Hello friends! I will be moving my blog to Wordpress!
Check out my new blog & subsequent updates at:
http://travelingbrooke.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Bachelor Brooke
Quick post: In Uganda, many people go by their last names, including me (although not necessarily by choice). You must admit--"Bachelor" sounds kind of hilarious when used to refer to me. But it still happens.
To make things even easier, I have been given the Luganda name of "Nakuya" by my co-fellow which means "kind person". Exciting!
These past few weeks have really made me realize how fast this year is going to fly. It has already been over 2 months and I have my work visa officially!
To make things even easier, I have been given the Luganda name of "Nakuya" by my co-fellow which means "kind person". Exciting!
These past few weeks have really made me realize how fast this year is going to fly. It has already been over 2 months and I have my work visa officially!
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| A weather forecast of "smoke" for our time in Malawi? |
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| I am obsessed with pineapple |
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Perfect Chaos
It's amazing for me to think that we all exist right now under the same sun and same moon and same stars, although we may be so far from each other. Impressive.
It has been an interesting week or so since I have last written. Yesterday marked my 2 months here! I walked to work today along Entebbe road, and it was so perfectly Ugandan. I bought a mandazi from a local guy, shuffled around in the dirt with my flip flops, dodged bodas, and marveled at the endless stream of cars heading to Kampala. I really feel more comfortable here and less on edge. I have more confidence when I speak and when I walk around. I even got a new mattress from my landlord, so no more dip in the middle!
Last week, I had some highlights:
*New lunch place- only 2000 shillings and all of the millet I can eat (one of my favorite local foods!) Sure, it was simple, but it was awesome and I was definitely the only mzungu there in the crowded joint! Win!
*There are these really loud birds that fly overhead and make the craziest noise. No one else seems to care, but I literally laugh out loud when I hear them (and sometimes, unfortunately, in serious meetings) because the sound is so jarring and ridiculous.
*Banff film festival-This past Tuesday and the Tuesday before that, I went to Uganda's first Banff Film Festival. It made me want to climb all the mountains, run all the runs, and be super active. I didn't think I'd really like it, but it was really inspiring and I can't wait to see another. Hung out with some local mzungus, Gail and Shane. Shane goes to my gym and I see him most of the days of the week. He is a nurse from the Australian military and has many great stories and a much-appreciated, laid-back sense of humor.
*We had a really interesting mental health presentation on Thursday by Professor Seggane Musisi from Makerere University in Kampala. He focused on HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders, which are afflictions directly caused by the virus itself. I never really thought of HIV directly affecting one's brain and causing some of some mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and psychosis-I always thought of someone being anxious and depressed and perhaps more apt to have psychotic episodes as a result of the mental and emotional toll of having HIV/AIDS after one finds out one has it. He gave some really interesting statistics, particularly that 97% of HIV-infected children in Uganda are orphans, and really pushed for a more integrative solution for our patients. We do not currently have a psychiatrist here, but that may be in our future, especially after this compelling presentation.
*Reading-I have really been enjoying reading lately. Haven't done that for a while.
This past weekend, I had planned to go to Jinja to see Devin & Danielle & others and to go to an (Almost) Full Moon Party, but it didn't quite work out. We were warned by the US embassy about a possible terrorist attack in Kampala, which we later found out was perpetrated by Al-Shabaab (whose leader was killed in part by US & Ugandan efforts in the beginning of September). Needless to say, I didn't go anywhere near there after hearing that, so it was a pretty lowkey weekend at home. We stayed safe with GHC checking in on us and through the many updates through the US Embassy. All under control and all safe.
However, on a lighter note, I did make it out to Kisubi beach, which is away from Kampala in the direction of Entebbe airport, and enjoyed some reading in the sun. I saw a colony of teardrop shaped nests attached to a tree sticking out of Lake Victoria near the shore with vividly yellow, orange, and black birds fluttering around. Also, I saw some really unique storks I had never seen before. There are SO many birds in Uganda! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Uganda
Future trips:
*Lake Mburo National Park
http://www.livinginkampala.com/tourism/tourism-in-uganda/lake-mburo-national-park/
Next week:
Lake of Stars, Malawi!
