It's been a busy few days.

I decided to go to devotions on Friday morning, the majority of staff in the hospital attend - there are prayers in one form or another everyday.  Being located next to the spritiual centre I often hear the signing and drums every Wednesday and Friday. Everyone comes back to work quite happy so I thought I'd see what it was all about.  I turned up halfway through - just as the HR manager began his sermon(?)  Although based on passages in the Bible I thought that there was very much an HR/people theme.  It was essentially a bit of a pep talk about people having a vision (not necessarily a prophetic one), improving and challenging themselves and making the most of opportunites. Quite relevant!

Friday afternoon was the staff meeting where I presented the findings of my information mapping work and suggested some recommendations.  It was difficult to judge how it went, there was some discussion and some actions were agreed.  Now to help get as many of the actions progressed as far as possible before I leave in a few weeks.

Friday evening I met up with some Brits and an American and went for an Indian in Delicious Dishes.  Very delicious it was too, especially the paneer.  I am a cheese addict going through cold turkey at the moment so lots of paneer was ideal.  I also got to see Mbale town at night time - it was very busy with lots of people coming, going and hanging around.

A new guest has arrived at the house; the sixth housemate since my arrival. I showed him around the town in the morning.  In the afternoon we went swimming with one of the doctors from the hospital and his wife.  The pool was attached to a hotel where there were two weddings taking place. A marching band tromped past soon after we'd started swimming - that was good to see and hear.  The two bridal parties also had photos taken by the pool (with people splashing about in the background in their swimming costumes!!).  The brides had the usual white dresses, veils etc with brightly dressed bridesmaids.  Many of the women guests were dressed in the traditional dresses with the pointy shoulders. V smart outfits.


On Sunday we took a trip to Sipi Falls which is in the Mount Elgon national park. The park crosses over into neighbouring Kenya. Part of the mountainous area is visible from Mbale where I am staying.  Sipi was about 60km away along an amazingly good road. Someone told me that before it was resurfaced (or should that just be surfaced) it used to take a whole day to travel between the towns!!!

I've mentioned before about landslides in the mountains, there had previously been one across the road we'd travelled on - some small slips were also visible as we were walking around the falls area.  The area was very beautiful - green and bushy with lots of different trees etc.  There are 3 falls - we started with the 2nd one - my favourite, we then tromped up the mountain to look for the 3rd one.  I must say, living in Wales is good practice for steep muddy moutains!!



Coffee trees



On reaching the top of the 2nd waterfall we found local villagers washing their laundry at the edge of the falls with children playing close by.  A group of young boys acted as guides and showed us the way to the 3rd fall.  We walked through peoples plots and saw their homes and all the things that were being grown. Also saw coffee trees for the first time - including the sappy beans which are picked, split and then washed in the river.  These are then laid out to dry and roasted.  These are taken to the big coffee markets where they are sold to producers - and then end up in your coffee cups!  In addition to the crops every home seemed to have at least one goat and cow tied up in the yard.  There were also often plenty of chickens running about.

Photos are in no particular order and moving them about is a big faff, so just enjoy

 

Top of the 2nd fall - aka laundrette



approaching 3rd fall past plenty of banana trees

  





heading back up from the first falls - spot me in the middle lagging behind at this point!





   

Arriving at the falls - view from car park

Behind 2nd watefall - a bit wet!!



sea of cabbages.....


