Although I still have one month remaining, I have begun to feel my time here is drawing to a close. I feel I should begin to draw conclusions and observations about my time here in Africa. I have enjoyed Africa very much. My life here at the volunteer house is not burdensome nor “roughing it” as if I was out in the bush yet spending a few nights in children’s hospital and out in a village called Kamouli have given me a clear idea of what life would be like even on the outskirts of the bush. I honestly could not recall all the events that have happened so far in my time here but I want to recap with a few of those still fresh in my mind. I remember arriving exhausted, excited, with a “Savior of Africa” attitude hiding amongst my belongings though I tried to lose it. I remember stepping off the plane, standing for what seemed like eons X line at customs, and thanks only to facebook, knowing what Joe looked like, who’d be picking me up. We rode back in a hired private car- Joe tried to talk but he’d had a long day and soon fell asleep. I stared out the window for a long time thinking, “This is it. This is Africa”. Once we arrived at the building I would call home for the next 4 months, I came into my room, chose a bunk bed. Upon the bunk bed I found a variety of half used lotions, a dingy lamp, and an ancient bottle of brown “silver” water- “gifts” left over from previous volunteers. All useless, but still in weird way- cool. The dorky side of Joe had been revealed! I lay in bed, wondering what the next day held for me; I was unable to sleep.
I must have slept however, because I woke up perhaps four hours later, before anyone else- probably from excitement. I walked around the house and tried the doors to go outside- they were locked. I found keys. The lock appeared similar to a skeleton key lock and naturally I chose a key of similar shape. I stuck the key in the lock and turned, assuming if this key wouldn’t work I would choose another key. The first key stuck. Held fast, no amount of bending, twisting, or WD-40 was going to solve this. The doors and windows here are glass with a metal frame encasing them, presumably to prevent theft. Naturally, I began to wonder if I had in fact ruined this door. If the key was stuck and the door was locked- The door may well have to be taken off its hinges and replaced. As I continued in this line of thought, I realized that the front door and backdoor likely had different keys. If I had stuck the front door key in the back door- We could all be stuck inside the house- FOREVER.
I would like to remind you, I had only slept perhaps 6 hours in the past two days (if you account for time lost by meridians). Such extreme logic (or senselessness) is only possible in that or by morons- and I was well fit candidate adhering to both prerequisites. Eventually, an African fellow named Phillip got up from where he was sleeping in the building behind ours. He had come to the back porch to wash something in the sink. I explained the situation and afterwards, introduced myself- but apparently he already knew who I was. He quickly explained I should pass a different set of keys through the metal grate to him. I did, and miraculously, the door opened. I was thrilled!! My stupid blunder would be kept secret forever!
Alas! Phillip told everyone and we all had a good laugh. Later in the morning, I met a cast of characters-all looking American (one was actually a Canadian! *gasp*). Josh, Amberle, Evan, Christian, Andrew, Joe, and Melissa. In addition to all the white folks, there was Betty, Kymbi, Rachel, Hanifa, and Phillip. Truth be told Phillip wasn’t supposed to be there, but that’s too long of a story for right now.
I remember going with Amberle to the boy’s home that morning and meeting so many African boys all of whom hugged me as if I was a long lost brother. I remember going with Joe to the internet, to Mamma Jane’s Orphanage, and to the market for the first time. Market is a madhouse when you’ve never seen it before. I didn’t know what to buy, what fair price was, or even what some of the things were.
Fast-forward a few days, I remember walking with Andrew to the internet having a great conversation about God, life, and girls. I remember Christian’s cooking skills and Evan’s encouragement. Individually they were good people but together they were Christ in the form of Colorado teenagers. (This lends hope to Mormonism). Christian and I on several occasions shared a piki (motorcycle) into town which insured a “close and intimate” ride as together we could fill the seat let alone with the driver. I grew spiritually in bounds with those boys. They encouraged each other and me. They provided a real example of Christian living to me. Even though Amberle would mock the thought of being compared to a Christian- She acted in many ways how we Christians should act. Josh, the Canadian, was mostly quiet at first but eventually we talked and that kid is really smart, motivated and talented. I walked out into the living room one time to hear, “Your Hand in Mine” being played by Joe and Josh! I was surprised because I didn’t think a lot of people listened to Explosions in the Sky and yet, everyone in the house had heard them. Even though Joe and Melissa were friendly, I don’t think I really got to know them until much later in my trip. I remember my first Suubi meeting which was quite an overwhelming experience and quite fun. I is impossible to remember anyone’s name though for the first two meetings. I was asked to talk about myself and I mentioned knowing Renee Bach which received a warm round of applause and a cry that I can only compare to a Cherokee war cry.