Fun pictures:
It has been an interesting week or so since I have last written. Yesterday marked my 2 months here! I walked to work today along Entebbe road, and it was so perfectly Ugandan. I bought a mandazi from a local guy, shuffled around in the dirt with my flip flops, dodged bodas, and marveled at the endless stream of cars heading to Kampala. I really feel more comfortable here and less on edge. I have more confidence when I speak and when I walk around. I even got a new mattress from my landlord, so no more dip in the middle!
Last week, I had some highlights:
*New lunch place- only 2000 shillings and all of the millet I can eat (one of my favorite local foods!) Sure, it was simple, but it was awesome and I was definitely the only mzungu there in the crowded joint! Win!
*There are these really loud birds that fly overhead and make the craziest noise. No one else seems to care, but I literally laugh out loud when I hear them (and sometimes, unfortunately, in serious meetings) because the sound is so jarring and ridiculous.
*Banff film festival-This past Tuesday and the Tuesday before that, I went to Uganda's first Banff Film Festival. It made me want to climb all the mountains, run all the runs, and be super active. I didn't think I'd really like it, but it was really inspiring and I can't wait to see another. Hung out with some local mzungus, Gail and Shane. Shane goes to my gym and I see him most of the days of the week. He is a nurse from the Australian military and has many great stories and a much-appreciated, laid-back sense of humor.
*We had a really interesting mental health presentation on Thursday by Professor Seggane Musisi from Makerere University in Kampala. He focused on HIV-associated neurodegenerative disorders, which are afflictions directly caused by the virus itself. I never really thought of HIV directly affecting one's brain and causing some of some mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, and psychosis-I always thought of someone being anxious and depressed and perhaps more apt to have psychotic episodes as a result of the mental and emotional toll of having HIV/AIDS after one finds out one has it. He gave some really interesting statistics, particularly that 97% of HIV-infected children in Uganda are orphans, and really pushed for a more integrative solution for our patients. We do not currently have a psychiatrist here, but that may be in our future, especially after this compelling presentation.
*Reading-I have really been enjoying reading lately. Haven't done that for a while.
This past weekend, I had planned to go to Jinja to see Devin & Danielle & others and to go to an (Almost) Full Moon Party, but it didn't quite work out. We were warned by the US embassy about a possible terrorist attack in Kampala, which we later found out was perpetrated by Al-Shabaab (whose leader was killed in part by US & Ugandan efforts in the beginning of September). Needless to say, I didn't go anywhere near there after hearing that, so it was a pretty lowkey weekend at home. We stayed safe with GHC checking in on us and through the many updates through the US Embassy. All under control and all safe.
However, on a lighter note, I did make it out to Kisubi beach, which is away from Kampala in the direction of Entebbe airport, and enjoyed some reading in the sun. I saw a colony of teardrop shaped nests attached to a tree sticking out of Lake Victoria near the shore with vividly yellow, orange, and black birds fluttering around. Also, I saw some really unique storks I had never seen before. There are SO many birds in Uganda! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Uganda
Wednesday through Friday, I am heading to Kampala for JCRC's 6th Annual HIV update conference, which serves as a forum to share new and pertinent research for clinicians working in HIV care. Tonight is my first Luganda (local language) lesson as well because it's due time that I learn more 2 months in.
Future trips:
*Lake Mburo National Park
http://www.livinginkampala.com/tourism/tourism-in-uganda/lake-mburo-national-park/
Next week:
Lake of Stars, Malawi!
Fun pictures:
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| *Prehistoric (looking) birds seen in Kampala (Marabou Stork) |
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| I love this! It's called "Tears of Joy" |
Monday, September 8, 2014
On the Road Again!
I have been here for almost 8 weeks, but it seems like a whole lot longer and shorter at the same time! Not a huge post this week, but I can give you a bit of an update.
I will start this post with 10 things I am grateful for:
1. Supportive parents
2. Opportunities to travel all over the world
3. Professional progress in the direction I want it
4. Friends that are really great at listening
5. Health
6. Sound of rain
7. Good conversations with friends/people who have a vested interest in my wellness
8. Hot water
9. Mosquito net
10. Internet
I was talking to Bernard in my office again and he was shocked to find out that there is hunger in America. I sent him this article, which I think merits a gander. Interesting read.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/hunger/Booked my tickets to the US, friends! I will be on the ground there around Chicago, Denver, and LA from October 7-October 16. Found out I got some free accommodations included in my layover with Qatar Airways in Doha, the capital of Qatar. How cool is that?
