Spring 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those that build it labor in vain” Psalm 127
Return to Uganda has been full of joy. It is good to return and, although language skills are a bit rusty here, the relationships are as fresh as ever. There have been many volunteers to assist in the projects ranging from medical to land issues to home construction.
Homes
for the pygmies are being constructed. Fine homebuilding has never been so
much fun! The pygmies as well as volunteers are pitching in.
Kyle Daugherty and Ian Montgomery from Nevada City have proved to be
superb contractors. Parenthetically, the permit process is quite a bit
less cumbersome here than in the US.
The hospital has been very busy with a plethora of interesting patients. Thankfully most survive with medical ministrations and prayer. Brooke Wilson (a pre-med student from Canada) and Jaime Thompson (a medical student from Michigan) together with Amanda Aknin (Nevada City) provided excellent medical care, with a great attitude. We are in the process of adding a surgical wing within a few months to address the incredibly high maternity mortality rate.
Lest you think that all is running smoothly, few frustrations remind us that we are in Africa. On a recent foray to the district medical office I attempted to replenish our stock of depleted tuberculosis medications, “out of stock” I was told. “Perhaps birth control pills” I enquired, “out of stock” again the response. “Wow, nine months without a birth control pill is difficult," I countered. “How about some condoms” I persisted. I was told that only the “Engabu” condoms were available. “I thought that Engabu condoms were recalled because they were defective” I asked. “They work most of the time” was the response. Finally I asked about HIV test kits. “We expect them any day” the officer happily remarked. I recalled that it had been awhile since we had received the kits. The medical office agreed “yes, it was mid 2003 since we last had HIV testing materials but they could arrive at any time”.
Land issues can be ticklish problems anywhere in the world. Additionally, when dealing with hunter/gatherers who have never owned land, the plot thickens. We are hopeful that most of the land we have purchased over the last five years can be turned over to the pygmies soon. Initially when we purchased land we had the Batwa pygmies “sign” with a thumbprint and then presented them with the document. Apparently the Uganda government does not acknowledge such an agreement recognizing only private or Non Government Organization ownership. Tribal ownership is not permitted. Michael Flannigan, also from Nevada City, has been spending time with the Batwa pygmies attempting to formulate a plan that can be acceptable to all. These negotiations require patience, respect and humor that Michael has in large measure. The pygmies affectionally named him “Mzungu muhango” (the big white man).
Chaco, the
makers of fine sandals, donated many pairs to shod the pygmies. We
recently hiked up to a remote settlement and distributed the shoes. The
pygmies demonstrated that they could still dance wearing shoes. It was a
gala time and the donation should help reduce the prevalence of hookworm
infestation.
Fellow Nevada City friends Dr. Greg Edwards, his son Chris and Kyle Daugherty have rolled up their sleeves and jumped right in. Brooke Wilson, a pre-med student from Canada and Katy Williams, a medical student from the UK have been involved in saving lives.
We stopped at a game park
on the way down and camped for the night. It was great to see the
hippos, zebras and warthogs again but it took a bit of getting used to
having a variety of shadows and sounds pass by the tent at night.
When we arrived we learned of a mass exodus of 10,000 refugees from the
Congo to a nearby area. We were amazed by the indomitable spirit of
those who had lost so much.
The Ultrasound and X-ray donated by Rotary have proved to be an incredible boon to this area of Africa. Yesterday using these instruments Dr. Greg was able to diagnose a difficult case of tuberculosis and later ascertained that an abscess on a young man’s liver was due to an unusual form of tapeworm.
Kyle has been discussing fine homebuilding with the pygmies. The building permit process and codes are quite a bit simpler here. All one needs is a cleared area, poles in the ground, reeds holding the structure together and piles of mud thrown on with gusto. Anyone with experience making mud pies can apply. The pace of life here is far slower that that elsewhere. Perhaps it is the heat or proximity to the jungle or lack of clocks. It has been said “the West has watches but Africans have the time”.
Mukama Asiimwe!
Wish that you were here,Scott and Carol