I remember driving down to Adrift, where Evan, Christian, Andrew, Amanda (who had arrived a week earlier), Betty and I were all going to bungee jump. As most of you know, I did not jump. I paid. I walked up, watched others jump, prayed, and listened to Evan tell me a million times he knew I could jump. I cannot stress enough how encouraging this guy is! He’s like Matt Freed, Phillip Wachter, and Glacier Johnson combined. I was bound, strapped and harnessed in to what I was certain was death for the amusement of posterity. I actually wasn’t afraid so much as I just couldn’t jump. It looked like fun, but I couldn’t do it. Evan was quite supportive even after I wussed out which was nice.
Evan and I went to Kamuli with Phillip and I had a very touching experience with a woman perhaps 28 dying of TB. She refused to eat because of the severe anemia, and she refused her medication for fear of not being able to pay for more. That was my first real Africa without the glitter experience. I cried when Evan showed up to meet us at the lady’s hut.
Evan and the boys left not to long after and a married couple, Dan and Katie, arrived. Dan was my first taste of real sarcasm after leaving the states and it was remarkably refreshing. They were from Atlanta and had come with armed with numerous books on what I can only describe as “Christanity: Revisited”. You know the books- the “pop culture influenced” books that my uncle Tommy would damn to hell if given the chance. Well, I like them. They serve a good purpose and Dan and Katie were examples of exactly that kind of lifestyle- “In the world but not of the world”.
Both Katie and Dan took great photos of Africa, and me. Of course, a great photo of me is not hard to come by anyway. Dan and I went to Kamuli together as well but this time I was paraded around as more of an exhibit than anything else. Shown to local sponsors of an AIDS awareness clinic as a sign of Mzungu (white people and thereby rich) backing. John Morrison mentioned a statistic to me before I left that went something like “John Morrison and Jake Lester are in the top 20% of world’s wealthiest people.” In my mind the gap between John Morrison and myself is remarkably huge. However, in Africa someone must have blasted that stat from the mosque speakers because EVERYONE acted as if I was Bill Gates. That meant everything from seemingly innocent befrienders who only wanted money to people cheating you on fair price of everything to some people looking at you with hatred in their eyes. I was both a god and a demon.
Joe and Melissa were married by the Nile. It was a lovely experience and perhaps two weeks later there was a huge partying with all of the Suubi women there to celebrate. The partying was intense, marvelous and lots of fun.
Jon arrived not long before Josh went home. I’m going to take a sidebar to note how many J names were living in the house: Jon, Josh, Joe, Jacob, and before I arrived, Julie, John, and Josey. Jon is from New Mexico and after being fed up as an accountant traveled to South Africa and was making his around East Africa before joining his brother who runs a kick boxing gym in Ethiopia. Jon was quiet, adventurous, and full of good ideas about the world and everyone in it. When not at Suubi or making house visits- Jon and I would hang out in town.
Andrew, an African boy who helps out by washing the van and things of that nature, had a sister, Agnes, in the Children’s Hospital with HIV/AIDS and TB. Jon and I would visit almost everyday and encourage her to walk, eat, and talk. We bought stuffed animals which she loved and even though she seemed to be improving- she began to cough blood. For those of you who don’t know TB destroys your lungs. The blood she coughed was not just red watery blood but also dark red blood with spongy chunks of lung. After a week or so, she began to improve and I believed she’d soon go home and be able lead a semi-normal life. Not long after though, she died. Bunny was right I guess.