Don't know where Qatar is? See below! Looks amazing.
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| Qatar in relation to Uganda (5 hour flight or so) |
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| Doha is where the red pin is. Qatar is a country of only about 2 million! |
That would mean in about one week, I'll be on the ground in Uganda, Malawi, Qatar, and the US! Wow!
In other news, I have been meeting some really interesting people lately. I have met quite a few professionals that need to do extra work to make a living, even with their current salaries here in Uganda. For example, I met an engineer that went to Oxford and came back to Uganda and can't easily make ends meet, so he raises animals and has a farm. It's amazing how creative people are here as entrepreneurs. Makes me really interested in pursuing more entrepreneurial endeavors as I did in Peru. Mzungu (white person) chapati stand? Probably not. But who says I can't bring kombucha to the people? Yeah!
This Sunday, it took me about 1.5 hours to get home when it should have only taken about 30 max. I thought I'd save a few thousand shillings and take a matatu home. I did not anticipate the offroading adventure with which I was greeted. Felt like a roller coaster at times... Many of the roads, especially if they are side roads, can be a bit rugged. I enjoyed seeing the banana leaves blowing in the wind and lots of music and church services as I passed through the neighborhoods. Carcasses of animals hanging ready for sale. Bananas being grilled and many a chapati and rolex being made. Hard to exactly translate this experience for someone who is not here.
This past Sunday, I felt the need to really connect strongly with the Universe, and I went to Govinda's Vegetarian restaurant which was right below the Kampala Hare Krishna temple!
I almost asked which dishes were vegetarian, but I was afforded quite the luxury of realizing I didn't even have to ask this time! So exciting!
We talked with a teacher there who was quite inspiring and managed to give us a good overview of Hare Krishna philosophy, much of which I agree with. We were offered a second lunch (we had just eaten downstairs) and I loved the smell of the incense mixing with the delicious spices of the food. I felt like I was back in the US again, specifically back in Champaign/Urbana for the vegan Monday night buffets with what I didn't know then was provided by a group of Hare Krishnas. We discussed reincarnation, being minute parts of a beautiful Whole, and how many of us have forgotten our Divine roots and are waking up again to that Truth of who we are.
I look forward to going back to chant and spend more time in that sacred space.
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| Ceiling of Govinda's right above the table |
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| Daily schedule for the temple (start time 4:30 am!) |
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| Holy wow! |
My upcoming few weeks are jam-packed!
This week, I am supposed to check out a new lunch place with Kakeeto, my co-fellow (whose birthday is at the end of the month!). When I asked him about the lunch place he found, he says, "Too cheap compared to the dining hall, the place is muddy, but it can have stories for Chicago." So we'll see how that goes. You know I am going to try it.
This weekend:
Potential island visit or Jinja music festival
Weekends after:
Lake of Stars Malawi and GHC QUARTER 1 RETREAT (can't believe the first quarter is almost done!)
Much love, friends.
Monday, September 1, 2014
No Hurry in Africa
First of all, a very happy birthday to my mom, Carol, who is undoubtedly the #1 fan of my blog.
Now that we are entering rainy season, there are usually a few minutes at around 4 PM each day where the rain commands my attention as it falls on a tin roof. But just a few, normally. At times, like this past weekend, I found out it can be a lot more. I adore that earthy smell after it rains here.
For work this week, I participated in solidifying my work plan for the next six months, created minutes from meetings for reference and filing, and I am following up on my waiting time survey results, making a more in-depth report that includes my methodologies and more. I decided for time purposes not to do research in the clinical trial after all at this point, and focus more on quality improvement in the clinic until I see what time of time commitment that will take. I think it's taking a while for me to get used to the more administrative aspect of health. I am so used to being at the bedside, so this is a really interesting experience.
Below, you'll find a description of the weekend with pictures (from my cell phone and others' cell phones)
On Friday, I went to Jinja to hang with my friend Devin and the transit was quite characteristic of Kampala, but I did finally make it!
Now that we are entering rainy season, there are usually a few minutes at around 4 PM each day where the rain commands my attention as it falls on a tin roof. But just a few, normally. At times, like this past weekend, I found out it can be a lot more. I adore that earthy smell after it rains here.
