Much is Required

Some thoughts from this week:

-Why are some spirits born in African and some in America? Why was I raised with so much privilege while so many children here suffer? The answer- 

Doctrine and Covenants 82:3

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.

And that is why I'm here. 

But even without people like me, they are rising to the challenge. Every person I meet here is working towards a greater good. From my friend Innocent who started a branch of 20 people in his house the size of my closet- to Carolyn, a nurse and teacher, who has started two separate schools for orphans (over 500 orphan students). The people I've met here are some of the most amazing people I've ever met. It's no wonder the world's best runners are African, they've learned persistence. They never give up.

Amidst all the serious times, there are fun times too. My friend Chris decided to put up fake political posters. Check it out at his blog: http://chrisuganda.blogspot.com/

(Mboneka Bulayi= I'm handsome)

-Never try to bake cookies without an oven. 

- It's easy to make friends here.  

Ugandan Roads....

This road has 148 speed bumps. 'Nuff said. 

Soronko HIV and AIDS Outreach

Teaching hundreds of Africans about safe sex was terrifying. They had legitimate questions that I had to answer. After teaching a 20 minute class about HIV, AIDS, and other common STDs, I opened the room up for questions. Below are some anonymous questions I received from the 12-16 year old group. The questions and answers went on for at least a half hour before I had to switch to the older age group. I taught 3 classes like this. Of the 254 kids we tested, ZERO were positive! I already have another school lined up for testing.

Mbale Referral Hospital

When visiting the Mbale Referral Hospital (biggest and most effective hospital in this area), I was shocked by how understaffed and overcrowded every section of the hospital was. I wasn't allowed to work because my paperwork to work there hasn't gone through yet- and now I'm not sure if I want to work there. For example- the Children's area goes through around 200 patients per day. There are only 8 nurses for ALL shifts- when I was there only 4 were on duty. And ONE doctor with 3 interns. That means ONE doctor for all 200 children patients. People were waiting outside because not everyone could get in. (And this is only ONE wing of the hopsital!!) They only allowed me to see the  Baby and Children's area. (Probably because the other areas are even worse. Less organized. More terrifying. I could see though the windows when I walked by..) Long story short, American Medical Care isn't so bad... TIA #ThisIsAfrica

Zion Clinic

Another Clinic I've visited is in a community called Zion, literally located on the side of a mountain. Last year a volunteer spent his entire summer putting together a system, collecting medical supplies, and training medical staff. There are patients waiting outside, but don't let that fool you. This clinic is not functional. They had patients come only because they knew we were coming- every other day this clinic sits empty. Unused. Useless. Another example of African Medical Care. 

Buwasuaguyi Clinic

So far I have had the opportunity of working with Dr. Jan at her clinic in Buwasuaguyi. She is from England but has lived in Uganda doing medical care since the 1980s. By moving to Uganda she took a 3/4 pay cut. Here she is looking at a 8 month old healthy baby. The previous patient was a 6 month old AIDS baby. The contrast of having a 6 month old AIDS baby then an 8 month old healthy baby showed exactly how deadly AIDS is. The mother of the first baby could not afford the medical care for her child. It was her fault the baby was so sick- she did not take her antiretroviral treatment in time. Even though the mother was at fault for her baby's sickness, Dr. Jan payed for her to travel to Mbale where her baby could be more properly treated. Once the lady left, Dr. Jan said that it was unlikely the baby would live past it's 2nd birthday. When getting a white blood cell count in the lab I had to agree- the baby would die. Even though this baby was a lost cause, Dr. Jan wanted to give it the best chance she could. In England or the United States the child might have been treated and had a longer life- but here in Africa the baby won't live. That's one example of African Medical Care. 

My First Week Here..

This is my Town. Mbale. 

Here is what I've learned so far:

-Uganda must be the most beautiful place in the world. 

 -Uganda has the friendliest children in the world.

-They didn't understand why we were running. So they ran with us. 

-The hospital is a scary place. I've already seen things I'll never forget. 

-These parents understand the importance of education, They're building a school from mud because that's all they have. 

-Ugandans are all about having a good time. The local Cafe has Guitar Night every Thursday. SO FUN. 

-Just a reminder that Uganda really is the prettiest place in the world. 

-So pretty that I'm just chillin' here behind Sipi Falls. 

-Again, Uganda is the prettiest place.