bring in the fresh crayfish for sale. You can take them home live in a plastic bag or if you are prepared to wait quite a while, they will kill and shell them for you. As they look like mini black lobsters with effective pincers, I couldn't help but think they would have worked their way out of the bag in a short while and we would be in horror movie situation with snapping crayfish scuttling around the car. Not what you want to deal with whilst navigating a very bendy road. I failed with walking a live turkey home at Christmas, I also failed with live crayfish as passengers. </p><p>It was nice to be away from the noise of babies and Carers for a while but it was also nice to be back. Generous came for a visit and told us about her weekend. It was a bit of a one-sided conversation but she showed her agreement with big gummy smiles and the occasional 'goo'.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g4OsHbr-zc0/VcoXKwU7GZI/AAAAAAAABAA/g7_zktCSfw0/s1402/Photo%25252020150811163421555.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g4OsHbr-zc0/VcoXKwU7GZI/AAAAAAAABAA/g7_zktCSfw0/s500/Photo%25252020150811163421555.jpg" id="blogsy-1439307707480.0635" class="aligncenter" width="441" height="577" alt=""></a></div><p> The latest confusing conversation with Winniefred...</p><p>W...The lady who is going to foster M is not a lady.</p><p>.....Oh, she's not a lady, she's a man?</p><p>.....What? No. She's not a lady yet.</p><p>.....If she's not a lady and she's not a man, what is she?</p><p>.....she won't be a lady until the 21st.</p><p>......Hmm! (Mentally thinking- I didn't think that was permitted in Uganda but obviously it is). So when she's a lady she will take M?</p><p>......Yes</p><p>Festo emerged from the corridor chuckling. Winniefred was saying 'ready' but transposed the r for l, as they do, and added a vowel in front of the consonant, as they do. It makes a totally different conversation!!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-43013290317012169012015-07-29T10:54:00.001-07:002015-07-29T10:54:30.675-07:00Lies, lies and more lies.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wbaEBLLicds/VbkRQgunqJI/AAAAAAAAA-4/xz6TP1-Aqis/s2048/Photo%25252020150729184434841.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wbaEBLLicds/VbkRQgunqJI/AAAAAAAAA-4/xz6TP1-Aqis/s500/Photo%25252020150729184434841.jpg" id="blogsy-1438192586409.8" class="alignleft" alt="" width="286" height="378"><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For a long time the father of Gift has been delaying resettlement saying he wants to find a new wife. Not the best approach to resettlement. However she is now over one year old and plans had to be made. Dad arrived with several family members. He said his sister was to take Gift. She was exceedingly pregnant and apparently due in the next few weeks. Winniefred said she knew the lady and she wasn't his sister. He eventually admitted she was his wife. Had he been hoping to find yet another wife to take Gift? Clearly he got this one pregnant very soon after handing over Gift.</span></a></div>
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<p>Prossy's father has also been giving us the runaround. In the beginning he arrived with his mother - only it wasn't his mother. Winniefred tried to get him to give details of his family but he kept stalling. Last week he admitted he hadn't told his parents about the baby. Winniefred said that if he didn't, she would, as these were Prossy's family. Yesterday he said his mother and Aunt had come to the Office but no-one was there. Not true. The Aunt said that she had lied to him about that as she didn't want to tell his mother about Prossy. Winniefred spoke to his parents and whilst with them put Prossy's father on the phone. Not knowing his parents were listening he continued with his lies. They were very sad at his behaviour. It has been agreed that the Aunt will take the child and the father will pay support. The Grandparents say that they will not admit to their son that they know about the baby until he tells them himself.</p>
<p>Late one evening an abandoned baby was brought in by a Policeman and a Counsellor. I took the details of the story and phone numbers. The next day Winniefred went to the area but discovered a completely different story. The baby had been found with her 4 year old brother. The Counsellor contacted the Police. The boy told them where he lived and they took him home - to a village way out of the other side of Kisoro from where they were found. They left the boy with his father and as the mother had disappeared, agreed a story to tell us. When confronted, it took the Policeman and the Counsellor a while to tell the truth even though they knew Winniefred had been following it up. The Policeman's justification? 'Sometimes it is good to lie for the betterment of a child'. We would have taken in the baby anyway. All they did was waste Winniefred's time.</p>
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<p>Winniefred sums it up well. She comes in, sits down, hangs her head, shakes it and says...</p>
<p> 'These people, what are they like?'</p>
<p>She deserves a medal.</p>
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<p> Four well-fed cuties getting ready for bed.</p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-16425466224513384972015-07-04T06:00:00.001-07:002015-07-04T06:00:21.313-07:00Mike re-enacts the Vicar of Dibley scene with the puddle <p> Mike spent last week in Kampala. One evening he was walking along whilst talking to me on the phone. All of a sudden there was an anguished cry, clattering sounds then no-one was there. My first thought was that someone had snatched the phone out of his hand. What had happened was he had stepped into a hole in the pavement and was up to his knees in muddy water. He dropped the phone and it clattered across the pavement. He had to climb out of the hole then feel around for the phone. The following day he retraced his steps to look at the hole. It was a missing water drain cover. It was lucky it was no deeper...and it didn't happen in broad daylight!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQFe6SDOdII/VZfW2L1IO6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/3WTbQyCPeoY/s2048/Photo%25252020150704135157875.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQFe6SDOdII/VZfW2L1IO6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/3WTbQyCPeoY/s500/Photo%25252020150704135157875.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898856.9844" class="alignleft" alt="" width="411" height="307"></a></div><p> </p><p>This week Gift celebrated her first birthday. A relative sent in a birthday cake. Normally birthdays aren't celebrated at all so this was especially touching. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEbaCLaODdk/VZfW8yOCTpI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AoR4ZWUj5oQ/s1183/Photo%25252020150704135158048.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nEbaCLaODdk/VZfW8yOCTpI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/AoR4ZWUj5oQ/s500/Photo%25252020150704135158048.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898848.4744" class="alignright" alt="" width="425" height="460"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>First, hands have to be washed</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJAch4m8kAo/VZfXN9XbWAI/AAAAAAAAA9g/S85mqPKjw_o/s1936/Photo%25252020150704135158383.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJAch4m8kAo/VZfXN9XbWAI/AAAAAAAAA9g/S85mqPKjw_o/s500/Photo%25252020150704135158383.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898850.4236" class="alignleft" alt="" width="446" height="332"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>Birthday girl gets the first mouthful.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pwt5tVYZCLA/VZfXcWmq1uI/AAAAAAAAA9o/__p4FFXLvWY/s1612/Photo%25252020150704135158617.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pwt5tVYZCLA/VZfXcWmq1uI/AAAAAAAAA9o/__p4FFXLvWY/s500/Photo%25252020150704135158617.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898806.3477" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="443" height="331"></a></div><p> Open wide, Timothy.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ELNCgO1K3w/VZfXxpD7AfI/AAAAAAAAA9w/gn6RzQmGbbM/s2048/Photo%25252020150704135158964.