WiFi Shortage

There is no WiFi at Sanyu today so unless it is restored later there will be no blog update except for this quick entry posted from a local restaurant where we have temporary internet access. Stay tuned. :)

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Yesterday during nap time my baby Joselyn was awake when I went to check on her. She needed a diaper change so I took her into the toddler change area. While there I heard some children who had awoken from their nap singing in the adjacent room. As I listened I heard a familiar tune but couldn't make out the words. The singing was beautiful and full of joy. They sounded like a choir.  A lady named Grace walked by and I commented on the 'choir'. She agreed. Suddenly there was only one child singing and I turned my head to see a boy sitting in the middle of his crib clapping and singing these words "What a Mighty God We Serve". It was like he was the choir director and then some of the others joined in. I asked a volunteer what the boy's name is and he said "that's Rodney". 

Thank you Rodney for making my heart smile and for reminding us that the God that we serve IS mighty and in control.

Wish I could have recorded "the choir" but my hands were busy.

Progress?

If you were following our journey last year, you may recall that we were very concerned about infection control issues. Well...we continue to have the same concerns again. 

We are again observing a lack of hand washing, multiple children being washed with the same cloth and dried with the same towel. These, and other practises, have resulted in a nasty outbreak of impetigo. 

We have once again gotten on the infection control rant and have taken some practical measures to promote implementation. 

A hand washing station (a container with a spout full of water containing Detol) at the entrance to the home had a leak so was always empty. Yesterday we purchased a new one which the driver picked up and the grounds keeper installed. 

This morning we posted laminated signs throughout the home that demonstrate proper hand washing and when it should be performed. 

As arranged by Barbara (the director) and at her request, Dr. Alex, the visiting doctor came today to meet with us as well as the two nurses on staff. He has all the same concerns we have and infused us with hope that, over time, there may be  permanent improvement. 

We discussed changes that need to be made and possible ways to implement them. 

Although all of this sounds easy to fix, putting proper measures in place is not as simple as it may seem. 

Soap is a precious commodity and following a long dry season, water is in short supply.  Funds and manpower are the biggest barriers to overcome. 

On a positive note, alcohol-based hand sanitizers were discussed and seem like an achievable possibility. 

Also, tomorrow Dr. Alex will return to join the nurses in a training session with the staff. We have been "told" that we are to also be prepared to participate. :)

As Dr. Alex said, "people need to feel empowered."  Please pray that as we gather tomorrow we not just teach with instructions and demonstrations. May we also encourage each staff member to realize they are the ones who can truly make a difference in the health and well-being of the children. 

New Experience For Experienced Nurses

As nurses with several years of pediatric experience we were not only pleased to visit Abel and Rachel at the hospital but also to get a glimpse into the Ugandan medical system. 

Abel was in one of 30 cribs (3 rows of 10) in the "Giraffe Room" which is next to the "Zebra Room". It was very large (approx. 24' x 40' ?) with decorative painting/decals on the walls. There was room between the cribs to place one patio chair for the care giver of each child.  

There was a stretcher in one corner for performing procedures such as starting IVs.  At one end of the room there was a small open area with a few benches against the wall where caregivers can go for a change of location as they are able.  

Sanyu supplies Rachel with a mat to sleep on at night though she admits she actually gets little sleep. Some of her meals are supplied by the hospital and Sanyu provides her with some supplementary snacks. 

The cribs were metal, similar to what we used at Saint John Regional about 20 years ago.  Although they're not up to Canadian standards, they were in good condition. Each crib is supplied with a mosquito net. 

In Uganda a family member, in Abel's case Mama Rachel, stays with the patient 24 hours a day to provide care - bathing, feeding, and all other general care. We noted that some mothers also brought other small children as there was no one else available to care for them. 

The hospital does not supply linens or laundry services. Again, that is the responsibility of the caregiver. Mama Rachel told us she does the laundry (by hand of course) each morning before Abel wakes and then she places it on the grass outside to dry. 

We were amazed at how quiet and orderly everything was around us in spite of the number of people in the room - babies, toddlers, caregivers, visitors, nurses, several doctors doing rounds. However, every 2 hours a large, loud handbell was rung to signal those caring for the children it was time to go to a central location at one end of the room to collect formula for the patient. 

We felt pleased that while we were there Rachel was willing to take a bit of a break and leave Abel in our care. And of course, we enjoyed the time spent with him.  

