And the page turns... (Nasamula/Chelsea)

These last few weeks have been a whirl wind of activity and unfortunately I am not going to be able to give any of them justice on this blog.  It has been a stressful but extremely rewarding time. I wish I had the time to  provide you all with the details of our adventures but tonight three of us are starting our own travelling adventure and are off to explore Kenya and Tanzania (and Rwanda if time permits) and will have limited computer access (due to the fact that we have donated the ones we were using in Masaka). 

These last few week flew by. Jesse and I toured the shrines and interviewed a number of traditional healers in and around Masaka. We were told about things like ancestral sprits,  bewitching, local medicinal herbs,  healing techniques,  mental illness  as well as the successes and the obstacles they face in their daily practice and in the new collaboration with the hospital.  It was an amazing experience, an eye-opening experience and an experience I will not soon forget.  Our 2 days of interviews were followed by a weekend getaway at Lake Bunyonyi in the southwest of Uganda.  It is truly the most beautiful place I have ever been.  It is full of lush green islands surrounded by a mainland full of terraced hills and amazing people.  Jesse and I were lucky enough to meet a couple locals who took us on a 5 hour hike up the hills of the mainland, through villages to watch a blacksmith make souvenirs out of scrap metal.  We tried the local brew and treated the locals to a round of drinks.  It was an amazing day.

We left and took an 8 hour bus ride up past Masaka all the way up to Kampala in order to meet our Hospital Supervisor who took us on a tour of the National Referral Hospitals.  It was a good experience to see the other referral hospitals (one was the general Nation Referral Hospital and one was the National Referral Psychiatric Hospital) and how they differed from each other. At Butabika (psychiatric), the resounding and repetitive message we received during our welcome and tour was how understaffed  and stretched they are, despite there being more services offered to patients including an amazing occupational therapy department and psychoeducation program.  At any one time there is 600-700 patients with a nursing staff of roughly 100.  What is accomplished for these patients are amazing feats with the resources they have available to them.

I ended up with a respiratory tract infection from all the dust from travelling and after getting seen at the hospital had a day to rest,  and the following day at CRO was a yet another travelling day.  A social worker with CRO and myself  did some school visits out in the next district over to pay school fees for ‘gradutated’ CRO kids.  It was a long ways away.  Our trip started with a taxi ride (where there were 9 of us in the car, 5 in the back 4 in the front) and then  various boda rides out to the different villages and schools.  Jesca told me that the kids will walk for 2 days during grasshopper season to get to Masaka.

The following day was our sensitization/psychoeducation day with the Traditional Healers.   In true African fashion we started extremely late (but did get more interview completed), our sensitization was then hijacked (I say that in the nicest way possible) by various dignitaries as well as Sense International .  Sense International is an organization that teaches children who are deaf/blind how to communicate.  The speaker was incredibly excited about the collaboration and talked about how traditional healers are often the entry point to the medical system and how every parent goes to them first when children have disabilities.  It was an amazing message and she provided the traditional healers contact information so they too could refer children in need to this organization to learn how to communicate.  When we finally came time for us to do our talk, we talked about concepts surrounding alcohol and drug abuse,  effects and risks associated with the abused drugs of the region as well as possible signs of withdrawal.  It was another full day.

The rest of the week was full of more school visits with CRO, and a series of home visits with Thomas to various members of USF.  As always we were warmly welcomed to everyone’s homes. We were shown projects they are working on and often given food to take home with us.  It is impressive to see the empowerment and successes of this extremely marginalized population.  

Our final few days were blurs of interviews, project proposals, and reports.  One evening we were able to go on a Night Survey with CRO through Nyendo (the local slum) to see where the kids sleep.  I remember waiting for our security guard to arrive and there were these puppies, wondering around sometimes crying and whining.  At first my heart just wanted to break for these puppies and the back of my mind I started making plans on how I could save these puppies from the street.  Then I realized I need to check myself, my priorities and really think about what we were there to do.  I will always remember the dirty groggy faces of a few of the boys crawling out from under a container and the line of boys sleeping in potato sacks and dirty blanket under the awning of a shop.  These experiences leave me with no words.  I struggle with how they may translate to my life back in Canada. All I can do right now is shake my head and hope that these impressions will yield more meaning in the future.

Our last days onsite involved farewell gatherings, speeches, soda, ‘bisquits’, sweets, pictures, a traditional dance party (I cannot shake my hips like that no matter how hard I try) and bittersweet goodbyes.  The following days involved,  more travel,  chimp trekking, waterfalls,  hippo, giraffes, elephants, boat rides and stupid truck drivers who won’t let you past and cover in you enfoofoo (dust) for miles.  I am sad to say goodbye but so excited  for the next leg of our journey (Hello sandy beaches!).

 I want to thank everyone who has been part of this experience so far.  I will never forget you and will always be thankful for what you have imparted on me. I know I will stay connected to Uganda and its people (I’m just not sure what that is going to look like yet...  but things will work themselves out).

Forever Yours,

Nasamula (Chelsea)

It's time to go..... (Chera)

What an incredible experience it has been! I can hardly believe that it has come to an end. Today is my last day in Masaka and I have been spending most the day reflecting, writing, packing, and organizing. This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions. A large part of me wishes I had more time here. I have learned so much, but in many ways have only scratched the surface. It will be interesting to see how things will translate when I get back home. Has this experience been life changing? Not really..I am still very much the same person I was before I left. Life enhancing is more like it. My values have not changed since I’ve been here, only strengthened. I thought I knew myself before, but now I know even more. I’ve learned the importance of community, and experienced the power of music and dance. I experienced what it feels like to be loved and accepted just the way I am and how to treat others the same. On the flip side, I have also experienced what it feels like to be a minority, to stand out in the crowd, and to be judged by the colour of my skin. My patience has been tested, I have learned to relax. I’ve learned what it means to be a friend, to be part of a family, and to be part of a student group living and working together for 10 weeksJ
My experience in Uganda has been challenging & it has been incredibly rewarding. I came to Uganda as I learner and that is exactly what I did. I leave here feeling blessed for having such an amazing opportunity so thank you to Douglas College, Anaweza, and Kakunyu School! I am inspired by the people I have met here especially the children and my supervisors at Anaweza and Kakunyu. I hope to be more like them as I move on from this point forward: authentic, compassionate, resilient, accepting, open-minded, patient, loving, selfless passionate leaders!

Love,
Chera

The end is near.. (Kayla)

Well I can't believe I'm saying this, but we're almost nearing the end of our practicum. It feels like just yesterday the time was going by so slowly and I felt like returning to Canada would never be a reality. Now I have to admit that I'm deeply saddened by the fact that I'm going home soon and I'm already planning my next trip back !

My practicum at Wakisa has been challenging yet rewarding. The time that I have spent getting to know the girls and forming relationships with them is unforgettable for me. At first, I felt like the girls thought I was a big nerd because there would often be giggles whenever I spoke and not many of the girls had took to me. It wasn't until I attempted to speak Luganda and relate to them on a similar level. We often exchanged our favorite movie titles, songs and fashion tips. I also came to learn that those giggles were derived from a big language barrier that was between us. I designed a sheet for the girls to fill out about their future goals and self care techniques. It was so amazing to see their faces light up as they described to me their goals for the future whether they wanted to be a farmer or a doctor. I encouraged them to stay strong and believe in themselves,  things that are even often difficult for me to do. They were suprised that sometimes I feel unmotivated and discouraged when it comes to my goal but it was good to normalize that experience for them. We explored a lot of their resources and support systems that they have in their lives and I have never met a stronger, more resililent and hopeful group of girls. I only wish for them to  have full happy lives with their babies and that eventually they are able to continue their studies and follow their dreams.

My stay here has been unforgettable even on the home front. I have had the pleasure of staying with Robert, Carli and their 16 children. Let me tell you, going from a home in Canada where my youngest sister is 18, to a house where everyone is under 15 has been quite the experience. Carli and Robert have a children's home here but it's the strongest family I know. The children come from either the street or vulnerable home situations. Carli and Robert have been able to be the best parents and encourage them to live to their full potential. I have never been in awe of children who are so helpful around the house and with one another. All the kids really care and look out for one another. Despite some of their devastating and terrifying pasts, they are still able to make me laugh everyday and teach me something new about life. I'm heartbroken to be leaving my nephews and nieces but I'm grateful that my life has been enriched with such bright and talented children who I know I will return to Uganda to visit.