 After climbing back down from the 3rd falls to the car park where we started we had some much needed lunch!! A Ugandan style buffet - pasta, rice, cabbage, goat, pork, peanut sauce (mmm), peanut sauce with bitter tomatoes, chapattis and so on. Refuel over and we mooched along the road to the final fall (aka the 1st fall).  It wasn't possible to see the fall from the start and despite lunch energy levels were flagging.  Still - no point going all that way and wimping out at the last moment.  So we slid, scampered, climbed and trotted down the mountains stopping on the way down to have a run in with people who wanted us to pay again.  These falls had a drop of 90 odd meters - the others were slightly less.  I can't say I was relishing the climb back up - but evetually made it.  Approaching this fall was quite different to the others as we had to climb down into a valley - it was possible to get a good view and see how the fields were planned and the different types of produce planted.  On the way back up we met quite a few locals who were coming down with large, heavy looking bags balanced on their heads.  Quite a feat with many years of training I think.  The paths carved into the side of the valley were only one foot wide - a few times I wondered what would happen with one small slip...... (probably end up in a maize/sweetcorn crop part way down the mountain).  Got back very dirty and very tired but had a great day out.





At the 1st waterfall





Village homes and gardens between 2nd and 3rd falls




view across the valley of the differently planted plots - 1st falls



Short update today.
Just been looking at the BBC news online - it featured the Zimbabwe circumcision story that I mentioned in my last update.  A bit of a different story reported by the BBC, it said that the Deputy PM had called on members to have the procedure - and that a number of (male) MPs are not keen.  It turns out that the Deputy PM is a woman!  ha ha ha

Further update to last blog.  Have also discovered why chickens seem so docile and don't run around causing havoc - their legs are tied together.  Simple.

Another hospital drama here today. Third so far.  It's the same the world over I think, you hear a bit of a story, then a bit more, then something else and it takes on a life of its own.  However unfortunately the drama seems to have got more serious as the day has progressed.  I warn you in advance, it's not a nice situation - but then dramas here rarely are, but gives an idea of what life can be like for people here and the challenges they face.  A woman and her new born were admitted to hospital a couple of days ago and the baby was successfully operated on yesterday (spina bifida - for those who don't know much about it, it's a birth defect where the backbone and spinal canal don't fuse properly - often there is a lump on the spine with an open wound - there can be some strong reactions to this in communities - blaming the mother for being bad, or unfaithful to her husband or saying that the baby is possessed by an evil spirit). The drama this morning was that the mother had abandonned the baby and tried to escape from the hospital.  She was caught, brought back and was couselled.  This afternoon a second escape attempt was made (again leaving the baby) - I think her husband also turned up - this time she tried to climb over the fence.  No small feat, it is quite high - metal - covered mostly by bushes, she must have scratched herself quite a bit.  In the end she was discharged with the child.  The mother was obviously distressed and must have been in a lot of anguish.  This all rippled through the hospital - it is small enough for people to have an idea that something is going on and word soon gets about.  Unfortunately, the situation appears to be even more serious, the baby is HIV+, so the mother is too - she wasn't previously aware; she also tried to throw herself under a car during this morning's escape.  What an absolutely tragic situation.

On another note, public sector workers worried about their pensions should be glad they are not working in Uganda. It has been reported that the President would like to 'borrow' some money -300bn shillings - (£1=Ssh4800) from their pension savings to pay for a new parliament chamber.........

Well it has rained and rained since the weekend, some say they haven't seen rain like if for some time.  Unfortunately around some parts of Mount Elgon the rain has had disasterous effects.


view from indoors!

 A mudslide has occurred in the Bulambuli district, at least 26 people have been killed and 22 houses are buried.  There was a terrible picture in the paper of a woman up to her knees in mud trying to dig with her bare hands as her children had been buried by the slide.  Earlier this year there was a similar event but killing 350 people.   Much of this is believed to be due to deforestation and encroachment, the chopping down of trees has left land subject to landslides and people are setting up home on high slopes.  Apparently the government was warned of a looming landslide and failed to act until after the event.  But not to worry, Cabinet has approved a policy on 'disaster' which is awaiting implementation (!!)


I suspect that there has also been floods in some areas and that many roads have become impassable as they've turned to mud. Maybe this is covered by the disaster policy too.......

Many crops are also being destroyed by the rains - this will have a big impact on those who rely on crops for their livelihoods and will also mean that there is less food available in local markets.