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ELNCgO1K3w/VZfXxpD7AfI/AAAAAAAAA9w/gn6RzQmGbbM/s500/Photo%25252020150704135158964.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898804.1555" class="alignleft" alt="" width="392" height="524"></a></div><p> </p><p> Baby Beth is our latest Potters baby and has spent most of her time in the Medical Centre. Last weekend we really thought she was going to die and asked people to pray for her. She pulled through and is very slowly recovering but still needs to gain weight. One problem is that she is now lazy and prefers being fed through the tube rather than sucking a bottle. At some stage we will have to get tough with her...but not yet.</p><p>It was very disappointing that when we contacted the family to say she was likely to die in the following 24 hours, no-one came to visit. I assume they think she has now died which will make resettling her back to them a bigger problem. How sad that none care whether she lives or dies. Truth be told, it would be a relief to them if she died. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KU3aLH-y5hc/VZfYMv6rr1I/AAAAAAAAA94/xJjzw1lq3mU/s2048/Photo%25252020150704135159268.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KU3aLH-y5hc/VZfYMv6rr1I/AAAAAAAAA94/xJjzw1lq3mU/s500/Photo%25252020150704135159268.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898821.207" class="alignright" alt="" width="366" height="489"></a></div><p> It became necessary to let Doreen, the Nutritionist from the Nutrition Unit, go. She has been replaced by Jemima (Jemeema) a very conscientious nurse. She is an excellent help to Promise who is in charge of the Unit. We are giving each child 2 sets of clothes, 4 nappies, pin and plastic pants when they arrive on the ward. It is still a struggle getting them to cover their bottoms. Yesterday morning a pile of mess was left on the ward floor. Jemima went straight out to tell the mothers this was unacceptable - go get em girl!</p><p>Toilets - or none use of toilets still takes up too much of my life. On Thursday Leonard donned a plastic poncho, face mask, gloves and wellies and nobly scrubbed the faeces off the Ecosan walls. We have toilet paper but hands then smearing is preferred. Yuk!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bb47ycN6InU/VZfYfe088NI/AAAAAAAAA-A/Lr66NjnLRR0/s2048/Photo%25252020150704135159587.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bb47ycN6InU/VZfYfe088NI/AAAAAAAAA-A/Lr66NjnLRR0/s500/Photo%25252020150704135159587.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898784.09" class="alignleft" width="435" height="324" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> It was a proud moment when we packed the truck with tables made in the workshop and delivered them to the Guesthouse.</p><p>Mike brought back some tins of quality Matt varnish for us. It didn't say anywhere on the tin whether it was gloss or matt but Mike got charged £5 extra for it which was apparently proof of being matt. You couldn't get varnish any shinier than this. </p><p>Hey ho, duped again!.</p><p> </p><p>Geoffrey went to visit Nsaba's family for me. The good news is that he has built an excellent sheep house..except we forgot it needed a door. The remaining mum pig and piglet are looking good now but he still wants to swap them for sheep. We will buy the sheep and door from the market and bring back the pigs. The pigs will be used in the Community Support Income generating scheme. My mind boggles at how we are going to lift a big pig into the back of the truck. I only hope there will be plenty of men around. I have visions of me struggling and attempting to push the pig up and over by using arms and head with added danger of being flattened under the pig. Yet more entertainment provided by the white Mzungu!</p><p>The best news is that his harvest is so good he needed 5 women to help him gather it in. Thanks to everyone who has donated to help him achieve financial independence and hope for a better future for all the family.</p><p>It was the parent/teacher meeting at the school of Nsaba's siblings. The Dad asked Geoffrey to go with him to represent their sponsors. Geoffrey went even though it was his day off. I told him to take a morning off in lieu but he declined saying these were his children too. Wonderful man.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDui8Aw7-54/VZfY3EEr4bI/AAAAAAAAA-I/q-k3JiqBOU8/s2048/Photo%25252020150704135159977.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDui8Aw7-54/VZfY3EEr4bI/AAAAAAAAA-I/q-k3JiqBOU8/s500/Photo%25252020150704135159977.jpg" id="blogsy-1436014898848.7742" class="alignleft" width="405" height="303" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>Nsaba's siblings with a bag of flour given to help keep them going until the harvest was in.</p><p> </p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-81809385534993076002015-06-14T04:51:00.001-07:002015-06-14T04:51:16.683-07:00God has told me to take your glasses!<p> Yesterday at midday, Rev Florence our Chaplain appeared at our door. As Saturday is supposed to be my day off I tend to wear trousers in recognition of that. Florence eyed me up and down and said..'you make a good man' Not knowing quite how to respond to that I thought...and moving on...</p><p>Florence sat on the sofa and said ' God has told me to take your glasses'.</p><p>She produced a piece of paper with very small writing which even with her existing glasses she could not see. It was a form to be filled. Thinking it was an error of translation I thought maybe she wanted me to read it to her. No, there was no error. 'It's 9 pages', she said. 'I want to take your glasses'.</p><p>Part of me quickly thought...how do I explain varifocals?...another part thought...and how am I supposed to see? Did I bring a spare pair of glasses with me?</p><p>I told her that I didn't think my glasses would be right for her but just before we'd left the UK someone had given me a spare pair of glasses in case they would be useful to someone. They were sitting on my office desk. I went to fetch them.</p><p>'Aiee', she shrieked. 'Praise be to God'. She got up and clapped and danced. ' I told you God had said I was to take your glasses and look, He provided a pair for me'. 'This is the first miracle I have seen this morning. How many more will I see before night?' With that she sashayed along the verandah waving her arms in the air.</p><p>Mike and I just laughed. She's a real tonic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IoFDX890Nkg/VX1oUJSUzkI/AAAAAAAAA8E/4qUIWyXvyo0/s2048/Photo%25252020150614123911849.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IoFDX890Nkg/VX1oUJSUzkI/AAAAAAAAA8E/4qUIWyXvyo0/s500/Photo%25252020150614123911849.jpg" id="blogsy-1434282722399.725" class="alignleft" alt="" width="375" height="502"></a></div><p> </p><p> We've had several visitors this week. Nsaba came along for Community Support and showed off his walking skills. He is one chubby little boy but still with the same gorgeous smile and dimples.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yec3HK9VRSw/VX1o39ZKgPI/AAAAAAAAA8M/if2QIiY6Ylk/s2048/Photo%25252020150614123912151.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yec3HK9VRSw/VX1o39ZKgPI/AAAAAAAAA8M/if2QIiY6Ylk/s500/Photo%25252020150614123912151.jpg" id="blogsy-1434282722470.1938" class="alignright" alt="" width="319" height="427"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Peace, on the right, came along with her sister. Peace was a girl we had taken in with severe malnutrition, feet covered with jiggers, HIV and a Grandmother who couldn't look after her. She is now fostered locally and doing very well. Her sister Maria was also brought to us for care and the foster mother has taken them both. Peace is 6 1/2 years old, her sister is 4 yrs. You can see from that how very stunted Peace is.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFx7uUHwxc4/VX1pfbYnPaI/AAAAAAAAA8U/I6VjUkACVbU/s2048/Photo%25252020150614123912554.