A past student, Laura,  told me, "don't let your expectations guide your experience". This has been one of the most meaningful pieces of advice that I received before I came to Uganda. It couldn't be more true that often times we set high expectations for ourselves and especially in another country, they aren't always attainable. The fact is, I've had a few curveballs thrown my way in terms of my accommodations and practicum placement. If I didn't heed this little piece of advice I had heard before I came I think that my experience here would've been negative. I've taken every change with positive thoughts and made the best learning opportunities I can from my time here. In reality, Uganda is a 24/7 practicum because you see and hear many things that will challenge your perspectives. At first, you feel really out of our comfort zone because your worldview that you've come to know all your life will be completely challenged and in my case, altered. I have learned more about myself than I ever would doing a practicum in Canada and I'm grateful to the project for giving me the opportunity to enrich my life perspective and share it with others.

I have a week packed with practicum, good food and great company. Although the ending is bittersweet for me, I'm beyond excited to travel to Kenya and Tanzania with a few other teammates. I also am in forever thankful for to the people of Uganda for opening your arms and welcoming me like I'm one of your own. I truly can't wait to return back to this amazing country and create more beautiful memories with the family and friends I've made here.

The past two weeks.... (Chera)

Oh boy, there are so many stories to tell! All of these stories effect one another creating the overall experience. I have been struggling to write a blog entry for the past two weeks because with so many things happening at once, it is difficult to sit down with a clear mind and choose just one or two things to write about.

I guess I’ll go back to significant impressions; things that have impacted me these past two weeks as my time here quickly winds to an end. At Anaweza, I’ve been accompanying my supervisor to nearby villages and towns to meet the beneficiaries of his IGA (Income Generating Activities) project. Through the help of donations from friends in Australia, 50 families in need were offered a business training workshop and granted 100,000 shillings (approx $50.00) to start their own business. My supervisor and I visited these people (many of them parents/caregivers of the children who attend Anaweza) so he could collect their accountability reports (receipts and itemized details on how the money was spent). We were graciously welcomed into homes as children scurried to quickly bring chairs or a mat for us to sit on. All the beneficiaries were genuinely grateful for the opportunity to start their business. Businesses included: A hair salon, eucalyptus tree nursery, selling food, selling coal, breeding/selling pigs and chickens, and making/selling crafts. I was really moved and inspired by what I witnessed..the amount of pride beaming from these people as they talked about their business was enormous. These people have been given hope. Hope to feed and clothe their families, send their children to school, get medical attention when needed, the list goes on and on. It is amazing what $50, a little education, and the will to create a better life can do!


I think I may have mentioned in a previous blog entry that school is now in session. The number of children at Anaweza have reduced to about 10 (although the number is climbing as kids are sent home for failing to pay school fees). The reduced number in children has allowed me to get to know many on a more personal level. I have heard about the struggles which have kept many of them from attending school and it is extremely frustrating. A few general examples are: Parents/caregivers who can’t pay school fees, wont pay school fees, or will pay school fees but only for the male siblings. I look at these kids with such incredible potential, eagerness to learn, who have big dreams and I want to yell out for help. My supervisor is so passionate about helping these kids because he feels their future, the future of the community and the future of Uganda depends on it and he’s right! He has big dreams for the Anaweza Project and I have no doubt in my mind that he will accomplish his goals…but it does take time and he does need support. I recently created a facebook fan page for Anaweza to help get the word out about what they are doing. I also added several photos so please check out if you can! My supervisor has talked about setting up a child sponsorship program as well so children can access assistance with school fees when all other avenues fail.


Over the course of the past two weeks at Anaweza I have been leading activities that encourage imagination and creativity. While working with the children I noticed that play has a real practical theme, usually centered around agriculture, school, and work. I also noticed that when I gave examples during previous activities, that the children would often stick very closely to the example rather than come up with their own idea. I understand that this is partly to do with the language barrier, but I also believe that the children have had a limited outlet for creativity. I’ve begun introducing activities such as an adaptation of charades, story telling games, and free dance (not choreographed). Already I have begun to see an increase in self expression, confidence, and creativity. I will continue with this until I leave and give the information to my supervisor so he can continue with the activities after I leave. I really hope that a TR student will be placed at Anaweza next year. There is so much potential there and my supervisor is very open and receptive to ideas..it really is a perfect fit!

At Kakunyu School I have expressed interest in working with my supervisor’s children in her home who have both cognitive and physical impairments. I have been telling her about the benefits of starting a sensory stimulation program. I had the chance to work with a couple of her children by demonstrating the therapy. My supervisor asked me to write the information I told her on a large poster board so she could follow it later. A good sensory stimulation program should be consistent and the fact that I’m only there on Thursday and Friday has been frustrating..not to mention the fact that I am done practicum in a week and a half! It is true what I was told before I left: The time will go by fast!

Ahhh time…as it winds to an end here, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on my experience here, the people I have met and all the things I have learned. I’ve been trying to stop every once in a while to look around, take a deep breath, and make a mental picture. I feel like no matter how hard I try, it is difficult to capture my experience in writing so I am sorry for that..there is so so much more, but feelings that run deep are hard to articulate.

Time Machine! (Jesse)

Boy, do I ever wish I had a time machine. 10 weeks seems like a lot of time at first, but its only by failing to recognize the amount of time it takes to acclimatize to a wholly different culture. Just as things get comfortable and it feels like a real bond has developed with the country-in its people, in the work, the land, the spirit of the place-it is time to begin preparing to say goodbye. The other day, sitting down with our supervisor at CRO, we realized how short our time is—despite having 3 weeks left in our practicum, we are left with only 3 working days left here. We are there 2 days a week, however there have been an abundance of public holidays landing on the days we work there, which have significantly limited our time. It took all three of us by surprise when we looked at the calendar, we all knew our time was winding down, but it feels now like a sadly abrubt ending. The unfamiliar concept of “African time,” and the repeated refrain of, “remember you are not at home,” seems to sadly ring especially true here.

Chelsea and I have both had the opportunity to accompany CRO staff to Nyendo a number of times, on both a couple of “slum walks,” and a couple of women's groups. For the slum walks, we accompanied one of the social workers on a walk around of the area to identify street kids who are connected with CRO to try and convince them to come to the centre. Often times, some children need some convincing to return. The reasons are varied, it can take time to properly connect with the children, they are also often involved in exploitative relationships on the street, and work for adults in the area. We met one child who has been on the street for over a year. The social worker explained that he has been working for a local shopkeeper who, by keeping the child in her employ, is able to leave freely throughout the day and have someone to tend the shop. Recently, the centre has had a sharp drop in attendance, because school has started again (resettled children are welcome to reconnect with CRO when school is out). We've been told that it is much quieter than just previous to the break. The reason is that it is grasshopper season and many of the children are put to work preparing and selling them. The children are rarely paid, but can be given some shelter and food in exchange for their work. The other day, one of the few girls at the centre was dozing in class, as she was up the entirety of the night helping with the grasshopper operation. I haven't yet tried one, but intend to. They are generally sold by the bag, though, and I'm not quite so anxious to try as to buy a whole bag.

Nyendo itself is somehow not quite what I expected of an African slum. The poverty is very apparent, but somehow I imagined it to somehow be more shocking or feel more grim. Although I'm sure there are shocking elements, the overall atmosphere is not much different than other areas of Uganda (that we've been to). Other than it being so stripped down, its very much a bustling place, with many shops lining the main thoroughfares. People are out of their homes washing laundry and doing their work. There is a huge marketplace, although we haven't yet been there for market day. Getting off the main artery, there are residences and stores (as in storage), made out of mud, brick, and sheets of corrugated metal bolted together. The “street,” is dirt and it feels a bit like a maze to walk through. Although not a menacing place, there are enough narrow passages and blind corners to have felt uncomfortable should we have been lacking an escort (which we wouldn't be). We mzungus are not as common a sight as in Masaka town, a fact marked by the excitement and curiosity of the children, who are very plentiful. One child we encountered was absolutely shrieking with glee at the sight of Chelsea and I, screaming, “Mzungu! Mzungu!,” in rapid succession while jumping up and down on one foot, then the other, his hand placed on the top of his head in amazement and his mouth agape. I'm sure I've already mentioned it, but the novelty of being held in such utter wide eyed amazement just doesn't get old. One reality of Nyendo we were witness to was when we were down by the wetlands, where a woman was collecting water out of a small stagnant pool for laundry. The worker pointed at it and explained that many people access this water, including as drinking water.