We were surprised though, when a diaper peddler appeared. We weren't quite sure what to do about that. Sanyu is required to supply Abel's diapers and diapers are on our shopping list for Sanyu but this seemed like a strange way to do our shopping. After some negotiation regarding the correct size and  with Rachel's help when she returned we ended up ordering 40 diapers (with a bonus package of wipes) at Abel's bedside. 

Barbara returned for us at about 1pm. Rachel gratefully thanked us for coming and we were on our way back "home". As we stepped out of the truck back at Sanyu we heard the words from a Chris Tomlin song being played somewhere: "Where you go I'll go. Where you stay I'll stay."

We're learning that God will show us each day where we are to go...but not always with a lot of advance notice. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1ohvhmGSfxI

Baby Abel

The day got off to a slow start. It was pouring rain. Space is limited at the guest house so we couldn't get our breakfast until the large team of volunteers had completed theirs and gone to the babies' home. As we rested on our beds I said to Cheryl, "Do you feel like we're waiting for something?" (Meaning something more than breakfast.)

Eventually, it was our turn to use the kitchen. Just as we finished spreading the peanut butter on our toast, Barbara (the Sanyu director) appeared in the kitchen to invite us to accompany her to visit Mulago Hospital where one of the babies has been admitted for Severe Acute Malnutrition. 

So this is what we had been waiting for. 

We had 10 minutes to get that toast down and prepare ourselves for departure and off we went. 

Mulago is the national referral hospital for the entire country and consists of multiple buildings housing different specialties on a large property. Baby Abel is in the area where children with nutrition problems are cared for. And staying with him is dear Rachel, the mama we visited at another hospital last year. 

Abel was admitted to Sanyu after being abandoned. He was severely malnourished and became very ill and failed to gain weight in spite of the care he received so required hospital admission. 

The past few days he has shown improvement. However, the precious 6-month-old boy we met today weighs less than 8 lbs. He is tolerating frequent small amounts of special formula that he takes eagerly (and which I fed him by cup) as well as small amounts of solids - a peanut-based paste which he loves. His weight is slowly increasing and he entertained us with his variety of facial expressions and happy smiles. 

We had a 3-hour visit while Barbara left to do some other errands. That gave us a glimpse of the activities inside a large room accommodating 30 cribs for malnourished babies. 

More on those observations tomorrow. 

To be continued...

Time Well Spent

We provided general help with baby care, dish washing and folding laundry today. 

Spending time with the babies also gives us opportunity to spend time to with the staff. We enjoy hearing them brag about the accomplishments and milestones the babies have achieved. "Florence can walk." "Joann used to be very sad.  Now she smiles all the time." They not only invest time and energy into these children  but much love as well 

The time we spend together also gives us an opportunity to learn about the staff's families, their interests and some of their struggles. 

Today they taught us a song which we all sang together while the Nurse Lydia played a drum. "Yesu wange. Yesu wange. Hallelujah. Amen."  (Jesus is mine. Jesus us mine.  Hallelujah. Amen.)

All this while sitting on the floor outside the home snuggling babies, helping them gain strength to sit on their own and tickling their tummies. These are the moments we treasure. 

Mamas and Babies

The staff at Sanyu are very dedicated to the babies who have been placed in their care. After spending just a few hours at a time with the children, we gain more and more respect for the energy and commitment that's required. 

The responsibility on the shoulders of these amazing women is tremendous. 

Though many of the children are generally healthy, several have serious health concerns and developmental delays. For example, there are two babies estimated to be approximately 8 months old but weigh less than 12 lbs.  Another little girl was born with the lower half of her arms missing. 

So please remember in your prayers these little ones who face, not only the injustice of being orphaned but significant additional challenges and also remember the caregivers who provide for their daily needs. 

Not Quite Like Home

Although we feel like we're able to manage on our own in this culture a little better than when we were here last year we are continuously reminded that we are no longer in Canada. 

Cell phones are very affordable here so we removed the SIM cards from our phones from home to avoid massive roaming charges and purchased a phone here to use locally. Today the phone was getting low on minutes so we went to a street-side stall/shop (not really sure what to call the opening in the wall next to the butcher) where they sell air time. Our understanding was that we were purchasing 80 minutes. With help from the guesthouse manager we successfully "topped up" the mobile minutes. Great! Then a minute later a text was received offering congratulations on successfully adding 8 minutes to our air time. Great!