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFx7uUHwxc4/VX1pfbYnPaI/AAAAAAAAA8U/I6VjUkACVbU/s500/Photo%25252020150614123912554.jpg" id="blogsy-1434282722471.9072" class="alignleft" alt="" width="363" height="272"></a></div><p> </p><p>Our other visitors were goats and sheep to be handed out to some of our Community Support children. Geoffrey had visited to check that suitable animal housing had been constructed, he had chosen the animals from market and they would be dewormed before handing over.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K6jOMb5XrBA/VX1qQZwocaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/knu-pJ-U6io/s2048/Photo%25252020150614123912921.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K6jOMb5XrBA/VX1qQZwocaI/AAAAAAAAA8c/knu-pJ-U6io/s500/Photo%25252020150614123912921.jpg" id="blogsy-1434282722456.417" class="alignright" width="408" height="344" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Young Ivan took charge of his goat but it rather looks like they are heading in opposite directions!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjopQpokNis/VX1qrvMeoOI/AAAAAAAAA8k/eq17BezvPOU/s1373/Photo%25252020150614123913094.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjopQpokNis/VX1qrvMeoOI/AAAAAAAAA8k/eq17BezvPOU/s500/Photo%25252020150614123913094.jpg" id="blogsy-1434282722470.2837" class="alignleft" width="399" height="298" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>Beth is our latest Potter's baby. Her young mother bled to death after delivery. She is now 2 weeks old but has not been well. She is on lactose free formula milk. The vomiting has stopped and the diarrhoea has improved but she won't feed by mouth. Up until yesterday she was being fed by a syringe pump which meant she was being fed very slowly. Now she is being fed by nasogastric tube. Every day there is a little improvement.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-51480943873130418882015-05-27T11:28:00.001-07:002015-05-27T11:28:58.847-07:00A grubby start
<p> We arrived back on Tuesday to a lovely warm welcome...and no water. Never mind, we would shower in the morning when surely the water would be back. It was...but there was no electricity! Welcome back to Africa!</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: right;">The first impression was how smart, green and well trimmed the compound was.</span></p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This Bougainvillea was very small when we left but now has pink and white flowers entwined upwards. The photo was taken on Saturday. In the 4 days since we arrived the grass had gone from a green mat to a sparse dry area. What a difference from wet season to dry season.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> The Medical Centre is a lot quieter. Apparently it is because it is the start of term at school. Fees need to be found and the harvest is not in. Money and time has to spent on other things. However tonight the Alpha ward is full - they are the acutely sick children. There are 7 on the malnourished ward. This little girl is 2 1/2 years old but is the same size as her 9 month old sister. The healthy looking lady with her is not her mother.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlE3WW14Fbg/VWYMxThDZjI/AAAAAAAAA7I/UBXzkWgN6Q8/s2048/Photo%25252020150527192620637.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tlE3WW14Fbg/VWYMxThDZjI/AAAAAAAAA7I/UBXzkWgN6Q8/s500/Photo%25252020150527192620637.jpg" id="blogsy-1432751358809.408" class="alignleft" width="412" height="307" alt=""></a></div>
<p> Margaret, a volunteer nurse, works with a nutritionist and one of our Carers. Along with Jane, the wife of a GP that was covering for Mike whilst we were in the Uk, they have established a programme for the malnourished. This includes bathing, play, nutritional advice and cookery. Some mothers have been resistant to the play side. One did not see the point but later said that while her son was playing it was the first time she had seen him smile. Another agreed that after a play session it was true that her child would eat more. </p>
<p>Slowly, slowly!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Winniefred has been dealing with a sad case of an abandoned child. As part of her detective work she went to the local radio station. She wanted them to put out a plea for the mother. It transpired the mother had been to them already. The mother told them that she had been walking with the child on her back when she was grabbed by some men. They wanted to rape her but first untied the child and put her to one side. During the attack she managed to get free and ran away, leaving the child. When she eventually returned, the child was gone. For some strange reason the radio men mocked her so she left and has disappeared. They did not bother to write down her name or any details, nor did they make any announcement. Winniefred asked them to put on their news that the child was found and to come for her. For the next two days there was no announcement. Why not? Two days more and the mother and child have been reunited as the mother went to the Police.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>You can never predict what will happen. </p>
<p>In the early hours of the morning the mother of one of the malnourished children gave birth to this lovely little baby girl. The first anyone knew was someone came to the Medical Centre saying there was an emergency on the rehabilitation ward. Emergency? How could that be? A nurse went and found the mum with the baby's head crowning. She went to fetch a more senior nurse then phoned Mike. By the time he arrived the baby had been born.</p>
<p>Our first Potter's delivery!</p>
<p> </p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-36830820772377713772015-03-23T09:20:00.001-07:002015-03-23T09:20:35.937-07:00The future is not orange!<p> The network is ridiculous. The Internet is connected for a minute then off for two minutes. Sometimes it's only on for seconds. The phone is even worse. We had no phone network for 3 days which was very liberating as it meant I didn't have to carry it around wherever I went. Messages get lost, calls never arrive. They say that they have been taken over by Africell and after the weekend it will be good. They've said that for the last 3 weekends!</p><p>The Internet bundle in the office is finished. It is not possible to get it renewed. Aha, we'll switch to MTN we thought...so did a lot of others...there are no MTN dongles to be bought in KIsoro!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PGM1IB1JuBw/VRA8D2ovMlI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Kwt8bU5DVxg/s885/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PGM1IB1JuBw/VRA8D2ovMlI/AAAAAAAAA3o/Kwt8bU5DVxg/s500/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224794.7158" class="alignleft" alt="" width="407" height="267"></a></div><p> </p><p>Leonard and his men are preparing for the thatching of the shelter where the dome collapsed. He used to help a man construct these for herdsmen in the mountains when he was young and is clearly enjoying the chance to do it again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XPhtU62cWVc/VRA8HE09dzI/AAAAAAAAA3w/G1TkUuXt4GM/s983/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XPhtU62cWVc/VRA8HE09dzI/AAAAAAAAA3w/G1TkUuXt4GM/s500/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224882.0703" class="alignright" alt="" width="374" height="239"></a></div><p> We now have 3 wards of patients. That means there are a lot of attendants which means a lot of washing. We've provided more lines but despite our requests they prefer to use the fences and the ground. The rainy season is not as wet as usual and our tanks are frequently empty. I never thought I would see the day when I would be so grateful for a downpour.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a_gjywlhgYY/VRA8T7WiL9I/AAAAAAAAA34/c1SanbFmITw/s2048/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a_gjywlhgYY/VRA8T7WiL9I/AAAAAAAAA34/c1SanbFmITw/s500/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224854.588" class="alignleft" alt="" width="414" height="308"></a></div><p> </p><p>Benson, the twin on the left, was discharged from Hospital today. He had an exploratory operation to see if he had testes in his groin. They only did one side because the Surgeon said that post-op infections from theatre were so common he could not risk Benson being rendered infertile. He will operate on the other side in three months. It is sad that two anaesthetics will be needed and regarded as less of a risk than the possibility of infection.