Chelsea and I (mostly Chelsea this day) co-led a talk around Epilepsy at the weekly women's group.    It can be quite startling to hear some of the common ideas around this condition. When asked around what people know about epilepsy, some of the misconceptions were ones not uncommon back at home, such ideas as that someone may swallow their tongue, or that you should attempt to place something in the mouth. More disturbing are ideas around it being dangerous to touch someone who is seizing. Or that should you pull someone in a seizure out of a fire that they will not heal properly (a patient who until recently was at ward 14 bears the consequence of this belief). It can be difficult to process this, as we take our access to more accurate and medical knowledge around this for granted, and because the human fallout is so apparent.  We have also seen the incredible ability of people here, despite such a lack of basic resources, to band together for support and to educate their communities. Its a bit of a perplexing position to be in as someone from the West, who does not have a deep knowledge of local culture or beliefs or history, at the intersection of traditional belief systems and more modern and western approaches. But knowing just enough history, its impossible not to be aware that much of the knowledge and ideas we, and Africans too, are trying to impart to improve and empower, come from the same parts of the world that looted with abandon while ignoring human dignity and paving the way for unspeakable horrors. I think reasons for these things are incredibly complicated but what I am trying to say is that, as shocking as some beliefs are, it is understandable in the wake of these things that people cling to traditional ideas linked to their identity and place in the world and that there be some resistance to western ideas. And then on the other side, in spite of the history, we have felt welcomed with open arms by just about every person or group of people we have encountered, and have never been met with resentment or hostility. Our contributions have been received with enthusiasm Whether our input or suggestions are taken to heart is hard to guage; we've been told a number of times that it is very rare for a Ugandan to disagree openly with a guest or let us know if something is a bad idea. I sometimes wish they would but it illustrates their tremendous hospitality. So our exact role remains mysterious, but I'm comfortable with our stated primary one that we are here as learners.

Oh, here is a picture of grasshopper traps to compliment Chelsea's last entry:

CRO – Nightlights (Chelsea)

Like many things in Uganda, CRO is a bittersweet experience.  It is amazing to see the light that shines out of these sometimes rough and tough little packages.  Since Jesse’s first post about CRO, the grounds have installed a playground outfitted with 2 swings, a little slide and a see-saw.  It’s amazing to see these kids taking turns and pushing each other on the swings without an adult prompting them or supervising them in anyway.  It is even more amazing in light of the fact that a bunch of the same kids jumped 2 other children for the scrap metal they were collecting. Children collect scrap metal as a means of earning money 1 kg = 200ush (less than 10 cents). The light and dark of their reality is hard to imagine. It hurts to think about and it’s painful to see.

 I’m not sure if the other students experience is at all similar to mine, but the realities of this place…. they are… what I can only call tragic injustices and they leave a dull ache in the middle of my chest, that doesn't seem to want to go away.  They are unsettling and tear at what I consider to be my core values and expectations of humanity.  It is hard to take that step and remind yourself that this is just how it is here. Because when it comes down to it the people here would change it in a heartbeat if it where only that simple. But its not and its hard. What is scary is that I know that I have not seen the worst of it. 

For me life here is like two very different sides of a coin. There is a side that is dark, shadowed and tarnished; where it seems that so much life is lost, wasted, and judged to be worthless.   BUT… and there is a but.  There is the other side where there is light, joy, kindness, hope, humanity and so many lessons about community and faith. Unfortunately, as positive as this side is it can be easily overpowered by the darkness and weight of its brother.  It’s a difficult balance to stay focused on the light. Yet avoiding and ignoring the darkness is avoiding reality. It can leave you torn, guilty and hopeless. Solutions seem to disappear in the enormous shadow of so many obstacles. It is easy to lose faith and motivation in this darkness (and we do see it here in some people).  BUT (again there is a but)  it is important not to forget the light and the people who live and radiate light.  They are here and they are shockingly resilient.  They see the dark and still strive to learn, change and overcome all these obstacles. They are like those nightlights your parents plug in when you are little and are afraid of the dark and can't see where you are going.

At CRO I have been able to sit through a couple of insightful discussions with the children, where the staff are tending to that light of resiliency in the children.  I know as a helping professional we are taught the preciousness of awareness.  Awareness and insight is necessary for problem solving and finding solutions.  You cannot attempt to solve problems that you don’t understand or know exist.  So, it was interesting to see the teachers and social workers at CRO work through a discussion about drug use with the kids. After listing the drugs/alcohol they used/knew about, the children listed reasons why children/people use: 

To forget/escape, Peer pressure, To feel warm, To not be hungry,  Alcohol is part of the culture/ceremony, To be able to express my feelings (wow…), To be strong, To be brave,  To increase sexual prowess,  Because it feels good… were all on their list.  

I was impressed by the insight and knowledge of the children, the leadership and skill of the staff and the simple fact that they were doing such a progressive and practical exercise with the children. The second discussion I was able to witness had to do with why children did not want to be resettled, why children dropped out of formal school and potential solutions (unfortunately the children but did not finish this part because it was lunch time). The following were things they came up with:

-Death of parents (HIV/Aids), abuse from step parents*,  desire to make money, enjoy the good life on the street, and grasshopper season* are a few of the former that I can remember (there were more).

-lack of school fees, and being scared of teachers/beatings are the only two of the latter that I can remember (there were more).

 I put asterisks beside two of the reasons children came up with why they remained on the street.  Probably the strangest (to those of you who have not been to Uganda) is that grasshoppers and the fact that Maska has grasshopper seasons are actually very influential in the number of children who live on the street. The key is that Ugandans (except for one tribe) eat grasshoppers.  They are cleaned (I am not writing what this entails for the sake of those of you with weak stomachs.  If you are interested you will have to ask) and generally eaten fried (sometimes raw).  According to the locals they are considered special treats and are incredibly tasty (I’ve has one… they are ok… as long as you don’t think about what your eating).  They are very expensive at the beginning of seasons when demand is high and supply is low (Welcome to Hopper 101: Introduction to Grasshopper Economics).  So children from villages (where both poverty and number of children in a family is highest) flock to Maska to earn money catching and cleaning grasshoppers during the season.  There are incredible set ups to these grasshopper operations (oh wow such as tangent) that  are set up at night in open fields and roof tops, with barrels, bright lights, smoke and corrugated aluminum.  I’ll let you all try to figure out how those ingredients make a grasshopper catcher (I need to get back on track).   We have some amazing pictures that we can post after some guessing takes place (unless someone has beat me and posted them on Facebook already).

The other reason why children do NOT want to be resettled back in their homes that I highlighted was abuse from step parents.  This is incredibly common and is the most referenced reason I have heard about why children end up on the street.  I’ve had in-depth conversations with a couple Ugandans about the general abuse and neglect children experience from their step parents (some of it includes witchcraft and curses- which is very alive in mainstream belief systems) as well as one individual’s own personal experience as a loving step parent (which I’m told is very rare) and another’s experience about having to be very up front  and even strict to their new partner about caring for their children from previous relationship (or else they would leave).

I want to close by talking about another set of nightlights (to use and abuse my earlier metaphor) that CRO is involved with.  It is a women’s group who meet every Thursday to talk to the social workers and nurse from CRO with the purpose of learning and supporting their children and community (for those of you familiar with the 2010 blog I believe Adrianna wrote about her experience meeting with them and talking about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).  As in the African way the meeting started late but, Jesse and I were able to meet with them, learn about the things that they are doing in the community (craft clubs, animal husbandry etc) and talk to them about Epilepsy.  What is it (a brain injury- that has to do with electrical misfiring in the brain); What it’s not (a bug, curse or contagious); Identifying different types of seizures in children (you don’t always fall); Potential causes and the importance of getting treatment (untreated seizures can lead to increase brain damage and even mental retardation); That it can be treated, managed and even eventually cured(with medication) and; What to do and not to do when someone is having a seizure (dispelling incorrect beliefs and giving instructions for general first aid procedures). As always we felt incredibly welcomed and the information was extremely well received.  It is interactions and observations of people like these that help me focus on the light through all the shadows. I am grateful for my African Nightlights.

Until next time. Love Always...