For work this week, I participated in solidifying my work plan for the next six months, created minutes from meetings for reference and filing, and I am following up on my waiting time survey results, making a more in-depth report that includes my methodologies and more. I decided for time purposes not to do research in the clinical trial after all at this point, and focus more on quality improvement in the clinic until I see what time of time commitment that will take. I think it's taking a while for me to get used to the more administrative aspect of health. I am so used to being at the bedside, so this is a really interesting experience.
Below, you'll find a description of the weekend with pictures (from my cell phone and others' cell phones)
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| Traffic jam complete with a boda lane |
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| Two traffic lanes converging into one during rush hour |
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| Old taxi park in Kampala |
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| Very true bus statement |
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| Watermelon, carrots, sugar cane, and jackfruit. Snacks in transit to Amber Court/Jinja. |
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| Shot of the old taxi park as I am waiting for my matatu to leave for Jinja |
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| Inside of a jam-packed matatu to Jinja |
At Nile River Explorers (NRE), we celebrated as I shared that I was offered some med school interviews. This means that yes, I think I will be heading back to the US in October for probably about a week. My dream is coming true!
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| Pineapple cutter extraordinaire with Nile Special |
Saturday morning, we woke up to fresh mandazi (think amazing donuts) from his neighbors delivered to his doorstep and we left early to make chapati by hand with some village neighbors. I found out my future looks bleak in chapati-making as they all had a hearty laugh watching me [attempting to] prepare the chapati in an adequate way. We cooked it over an open fire and it was awesome. We enjoyed breakfast together and some super amazing and ripe papaya from the papaya tree in their yard.
Things I learned from the chapati experience:
1. You need a lot of flour, some warm water, and a little oil, perhaps a little salt.
2. Success directly correlates to a firm yet not too firm consistency.
3. The cooking may need to be a 2-person project for best results. One person on oil and one person on chapati-pressing & turning. You first turn the chapati a bit, use a spoon to put oil under it so one side touching the pan cooks, check it by lifting it up with a spoon, and one you're ready to cook the other side, you put oil on the uncooked side and flip it and wait! Have a bag ready to put it in when it's done to keep it warm for breakfast.
4. You can turn the chapati with your hand until it gets hot. Then you should probably use a piece of cardboard or brown paper.
5. You can stretch the chapati into more of a circular shape if you fail to do so early in the game before it hits the pan (my rolling skills were not up to par with the bottle I was given)
6. Flour the rolling bottle and flat surface you're rolling on so it doesn't mess up your chapati circle
7. I'm in Uganda and Uganda is really different. I feel like one could never just show up to a stranger's house and make bread in the US and be welcomed so openly.
8. Going to visit that community is great because there is a large organization that Devin works for there, SOUL, whose executive director is a nurse Brooke, so everyone can say my name there!!! And there are many baby Brookes running around as well.
See below for pictures of chapati and mandazi:
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| Chapati |
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| Mandazi |
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| Local kids playing at our campsite before the rain and helping us to collect firewood |
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| Much of the crew! |
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| CAMPING!! |
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| Cuties! |
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| Chris, who works remotely in Uganda while his girlfriend Rebecca completes her GHC fellowship, and me attempting to start a fire with flint and a pocket knife like Bear Grylls |
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| Orrin, Devin, and me in a small tent during the downpour |
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| Survival of the fittest in Moonshadow (name of tent) |
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| Sunrise! |
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| Awesome moth that looks like he has a face of a person (Do you see it? 2 black eyes, brown nose right below it, brown cheeks, frown face? Is this an inkblot?) right outside of my front door Sunday morning. Check out GHC's executive director in a NPR interview! http://www.npr.org/blogs/goatsandsoda/2014/08/31/321705866/a-trip-with-her-folks-turned-barbara-bush-into-a-global-activist?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social Lastly, a funny vehicle quote: "JUST NEVER SAY NO" (Found by Danielle-thanks!) Weekend success :) In a few weeks, I think I will be heading to the some of the Lake Victoria islands, so stay tuned! |
Monday, August 25, 2014
Making my Mark
Well, it wouldn't be a Sunday night without the booming baseline of Jason Derulo/Snoop Dogg's catchy "Wiggle Wiggle" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiP14ED28CA) juxtaposed with the local mosque's call to prayer!