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jQ28jhTtO0Y/VRA8moaK6pI/AAAAAAAAA4A/mQPX_nAovaQ/s1590/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jQ28jhTtO0Y/VRA8moaK6pI/AAAAAAAAA4A/mQPX_nAovaQ/s500/Photo%25252020150323162444.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224868.972" class="alignright" alt="" width="343" height="309"></a></div><p> </p><p>A visiting American Doctor was so taken with the table from our workshop that she bought it to take back to the USA. So far we have 8 colours of home made paint from local rocks. These are pounded and sieved through tights into Blueband margarine containers. Our thanks to those who have sent us old tights....they have many uses. Nicholas our young helper in the workshop was trying to explain tights to some Ugandans. He turned and asked me, 'is it the English men who wear them?' Oh dear!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><p> Mike might be a Reverend but I've overtaken him now. Someone in town called me Reverend twice whilst talking to me. I said I was not a Reverend at which he said sorry...and proceeded to call me Bishop. I paused for a few seconds to savour the moment as well as to imagine the reaction of our local Ugandan Bishop Cranmer. Who would have thought I would ever attain such eminence!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hef-QrpiGAs/VRA889yUWpI/AAAAAAAAA4I/cpO0hqDGmS4/s1936/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hef-QrpiGAs/VRA889yUWpI/AAAAAAAAA4I/cpO0hqDGmS4/s500/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224834.7007" class="alignleft" alt="" width="312" height="328"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> We have taken in 4 babies in the last three days.</p><p>Generous was first. She spent the night with us on Saturday as there was nowhere to put her in the rooms. She is one week old and very cute. Her mother died the day after delivering.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_oC1xj9UDvY/VRA9CgLsC-I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/SycaSogt2Bc/s1688/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_oC1xj9UDvY/VRA9CgLsC-I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/SycaSogt2Bc/s500/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224897.7795" class="alignright" alt="" width="300" height="376"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> This morning Joshua arrived whose mother also died after a Caesarian. She was only 24 years old. Here is Joshua with his incredibly young looking father.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-44hiqN2VY9I/VRA9SA4luqI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/HMfrCogHYkk/s1878/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-44hiqN2VY9I/VRA9SA4luqI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/HMfrCogHYkk/s500/Photo%25252020150323162445.jpg" id="blogsy-1427128224902.662" class="alignleft" width="356" height="464" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p>This afternoon twins arrived and we panicked a little. Where were we going to put them? It transpired their mother died two days ago of TB. The twins had not been given any immunisations and are now 3 1/2 months old. This one is Timothy. It was decided to keep them to one side of delta ward until they had taken enough treatment to be safe to put with our other children. </p><p> </p><p>We really hope we won't be brought any more just yet!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Last time we put out a radio advert for Foster Parents, there was confusion and some people thought we were offering jobs at Potters. This time I got Winniefred to write the advert. We have had several families turn up with groups of children. Somehow they interpreted the advert as us offering to take in their children. You can imagine their disappointment at having to return home with them! One family had even dressed their girls in lovely matching bridesmaids dresses. I cannot understand how they interpreted the advert that way. Wishful thinking maybe?</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-516285834844436012015-03-01T09:18:00.001-08:002015-03-01T09:18:26.530-08:00Off site
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<p> We were forced to have a week in Kampala to get paperwork done. We delayed two days in the hopes of getting the paperwork completed in Kisoro to register the Home but sadly it wasn't done despite endless promises by local government officials.</p>
<p>We did get the Medical Centre re-registered and Mike re-licensed as a Doctor plus the car licence and Mike's Ugandan driving permit. The last two were quite fortuitous as we were stopped by the Police twice on the way back for document checks.</p>
<p>The date on our re-entry permits was not correct. They had put 2015 instead of 2016 but said it could only be done within a month of expiry. When Mike said they had stamped and corrected his last year, the lady took his passport and cancelled it !!</p>
<p>Mike, in a moment of madness, decided we should try driving through the centre of Kampala to get to our destination. I navigated us off a large and chaotic roundabout and saw two cars coming straight towards us side by side. I thought for a moment...is this Kampala driving or a one way street? Looking at the cars behind it was clearly one way. We pulled over safely but the traffic police noticed and pulled us over as we attempted the roundabout again. There was a long conversation about paying a fine but it became apparent they wanted money not paperwork so in order to carry on we handed over the equivalent of £5. An official fine is £50. We also discovered it is the norm to ignore red traffic lights unless on a major road. We were happily joining the tangle of cars crossing a junction with red lights to our side with a traffic policemen standing in the centre...texting!</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: right;">Whilst in Kampala I got an email from the British High Commisioner offering us a brand new cooker if we could transport it away. It did not fit British safety standards so she was not allowed to use it. Our first item for the upstairs of the Hostel when finished! It's quite magnificent and not something we would have paid out for. The cupboard on the right houses the gas cylinder. I only hope we can find canisters the right size here. Still, how fortuitous we were in Kampala at the time and how fortuitous we could fit it in the car.</span></p>
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<p>We also got to visit Jackson. He is much the same, only bigger. Sadly the school no longer has a physiotherapist but they say they still massage his limbs. He can feed himself after a fashion so long as someone guides his hand to his mouth. It is a very nice environment and well equipped.</p>
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<p> Back on site our final dome collapsed. I have my suspicions that someone tried to climb it who was more adult sized than child! It provided good shelter for the children to play under. We have removed it and are going to erect a thatched shelter.</p>
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<p>Several of our little ones are getting on their feet but not quite walking solo. These children are ones where the family need to have them walking in order to cope. Usually it is a Granny who can no longer carry a child on her back. I reckon that in the next two months we will have half a dozen ready to be resettled.</p>
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<p>On our journey we stopped at a cultural museum where we learned some uses of cow's urine. Drunk warm and fresh in the morning it is good for coughs. Instead of toothpaste you can swill your mouth with it. Rubbed on your body it is good for rashes, particularly measles. I couldn't help but wonder who is going out in the morning to collect this fresh urine... and how! </p>
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<p>Now this is what I call a souvenir.</p>
<p>I want one!</p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-1747056171082637402015-01-17T06:36:00.001-08:002015-01-17T06:36:45.380-08:00.......the usual?