A new understanding of abundance and gratitude (Chera)

Lorna and I took a trip to Kampala last weekend. It was nice to get out and explore a bit of the surrounding area..admittedly, I was very excited about spending some time in a major city…A city offering a variety of food, real coffee, and a hot shower. After a 3 hour mutatu ride we were there, dropped off in the heart of the city where I can only describe as absolute chaos. After a bit of negotiating for a fair price, Lorna and I hopped on a boda boda (motorcycle) to get to our hotel. An adventure indeed! There are no rules to the traffic, and my driver went full speed ahead swerving in between cars, vans, and other boda bodas..I could feel them brush up against my legs as we passed by. All I could think was “Thank God I’m wearing a helmet”, something most people do not do around here. Thankfully we made it in one piece. After checking into our hotel, we went for a walk..passing by many restaurants and cafes, we found one that served hamburgers, fries, and various fast foods. We had to stop and eat. And then we ordered ice cream …and then later that night we had Indian food! It was truly a luxury and by realizing that it was, I began to understand how much I take for granted. We have such a huge variety of food in Canada. We can walk down the street and have our pick of restaurants serving foods inspired from around the world. I never realized how fortunate we are to have all this. In Masaka, most people farm their own food and eat pretty much the same thing everyday. They are so thankful and proud of the food they have. I have thought about this a lot while I’ve been here actually. I feel ashamed for being challenged by the lack of food variety. And even though I enjoyed the food I ate that night in Kampala, I also felt guilty and undeserving when I thought about it later. We have so much. Way more than we need..I’m beginning to understand this now more than ever.

On Saturday, Lorna started to feel ill. Ill is an understatement actually..she got really sick with what we thought was a bad stomach flu (I had one the week prior). When we returned from Kampala, Lorna visited the clinic to find out she had malaria! She was immediately sent to the hospital where she spent two nights hooked up to IV meds. I’m happy to say she is feeling a lot better now, but what a scary experience to go through. Kayla is recovering from Malaria as well..I can’t help but wonder who’s next. Malaria is a big problem here..It disables and/or kills children and malnourished people every day. As mazungus (white people), our immune systems are generally healthy and we’re able to access good medical attention here. Malaria causes a horrible sickness but it is not life threatening to us. Again, a bi product of the privileged society we come from.

This was the last week for many children at Anaweza. Most will be going back to school on Monday. The week was action packed..I led the “Let your Light Shine” talents and skills show on Monday. We had a community outreach day on Tuesday, and I led a girls self esteem group/art project on Wednesday. We also had a group from an organization called TASO come and do a drama presentation about HIV/AIDS prevention. Yesterday (Saturday) Anaweza held a “Social Day” where the parents/caregivers were invited to the centre to see the children perform and demonstrate some of the skills and talents they learned while at Anaweza. Lorna and Jesse came out for it as wellJ It was amazing..the kids cooked up a storm and sold the food as a fundraiser, they sold their woven bags, they sang, and put on dance and drama performances. They are all so incredibly talented! I could hardly believe that it was the last day I would see most of the kids. It took Melissa and I a long time to leave that day. We had so many children to hug before we left. The amount of gratitude I felt as I was leaving was enormous. I have learned so much from them and have received so much love. From day one they opened their hearts to us & welcomed us as part of their family..I am inspired and forever grateful.
Love,
Chera

Ward 14 (Jesse)

This post is from May 10.  It somehow vanished without a trace, so I have somewhat updated and reposted:

Its funny how wonder fades to routine.  The excitement and anxiety leading up to this trip has largely faded to the challenge of actual work in a foreign place.  When we arrived, people literally sang out in welcome to us.  While the greeting of "you are welcome" is still standard and still catches me pleasantly off guard, it has blended into our day to day here, as have the boda rides, the extremely gnarly roads, the smell of meat hanging in the sunshine, and the long life milk that sits in my humid room all day and doesn't go bad (still don't get it-what do you mean long life and no preservatives or additives!) .  The cultural differences we are so struck in wonder by initially also slowly give way to the challenges of working so far away from home.  All the anxieties and challenges of working in a mental health setting are with me here; relating to marginalized populations as a middle class white guy is a challenge at the best of times, doing it in Africa when you don't speak the language magnifies this factor by about a zillion.  I am speaking of where Chelsea and I are placed for the first three days of our work weeks, which is the mental health ward at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.

The first time we visited the ward, the first thing that struck me was all the people lined up against the wall on benches.  Everyone seemed to be dressed exquisitely, as though for a special occasion.  It turns out these are the outpatients, who often times have made the sometimes very long journey from the villages, often on foot. They have come to consult with the clincal officers (there is no full time doctor on the ward) who briefly counsel the patients and update their medication scripts.  Each visitor to the ward carries a flimsy paperback notebook, usually tattered and repaired, which serves as an outpatient file and a prescription pad.  The clinical officers write file notes and update the medication script which the patient then brings to the window of the medication room where the nursing staff then ration their meds.  Some drugs are plentiful, however some are in short supply.  For the more limited drugs, staff counts out usually 1/2 or 2/3 of the pills and advise the patients they must purchase the remainder.  The drugs dispensed also illustrate the limited resources available to the people here.  Most are still used in Canada in some capacity, but usually not as first line treatments for the disorders treated on the ward. Many of the drugs dispensed have not been used in the west as first line treatments in decades for the disorders treated on the ward, meaning those needing medications are sugjected to significantly more and invasive side effects.  The plus side is that when the ward has the drugs on hand, the patients do not have to pay for them.

The journey of the patients from the villages sometimes takes hours, and it is not strictly accurate to state all these people as patients.  Often, family has accompanied the them as well.   It is also not uncommon for a loved one to have made the trek on their own to consult with the clinical officers on behalf of the patient, relaying how he/she is doing and pick up medications.   One of the officers explained to me how this is not ideal.  Pyschoeducation around mental health in Uganda faces significant barriers and although these family members undoubtedly would not make such treks if they did not care deeply, it is unlikely their understanding runs deep enough to offset impatience and possible resentment, if, say, after trekking for miles from the village and back, the patient displays reluctance to adhere to the medication regiment.  Just as significantly, once back in the village there is not much available support around these issues. Previous mental health sensitization radio broadcasts have been cancelled and outreach visits to the villages have been scaled back to the rising fuel costs.  There is also the obvious factor that when dealing with sensitivities surrounding mental health, which in Uganda, as elsewhere, are steeped in a great amount of stigma, that trusting a 2nd hand consultation to reach from a patient and back again without ingrained attitudes finding their way in may not be realistic.  However, as the officer explained to me, the patients often face "natural constraints," their poverty not allowing for transport to the ward if they are in poor physical health or otherwise unable to make the trip on foot.  The representations are the only way some patients' very real mental health concerns are addressed and treated, and the business of the ward is illustrative of the huge need it is filling.

It seems not big enough and understaffed, yet the ward is significantly bigger than the mere two rooms dedicated to mental health only last year.  Aside from the outpatient program, the ward also hosts 20 inpatient beds.  It feels like more, however, because just as family often accompanies the outpatients, they also stay with the inpatients.  These relatives, reffered to often as "attendants," are relied upon for nutritional support as well as emotional.  At the hospital, food is limited.  A cup of porridge is served at 10am, and at 3pm, its posho (corn flour, water and salt mashed together) and beans.  Anything beyond this is supplied and prepared by the attendants, although it is common for those with food to share with those without.  Walking around the hospital grounds, many women can be seen in clusters preparing food over wood fires.

The ward also hosts monthly meetings of the Epilepsy Group, comprised of both epiliptic and recovered epileptc patients and their family who come together to share their experiences and support each other and speak to strategies around eliminating stigma.  Chelsea and I took questions for the group to bring back answers during June meetings.  I had heard accounts of how, being white and from the west, that the local population here would look to us as experts.  I found this to be true in general and during this meeting a woman asked around a family member whose seizures have ceased but still suffers an intellectual disability, to which she asked us how to cure.  It is difficult to be looked to in hope when you know the anwswer will take it away.  We provided no answers this session, as we were clear epilepsy has not been our field of study and that we would need to look for responses.  We'll have to look at how to answer that question delicately.

Although underresourced, it seems very impressive what mental health treatment has accomplished in this area of Uganda, both for patients and caregivers.  The natural constraints explained to me also seem to have a side effect in that supportive relatives often choose to stick by and support their loved ones out of necessity, which has helped build such a passionate community, both through the hosptial and Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship (more on that in a future post).  While this obviously doesn't negate the difficulties, it lays a strong foundation to build a stronger system and community.  I have met patients who jump at the chance to tell their story without shame to complete strangers (not to mention foreigners!).   It is really a testament to the ability of the people here to overcome those big barriers and help people both get better and to reduce the stigma and misconceptions that people living with mental illnesses face here.