To start, a few funny snippets taken seen on different modes of transport around Kampala:
"Your integrity is your beauty"
"Pslams (and then some verse)" instead of Psalms
Updates on all fronts:
Work:
"I hope it's not leading to too much pen-t up frustration"
"I had an ink-ling this wouldn't be the end of the debacle"
"I've become very pen-sive about your plight."
Making my mark!
Overall:
The Ugandan people have hearts that are open and full and stories to tell that are worth listening to and learning from. I am grateful for my safety and for the opportunity to be here for an extended period of time.
To start, a few funny snippets taken seen on different modes of transport around Kampala:
"Your integrity is your beauty"
"Pslams (and then some verse)" instead of Psalms
Updates on all fronts:
Work:
Pen Update:
Because I know you all were on the edge of your seats from last time about the pen situation, yes, the pen shortage continued. And, yes, I survived. And eventually, on my last survey day, a box of red pens was delivered to my office. Success. A big thanks to Devin who gave me some really good laughs during this experience with his fantastic jokes:"I hope it's not leading to too much pen-t up frustration"
"I had an ink-ling this wouldn't be the end of the debacle"
"I've become very pen-sive about your plight."
Making my mark!
Other work things:
The person who tailored my uniform (see below!) asked me who my maid was. When I said I didn't have one, she was shocked. I cook for myself? I clean for myself? What the hell? I do my own laundry? Yes. I guess it's pretty common for people, especially white people, to have maids here. I, for one, do not, and I think I am doing well! I am seeking out Luganda lessons so I can connect with patients and staff on a more personal level. I just finished my waiting time baseline assessment after 195 surveys, and I will be doing a literature review on waiting time interventions this week. Each week, we have CMEs, which are continuing medical education classes, on different topics. This week, Hospice Africa Uganda came to talk with us, funded by USAID (www.hospiceafrica.or.ug). I found myself really getting into it as the nurse described how we really need to look at a patient's pain as holistically as possible. We need to assess what is bothering him or her the most. Sure, they may physically be in pain with a terminal illness, but they may have some seriously spiritual or social pains such as feeling isolated or having anxiety as he or she nears the end of his or her life, wondering what will happen when they die. All of these issues need to be addressed to provide the best care to a dying patient. And as Nurse Jerith stated, "Hospice matters. It's important to maintain their [the patients'] smiles until the last day." I'm really enthusiastic about a comfortable death for patients as well as supporting families left behind, and I may do a 5-day hospice course and work as somewhat of a liaison between JCRC and Hospice Uganda to provide care for dying patients in the ward and ones that will be going home to die as well.
Burning Man:
It's taking place this week! Sad I am not going this year, but commemorating it nonetheless from the Pearl of Africa (#hippointhewaterorwhateverthehashtagsaidatimmigration). Sending love to all friends there at Black Rock City.Overall:
The Ugandan people have hearts that are open and full and stories to tell that are worth listening to and learning from. I am grateful for my safety and for the opportunity to be here for an extended period of time.
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| Spectacular sunset as I finish my day at work |
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| Don't forget to "flash" the water in the toilet. Mazzi means water in Luganda. |
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| Box of pens finally delivered. Glory. |
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| A run I am thinking of doing |
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| Mama and baby cow wandering around in front of JCRC |
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| Bernard, the head pharmacist with whom I share my office |
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| Me in my Ugandan nursing uniform looking "smart" (well-dressed) |
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Learning
| A small post for today! Friday night, I went out to a place called Camel Club in Kampala with some seriously good cocktails and fun people. I felt like I was in America for a second. However, much of my weekend has been spent relaxing and I have enjoyed settling in a bit more. I again have the opportunity to appreciate a washing machine and dryer as I am washing my clothes again in a more simple and time-consuming fashion. I think in terms of cultural adaptation, my honeymoon "shock" phase is over, and I am really starting to redefine myself in the context of this culture. It's not always easy, but with great friends and a great support network, it flows much more easily. I think as I keep adapting to new places around the world, I seem to just adapt more quickly and I am more willing to make a fool of myself to learn something new, especially in terms of language and public transport. At JCRC, I have officially joined the HIV drug clinical trial in a quality control capacity, and I continue (with ample pens) to do the client waiting time surveys through the end of this week. I am actively looking for a private Luganda teacher, so I will hopefully be able to communicate with more useful Luganda phrases soon. It seems like each time I say a phrase in Luganda, people look at me shockingly and then start laughing really hard. I've decided I'd like to start putting up some of the funny phrases I see on the back of bodas, taxis, and in other random spots once in a while. I will be on the lookout, and for those of you in Uganda, please let me know if you see some good ones and I will be sure to intermittently include them. Lastly, happy birthday to my dad, Phil! Another great year!  |
| What a treasure! Great Adventures in Nursing, a fantastic book I found in JCRC's library. Looks legit. |
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| A quite atypical Saturday morning breakfast of fried tofu, yogurt, cucumbers, beans, toasted coconut oil bread, ground nut butter, homemade guac, yogurt, tea, juice, and coffee. Yes, please. |
Monday, August 11, 2014
What Change Entails, Housewarming & The Great Pen Search
One thing is clear: In order to actually change something in a meaningful way, one needs to fully understand the current system. And one sometimes must work in a current system so one can understand the setbacks, frustrations, and limitations. Or, in some cases, one may choose to just flat out circumvent it. I think I found a happy medium between flailing in the system and complete circumvention in which I learned something valuable.