<p> Babies come and babies go but we still have a total of 11 babies in the prem unit. The twins relegated to the bean bag were so comfy that they opted to stay there. </p>
<p>One new prem was doing well but during the first night Mike went twice across to the centre. Each time the heart of this baby stopped whilst Mike was seeing to another child. Mike would resuscitate and the baby would be fine again. What timing! Two days later and the baby continues well.</p>
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<p> We are still maintaining two wards as we have so many inpatients. We have 6 severely malnourished children on what Mike has called Omega Ward...the last place to stay before leaving Potters! These children were on Alpha Ward whilst being tube fed and receiving antibiotics. Now they are eating but need to have put on a designated amount of weight before being released. We have been giving them some meals, the same as our children get but so far some are rejecting them - too many greens and protein! KIsoro District has the 2nd worst statistics for malnourishment in Uganda and it is all down to poor education. One person was telling me he had visited a house where the family had chickens. The children were very thin and ill. It transpired these children had never eaten an egg, the family sells them all. He tried to educate the mother to give each child one egg a week and sell the rest. Did she do it? Who knows. A lot of concerted effort needs to be put into this problem.</p>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVQA1m4B8PU/VLpyuEiSIII/AAAAAAAAA0c/bvQe34hPVoQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150117143955.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVQA1m4B8PU/VLpyuEiSIII/AAAAAAAAA0c/bvQe34hPVoQ/s500/Photo%25252020150117143955.jpg" id="blogsy-1421505898909.89" class="alignleft" alt="" width="346" height="258"><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Young Nsaba came for a visit. He is not far off walking solo. Kaka says his appetite is now at a normal level so although chubby, he is no longer obese. His father came to Potters today. Nsaba's siblings are being sponsored in school by St Mary's School in Ely. The new term begins next week. His children have no shoes so we gave money for that. He cannot tell us how they have done last term as he cannot read the reports. Geoffrey will look at them on his next visit. Another kind family gave a specific donation to help him rent a plot of land to provide food for the family. A plot is being negotiated and he has money for a tin of seeds to start germinating cabbage seedlings. The other good news is that one of his pigs is pregnant and due to deliver at the end of the month. </span></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVQA1m4B8PU/VLpyuEiSIII/AAAAAAAAA0c/bvQe34hPVoQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150117143955.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVQA1m4B8PU/VLpyuEiSIII/AAAAAAAAA0c/bvQe34hPVoQ/s2048/Photo%25252020150117143955.jpg" target="_blank" title="">We almost had another visitor yesterday. The Presidant came to Kisoro and Potters was on the list for a potential visit - at the request of the First Lady who had hoped to visit us last year. We did not make the final list. Cynically I would say there was not enough vote catching possibility here.</span></a>
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<p> It was noticed that young Isaac had a club foot when he arrived. A visiting Physio showed us how to plaster it as there is no facility for help locally. We attempted a DIY version which came off yesterday. It is a little frightening doing these things without expertise but it is a question of something is better than nothing. I managed to get some Plaster of Paris bandages from the pharmacy. They were of very poor quality and he admitted they had been sitting on his shelf...for forever. The plaster on soaking was lumpy and the bandage frail and inclined to break. A layer of duct tape on top helped rigidity and waterproofing.</p>
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<p>The workshop is making a reclining chair for a small and very disabled boy. He is 1year 3 months but more the size of a 7 month old. It is good to be challenged in design again. Leonard and I are pleased with how it is coming together. It is our version of a baby bouncer chair - without the bounce!<br></p>
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<p> Saturday treat at Gorilla Junction - plunger, not strong.</p>
<p>It is good to walk in and after the customary greetings, be asked...'the usual'? I feel almost an accepted local!</p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-17841438678493981512014-12-26T11:35:00.001-08:002014-12-26T11:35:13.450-08:00Christmas Day at Potters
<p> Christmas Day started bright & early at PV. </p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The laundry staff began at 6am in order to get through the mounds and be away in good time to cook for their families. I went round the site and gave every adult a lollipop and a Rufumbira Christmas greeting. It was amusing to see people wandering everywhere with bulging cheeks and sticks coming out of their mouths. You would walk on the ward and a sea of mouths and sticks would turn to look. Some of the children on the ward were well enough to have one too which was nice.</div>
<p>At 9.30 we went to the Cathedral English service. The Sunday School enacted the nativity story with their appropriate cultural clothing and bursts of familiar carols. Joseph got a laugh when he went to the Inn and said Mary was REALLY pregnant ie) about to deliver now. </p>
<p>Back on site Rosie made us her delicious coffee to help us gear up for cooking. Meanwhile the staff had their communion service led by our Chaplain, Rev Florence.</p>
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<p> The singing was glorious and the service ended with enthusiastic dancing.</p>
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<p>Lunch for the staff was brought in by a local cafe. Due to a delay in timing of the service...surprise, surprise...it was necessary to feed the children before they could eat themselves.</p>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RfVut_hII3w/VJ24HssKqZI/AAAAAAAAAzo/kDfEjaLQoZE/s2048/Photo%25252020141226194011.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RfVut_hII3w/VJ24HssKqZI/AAAAAAAAAzo/kDfEjaLQoZE/s500/Photo%25252020141226194011.jpg" id="blogsy-1419622972774.9663" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="418" height="312"></a><span style="line-height: 1.3em; text-align: right;">Their meal was posho, careb (millet posho), rice, potato, beef with bones and sauce.</span>
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<p> Ours was very close to the British traditional fare. A joint effort in 3 kitchens. </p>
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<p>We ate out on the veranda even though there was a thunder storm and it was pouring with rain.</p>
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<p> The premature baby unit had a record breaking 11 babies housed there. Fortunately our son Zemian managed to get the third incubator working again. The ward was also busy and the staff were kept occupied.</p>
<p>It was lovely to celebrate Christmas without all the commercialism. A time of religious celebration followed by a meal shared together is all that is needed to get the focus correct.</p>