I had the opportunity to sit in on a few consults with one of the clinical officers.  It was a very interesting process, maybe especially so because, aside from hosptial visits in my capacity as a housing support worker, I have no previous experience from Canada working in a hospital setting.  There were some representations as noted above, with more than  patient bringing a family member in for a first time consult.   There was one interaction in particular whereby an elderly mother was brought in by an adult child around first time symptoms from the previous weekend.  Considering the lack of resources and aforementioned stigma, it is very encouraging that some people are seeking help from the hosptial so immediately.   I wonder about my presence in these situations, whether it has an impact on the information shared between the patient and the clinical officer, especially being a representive from the west.  The interactions do seem natural though. 

There is one story I found particularly striking during this consultation sit in.  A patient with Epilepsy (Epilepsy is treated in the psychiatric ward in Uganda) voiced frustration that although she has been faithfully following her medication regimen, her seizures remain constant.  Probing for possible triggers, the conversation turned to stress, where the patient revealed her living situation and also shed light to the extent of some of the stigma and false information around some health issues here.  Essentially family and community alike have ostrasized this patient, to the point where an empty house has been given for living, so that nobody needs to share living quarters.  Interaction with her is actively discouraged.  I can't speak to details, but it is not uncommon to view epilepsy here as contagious or as a curse.  The officer pointed to this situation as the likely reason the medication has not ceased the seizures.  He pointed out also that when she comes to the hospital, she at least has briefly the oppotunity to be amongst people who do not judge her, before a brief counsel and medication refill before the long walk back to the village.

Kampala Bound - Kayla

Well, we're almost a month into our stay in Uganda and so much has happened I'll try to shorten it up! I made the trek from Masaka to Kampala about 2 weeks ago. I'm now living with a former student, Carli Travers, who participated in the first Uganda Project. She has since moved to Uganda, married, and now is a mother to 16 amazing children. Some of the kids are former street children or ones that have come from vulnerable home situations. However, you would never be able to tell this as the kids are all very close to one another and are very happy. It just goes to show once again how resilient the children of Uganda are because despite some terrible (a vast understatment) situations they've been in, they still wake up everyday with a smile on their face.

To be honest, this trip has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I have just recently began my practicums in Kampala so there was about a 2 week period where I was floating around to other placements since I wasn't in Kampala and beginning my own. That was a really difficult time for me because not only did I feel really unsettled but I also got pretty sick. This led to me spending a couple days trying to recover and gave me a lot of down time to think about and miss home very much. I remember my low point was bribing my mom with $5000 to come visit me.. needless to say, she declined my offer. Since meeting Carli, Robert and their children, I'm happy to report that not only am I not homesick, I don't want to come home at the end of July! The children are so vibrant, smart and fun that I have formed an attachment to them already. I'm thankful that I have been placed here and that they have opened their doors to me and made me a part of their family.

I have just started my practicum at Wakisa Ministries which is a crisis centre for pregnant teen girls. I've only had a few days there so in my next post I will talk more about that. For now, I just wanted to list some things I've soaked in since the beginning of my trip. A lot of them have been real eye openers for me and although they may be hard to understand, they had an impact on me.

Things that are unique in Uganda:

- If you've been here, you'll get what I mean when I say that there's a settled chaos to the road. The road is shared by boda's, matatu's (van taxi's), taxi's, buses, cows, goats, bicycles and people. I swear the first time I drove into Entebbe, I didn't breathe for the first 5 minutes. I feel like I owe my boyfriend an apology for all those times I would hold when he drove, as I now know what feeling unsafe in a vehicle really feels like. I'm much more at ease and enjoy car rides as I realized that everyone here is aware of their surroundings and there's an understanding about the rules of the road.

- The people here are very generous and giving even if what they have is not much. The people of Uganda are exceptional hosts and have welcomed me since the moment I've been here. In the village, if you are at someone's place they will take the best care of you. Even if someone only has 2 pineapples left, they won't hesitate to cut one up when you're visiting and send you home with one. The hospitality here has been incredible in that way. Also, the culture is strongly rooted in tradition, song and dance. Even though individuals may face hardships often, they hold a strong faith and are just happy people.

- It's easy to get caught up with the beauty of Uganda but there are a few times where I've had quick reality checks that remind me that this isn't like home. Having our vehicle searched for bombs and weapons when we enter parking lots of supermarkets is not something I'm used to. Also, it's been a time of political unrest here and when the people are trying to carry out peaceful protests and exercise their right to freedom of speech, they have been met with resistance. It's been difficult to be around when peaceful protests occur and have been met with teargas, live ammunition and violence. When that happens, my rose coloured glasses are smashed and I remember that this is a true reality of the people that live here.

- Something I can't get over about the people of Uganda is how hard they work everyday. Everyone of all ages will take responsibilty for doing some kind of labour from washing clothes to digging in the fields. I'll admit, I can't keep up with their energy, it's endless ! I admire how even children take accountability to complete chores and are always helping out around the house and with the younger children.

- One of the harder things that is very different from Canada is the amount of street children that are scattered throughout the city. For here, it is very normal to see children under the age of 12 congregating at the city dump, alleys or markets where they eat, sleep and live. It's been heartbreaking for me to see these children so vulnerable and helpless with no where to go.With living expenses being so high many people can barely afford to feed themselves let alone children that aren't theirs. It's a sad reality that many of these children grow up without a real home. The street children that I've met are some of the strongest individuals I've ever encountered. They are resilient with smiles on their faces and always happy to see me. Also, the loyalty they have to one another is admirable, they become their own family.

Things that are the same in Uganda and Canada:

- A mother's love for her child can't be measured and if faced with an problem, she will do anything to protect her children and give them a better life. This is evident by the women in Uganda working long days in the field or in the market to sell their goods to earn money for food and school fees.

- The bonds of siblings are so strong and they remain a united front whether it's against other children, parents or other adults. In Uganda, the older children care for their younger siblings in a lot of ways Canadian siblings generally don't. However, when it comes down to it, I've noticed that they stick together when the times get tough and at the end of the day, realize that they always have each other.

- No matter who it is or how old they are, every single person has a dream. Whether they vocalize it or not, we all hold some kind of dream for ourselves and our families in our heart.

- Finally, even if the worldview of the two cultures is different in major ways there is still one huge connection between the two. We are all human beings and naturally crave respect, love and understanding. This is one of the lessons that I learned that I hope I can continue to offer the individuals in my personal and professional life.

Although it's been a time of happiness and sadness for me, I don't regret my decision to come to Uganda. I keep reminding myself that as a learner, I'm receiving an invaluable learning opportunity. I'll always be grateful for that in the end, I'll be able to expand my worldview and my understanding of humanity.

Until next time,

Kayla

"One who burns in the Sun" (Chera)

Apparently there is a Swahili word for white person that literally translates to “One who burns in the sun”. I wish I knew this word because I would declare it as my new nickname here. Yes, I got burned…badly. Actually, we all did, but I seem to have got the worst of it. Last Saturday, our student group decided to spend the day at lake Nabugabo. It was a beautiful sunny day, but poor judgment on our part,
we stayed out too long. It turns out I have 2^nd degree burns on my legs and it has been extremely painful to stand or walk.

Despite the pain, I had a great day at Anaweza on Monday. The highlight was when we picked up on a discussion from last week about goal setting. The children were asked to use their imagination to draw an image that shows the steps it will take to achieve their goal in life. After everyone was finished, the children had an opportunity to share their work with the rest of the group. We had pilots, a nurse, football coach, policeman, a computer company employee, mechanic, president of Uganda! It was so wonderful to see what the children came up with and even though many appeared shy, the energy of the group was powerful and every child was smiling.

The next day, my sunburn was even more painful so I decided to stay in bed and work on my session plans. Later that evening when Melissa returned from Anaweza, she told me she ran into one of the boys while walking through the nearby village with our supervisor. This boy did not attend Anaweza that day because he had to do chores and tend to the children of the family he is staying with. Apparently both the child’s parents have died so he has been taken in by this family. The boy was excited to see Melissa and our supervisor because he wanted to show them a small garden he had started after learning how to do it at Anaweza. He then told our supervisor that he loves coming to Anaweza and if he’s ever not there, it is because he is needed at the home. I have a feeling that this boy misses a lot of school as well because it was pointed out to me earlier that he is behind.When I heard this story, I felt overwhelmed. On one hand I was so happy to witness the good work that is being done at Anaweza. The skills that the children are learning are important skills to have for survival here. On the other hand I was saddened as I began to face the reality of the challenges these kids face. Up until now I have been avoiding thinking about it. Of course I have been aware in a general sense, but it really hits home when you start hearing individual stories.

