Sunday 11^th October

This blog has been somewhat delayed. The last few days have probably proved to have been some of the most difficult for us in all our Uganda visits.

We had a difficult flight out via Brussels as British Airways have now ceased direct flights to Uganda. A melt down in their security meant a long queue at Brussels security and we only just made our connection.  Unfortunately Ann was very travel sick on the subsequent journey via Kigali to Entebbe. We were glad we had made arrangements for a 2 night stay in Entebbe which allowed us to enjoy a complete day recovery time before the journey on to Kagando on Wednesday. Unfortunately Ann was again ill on the journey and we arrived to find instead of our expected accommodation in our own house we were in a single room about 8 feet by 10 feet next to the dining room which proved very noisy and allowed us no opportunity to unpack so our morale was very low on Wednesday evening! We have subsequently moved to a better room for which we have been grateful. We have found Kagando also quite crowded with Mzungus which left us for a while wondering why we were here but that has perhaps become clearer as the week has gone on.

Exhausted after arriving at Kagando!

 

The week ahead sees a course being run by PRIME a medical education organisation teaching good consulting techniques and patient centred whole person care. I shall be pretty busy Monday and Tuesday covering the wards to allow as many of the Ugandan doctors as possible to attend while on Wednesday I will be helping on the course for a day aimed at local pastors exploring how they deal with health needs in their parishes. On Thursday there will be a day spent with local health leaders in Kasesse to try to encourage better integrated working by the different health providers in the area.

                                   
                 Rob and Clare the 2 PRIME tutors discussing the course with some local help!

I am pleased to report that Ann has gradually recovered from the traumas of the journey and we have been able to enjoy a more relaxed weekend. Ann has been busy cooking today so we will be offering lemon drizzle cake to all who are here to supplement their evening meal!

It has been a challenging time but sometimes it is during times like this that you grow stronger and you faith deepens at it has certainly felt like that as the week has progressed.

Feeling somewhat better today!