<p>...I can't lie, a large packet of sage and onion stuffing and a jar of Cranberry sauce made all the difference!</p>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-84064506837960273612014-12-24T02:04:00.001-08:002014-12-24T02:04:55.897-08:00Noheri Nziza<p> At last we can connect to the Internet in our house and I no longer need to take my iPad to town in search of wi-fi.</p><p>We are in the final preparations for Christmas Day here. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iCH2zV-Z9Sc/VJqORvJYpXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/44I3gxVhBpo/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100340.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iCH2zV-Z9Sc/VJqORvJYpXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/44I3gxVhBpo/s500/Photo%25252020141224100340.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953430.7112" class="alignleft" alt="" width="385" height="256"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>Sam and Emily came out to do their nursing elective with us. As well as nursing they repaired and repainted the car to make it safe for the Community Support children to play on at their party.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDP5xGbD5ZA/VJqOhZzXHNI/AAAAAAAAAyc/PainbPYSRLU/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100340.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eDP5xGbD5ZA/VJqOhZzXHNI/AAAAAAAAAyc/PainbPYSRLU/s500/Photo%25252020141224100340.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953437.4995" class="alignright" alt="" width="386" height="288"></a></div><p> </p><p>At the party we decided to fit each child with shoes. Previously the sizes had been guessed. It was extremely chaotic but we only failed to find shoes for one child - Sarah, an older girl. Her Foster family had recently bought her shoes so she was contented with a football instead...way more street cred in that!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Sam and Emily left for the airport as the party was ending. The children had a great time playing with them. We were very grateful for their work while here and enjoyed their company.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1pMDBn2inZk/VJqO0ykjyMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/JqVaoRFAraQ/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1pMDBn2inZk/VJqO0ykjyMI/AAAAAAAAAyk/JqVaoRFAraQ/s500/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953398.9546" class="alignleft" alt="" width="395" height="295"></a></div><p> The previous day Sarah arrived from the UK. She arrived but not her luggage. She took photos of the Community Support children for their sponsors then left with Sam & Emily to go back to Kigali Airport. They would not give out information without her being there with her passport. Fortunately her luggage had arrived and she returned with 2 German girls staying in KIsoro. Thank you to everyone who sent out things for PV with her.</p><p> </p><p>Christmas day in the Medical Centre looks set to be busy. After a quiet spell in the neonatal ward, it is now overflowing with 2 babies in each of the two working incubators. Altogether there are 8 prem babies in the unit. Two are very sick.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DjyiCiTIAEY/VJqPJlnWF8I/AAAAAAAAAys/VVzEvX2XS00/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DjyiCiTIAEY/VJqPJlnWF8I/AAAAAAAAAys/VVzEvX2XS00/s500/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953446.5508" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JUmC28UQrIU/VJqPVJzGIHI/AAAAAAAAAy0/fmFegx-JNBc/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JUmC28UQrIU/VJqPVJzGIHI/AAAAAAAAAy0/fmFegx-JNBc/s500/Photo%25252020141224100341.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953427.0532" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WEirOjYLCGU/VJqPhoG8VqI/AAAAAAAAAy8/mw-FBOo3d2g/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100342.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WEirOjYLCGU/VJqPhoG8VqI/AAAAAAAAAy8/mw-FBOo3d2g/s500/Photo%25252020141224100342.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953497.15" class="alignleft" width="386" height="257" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> Also joining us for Christmas are two of our children, Zemian and Naomi. Naomi carried out a scanner/ printer/ photocopier as her hand luggage. Zemian has set it up so we are a very efficient office. He has sorted several computer related problems for us and without them cooking for us, particularly Naomi, I'm not sure we would have eaten some nights.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uk33058NL9U/VJqPwmiPu3I/AAAAAAAAAzE/1uignRmghko/s2048/Photo%25252020141224100342.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uk33058NL9U/VJqPwmiPu3I/AAAAAAAAAzE/1uignRmghko/s500/Photo%25252020141224100342.jpg" id="blogsy-1419415953412.2957" class="alignleft" width="318" height="425" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Prossy is the latest arrival into the village. She came yesterday and is 2 weeks old. A beautiful and very alert girl. Her Grandmother was full of kisses for her as she left. Even the father gave her a kiss which is the first time I have seen such display of affection from a Ugandan father. Clearly there will be no problem resettling her with the family.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Merry Christmas or NOHERI NZIZA as is said here. </p><p> </p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-80793676171589795822014-11-22T04:18:00.001-08:002014-11-22T04:18:02.821-08:00Comings and Goings<p> We have had Malcolm Crawford back with us to audit the accounts. He and his wife used to work in Kisoro so it is good to have someone who understands some of the challenges With finances - like the lack of receipts.</p><p>Next Wednesday we have two student nurses from the UK arriving who are doing their nursing elective with us. They are the start of the Christmas build-up of visitors. On the basis of don't ask, don't get, I halfheartedly asked at the Supermarket if there was a possibility of a turkey at Christmas. Actually there could be, but it would come alive. I can just picture walking home from the shop with a turkey on a string walking behind! No, this is not an option.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pS7PtwsLMv0/VHB-cnN1_HI/AAAAAAAAAwI/HRwtNqeys2Q/s2048/Photo%25252020141122122203.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pS7PtwsLMv0/VHB-cnN1_HI/AAAAAAAAAwI/HRwtNqeys2Q/s500/Photo%25252020141122122203.jpg" id="blogsy-1416659089383.1697" class="alignleft" alt="" width="318" height="425"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> These are our first two baby goats. Leonard reckons the next birth is due any day now. These girl twins will stay with us and we may sell two of our older goats. Leonard and I have been discussing whether we can introduce dairy goats as a concept in Kisoro. The problem would be monitoring that they don't keep breeding them with local goats and lose the dairy attribute. We could introduce them in our Community Support Income Generating Scheme. A thought for the future when we have more goats.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m_KXj7XADEk/VHB-pSfdUNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4EvFrJUo1uE/s2048/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m_KXj7XADEk/VHB-pSfdUNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/4EvFrJUo1uE/s500/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" id="blogsy-1416659089407.2612" class="alignright" alt="" width="350" height="261"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> As this one posed so nicely, I thought she deserved to be added.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s4Sj0zTMg2s/VHB-wQgPU-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/Aw271odMnpM/s1600/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s4Sj0zTMg2s/VHB-wQgPU-I/AAAAAAAAAwY/Aw271odMnpM/s500/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" id="blogsy-1416659089382.4985" class="alignleft" alt="" width="319" height="426"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Last time I mentioned Gakuru, a rather ill premature twin. Here he is having graduated to a polystyrene box. He is still getting top-up milk through a tube but is doing very well. He will probably be discharged in a week.