Jon, Joe, Melissa, Amberle and I returned again to Adrift. It was Amberle’s last day, she decided she wanted to jump. I had been told by the Jump Master that I could still jump without having to pay again which was very gracious on he’s part. It had already been well over a month and I couldn’t wait much longer or he might forget me. So we went. Jon went up with Amberle and I to videotape and being his normal self made some sly remarks about me pissing my pants on the way down to which my agitated voice responded with harsh phrases I will not utter here. I got rearrested to the death jump machine and walked out to ledge- firmly gripping the bar above my head meant only to steady yourself over the ledge. I gripped as one would grip the bicycle handles the very first time riding on two wheels. The jump master kindly, in the friendliest tone of voice asked me repeatedly to put my arms down, I lowered my left arm (I’m a sly bastard and knew I could hang on with my right arm just as well as with both). “That’s it.” he replied, “ just bring your other arm down now.” I refused, the reason for my refusing was I had told him before that if I didn’t jump on my own- he should give me a bit of a nudge into the Chasm of Death over looking the Nile. I stepped forward on the ledge- knowing he’d feel more comfortable shoving me the closer I was to the end of the ledge. I lowered my right arm and before I had time to breathe off I went plummeting toward what was a least going to be a gruesome death- if not long and painful. I opened my eyes about half way down and realized I was having the time of life, my next thought was the water seemed to be coming toward me awfull- SPLASH!!! I didn’t have time to finish the thought as I was dunked beneath the waterline to exactly my waistline (the accuracy of the those guys is incredible). I proceeded to bounce around for awhile feeling more alive and aware than I have ever been. The experience was- great! I’m tempted to jump again and I might before I leave.
When I turned 21, I decided to really make a commitment to change some things in my life. I’ve been walking everywhere as opposed to riding a motorcycle and have already saved close to 30 dollars. I’ve begun to think about what I’m eating- rather than just shoveling food in, I’m watching how much of this or that I’ll eat. ( all of the food watching will go out the window for two weeks once I’m back). I’ve also started exercising everyday. I made a budget for once I’m home and really have accomplished some interesting that I hadn’t really set out to, but I guess they will benefit me in the long run.
Recently, I have had some great times visiting a few of the different women and interesting experiences in town such as being caught in the middle of about 500 children running up main street and screaming chants in Luganda- they had won a marathon competition. I’ve befriended a 7’ German named Yahn as well. I’ll update again before I leave here but this is enough for now.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
The somber Uganda update
Once again I’m really overdue for an update. It’d be easy to write it off as me being busy or blame other mitigating factors but really, it’s because I’m not sure what to say but when I start to think maybe there is something to say… in fact, I have a lot to say now.
The boys started school on Monday here. I have never seen children so excited nor ever been so excited for them to go. They love it. I’ve stopped by to see if any need help with homework but it’s always done before they come home. These boys are so motivated and supportive of each other. Teaching them has really made me realize how much I take for granted in my own education. I’m eager to return to school. But really, it will take work and I mean a lot. I screwed up royally for three semesters and at a community college for God’s sake. If that doesn’t read “stupid”, I’m not sure what would. But I’m going to try and give it another shot and the counselor I emailed sounded positive but I guess that’s her job right? Anyway this isn’t really relevant to the things I want to rant about. Before I left I told many of you, I didn’t like how often Africa is portrayed in a negative light. I don’t think that anymore. Africa is portrayed in that light because it’s the only way we’ll listen…being guilted into sending money… Everyone here asks for money or sponsors. No really, everyone. People introduce their selves to me just to ask for sponsors. It aggravates me. Children and sometimes adults just ask for money. People look at me and they see a dollar sign. It makes me angry. But I don’t blame them. I’d do the exact same if I was in their shoes (or if I was them because many don’t have shoes). So as annoyed as I get with it, I understand.
Hypocritical as it may sound, part of the reason I’m writing is to ask for money. There are about a million ways to send money here and have it benefit someone. But the best way, I think, is sponsoring a student or better yet a school. School used to be free, when Amin was in control. Good teachers were common at every level. Now public education doesn’t exist. And private school is expensive. But we could afford it, even I could just with money I spend on useless crap. And I’m a college student. I know the economy is down and blah blah blah. The truth is when you and I decide we want to make a difference, we will. I could make excuses all day for why this month isn’t a good month to give, or why I’d like to but those 1am Sheetz trips seem to deplete any extra money I have. Yum, Sheetz. You can definately support one student and most of you could support several.