I ran the gauntlet of the local market today.  It's a pubic holiday today to celebrate the end of Ramadan; there were many people dressed up in their finery all around the town, the women were very colourful and the men were mostly dressed in white (I wish I knew their secret for bright whites - mine are all turning brown).  The market was fairly busy - loads of chickens which are fairly docile (which is why I always think they are dead)- I'm not sure why they don't run around causing havoc, some were in cages but most were just dumped in the car parking area.  Will need to try to find out.  I also realised at one point that I had a load of street kids tailing me - I felt like the Pied Piper!

A number of people have asked me about food.  I think it's quite well established by now that I mostly eat rice and beans.  However it is possible to buy most things in the shops so I tend to eat similar sorts of things that I might have at home.  There's a smaller range of fruit and veg because everything is seasonal - the quality is also variable so it pays to shop around a bit.  But I've discovered a Cadbury's coconut and cashew choc bar is very tasty!!

Unusual article in the newspaer today - Zimbabwe has done a lot to reduce HIV transmission rates and has seen some good results.  It seems a South African study has shown that circumcision reduces the risk of transmitting HIV by 60% - so the Cabinet Ministers in Zimbabwe have decided all men should be circumcised and that they will lead the way setting an example!!  Mind you I think this could be counter productive as people may think it's safer and take less precautions....

Well it is supposed to be rainy season.....it started raining about 2.30 yesterday and is still going strong with a short respite this morning timed nicely for the 5 min walk to work.  It was raining so hard at one point yesterday it felt as if a river was pouring out of the sky. It seemed to bring the insects out last night - I had to turn the light off in the end as it sounded as if a swarm of insects were trying to break in through the mesh.  I hope the lizard that lives in the window had a good feed!



spotted this morning - chilling out on the
window pane

 A grasshopper managed to get into the house - think he was sheltering out of the rain.  These particular grasshoppers are a delicacy here - they are deepfried and eaten.  Not much meat on one but I bet it tastes like chicken!  Being a veggie I'm not inclined to seek these out to try... they are bright green and about 3 inches long.  I haven't seen one jump....yet.....


last night - newly arrived






Went for a swim on the weekend up to the Mount Elgon Hotel.  There was a great view down into the low land and of Mount Elgon itself.  Saturday was a much warmer and sunnier day than yesterday so it was nice to get into the outdoor pool. I also had it all to myself too.  By the time I'd come back to the pool area after a massage (v nice) the pool had filled up with kids - so I think I timed it well!

Just found out we have a public holiday this week to celebrate the end of Ramadan.  That makes up for working on Bank Holiday Monday!  Even though Uganda isn't an Islamic country it is one of the most popular religions here.  In Uganda most people are Christian and keenly practice their religion - however other key religions are recognised hence the day off for Eid ul Fitr.  There are quite a few Muslims in Mbale - there is an Islamic University here and a few mosques.

Fairly quiet this week - maybe life is slipping into a routine - not sure this is good.

It's been mostly business as usual around the hospital this week.  Last night was a bit noisy - they are building a new store room behind the guest house and plan to put a huge water tank on top.  I was a bit worried as the store room has a few openings at the front and is made mud bricks...the water tank will be v heavy.  A collapse and it would be heading straight for my room.  However reinforcement is underway - work with heavy machinery went on until about 9:00pm.  The sun set at 7.00pm and out came the odd lampbulb - I was quite impressed there were no accidents. Spot the hazards......



water tank on the right



It was the physiotherapists last day today, she's got  new job in a government hospital.  It was also the birthday of one of the lab techicians.  We had a little party at the end of the day for them.  Everyone had a soda (bottle of pop) and small cake (bit like sponge/brioche). Happy birthday was sung for Davis and he was made to do a dance.  Then there was a prayer, followed by people standing up and giving messages to the person who was leaving - what they'd liked about working with her and so on.  This was very nice.  The speeches were also quite short so it was lively.  She was also given a small present and did a short thank you speech.