Anaweza was started because the founder saw a need to help children who are at risk of ending up on the street. My supervisor has many years working with street youth and saw first hand how difficult it is to get a child off the street once they are there, and so started Anaweza to help vulnerable children before it gets to that point. I believe this is the only organization of its kind in the Masaka area and there is such tremendous need.

This week my supervisor at Anaweza suggested that we come up with a program specifically for the girls, while he leads a program for the boys. The children had expressed an interest in this during a conversation he had with them last week. I suggested a program on self esteem because the young women here are said to be the most vulnerable. Having confidence and a positive self esteem will help them feel empowered to overcome obstacles and make healthy choices in life. Our supervisor was very receptive to the idea so we have been working on a session plan that includes a presentation/discussion followed by an art project inspired by what we have learned. One of the teen girls wants to lead a discussion on HIV/ AIDS so we will incorporate that in as well. I am new at this and have a lot to learn, but I am so inspired and passionate about trying to help these kids. I’m really excited about this projectJ

Wow, I know this blog entry is getting long but I must talk about my day at Kakunyu as well! Melissa and I were there yesterday (Thursday) for only a couple hours but the day that impacted me greatly. As I mentioned before, the children are on a school break so we haven’t got into a normal routine there yet. Yesterday we visited our supervisors home where her four children with disabilities live plus others who have been given up by parents who are unable to care for them or want nothing to do with them because they believe they are cursed (this is a common belief/stigma in Uganda). It was so great to spend time with the kids (a couple are young men/women as well). I learned that a physiotherapist comes to visit them everyday to do exercises. We got to observe while he did the exercises with them. It was wonderful to see the great work he was doing and how similar it is to what I have seen in Canada. Our supervisor told us about how much the children have improved since doing the exercises. After the exercises, we brought out a couple of the soccer balls which were donated by Janice Spencer (one of my instructors at Douglas College). We had a great time bouncing and rolling the balls to each other..everyone was smiling and laughing. It warmed my heart to see such joy on their faces.

While we were playing, a few workers from an orphanage in Masaka came to visit. They had a young boy with them with severe burns on the side of his face and head. The young boy was brought to Kakunyu because the orphanage was unable to take him due to his disability. Apparently this young boy’s parents died and so he was staying with a guardian. This guardian was abusive, burned him in a fire, and locked him in a room alone for two weeks. As one if the workers talked with my supervisor, she pulled out a bag with the boy’s clothing. It was all dirty, tattered, and torn. I could not believe what I was hearing..that this could happen to anyone let alone a child. Again, I was overwhelmed. I was relieved that this child was rescued and brought to Kakunyu, but I was also angry and couldn’t help but wonder if there are more children like him. And who would be able to help them? Kakunyu can only provide for a few.
Our supervisor cancelled our day today because we were meant to do home visits but are unable to due to the rain. I was disappointed at first, but now I’m kind of glad to have the day to reflect.

Love, Chera

An introduction to the Maska Traditional Healers Association and the Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship - Maska branch (Chelsea)

Another week has gone by and I am so surprised at where the time has gone. This week was characterized by more exposure to African life, more insight into my/our practicums as well  the chance to share part of this adventure with a number of visitors from Canada associated with Douglas College and the Endowment Fund. Our African hosts were incredibly welcoming and hosted various visits, tours, performances and dialogues with our practicum sites and associated organizations. 

I will let the other students speak about their own practicums, but speaking for myself, I felt like I was given a tremendous gift being able to see a couple of the other student's practicum sites and know by proxy I was involved in the work they were doing (Jesse and myself had Easter Monday off from our own practicums).

Tuesday and Wednesday, the visitors (as well as Jesse and myself) were introduced and given a glimpse into two of the organizations that work with the Masaka Regional Referral Hospital's Mental Heath Ward (one of our practicum sites). The Maska Traditional Healers Association and the Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship - Maska branch. Both were very powerful experiences for me.

Tuesday afternoon after a short drive from the Hotel where the guests were staying, we arrive on a picturesque hill top overlooking part of the beautiful and lushly green Masaka district.  We walk through a garden of various plants and trees and toward a hut that holds significance both culturally and historically (not that they can really be separated) The hut is that of a traditional healer,  the first line of health care for many Ugandans and was situated where the first white person arrived in Masaka town(or made contact with it's peoples...  I apologize if I am getting any of these details incorrect I am writing this from my memory/impressions of our dialogue with the traditional healers and few government officials that joined us). we took off our shoes and sat along the walls of the hut. Greetings were shared, introductions were made, an official report on the traditional healer project from the perspective of the traditional healers was shared which detailed their board, their successes and the challenges the faced (The project is an attempt to integrate the traditional healers into the mental health delivery system by using a referral process of difficult patients who have various symptoms of mental illness) and gifts were exchanged (and were well received on both sides- Bob was grinning like a school boy wearing his traditional garb). A dialogue began between the traditional healers and the visitors.  The visitors were interested in their processes and training. On the other hand, the traditional healers were interested in Canadian forests and plants,  traditional methods of health care and wellness available in Canada as well as general Canadian opinion on those alternative means of treatment.  They also expressed great interest in coming to Canada. From my perspective,  it was successful and incredibly interesting afternoon for both parties. I want to thank our Ugandan supervisor and head of the Psychiatry Department for his efforts organizing the event,  facilitating the program and all of the translating he had to do for the dialogue to take place.  You have my deepest gratitude and I would imagine that of the Canadian visitors as well.

Wednesday was yet another powerful experience. Jesse and I were already at the hospital with our supervisor when we met with the group of visitors. The people of the Masaka branch of the Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship (USF) were also amazing hosts despite the fact that we were a bit pressed for time and the program had to be compressed. In African fashion,  greetings and welcomes were extended to us (including some amazing welcome songs) and introductions were made. USF provided us with a summarized report of their activities, successes and challenges. They have competitive sports teams (which at the moment are on hold due to the cost of transportation),  members utilizing micro-loans and starting up their own businesses, a number of members in the piggery program (owning and raising pigs as a source of income) and a craft club (making cards, baskets, and  balls out of various materials).  Again both communication and transport were highlighted as obstacles. It continues to amaze me the resiliency of the Ugandan people and what they can and do over come on a regular basis.   They touched and amazed us with poetry, songs, and a skit portraying what it is like to have schizophrenia in Uganda.  They work to educate their communities with these works of art to de-stigmatize mental illness.  I am in awe of the work they do and I believe we could use more organizations doing the work that they do in Canada. After sharing a meal with the members of USF, our African supervisor (again who organized, facilitated and translated the event) asked me for feedback, Jess and I praised the works of art we had just witnessed and the only negative thing I could honestly say was that I wished that I could speak Lugandan so that I could share and learn more from the people who had welcomed us so warmly. 

Well that is all I have to say for now. (Next time more on CRO)

Until next time...

Weebela nnyo (Thank you very much)

Significant Impressions thus far...

        Its difficult to know where to start when so much has happened in such little time. Too many things for me to write about in one blog entry so I will narrow it down to my most significant impressions. First of all, the visits to the village and other beautiful sites that Lee (John Fox’s son) took us to was absolutely amazing. I’m not going to repeat the details because Chelsea did such a great job in her blog, but I hope Lee realizes how much we all appreciated that.
       Second of all, the children..I can’t say enough about them. I have the opportunity to work with children at both of my practicum placements: Kakunyu School for children with special educational needs, and at Anaweza, a program that focuses on building talents and skills of vulnerable children in Masaka. Due to school break, I have not had the opportunity to work with the kids at Kakunyu school yet, but I have been working with about 50 children at Anaweza. I will never forget my first day of practicum at Anaweza..As Melissa and I accompanied the children to a near by field for their play time, we had several children holding our hands, looking up at us with big smiles, and asking us questions. They are so curious, affectionate, and welcoming of us here. Right away Melissa and I were referred to as “Aunties”. As I’ve gotten to know the children at Anaweza, I am so amazed at their eagerness to learn and how quickly they pick up on things even when instructed in English (which most speak, but not fluently). They are so incredibly smart and have so much potential. At Anaweza, I suggested a program where the children are asked to choose one thing they are talented or skillful at and then give them the opportunity to teach or perform for the rest of the group. My hope is that the program will help increase confidence, leadership skills, and group connectedness. My supervisor thought it was a good idea, so we told the children right away. Keeping in mind that some children may be nervous or shy, we let them know that they have a choice to perform individually or in a small group. I also had assistance in facilitating a discussion about talents and skills including some examples, and probing questions for those who may have difficulty identifying a skill or talent. I’m really excited to see what the children come up with, so I will be sure to give you an update later on.
         This leads me to talk about the significant impression my supervisors have had on me. They are both so passionate about encouraging and strengthening the potential of the children they work with. I have never met such passionate people who (in my opinion) put their own needs aside for the good of others. There is so much to be learned from them, and I feel very blessed to be in their company right now. I am so excited for what’s to come in the next two months! I will keep you posted!
Love,
Chera

A drop in the bucket...... (Cole)

Where to start....