Normally, sponsorship is done by selecting an individual and they receive the money. This is good and normally effective especially if there is communication between the sponsor and student. This involves commitment. Not just a pledge to send money but taking an interest in the individual. Depending on the academic ability and age of the student, you could be committed for 4 years or 12 years. School fees and individual needs vary. This may sound harsh but the goal of sponsorship is to stimulate the economy and development of all of Africa. If you sponsor a student who only completes primary because either you or in rare cases the student dropped the ball- you‘ve both wasted your time and money. If you take on the responsibility of sponsorship, you damn well should stick with it. If you said you’ll send $10 a month. Do it. Every month. Even if that means you skip four meals over the course of a month, or walk to the store instead of driving, or take a coffee fast. Your brain and bladder will really thank you if choose the coffee fast . A small sacrifice on your part makes a huge impact on their life. $10 a month is around 18,000 Ugandan shillings. That’s not quite enough to cover all school fees but it’s a great start.
Last week, I went to the graduation party of a Suubi lady’s daughter. She was graduating from Makere University, (one the best around) as an educator. That party was more like a wedding than anything else. The whole community celebrated! The whole community took an interest in her development over the years. She was sponsored by other Ugandans who made the financial sacrifices for her. Now, She’s returning to the north where she already has a secure job and a full class waiting to learn. Her achievement is impressive both for her personally and for the community. She studied hard and she applied herself fully. The community was behind her encouraging her and her sponsors faithfully paid for her schooling. Now she’s giving back. Did you ever see that movie Pay It Forward? Or do you remember all those commercials about feeding a family on a dollar a day? Well, it’s not true in Uganda- in Uganda you can feed a family for $1.12 a day. $410 a year. Family’s here aren’t small either. The average family is close to eight or nine people. That’s $.13 a person a day. Go count the change in your couch and see how many people you can feed. For around .80 a person, the whole family could have meat. Meat is for special occasions here, though honestly with the cleanliness of the butcheries and the way the meat sits in the heat all day I’m surprised the meat gets eaten at all. I don’t eat for less than $5.00 a day ever at home and it’s usually around 5 bucks a meal.
I realize that this is topic likely is not something you want to read about in an update from the kid you very generously supported to send him to Africa. For me, this topic is easy to tune out and ignore at home. I’m asking you not to ignore it. Consider supporting either an individual student or supporting a school. Supporting a school is great because even though not all of that money is placed in the hands of students, all of it is used for education.
I want to tell you about a woman here in Uganda that has understood what it really means to take what she has been given and give it back to the community. Sarah is a Rwandan whose parents fled to Uganda just before the genocide. She grew up poor but, she found sponsors. A couple from Chicago agreed to support her all the through school in Uganda and then pay for her to go to school in the US. However, after Sarah finished secondary school rather than going to the US for college, she decided to stay in Uganda and help street kids. Her sponsors agreed to use the money they would have used for her to go to college to take fifteen children off the streets, into a home and school. These are the boys I mentioned about teaching English to during the week. Sarah has put her education on hold for because she believes she needs to help the people here. I mean, how awesome is that! After a few years, she may still go to the US for school. Aaron and Kendra (Sarah’s sponsors) have greatly impacted over twenty lives by sticking with the commitment of sponsorship. Right now, Aaron and Kendra are going through a really tough time. Over the past year, they have had medical problems and by God’s grace have figured out how to still sponsor these boys.
I know much this is just a long ramble at least, I’m explaining some of what is going on, right?I’m curious to see if any of you are willing to sponsor students here in Uganda. I know students who could use the funds and schools. Either way works for me but I’d really encourage several of you to considering banding together and committing to a school. Write me a note or send me email if you are and we can talk about how to set it up. If you want saving strategies, I’ve had time to think of those too . Thanks for reading folks.
P.s. to Mrs. Knopp, through Professor Bland ( implied names are those of my English teachers from Kindergarten through college) and my mother. You are all wonderful. I sincerely apologize for my grammatical structure and I do not believe anyone should hold you accountable for the manner in which this update is written.
