HIV Care for Kids

There’s a doctor in Kampala named Dr. Peter Mugyenyi. His story is so interesting, I could listen to him for hours: Some years back, before many HIV drugs were registered in this country, he began illegally importing them and treating patients. He would drive to the airport at night and load up his car, and when beaurocrats would tell him that Uganda didn’t have enough “infrastructure” to treat AIDS patients, he sent up tents outside his office where this treatment could take place. In my eyes, that’s what it means to be a hero.

I met with Dr. Mugyenyi this past week, and he said that his clinic would begin free HIV testing and treatment for our students under the PEPFAR grant. This would most likely take place in a satellite hospital that Dr. Mugyenyi has partnered with, called Nsambya Hospital, which is close to the place where we work. This was such good news—HIV care is out of the realm of our students, and even most of the community we serve. I am now moving this forward slowly with paperwork, so please keep your fingers crossed that it comes to fruition.

Of course, free HIV/AIDS care is only half the battle. We have to learn how to educate and sensitize the parents, the students, and the rest of the community to this issue, as well as set policies and procedures regarding privacy, among other issues. Not to mention raising the money for the transport costs—if everything does work out—to Nsambya. But we are moving ahead with this big dream, and I’ll have a chance to at least meet with some HIV counselors and others to begin outlining a plan.

Mazlo’s hierarchy of needs

When you’re concerned with basic needs, it’s hard to think beyond that. And for the last few days in our house, we’ve been almost entirely consumed of thinking of our basic needs. With frequent water and power outages, we’re had to really worry about whether we’ll have enough water to drink and how we’re going to cook our meal—and even if we’ll even be able to see what we’re eating.

Yet, we are amongst the most fortunate ones in Kampala. Most of our students don’t have access to running water, which means that much of their day revolves around the process of ensuring their basic needs of food and water are met. (Indeed, few things are child sized here, but you can always find child sized jerry cans to carry water.)

For us, it means that, in Uganda, even when you have money, sometimes you still lack. We have the money to pay for electricity, but we don’t have electricity all the time. But for the children in our project who don’t have access to money, they are doubly disadvantaged.

Joanna's first day of school

President Joanna...that's what the kids call me here. I stood outside the school yesterday morning to greet them, alongside Teacher Jane, Teacher Simon, and Teacher Joel (our stellar volunteer).

I've been in Uganda for two days now, and slowly, slowly...the benefit of our work is starting to seep in.

As for Kabalagala Community Academy, it is more full of love, of learning, and of progress than I could have ever imagined. The kids start their day by pitching in with the chores: this morning I arrived to find them sweeping the walkway, picking up rocks, and walking the biodegradable trash--like banana peels--over to the compost heap. Everything is used and recycled and nothing is to be wasted ever.

Yesterday, I sat in on Teacher Jane's class, where the P1 kids were learning about sentence structure like subjects and verbs. Joel pitched in, translating into Luganda for the kids who were a bit behind. I saw with several other children, talking to them about what they like about school (football games, getting fed, and no beatings like in other schools).

Teacher Simon and I sat and talked a lot over lunch, and I am quite impressed with him. He helps make our strategy real: of immediate care, like the food, as well as education to learn. It is a problem because, for many of our students, the only time they ever eat is at school, making weekends extremely difficult. The students were so good at lunch, sitting fairly quietly and eating...what they didn't finish, they passed along to other students to eat.

But by far, the best time of day is the last period, which includes singing, dancing, and storytime. The older kids beat African drums while Ronald led the kids in many many songs! They are so adorable, and so sweet....and really, so worth it.

It's true what jane says about KCA being somewhat of a fairy tale.

For me, personally, I was quite moved to see how much community participation is evident there. When we were first designing our project proposal, people told us that no one would volunteer--that people are too poor and taken with their own lives. That has not been the case and in fact, we have quite a robust volunteer program. One benefit is a free meal at lunchtime, but even with that, the volunteers are quite engaged and very helpful. KCA just started a parents club as well, and we will see how that goes.

After school it was off with Ronald and Jeani, our fabulous volunteer from California, to visit the i.HUG kids who attend other schools. We spent much time in the slum--which had grown to a whopping 28,000 people since I was last here in 2004--and had a chance to visit the children in their homes.

I pause and stop, because there really are no words. The living conditions are so poor, the water so dirty, the children in many cases left on their own...It is very hard to bear. I gave out many toothbrushes and toothpaste to children we saw there, who were very grateful--bowing and kissing hands and things like that. Truly, the need was so vast.

For the kids in our program, you can see what an opportunity it is to go to school, and escape their lives which are mostly filled with work. I was quite impressed with the network Ronald had set up--things like parent advocates at one school to ensure the i.HUG kids were getting fed (what sponsors pay for) and to protect them from caning.

I am back to school shortly--if I can find my way through the twisty dirt roads back from the Internet cafe. Tonight, Jane is having a staff party at her house, and looking forward to spending more time with them.

over and out for now!

Week 3 in Uganda

The children continue to amaze me. I am slowly learning about their stories – their backgrounds, family life, personalities, hobbies, struggles etc. I will soon be visiting some of the children’s home so I am sure I will have many stories to share.

In my blog entry this week I would like to tell you about one of our wonderful volunteers. His name is Joel. He’s a 20 year old young man whose parents both died when he was very young and was raised by an aunt in Entebbe, Uganda. After living with her for several years he moved to the Kabalagala area to live with his cousin and her three children. Throughout his growing up years his cousin struggled and worked extremely hard to pay for all the children’s school fees, put food on the table, and pay rent. Joel worked extremely hard throughout school and he finally just finished high school a few months ago. Attending a university is a huge goal of his but currently the expenses are too great for his family. So Joel graces us with his presence five days a week for the entire school day and he does this all for free. His dedication to these children and passion for teaching is amazing. A good portion of his day is in the classroom translating Jane’s teaching as most of the children are just starting to learn English.

A few evenings ago, Joel invited Jane and me into his home he shares with his cousin and her family. They prepared a wonderful traditional Ugandan meal for us to thank Jane profusely for everything she has done for Joel. While volunteering at the school has provided Joel with excellent teaching experience, I also think the ‘thank you’ needs to be extended the other way because Joel has demonstrated day-after-day that he is dedicated to teaching children, enriching their lives, and providing them with someone they can all strive to be someday.

One day Joel hopes he will have the opportunity to attend a university and become a teacher!!