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxQYb6WN-Qw/VHB-2y43fgI/AAAAAAAAAwg/Iu5vaKUH-14/s1690/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxQYb6WN-Qw/VHB-2y43fgI/AAAAAAAAAwg/Iu5vaKUH-14/s500/Photo%25252020141122122204.jpg" id="blogsy-1416659089390.1646" class="alignright" width="329" height="354" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Dushime is our latest addition to the village. She is three months old but very small. Her young mother died from what sounds like cancer. The family wanted to hand her over for good but we don't do that. Geoffrey visited the home and discovered they live in dire poverty without even an adequate roof to keep all the rain out. The maternal family home is not much better. Undoubtedly Dushime will be with us for some time until their circumstances can be improved. She is a real smiler.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gmYUewy3d80/VHB-9Bsc8uI/AAAAAAAAAwo/mg8TBisDCY0/s1945/Photo%25252020141122122205.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gmYUewy3d80/VHB-9Bsc8uI/AAAAAAAAAwo/mg8TBisDCY0/s500/Photo%25252020141122122205.jpg" id="blogsy-1416659089408.8096" class="alignleft" width="356" height="435" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p>Naomi came to us from the Congo. Her family had got caught up in the troubles and they had to leave their home. The father has now settled. We were worried because we lost contact. We managed to find someone to get a message to him and they came to collect her. When she first arrived with us a visitor, Carole, fell in love with her and regularly sends clothes for her, each with her name on the front so there is no mistaking who is to wear them. This is a photo as she was leaving. I draped Geoffrey with the latest jumpers which are still a little large, to show she would go home with them.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Last week, Mike and I went to Kigali in Rwanda in order for me to go to a Dentist. A filling had fallen out. He was a very good Dentist although I felt he was busy sculpting a work of art in there as it took 40 minutes to put the filling in! We did the journey by public transport which is always fun - well, not always. Mike was squashed up beside a young girl who spent the last hour of the journey being sick in her lap. She did it very quietly then would immediately sit up and carry on chatting to her mother. Ah, bewitchment of sickness, I was told when I got back.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-72317011234121809052014-11-09T04:33:00.001-08:002014-11-09T04:33:11.959-08:00Unusual Perceptions<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7O3aEUhOv1s/VF9fAOo96vI/AAAAAAAAAvw/qoqEJ52h7Z0/s2048/Photo%25252020141109123840.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7O3aEUhOv1s/VF9fAOo96vI/AAAAAAAAAvw/qoqEJ52h7Z0/s500/Photo%25252020141109123840.jpg" id="blogsy-1415536776500.3894" class="alignleft" width="417" height="311" alt=""></a></div><p> Last weekend we took Nurse Nadia to Kisiizi Hospital for her next posting. This photo was taken from the top of a hill about 2 1/2 hours into the journey. You cannot gauge the height or distance from the photo but we went to the top of a long valley over the horizon. The Hospital is an impressive place built beside a waterfall from which they get hydroelectric power. I could only look at the waterfall from the knowledge of all the unmarried, pregnant girls who were bound and thrown over the top. The practice only stopped when a girl managed to drag her brothers over with her. Their deaths were deemed unacceptable!</p><p> </p><p>Nadia left us and two days later Ryan and Jillian arrived from the USA. They are with us for a week whilst they contemplate a possible future with the Diocese and perhaps some time at Potters for Jillian. Actually it looks like it may be Diocesan work for them both.</p><p>The Lullaby Charity spent 5 afternoons with the Carers talking about attachment. This ended with us massaging babies with cooking oil - some loved it but others clearly took offence at being basted! </p><p>As a result of their visit we will try a new format. We will divide the children into mixed age family units so that they stay in the same room and with the same Carers for their time with us. As we have lowered the age of the children on resettlement this will be easier. It is a sensible concept and the staff are keen to give it a try.</p><p>As a diversion in the office, I was talking a possible Christmas scene outside the Medical Centre. It transpired that even a basic manger with baby would not be understood by many. The vast majority of people will never have seen pictures of the Nativity scene. They may know that Jesus was born at Christmas but not know about a stable etc. nor have the concept of a stable that we have. We are so influenced by pictorial representation that it is hard to grasp what it must be like to have no idea what it could mean with descriptive words in an unfamiliar setting. It ended up that the best representation might be a plastic baby doll strung under a star!</p><p>We have two very sick babies in the Prem unit at the moment. One is a first-born twin who has struggled since birth. He is beginning to cope without CPAP but was at that point before and deteriorated. The other has been vomiting since birth. If it continues tomorrow then they will try and take her for an x-Ray to see if there is a physical problem with the stomach. It's all coming out the top end but nothing out the bottom end!</p><p>Mike is now seeing adult patients on an unofficial basis. We are registered for children so we cannot advertise but if adult outpatients arrive then he will treat them. Last night this meant that he drove a 19 year old girl to Hospital. She turned up at midnight with her father and clearly had appendicitis. This is not quite the sort of service he had in mind!</p><p>At last the spectacular storms are abating and the rain is less torrential. There are many power cuts and yesterday no water but the sun is back with force. It has come to light that out of all the large umbrellas bought for the site and marked with Potter's Village in large letters over them, only two remain. We thought writing on them would help stop them walking but clearly not. Just as well it only costs £1.20 for a golf size umbrella.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-26870340732568703072014-10-25T02:24:00.001-07:002014-10-25T02:24:00.091-07:00Profound Sadness<p> Back in the cafe again for my Saturday coffee! The power company sent round texts last night to tell us we would be without power 7am - 7pm for the next 2 days......but we still have power. Is this their way of boosting their image? They tell us we will be without power, then when we have it we think they are marvellous? Oh, how cynical!</p><p>Our week has been overshadowed by very sad news. Some will know that our home church and local school have been supporting the family of Nsaba, our little one with TB. On Monday his brother Galashion was fine in the morning but complained of headache and stomach ache in the afternoon. They took him to the local Clinic who gave him a pill. On Tuesday he was able to walk around although still complaining of stomach ache. Tuesday night the pain got very severe but by the time the local Ambulance reached him, he had died. Unbelievably tragic. It is thought that he probably had many worms in his stomach and was given a pill to kill them however the mass of dead worms blocked his intestines which then ruptured. He would have needed emergency surgery to survive.</p><p>Sadly, many of the villagers are saying he was bewitched and are speaking words of fear to the rest of the family.</p><p>Geoffrey and I went to the burial. We took Nsaba as I hoped that would bring some comfort to the father. Also, I felt it would be good for the family to be together. After the burial, the father came and sat very close beside me. We could not communicate but I put my hand on his arm and I know he felt the sympathy. He was shaking with grief, poor man. Two losses in only a few months.</p><p>For those who know something of their story, Galashion was the 10 year old who was very active in working for money for the family - the one who carried water to the top of the mountain for 25p. We wondered whether he would want to go to school or would prefer to work. Apparently he loved school and had not missed a day this term.