This is interesting as I went on what I like the call the "Great Pen Search" (GPS), trying to get enough pens for this very important survey I wanted to do. I need about 30-35 pens to do my job each day. Ok!
Let's just say that the GPS started over a week ago in one place and brought me to about 5 other people, and at the end of yesterday, I still didn't have sufficient pens after many emails, meetings, and respectful confrontations. I even went up to storage where supplies are kept and they said they could not provide pens for me because I did not have a formal requisition. Womp.
I even asked, "Should I buy pens? I am willing to go and get them right now!" One of the nurses laughed at me and said, "Don't buy pens!". Then I said, "Where are the pens that we ordered?"
The nurse said, "They have not arrived yet". When they did finally arrive, that glorious moment when I found out these coveted pens had finally arrived, I asked for the key to the closet they were in. Devastation set in as I looked frantically around and I could not locate them. Then I asked for more help in locating them (this was a very busy clinic day, mind you). They were slightly hidden in the secret, locked cabinet and as they were doled out to me, they were counted meticulously, even though they were supposed to have been ordered for my surveys. They gave me about 12 pens. I needed 30-35. So you know what that means- there STILL weren't enough.
Needless to say, there was much angst amongst staff for my use of their pens and patients taking them after they were finished with them (purposefully or not).
Deep breath.
I kept pushing to get sufficient pens through the institution, seeing who I had to talk to to make this happen. This whole problem could be solved with less than $5.00, but I was thinking I needed to set the precedent that I will not pay for work supplies out of my own pocket. However, friends, it reached a point where it became absolutely necessary to simply buy pens to keep progressing with the survey. And damn it, I did. Best 10,500 Shillings I ever spent.
Some may say I caved, but I truly examine these questions in the context of my job: Why are pens so hard to get? More seriously, though, looking at the grand scheme of things, I think my job will help to improve these type of systems, and if not these, at least the patient care side of these systems, which is far more important. I realize that I had to experience this to see how important my job is. So for that, I am grateful. And as a bonus, I am the owner of many pens.
Currently at JCRC, I am doing a survey on client waiting time with the help of a great Luganda-speaking team (I wasn't getting the results I wanted speaking with my weird US accent). So far, we've surveyed about 120 people, and we are going for 200. We want to see how long certain parts of people's clinic visits take, where there are hold-ups, and how we can make those areas run more smoothly. Of course, after we intervene, we will reevaluate to see how our interventions worked. Also, I was approached to work on the quality control aspects of a big HIV study at JCRC and potentially get published! I will work on this one day a well while still pursuing my main goals of working on infection control and improving quality on the Ward.
A women came in today in extreme pain, burns up and down her body. The treatment she was receiving was on a dirty table with dirty linen-not the best thing for an open wound for an immunocompromised patient. There were no supplies readily available to clean her wounds, and there was nothing I could offer her but a glass of clean water. She looked really ill and about to keel over, but was, for the most part, pushed a bit to the side. I was ready to bring her to the Ward, but the nurse stopped me and said that the patient could not pay. I was wondering how she knew this without even talking to the patient. She explained that this was a private clinic, and because she could not pay 40,000 shillings, or $16/day for a Ward room, she was refused Ward entry. In cases like these, patients are sent to a public hospital in Kampala. While she could get treatment in a public hospital, there is no guarantee of quality treatment or any type of medications she might need, even any pain medications. That was difficult. In "public" lies an inherent sense of lower quality, even though the government really tries to provide free health care to all.