Giving thaks



chilling out in the canteen

There has been some talk of the events in Libya. Uganda is one of the countries that still recognises Gaddafi as leader.  When I saw the news earlier there was a bit about France, Britain, Brazil, China, Russia etc meeting to discuss the situation. No mention of any African leaders nor the fact that African leaders are also meeting to discuss - they would still like to resolve matters using diplomatic means fearing a civil war.  It is interesting to see how the news is reported and plays out in different countries; also interesting is the apparent lack of engagment of African leaders - Gaddafi is after all one of the African elders.

Another week has flown by; need to get some plans sorted for the weekend - they've been on hold as I thought I may have had some time free next week for a bigger trip.  Working on a business case instead.
Halfway through now......at this rate I'll be back before I know it!

Quiet one this weekend.  Did boring but necessary chores like washing and ironing. Can't believe how stubborn some of the dirt is....it's red and gets everywhere.

Forgot to mention last week that I have been given an African name - Akot - it means comes with the rains.  This is quite appropriate as my arrival co-incided with the start of the rainy season, also I come from somewhere where it rains quite lot.  A name that fits me well I think. Most of the names I have come across have been names that are not unusual and many are biblical names.  One that threw me was Emma.  I was looking for a female doctor instead of a male doctor.  Here Emma is a common name for men as it is short for Emmauel and not used at all as a name for females.  I won't be making that mistake again.

One of things that has surprised me since I've been here is how strong the sense of tribe is.  It is something that seems to define everyday life for Ugandans.  You can often tell from people's names which tribe they come from. My African name above is from the local tribe. People often define themselves by their tribe.  The languges are also different - which is why people from different areas sometimes can't communicate if they don't speak English.  Apparently there are also physical characteristics that typify some tribes.  I've been told that there is a hierarchy of tribes, those belonging to the tribe that is in power thinking that they are better than other tribes.  Also the cabinet tends to be made up of those from the same tribe as their leader; and apparently more spending/ contracts etc go to those of the tribe of the ruling party.   So it seems that even if there is a change in goverment unless there is some sort of equality of tribes there can never really be democracy. And of course, tribes also span across national borders.

As it's been a quiet weekend this is a much shorter update....until the next time

Ah, another day at the office.  That's another week gone by in a flash.  Super focused today; we're going to have a staff meeting next Friday for me to go through my findings, observations and suggested actions.  This is positive.

Someone has also offered to take me out on a home visit.  If the patients don't turn up for their follow up appointments then the social worker may undertake a home visit.  We're going to do a local one - this is good as some of the journeys sound like intrepid treks. The social worker didn't get home unto 1.30am this week after getting soaked (rain) and having to hitch a lift back on a cart as there was no transport at all.  Although there are big buses connecting the major towns and taxi-buses connecting other main routes outside this, it's boda bodas (motor bikes), then bicycles and then ? whatever comes along - if anything.

There was a parents support group meeting here today.  About 50-odd parents who have been through the hopsital came along, with their children.  They have education classes, the children get to play with each other and associate with others who may have similar disabilities.  It also shows mothers who have children admitted in the hospital that their child can survive and can live a normal life.  Well, I walked past on the way to lunch - I couldn't believe how much mess the kids could make in so little time. There was one little boy who had spina bifida and who was a  bit knock-kneed who was racing about the place.  fter lunch I joined him and his friend (below) for a game of catch - I had to throw the ball very precisely as their balance wasn't the best - they however liked to give me a bit of a runaround now and again!  There was a child with hydrocephalus watching - he was funny as he screamed and laughed hysterically everytime I had to stretch out for the ball!

Have learnt today about a rather random bug.  I have no idea what it is called and wouldn't have known it was even a bug if someone hadn't told me.  Here it is

It looks like a bit of paper; but apparently creates mould - particularly on walls.  It also jumps about 6 inches when it's dark.  Wierd.

Happy birthday Jem

Time for the weekend....