Okay so over the past few days of writing this, I’ve received several encouragements to post an update, I guess because you didn’t know I was writing this one eh? Well, anyway, if you still have energy after my rant. Keep reading.Since the boys are at school, I had more time to explore Jinja and find things to get involved in. We have here a couple of African teenagers who come around and help out with different things. One of them, Andrew, has lost both of his parents likely to AIDS and his thirteen year old sister has AIDS as well. She also contracted TB. These two diseases are often paired up here in Africa even though statistically someone HIV is not more likely to contact TB. The living conditions here are simply a breeding ground TB. Agnes was re-admitted to the Jinja Children’s Hospital for blood transfusion for severe anemia and to monitor her reception of streptomycin for the TB. (just in case you didn’t know: HIV/AIDS destroys immune system. TB turns lungs into Swiss cheese and they fill with blood. Anemia is where your body just doesn’t make enough blood.) The hospital is great because, it’s free. Even some of the medicine is free. But the price is there is only one pediatrician and other general care doctor who rotate days and nights. The rest of the staff are mostly students either medical or nursing. So really “monitoring” a condition is hard to do. Agnes was lucky to be admitted to a private room where as the other two wards are simple open rooms filled beds and cribs. There are more people that just wait in the halls for care because the hospital is so full of patients and so understaffed. Over the past week I’ve watched Agnes’ TB move into the final stage. She’s coughing blood now. A lot. She was supposed to be released yesterday but because of the coughing blood, they transfused another unit. She needs another drug. TB can often become resistant if only treated with one drug and that appears to be what’s happened. However the better drugs simply aren’t available here. So please be praying for her. (Monday update: Agnes is continuing to rapidly decline in health.. The ARV’s are not working and she is constantly spitting blood into a bowl now. Some of has a thick mucus lining from her lungs. I do not expect her to live more than two weeks. It sucks.)
Being at the hospital has opened up a door for me to volunteer though. I’m only doing simple stuff and mostly working with outpatients but I really like it. Over the past week, I’ve found some different organizations around town and gotten the chance to learn about their missions and it’s really encouraging. If any of you come to Jinja, ever. There is a great restaurant called Ozzie’s run by an Australian woman and that lady makes the best and biggest cinnamon rolls, I’ve ever had. (Sorry momma. Your waffles are better though. )
Joe and Melissa were married on the Nile last week. And last night was a huge party for them with all the Suubi ladies. It was a beautiful wedding and a great party. I’ll hopefully have pictures sent to my mother so she can upload them and show you. Uploading here is impossible. Anyway, I miss home a lot. I’m still glad I’m here and everything but Clay was right when he said that at one month I’d really want to be home. I think about home often. Even though, I’m growing my beard out here-it doesn’t really grow much because of the heat so unfortunately I won’t look like Grizzly Adams when I get home.
Anyway I love you all and I’ll keep you posted on the condition of Agnes.
The boys started school on Monday here. I have never seen children so excited nor ever been so excited for them to go. They love it. I’ve stopped by to see if any need help with homework but it’s always done before they come home. These boys are so motivated and supportive of each other. Teaching them has really made me realize how much I take for granted in my own education. I’m eager to return to school. But really, it will take work and I mean a lot. I screwed up royally for three semesters and at a community college for God’s sake. If that doesn’t read “stupid”, I’m not sure what would. But I’m going to try and give it another shot and the counselor I emailed sounded positive but I guess that’s her job right? Anyway this isn’t really relevant to the things I want to rant about. Before I left I told many of you, I didn’t like how often Africa is portrayed in a negative light. I don’t think that anymore. Africa is portrayed in that light because it’s the only way we’ll listen…being guilted into sending money… Everyone here asks for money or sponsors. No really, everyone. People introduce their selves to me just to ask for sponsors. It aggravates me. Children and sometimes adults just ask for money. People look at me and they see a dollar sign. It makes me angry. But I don’t blame them. I’d do the exact same if I was in their shoes (or if I was them because many don’t have shoes). So as annoyed as I get with it, I understand.