When I had thought of coming to Uganda over a year ago I was excited, hesitant, curious but mostly wanted to experience a different culture and alternative way of life. It has been a shock to see how simply the people live here and yet how joyous and welcoming they are towards us. How they really value everything that they are given, and how we as westerners can be so oblivious the amazing opportunities we have at our fingertips in our country.

I have been working at the Masaka regional hospital's daycare and so far it has been an eye opening experience. I have found it is one thing traveling around a country and seeing sights, but when you are immersed in the culture through direct relationships with the people it is something else. Before arriving at the daycare I had no idea what to expect, I kept my mind open to the best and worse scenarios, noting our humble surroundings. Upon arrival at the daycare I was impressed with the space that was available for use. It is located on the top of a hill and consists of a large open grass space, a swingset, marry-go-round, slide and teeter totter. It has a large green open air tent with a ripped roof that acts as an "indoor" area for the children to get some shade and interact together. The surroundings are beautiful and lush around the area, there is a small fence that runs around the property but nothing that a small child wouldn't be able to climb over or through. The daycare operator and the children warmly greeted Linda and I which reminded me there is nothing like working with children to take all your worries away.

Linda and myself started by assessing the daycares storage room that was to be used for storing daycare materials and equipment. The room was piled high with giveaway items for the hospital; mosquito nets, water purification systems and other items of that nature. Since they were giveaway items we asked a few of the hospital staff to distribute them among the people that needed them. Soon there were 20 - 30 people lined up and the boxes were gone within minutes. After taking a full day to organize the room we started to bring in some of the supplies that we had brought from Canada. One of the real hits with the children was the parachute that we brought. I hope you can all remember these from your childhood; everyone stands around the multi colored parachute and grabs a handle, you can put balls on it, shake it like crazy or fill it up with air and quickly sit underneath it. Neither the children nor the daycare operator had ever used one and so Linda and I demonstrated how. The happiness and pure enjoyment was easily readable on the faces of the operator and the children alike. Not having an Early Childhood Education background, we helped the daycare operator to organize and inventory all of the new resources that we had brought to share with them. Our goal is to not just do these things for her, but to teach her how to do them for herself once we are gone. By the end of the day the storage room was looking like a whole new space. When Linda and I completed the final touches we brought the operator back into the room. She was overcome with joy! I thought she may cry, there were many smiles and feelings of gratitude being shared between the three of us. The gratitude not only came from her but from Linda and myself; for giving us the opportunity and trust to go into her room and demonstrate some simple methods to take care of her own space.

The next day I brought in a few more things to share with the daycare. One item in particular seemed to grab the interest of the children and operator of the daycare. It was something that iwould have never expected to have such a huge interest but the experience of intoducing it to them was quite a processof self realizationfor myself. It was a couple of small wooden puzzles. I brought them out and the children didnt know exactly what to do with them, I was stunned. My own preconcieved notions about children in Uganda had come from my own experiences of working with children in Canada. I sat down with them and explained to them how to use the puzzle; how each piece if placed correctly can create a whole picture, and how the flat edges of the pieces go to the outside and that their are four corner pieces. Can you imagine my suprise as I spent three hours teaching different children how to complete these simple 20 piece wooden puzzles. The more important aspect was seeing the sheer joy of accomplishment on their faces when they had completed one of them. It really showed me that I need to check my assumptions and not take anything for granted as I am here on practicum. It was a great start to this adventure and I hope for many more experiences like this.

I have a few plans in the works for the daycare but one of them is to make a water table for the children to play with. It will be made from a baby bath and constructed out of some old wooden pallets that we found in the storage room. It will be able to be filled with rain water and used once it is full. I will keep the updates coming on the progress of the practicum as well as the projects that I have in mind.

-Cole.

The ecstasy and the agony - LORNA

  "Life is never simple...but at least it is interesting. Let me be grateful - for a heart that can rejoice or break, as the case may be." These words from my grandmother's creed have never challenged me as much before as they do now, in Masaka, Uganda. The ecstasy and the agony of life here, must be experienced to be fully understood. And even with my limited practicum experience, my emotions have swung like a pendulum, from one extrreme to another, awakening my understanding in new and provacative ways - life will never look the same to me.
  One of my placements here is at the hospital maternity ward (I will write about the other one in a future post). I  have two supervisor's at the hospital, one a social worker (whom Ive yet to work with) and the other a wonderful, gifted midwife, named Prossy. For this first week, the midwife has thrown me right into the fire, (so to speak), of the realities and struggles the women that attend the hospital experience. For example, on my first full day at maternity, I was being orientated to the special care nursery, the realities of which are heartbreaking in itself, but, when you understand that this meager facility with its one incubator, one oxygen tank ( which by the was is shared with the delivery room if a woman is in crisis) is still more than they've  had before, you begin to be thankful for even the very small things. On this particular day, we were just leaving the unit when I looked down on the ground and noticed a $1000shilling note, a significant amount of money for people here, (the equivalent of about 50 cents for us). I picked it up and asked Prossy what or who I should give it to. She said, "look around, how could you know, it could belong to anyone" and then she pointed to an elderl lady that had just come out of the door behind us: "there, give it to her, she is very poor,"and so I did. Prossy could have just taken the money herself, but as Ive come to realize in this very short time training with her, Prossy is a giver, not a taker. About one hour later, a baby came into the special care nursery in great distress and in order for him to survive, the message was sent to the mother that she had to purchase a cathedar for the IV so he could receive fluids and meds (yes, they have to purchase it!).
  The waiting was agonizing for me: surely the life of this child was more important than the cost of one cathedar ($1000sh) but as tempted as I was to just buy it myself, the supervisor cautioned me that I would not be able to privide for all, and that not only would my finances by potentially drained with the needs there, but also my emotions if I had to pick and choose who received help and who didnt. Just then, to my relief, the cathedar arrived. Prossy instructed me to assist her (yikes, I am not a nurse but she needed help and the baby couldnt wait for someone else). He now stood a chance of survival! I was feeling relieved and happy when just then, the grandmother, the very same elderly woman I had previously given the $1000sh to, walked into the special care nursery. She came over to the baby and was overjoyed to see that he seemed to be doing well. I felt overwhelmed! The realization that this family would never of had money to buy that cathedar, if not by that chance meeting earlier, hit me! Such ecstasy! Her and I celebrated using our only means of communication, the joy on our faces!
  Later that day the celebratory atmosphere was to come to an abrupt stop for me. Another baby, just as deserving as the one previously, was in distress. He was provided with the needed cathedar, but the mother had arrived to the hospital too late, having delivered a complicated birth along the roadside during a 40km walk to the hospital. Her attendants had been with her, (attendants could be midwifes, friends, family or both) but, as Prossy pointed out, this baby had experienced brain damage and the distress caused during the difficult birth was to much for him. Although we had resuscitated him at least five times, given him oxygen, the necessary and even expensive medications ($10,000sh), for this little boy, it was to late. The baby was wrapped and prepared to give back to the attendants to carry back home, the 40kms after which they would return to inform the mother (if) she survived to return to her village. I asked why we had to wait to tell her? Prossy said "because the wailing would be too much and she is very sick and needs her strength to survive," They would only inform the mother if she recovered enough to ask to see her baby before the attendants returned.
  The AGONY was almost unbearable. I knew I had to fight the tears as I had been informed that the woman were watching me. "Dont cry Lorna, they will think you did something wrong or are guilty." I held it together as best as I could, tears welling up in my eyes, yet a few escaped down my cheeks. Sorry for your loss - "BAMBI" as they say here in Uganda.The reality of life here in Uganda for these women, was just starting to hit me. I have so much to learn and so much to be thankful for. The ecstasy and the agony of life in Uganda is etching its place in my mind, body and spirit. What I've already learned here, in this short time will forever change me and the way I view life and the world we live in. It seems so unfair! I am reminded that we should never take for granted the supports we have - especially the medical system, that we have in Canada.

