As we are staying on site, it seems rude not to find out more about the work here so Friday afternoon we asked our house manager if, in true British style, at some point during our stay we could take a look around and find out more. In true Ugandan style they were more than accommodating and ten minutes later we were in reception meeting Moses one of their Community and Research Liaison Officers.
Moses began by explaining that there is quite the stigma attached to these conditions across Eastern Africa. Children are considered 'possessed' or 'evil' and bring shame on the family so are often abandoned or even a parent can be thrown out by the other for having a child with these conditions. Its heartbreaking because following early treatment these children can lead fulfilled lives with the right support. Moses' job is liaising with the families and communities to help break the stigma attached to these children; helping identify children needing treatment as they are often hidden away and also monitoring follow up appointments to ensure the ongoing development of the children. With a smile on his face its a role he takes on with pride and purpose.
Earlier last week a group arrived bringing children from the Congo for treatment. We met Charity an eight month old absolute bundle of joy, happily sitting banging blocks together on her bed. She had been abandoned to the group when her mother realised she had spina bifida. Moses explained that one of the difficulties they faced was that the Congolese speak french and in Uganda they don't. To my own surprise, seconds later I was parlez-ing un peu de francais which brought great delight to the aid workers who had brought Charity in. Maybe the french degree wasn't a waste! #alwaysbringasmile
Now, when we asked for a tour / to find out more about the hospital, I was assuming maybe someone would point out the main buildings (and this is not a huge site by any means, for such specialised work it has the feel of a small community hospital) and give us the general gist of their work. How wrong was I? Ten minutes after meeting Moses we were walking through the main children's ward, followed by Intensive Care and most surprising of all, inside the Operating Theatres building! Following up with physiotherapy and explanation of the outpatient procedure, everyone was just so keen for us to see their work.
It was a privilege to witness the work they do here.
Moses began by explaining that there is quite the stigma attached to these conditions across Eastern Africa. Children are considered 'possessed' or 'evil' and bring shame on the family so are often abandoned or even a parent can be thrown out by the other for having a child with these conditions. Its heartbreaking because following early treatment these children can lead fulfilled lives with the right support. Moses' job is liaising with the families and communities to help break the stigma attached to these children; helping identify children needing treatment as they are often hidden away and also monitoring follow up appointments to ensure the ongoing development of the children. With a smile on his face its a role he takes on with pride and purpose.
Earlier last week a group arrived bringing children from the Congo for treatment. We met Charity an eight month old absolute bundle of joy, happily sitting banging blocks together on her bed. She had been abandoned to the group when her mother realised she had spina bifida. Moses explained that one of the difficulties they faced was that the Congolese speak french and in Uganda they don't. To my own surprise, seconds later I was parlez-ing un peu de francais which brought great delight to the aid workers who had brought Charity in. Maybe the french degree wasn't a waste! #alwaysbringasmile
Now, when we asked for a tour / to find out more about the hospital, I was assuming maybe someone would point out the main buildings (and this is not a huge site by any means, for such specialised work it has the feel of a small community hospital) and give us the general gist of their work. How wrong was I? Ten minutes after meeting Moses we were walking through the main children's ward, followed by Intensive Care and most surprising of all, inside the Operating Theatres building! Following up with physiotherapy and explanation of the outpatient procedure, everyone was just so keen for us to see their work.
It was a privilege to witness the work they do here.
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