Hypocritical as it may sound, part of the reason I’m writing is to ask for money. There are about a million ways to send money here and have it benefit someone. But the best way, I think, is sponsoring a student or better yet a school. School used to be free, when Amin was in control. Good teachers were common at every level. Now public education doesn’t exist. And private school is expensive. But we could afford it, even I could just with money I spend on useless crap. And I’m a college student. I know the economy is down and blah blah blah. The truth is when you and I decide we want to make a difference, we will. I could make excuses all day for why this month isn’t a good month to give, or why I’d like to but those 1am Sheetz trips seem to deplete any extra money I have. Yum, Sheetz. You can definately support one student and most of you could support several.
Normally, sponsorship is done by selecting an individual and they receive the money. This is good and normally effective especially if there is communication between the sponsor and student. This involves commitment. Not just a pledge to send money but taking an interest in the individual. Depending on the academic ability and age of the student, you could be committed for 4 years or 12 years. School fees and individual needs vary. This may sound harsh but the goal of sponsorship is to stimulate the economy and development of all of Africa. If you sponsor a student who only completes primary because either you or in rare cases the student dropped the ball- you‘ve both wasted your time and money. If you take on the responsibility of sponsorship, you damn well should stick with it. If you said you’ll send $10 a month. Do it. Every month. Even if that means you skip four meals over the course of a month, or walk to the store instead of driving, or take a coffee fast. Your brain and bladder will really thank you if choose the coffee fast . A small sacrifice on your part makes a huge impact on their life. $10 a month is around 18,000 Ugandan shillings. That’s not quite enough to cover all school fees but it’s a great start.
Last week, I went to the graduation party of a Suubi lady’s daughter. She was graduating from Makere University, (one the best around) as an educator. That party was more like a wedding than anything else. The whole community celebrated! The whole community took an interest in her development over the years. She was sponsored by other Ugandans who made the financial sacrifices for her. Now, She’s returning to the north where she already has a secure job and a full class waiting to learn. Her achievement is impressive both for her personally and for the community. She studied hard and she applied herself fully. The community was behind her encouraging her and her sponsors faithfully paid for her schooling. Now she’s giving back. Did you ever see that movie Pay It Forward? Or do you remember all those commercials about feeding a family on a dollar a day? Well, it’s not true in Uganda- in Uganda you can feed a family for $1.12 a day. $410 a year. Family’s here aren’t small either. The average family is close to eight or nine people. That’s $.13 a person a day. Go count the change in your couch and see how many people you can feed. For around .80 a person, the whole family could have meat. Meat is for special occasions here, though honestly with the cleanliness of the butcheries and the way the meat sits in the heat all day I’m surprised the meat gets eaten at all. I don’t eat for less than $5.00 a day ever at home and it’s usually around 5 bucks a meal.
I realize that this is topic likely is not something you want to read about in an update from the kid you very generously supported to send him to Africa. For me, this topic is easy to tune out and ignore at home. I’m asking you not to ignore it. Consider supporting either an individual student or supporting a school. Supporting a school is great because even though not all of that money is placed in the hands of students, all of it is used for education.
I want to tell you about a woman here in Uganda that has understood what it really means to take what she has been given and give it back to the community. Sarah is a Rwandan whose parents fled to Uganda just before the genocide. She grew up poor but, she found sponsors. A couple from Chicago agreed to support her all the through school in Uganda and then pay for her to go to school in the US. However, after Sarah finished secondary school rather than going to the US for college, she decided to stay in Uganda and help street kids. Her sponsors agreed to use the money they would have used for her to go to college to take fifteen children off the streets, into a home and school. These are the boys I mentioned about teaching English to during the week. Sarah has put her education on hold for because she believes she needs to help the people here. I mean, how awesome is that! After a few years, she may still go to the US for school. Aaron and Kendra (Sarah’s sponsors) have greatly impacted over twenty lives by sticking with the commitment of sponsorship. Right now, Aaron and Kendra are going through a really tough time. Over the past year, they have had medical problems and by God’s grace have figured out how to still sponsor these boys.
I know much this is just a long ramble at least, I’m explaining some of what is going on, right?I’m curious to see if any of you are willing to sponsor students here in Uganda. I know students who could use the funds and schools. Either way works for me but I’d really encourage several of you to considering banding together and committing to a school. Write me a note or send me email if you are and we can talk about how to set it up. If you want saving strategies, I’ve had time to think of those too . Thanks for reading folks.