Being flexible is the name of the game... (Chelsea)

Well to start off I'm going to quickly address the change in the blog design. I'm not really sure what happened but it seems as if Afican internet doesn't always agree with our custom set up (and randomly changed things on us) so I have set it to a default template so that even if some of the more interesting design elements fail all our posts and links will remain legible.  Also my computer is lacking a spell check program, which means that this post (and future ones) could very well be full of spelling/typing errors.  But as our supervisors have been reminding us from day one.... in Africa you need to be flexible.

So now on to the reason you are all visiting our lovely site. An African experience....

Truly, I do not know where to begin. We been in have been in Maska (our home base) for a week now and so much has happened. It feels like months have gone by because so much has happened and I have so many stories I want to share.

I will start with my first impressions of Africa and see where it goes from there.

I remember the heat and the humidity stepping of the plane after that last long 8+ hour flight. I remember being shocked by the red dirt,  so reminiscent of the clay I used in high school art class.   I remember being in awe of all of the green and how lush everything was.  I avoided looking at pictures and video of Uganda before I left to avoid setting up expectations. But this first sight of Uganda made me realise that I did have tonnes of expectations and unfortunately they were largely based on those world vision commericals and (those similar) that show Africa to be a  sad barron place. But Uganda is a rich, lush and beautiful country and not only in terms of its landscapes.  It's people are amazing.  I feel so blessed and grateful to have been given this opportunity as well as all of the opportunities I (we) get back at homie.

We have also been incredibly lucky insofar that the timing of our trip has happend to coincide with that of  Leigh Fox, who is the son of John Fox (a Douglas college faculity member, one of the orginal Uganda Project supervisors and all around great guy). Leigh (who owns a tree planting business out here that partners with local farmers and is also an all around great guy)  has been taking us out 4x4ing on the country roads in his truck to see some of the surrounding villages,  trading posts, one of this partner's plantations, a century old church, an impressive village library and even invited us out to an good old fashioned BBQ.  He introduced us to a part of Africa and African life that I do not know we would have been able to see without him. I only hope he understand how grateful we are for his time and all that he has offered us. Again I feel as if I could write forever just to include some of the stories that have been a result of his amazing side trips,  so I will do my best to say a few words about each and you will just have to ask us when you get back. 

It was quite an experience going through the villages and those back roads. The back roads do not resemble anything like north american roads and the vehicles drive on the other side of the road. Everytime children saw us, you could hear a chorus of "Muzungo! Muzungo!" "How are you!" great big smiles, hands waving (sometimes even if they weren't free and things were balanced on their heads) and sometimes even packs of them run behind the truck (I believe that there are videos).

On the plantation, we where introduced to the eating of "white ants" (these meduim sized ants with wings), saw matokee plants (a green bannana that is a staple starch of Uganda,  which according to Bob has little to no nutritional value), pineapple plants, coffee, eucalyptus, pine, and papyrus (in the boardering wetlands. I learned the Lugandan terms for Cow (Entte), goat (bouzzie... I'm not going to lie. I kind of want one for a pet) and chicken (cockco). I apologise to the Ugandian people for any misspelling of their words (I have enought trouble with English some days). And we met some amazing people. We also learned that generally only boys play football (soccer) and girls play a game called net ball.

On the way to the century old church,  we stopped and Leigh treated us to an spectacular view of the mountains, surrounding lakes and the general breathtaking Ugandian landscape. The church was impressive and  sky was ....well there are not enough words. First the sunset and then the stars from the truckbed (yes, mom I have been riding around in the back of a truck and I am still safe and whole) with no other light in the surrounding area. Again... there are no words. We did stuck the truck stuck in a great big hole and a bunch of Ugandians had to help push/lift the truck out (which they did successfully) and then Kayla promplty walked into the hole getting back into the truck (she is also safe and whole- she only scratched her leg a little).

So we have had  some amazing experiences in and outside our first week of practicum (more on that in later posts I'm sure) and are attempting to start to settle into life here. We are learning how to negoiate living together,  cooking in a true Ugandian style kitchen, handing a new currency and avoiding Muzungo prices, washing our clothes by hand, avoiding drinking the tap water, trying to remember to take our malaria medication, cold showers, learning and stumbling through Lugandan, dealing with being away from our loved ones and lives back home as well as being confronted and blessed by a world that is so different from our own in many ways. It will be a challenge and we will have to be flexible. Inspite of all this, I am very excited to see what Uganda has in store for us all.

Until next time....

One Week In. (Jesse)

We arrived in Uganda one week ago, and the discomfort of the long flight is a memory.  I actually hate to fly for a variety of reasons, but there was one moment that I do care to remember.  I flipped up my window cover on route to Entebbe from London, and I saw a sea of lights under us.An African City!  According to the "your flight" selection on the screen, it looked to be Khartoum.It struck me that we had also flown directly over Athens and Cairo, which was actually a detour from the usual route, altered so as to avoid Libyan airspace.  It was a moment to briefly snap meout of my flight paralysis, and realize I was as far from home as I've ever been.  That feeling was definitely amplified when we arrived to Masaka.  A week into it, we've started to settle in and feel comfortable here.  Even the massive prehistoric looking storks already don't look as strange.I have been placed in two practicum settings.  One is Child Restoration Outreach (CRO) and one is the pyschiatric ward at Masaka Regional Hospital.  I've been introduced to each of them this week.

My CRO placement began with a meeting between Bob (practicum superviser), the director of CRO, their accountant, Chelsea (who I've been partnered with for both settings), and myself.  The director greeted us with what we've found is very customary of Ugandans, telling us "you are welcome."  We were made to feel as such with a great warmth that I have found is rare in Canada. The CRO staff expressed gratitude for past contributions of students and Douglas College, and specifically mentioned the connection with the psych ward at the hospital that Douglas College facilitated as a valuable contribution of their work.

It was off to the site itself after the meeting, where we were told the children would be very excited to have two new "mzungus" (white people) amongst them.  This was, to we reserved Canadians, an understatement.  It is hard to conceptualize the enthusiasm of the children here.  We were rushed and we had them nearly literally hanging off of us.  Children grabbed our wrists, shaked and held our hands, wrapped their arms around us, sometimes just touching our faces.  The children, as it seems all children here do, chanted, "Hey Mzungu!"  They were all intensely curious about us and where we were from.  Although these children are living on the streets, it seemed many had enough English to ask our names and where we were from. We spent part of our first day watching a rehearsal for an Easter performance the children would perform, reenaction the Easter story.  We were lucky enough to be invited on the Wed to see the finished product.  It ended with the children singing and dancing to the intricate pounding of African Drums.  Afterward, we spend time with the kids for a couple of hours, playing basketball and soccer. The kids were even more enthused this day, full of a rare meat lunch provided for Easter.  The kids held out the pale parts of our arms and joked we were better than the other mzungus there who have been well coloured by their time in Africa. The spirit, smiles, and affection of these kids all contribute to a sense of happiness, and its impossible not to be touched by it.  But as much as they may seem it,it does not seem possible that they can be happy.  Our way home showed a piece of reality that sharply the contrast between what our western eyes interpret in the behaviour of these kids and the grim truth of the situation.  One child followed us for part of the walk after we were done, his demenour consistent with the rest of our day.  He left us to join his companions, along with a homeless man, picking through trash in a garbage bin not far from the CRO centre. Earlier that day, one of the Swedes who is volunteering filled us in on various stories of some of the children.  One case that really stood out was a young girl, who was amongst the sweetests and most affectionate kids there.  She reportedly lives in the worst part of the Nyendo slum.  Blankets and I think some food is provide to her by a close by neighbour woman, however she also provides the kids around there with drugs, including glue.  I was unsure about what she gets from this arrangement and am hesitant to ask.  This girl is 4 or 5 years old at the most.

As depressing as this may sound, spending time with these kids still had us feeling pretty good. These first experiences were overwhelming It is difficult not to feel inspired and awed by the spirit and resillience of them. The juxtaposition of the way the children carry themselves and what is their reality really is a marvel.  They are so very resillient to say at the minimum.  At least this is how it feels at the moment.  It is impossible to know, however.  We are on the other side of the world in a culture that is very different from our own, and young street children is an issue that is virtually unknown in Canada. Withouth a real cultural understanding its impossible to really judge the state of the kids.  We likely lack the ability to pick up the signs of fear, trauma, and anger, things we would normally associate with street life of a child, as they probably manifest in ways we don't know how to interpret.  I look forward cautiously to getting to know these kids and to understanding the reality of street children here.

We'll each be updating this about once a week, I'll speak to my other placement in a week!