There was an over-abundance of volunteers at the babies' home so we took the opportunity to explore on foot by walking up Namirembe Hill to St. Paul's Cathedral. On a notice board outside there was information about the cost of a wedding and what was included - cleaning, counselling, registration and a refund of 10,000 shillings if the bride and groom arrive on time. 

No. We are not in Canada. 

Phew!

Somewhat uneventful day...as days go when helping to care for and entertain 50 babies and toddlers. We are thankful that temperatures are a bit cooler than the last time we were here. However, it's still hot enough that we were in a lather and pretty weary after spending the afternoon toting babies, pushing swings, twirling merry-go-rounds...  With all that and the servings of mud pies we were blessed with we came home looking (and feeling like) quite a mess...and with hearts overflowing. 

The Blessing of Giving

"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)

For all of you who gave in various ways as we prepared to come to Uganda you should feel very blessed. 

When we delivered the items that we carried in our luggage the director and the nurse offered countless "thank yous". We would love to have had each of you join us as each bottle of gummy vitamins, every bottle of Tylenol, each package of spoons, medical supplies, etc. were counted, recorded and received as well as the suitcase full of onsies, sleepers, blankets, etc. 

And the giving isn't done. We received many cash donations before we left home as well and next week the director has agreed to accompany us on a shopping expedition. She will go with us not only to help us shop in this foreign country and culture but also to keep the merchant from giving an inflated price to us Mzungus (white people). 

It truly is blessed to give than to receive. 

Encouraged Encouragers

Things are a bit different here the second time around. We feel we don't look quite as much like "deer in the headlights" as we did last year. 

We are in the same room we had last year (the larger upgraded one) so unpacking and organizing took less thought. 

We navigated our way to the coffee shop and the bank.  And it took a while, but we safely crossed the street both in both directions. 

Registered at the office here and had a wonderful chat and visit with the director. 

And it was another day of joyful greetings as more of the staff welcomed us "home". 

We again feel a big part of our reason for being here is to be encouragers. 

These verses have spoken to us over past couple of days. Verse 9 is the same one Barbara (director) includes in each newsletter:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:9-10)

We Made It

Made it to Sanyu without incident and are somewhat settled into our room. 

Couldn't resist a late night visit to see the mamas and babies and were welcomed with warm hugs and greetings. 

We were even able to have a visit with "our" girls. The mamas insisted! :)

It's now the wee hours of the morning and these weary travellers are about to lower our mosquito nets and get some shut-eye. 

Countdown

T-minus one week.

The push is on now to get all the final details looked after before departure - remember when to start taking the anti-malarial pills, remember all the documents we need, remember to pack Cup-a-Soup (we discovered sometimes salt is a good thing), remember...

So much to remember.  So much to look forward to.

We can hardly wait to be back at Sanyu with the precious children and the wonderful staff who care for them day in and day out.  We look forward to seeing how much the babies have grown that we looked after last year.  We look forward to meeting new little ones and enjoying their snuggles and having them scramble for a place on our laps.  We look forward to reconnecting with the staff we said goodbye to last February.

And we look forward to seeing how God may wish to use us to show His love.  Last January 24th we read this from the Our Daily Bread devotional while we were at Sanyu, "Today people all around us are in need of someone to take action to help them.  It is a high privilege to become the hands of God as we respond on His behalf to cries for help."  A high privilege indeed.

May we be sensitive to their cries.  May we be wise in our response.

We're Heading Back

How can it be that we are being given the privilege of having the opportunity to return to Sanyu Babies' Home?

On April 18th Cheryl and I are booked to fly from Saint John and arrive in Africa about 19-1/2 hours later. 

It has been exciting and mind-boggling to watch God's plan unfold as the odd-shaped pieces of this puzzle are carefully being put in place. 

Although we are the ones who will get to have the red dust of Uganda cover our feet (and our clothes, and our hair,...) God has blessed us with family, friends, acquaintances and strangers who have provided baby supplies, made monetary donations, assisted with fundraising, encouraged and prayed. Each one of you is an important piece of the puzzle and we are extremely grateful. 

Yesterday Geraldine and Kenya Kingston, the crazy Ugandan giraffe oversaw the packing of most of the donated baby items. We can hardly wait to deliver them in just over two weeks.