</p><p>On a lighter note, we have added to our numbers with 5 pregnant female goats and one Billy. These are a kind donation from a charity which wishes to remain anonymous. We had to send 2 men and a pick-up truck on a 12 hour round journey to collect them. By the time they got back it was late and dark. Where to put the frightened goats? They spent the night in the visitors hostel - not quite the type of visitors we had in mind! In the morning I stood at the door of the hostel and the whole length of the corridor was strewn with goat droppings. It took 3 men several hours to get it really clean again.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qqbCurK4i9o/VEtsB0fUM5I/AAAAAAAAAvM/KnZ0QbWyYvw/s953/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qqbCurK4i9o/VEtsB0fUM5I/AAAAAAAAAvM/KnZ0QbWyYvw/s500/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" id="blogsy-1414229402276.9854" class="alignleft" alt="" width="398" height="269"></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> Having been released from the Hostel they spent a little time in the grounds to settle.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DvI2MOsrTo/VEtsEyWWo-I/AAAAAAAAAvU/JhlwlJNJ69Y/s1297/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7DvI2MOsrTo/VEtsEyWWo-I/AAAAAAAAAvU/JhlwlJNJ69Y/s500/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" id="blogsy-1414229402250.696" class="alignright" alt="" width="434" height="226"></a></div><p> Then it was out the gate and turn left up the hill to their new home. The Billy is young and never been roped or confined before so is proving a handful. I am told he is not the best of specimens but all we could get. The first of the females should deliver around Christmas.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kQBA0NPEzTc/VEtsKWzb4-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/jya9ydbV5Vc/s1600/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kQBA0NPEzTc/VEtsKWzb4-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/jya9ydbV5Vc/s500/Photo%25252020141025102905.jpg" id="blogsy-1414229402287.578" class="alignleft" width="300" height="401" alt=""></a></div><p> </p><p> Here is Maureen, our prem baby star who started life at 800gms. She is now in Babies A and having to learn to get used to colder air than her incubator and Special Care Nursery room. She vomits when cold or undressed!</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-82075102567275234702014-10-16T09:07:00.001-07:002014-10-16T09:07:25.628-07:00power issues again!<p> This is a brief blog to explain that we may not be able to blog so regularly. Sadly our wi-fi internet thing won't work and as I have an iPad, you can't attach a dongle. We will have to wait for a replacement from the UK with a visitor.</p><p>You are clearly getting better weather than us. We are back to heavy rain, spectacular thunder and lightning storms...and power cuts every day!!</p><p>Apart from one staff issue that started before we left in the summer, the Village managed really well. We returned to a very smart compound with plants edging the trimmed pathways. I have never seen Geoffrey's desk so clear, though he did put his hand over his desk drawer when I commented about it. Sonia handled the office brilliantly and Festo had the staff doing what they should be doing. I was very impressed and grateful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_tDP6psHQdM/VD_tBy7XWqI/AAAAAAAAAuc/T7E0bRAAWEs/s2048/Photo%25252020141016171146.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_tDP6psHQdM/VD_tBy7XWqI/AAAAAAAAAuc/T7E0bRAAWEs/s500/Photo%25252020141016171146.jpg" id="blogsy-1413475994903.3567" class="alignleft" alt="" width="357" height="266"></a></div><p> Young Eva who was staying with us for a while was getting well trained in domestic skills. Her Foster mother never returned from her visit to Tanzania. The Foster mother to David, our little Batwa pigmy boy, has taken her now. Eva will be a brilliant big sister.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ehxPjOFDn94/VD_tIWSIHVI/AAAAAAAAAuk/s2g_-zFXB4U/s2048/Photo%25252020141016171147.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ehxPjOFDn94/VD_tIWSIHVI/AAAAAAAAAuk/s2g_-zFXB4U/s500/Photo%25252020141016171147.jpg" id="blogsy-1413475994923.9023" class="alignright" width="393" height="293" alt=""></a></div><p> Ivan visited on Community Support day. He brought me a cup for porridge and sat himself down ready for it. It is lovely that he has not forgotten us.</p><p>Nsaba has forgotten us, sadly. He has grown too fat. I try to persuade them that fat does not necessarily mean healthy but they don't believe me. They think our reaction to overweight babies is very amusing.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YARYcVT-NmI/VD_tN2i8rTI/AAAAAAAAAus/VbI-SXmaVSw/s2048/Photo%25252020141016171147.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YARYcVT-NmI/VD_tN2i8rTI/AAAAAAAAAus/VbI-SXmaVSw/s500/Photo%25252020141016171147.jpg" id="blogsy-1413475994981.689" class="alignleft" width="341" height="457" alt=""></a></div><p> We were delighted to meet Winniefred's baby daughter just 15 hours after she was born. We were all concerned for Winniefred to have a safe delivery after the trauma of her last pregnancy and birth. She had to have a Caesarian but all went well. Baby Nina is about twice the size of most of the babies we see in the Medical Centre.</p><p> </p><p>The Medical Centre has gone quiet sadly. Maybe because word went round that a Doctor was not there?...maybe not. </p><p> </p><p>I think I am about to run out of Internet time in the cafe so will finish here. We will be in touch again when we are able. We are both contented to be back and enthused to carry things forward.</p><p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5209606148988186868.post-45727153191146725612014-08-03T08:07:00.001-07:002014-08-03T08:07:14.300-07:00There is always something to learn.<p> </p>
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<p> </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We went to visit one of our support families. This is a good example of a problem. You ask the mother - does the child have a mosquito net?....Yes....Does it cover the bed?.....Yes.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">It is not meant to cover the bed in this way though!</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br>
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<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Friday 1st August was one year since the change of jobs for all staff. In celebration and thanks, staff were allowed to choose an item of clothing from our donated amounts. Those who had done exceedingly well in their appraisals were allowed to choose an extra scarf or tie and a bar of nice smelling soap.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><br>
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<p>A large group from Winchester, Kampala and Kisoro have been working in the Diocese and staying at the nearby Guesthouse. Some have enjoyed spending odd moments playing with the children and getting involved in bath time. This is always great for the babies.</p>
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<p> Nsaba is still not sitting but he has been getting computer lessons. You can't expect him to focus on too many things at once, Mike has clearly decided on where the priority lies!</p>
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<p>Maureen has now topped 1.2kilos and the ribs are covered in flesh. She still looks minute but no longer needs CPAP. Her mother has not been back to visit which does not surprise us but is a great shame. </p>
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<p>We return to the UK on August 17th until early October. Mike has a couple of courses he wants to attend and we have the wedding of our second son being held in Serbia at the end of August. A trip to Scotland with relatives from Mike's family to bury the ashes of his mother is also planned. We know the time will go quickly but catching up on sleep and a complete is also needed on the list.</p>
<p> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191249589087941011noreply@blogger.com0