P.s. to Mrs. Knopp, through Professor Bland ( implied names are those of my English teachers from Kindergarten through college) and my mother. You are all wonderful. I sincerely apologize for my grammatical structure and I do not believe anyone should hold you accountable for the manner in which this update is written.
Okay so over the past few days of writing this, I’ve received several encouragements to post an update, I guess because you didn’t know I was writing this one eh? Well, anyway, if you still have energy after my rant. Keep reading.Since the boys are at school, I had more time to explore Jinja and find things to get involved in. We have here a couple of African teenagers who come around and help out with different things. One of them, Andrew, has lost both of his parents likely to AIDS and his thirteen year old sister has AIDS as well. She also contracted TB. These two diseases are often paired up here in Africa even though statistically someone HIV is not more likely to contact TB. The living conditions here are simply a breeding ground TB. Agnes was re-admitted to the Jinja Children’s Hospital for blood transfusion for severe anemia and to monitor her reception of streptomycin for the TB. (just in case you didn’t know: HIV/AIDS destroys immune system. TB turns lungs into Swiss cheese and they fill with blood. Anemia is where your body just doesn’t make enough blood.) The hospital is great because, it’s free. Even some of the medicine is free. But the price is there is only one pediatrician and other general care doctor who rotate days and nights. The rest of the staff are mostly students either medical or nursing. So really “monitoring” a condition is hard to do. Agnes was lucky to be admitted to a private room where as the other two wards are simple open rooms filled beds and cribs. There are more people that just wait in the halls for care because the hospital is so full of patients and so understaffed. Over the past week I’ve watched Agnes’ TB move into the final stage. She’s coughing blood now. A lot. She was supposed to be released yesterday but because of the coughing blood, they transfused another unit. She needs another drug. TB can often become resistant if only treated with one drug and that appears to be what’s happened. However the better drugs simply aren’t available here. So please be praying for her. (Monday update: Agnes is continuing to rapidly decline in health.. The ARV’s are not working and she is constantly spitting blood into a bowl now. Some of has a thick mucus lining from her lungs. I do not expect her to live more than two weeks. It sucks.)
Being at the hospital has opened up a door for me to volunteer though. I’m only doing simple stuff and mostly working with outpatients but I really like it. Over the past week, I’ve found some different organizations around town and gotten the chance to learn about their missions and it’s really encouraging. If any of you come to Jinja, ever. There is a great restaurant called Ozzie’s run by an Australian woman and that lady makes the best and biggest cinnamon rolls, I’ve ever had. (Sorry momma. Your waffles are better though. )
Joe and Melissa were married on the Nile last week. And last night was a huge party for them with all the Suubi ladies. It was a beautiful wedding and a great party. I’ll hopefully have pictures sent to my mother so she can upload them and show you. Uploading here is impossible. Anyway, I miss home a lot. I’m still glad I’m here and everything but Clay was right when he said that at one month I’d really want to be home. I think about home often. Even though, I’m growing my beard out here-it doesn’t really grow much because of the heat so unfortunately I won’t look like Grizzly Adams when I get home.
Anyway I love you all and I’ll keep you posted on the condition of Agnes.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
finally.... A new update on Uganda.
Okay so I know I really owe you all a long update but I just lost the blog I had written you because this computer’s power went out. Anyway today, is shaping up to be a REALLY FRUSTRATING day. My laptop isn’t charging, I have to buy a new adaptor. There’s no power at the house. Okay so over the past week I’ve been working with the Jinja YoungLife in HIVAIDS outreach at Kamuli (a few hours from Jinja) which has been an okay experience and last Friday I got to with a local doctor to diagnose a patient who as it turned out had TB and Anemia but would not take her medications because it hurt too much. The whole experience really broke my heart. I’ve written about that in greater detail but until I get my laptop working again I’m sort of stuck recapturing the basics of what I wrote. I’ve been teaching the boys and really have enjoyed it. They went for their interviews at the school and each of the boys will start at an appropriate level which is good because we feared a few may be held back. To update on Juma, Sarah who runs the boys home saw him but he was high and drunk. He threatened to stone her if she came closer so I have gone looking for him on several occasions and although I have been unable to find him I have really been able to connect with the street kids here in Jinja which is a whole mission field in itself. Connecting with kids both on the street and in the boys home has been a wonderful experience and really helped put a lot into perspective for me. I know this isn’t much of an update and now that I’m back in Jinja I should be able to give you better updates with photos from here on out. I’m feeling better now for those of you worried about when I was sick. It comes and goes, but for the most part I am better. Sickness is a part of the lifestyle here because my immune system is not used to everything I’ll come in contact with here so I’ll likely be sick again but it’s never anything too serious. I hope everyone is doing well and would love to hear from you all about things going on back at home. Please keep Christian, Evan, and Andrew in your prayers as they spend time in India. God has really used them in my life in amazing ways.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Update coming soon
PS - on days Jacob does not post, and you're dying for news, you can also check out the blogs of some of the other volunteers. Today, for example, I saw that Amberle posted that she had visited Rwanda, so I'm thinking that maybe Jacob did, too. Anyway, here are some blogs:
http://melissaandjoe.blogspot.com/ Joe and Melissa (directors)
http://amberlereyes.blogspot.com/ Amberle - another volunteer
http://katiesnyderphotography.blogspot.com/ Katie Snyder - photographer
http://www.ugandaphoto.blogspot.com/
http://lightgivesheatblog.blogspot.com/
http://theinsidescoop.lightgivesheat.org/
Additionally, but not as much fun, you can check http://www.irinnews.org/IRIN-Africa.aspx for news updates from that part of the world.
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Jacob has been staying busy in Uganda. He asked me to post a brief note that his health is ok (he had been a little sick), and that he is considering leaving Jinja for a period of time to go do some work in more remote areas. He will explain in more detail in an upcoming post.
Thanks for your continued prayers,
Love,
Jacob's Mom
http://melissaandjoe.blogspot.com/ Joe and Melissa (directors)
http://amberlereyes.blogspot.com/ Amberle - another volunteer
http://katiesnyderphotography.blogspot.com/ Katie Snyder - photographer
http://www.ugandaphoto.blogspot.com/
http://lightgivesheatblog.blogspot.com/
http://theinsidescoop.lightgivesheat.org/
Additionally, but not as much fun, you can check http://www.irinnews.org/IRIN-Africa.aspx for news updates from that part of the world.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacob has been staying busy in Uganda. He asked me to post a brief note that his health is ok (he had been a little sick), and that he is considering leaving Jinja for a period of time to go do some work in more remote areas. He will explain in more detail in an upcoming post.
Thanks for your continued prayers,
Love,
Jacob's Mom
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I'm also checking in on Facebook frequently. Send me a note!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1563390113
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1563390113
Photos in and around Jinja
Boys at Caring Place (where I teach)
http://caringplaceministries.org/mission/default.aspx
Source of the Nile River
Beautiful Flower
http://caringplaceministries.org/mission/default.aspx
Source of the Nile River
The women of Suubi
Around Jinja
Beautiful sunset
Beautiful Flower
Beautiful beads for Suubi necklaces
Mzungu friends
Friday, January 2, 2009
Uganda update 2
Here I am again on Friday the second. Happy New Year for all of you. In our house are three guys from Colorado who have been traveling the world for a year. They have been a tremendous spiritual encouragement to me. Together, we have each discussed our resolutions for the new year and prayed over each other. Uganda has been very hot over the past few days. Before I continue to update you though, I have a prayer request. Juma is one of the boys at the home where I have been helping Amberle teach English; last night, he ran away. This is the second time he has run away and this time he stole a 5000 note and we do not know where he might be. The 5000 is enough for him to go to Kampala and if he goes, I fear we will never see him again. Please keep him in your prayers. I went to Danida, yesterday and some of the women of Suubi. A young boy named James showed me around the village. Gas prices have nearly doubled while I have been here. I got some great photos that day! Yesterday was a very chill day for all of us. Being New Year’s Day, I rested around the house til 12 noon, I went to market and came home, I wrote some emails and spoke with my grandmother before going to bed. Tomorrow will be my first day buying necklaces from all the women of Suubi.
Jacob
Jacob
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