I was talking with my coworker and head pharmacist Bernard again (one who asked about my hair last entry and how I deal with it) and he just has really interesting things to talk about. Yesterday, I talked to him about Rwanda and how they drive like we do on the right side of the road. Seeing there is a road from Uganda to Rwanda, and Uganda drives on the left side of the road....how does that work when crossing over from Uganda to Rwanda and Rwanda to Uganda? You actually switch road sides at the border. haha! I think it would crash in 2 seconds if I had to do that. Also, he offered to drive me to Kampala today to get passport photos for my work visa, and we got pulled over for "speeding" (no speed limit signs were anywhere to be found and we were not going fast). After a little sweet talking and 5000 shillings, we got let loose 10 minutes later. Wow. I am NOT in 'Murica anymore, friends.
Other news:
August 15, this Friday, marks 1 month for me in Uganda. I'm getting settled in well, I must say. To celebrate my new place, I had a housewarming party and so many people made the effort to come out. It meant a lot to me and it was just so much fun.
I am deep into the medical school application process. I have a few more secondary applications to complete before I can honestly say the waiting game starts. Wish me luck!
I have also been discussing future trip plans: Kilimanjaro, Masaimala in Kenya, Kidepo National Park, Queen Elizabeth, and more. Purchased flights and a 3-day pass to Lake of Stars, a music festival on Lake Malawi, for the end of September. http://www.lakeofstars.org/
Also, I officially gave up my Low Income Burning Man ticket for this year. Sad day for me, but happy day for someone that can use it. And it makes me look even more forward to AfrikaBurn in April/May.
I'd like to wish a restful peace to Robin Williams. I really enjoyed his talents he shared with me and the rest of the world. One-of-a-kind individual, that's for sure.
More soon!
This is interesting as I went on what I like the call the "Great Pen Search" (GPS), trying to get enough pens for this very important survey I wanted to do. I need about 30-35 pens to do my job each day. Ok!
Let's just say that the GPS started over a week ago in one place and brought me to about 5 other people, and at the end of yesterday, I still didn't have sufficient pens after many emails, meetings, and respectful confrontations. I even went up to storage where supplies are kept and they said they could not provide pens for me because I did not have a formal requisition. Womp.
I even asked, "Should I buy pens? I am willing to go and get them right now!" One of the nurses laughed at me and said, "Don't buy pens!". Then I said, "Where are the pens that we ordered?"
The nurse said, "They have not arrived yet". When they did finally arrive, that glorious moment when I found out these coveted pens had finally arrived, I asked for the key to the closet they were in. Devastation set in as I looked frantically around and I could not locate them. Then I asked for more help in locating them (this was a very busy clinic day, mind you). They were slightly hidden in the secret, locked cabinet and as they were doled out to me, they were counted meticulously, even though they were supposed to have been ordered for my surveys. They gave me about 12 pens. I needed 30-35. So you know what that means- there STILL weren't enough.
Needless to say, there was much angst amongst staff for my use of their pens and patients taking them after they were finished with them (purposefully or not).
Deep breath.
I kept pushing to get sufficient pens through the institution, seeing who I had to talk to to make this happen. This whole problem could be solved with less than $5.00, but I was thinking I needed to set the precedent that I will not pay for work supplies out of my own pocket. However, friends, it reached a point where it became absolutely necessary to simply buy pens to keep progressing with the survey. And damn it, I did. Best 10,500 Shillings I ever spent.
Some may say I caved, but I truly examine these questions in the context of my job: Why are pens so hard to get? More seriously, though, looking at the grand scheme of things, I think my job will help to improve these type of systems, and if not these, at least the patient care side of these systems, which is far more important. I realize that I had to experience this to see how important my job is. So for that, I am grateful. And as a bonus, I am the owner of many pens.
Currently at JCRC, I am doing a survey on client waiting time with the help of a great Luganda-speaking team (I wasn't getting the results I wanted speaking with my weird US accent). So far, we've surveyed about 120 people, and we are going for 200. We want to see how long certain parts of people's clinic visits take, where there are hold-ups, and how we can make those areas run more smoothly. Of course, after we intervene, we will reevaluate to see how our interventions worked. Also, I was approached to work on the quality control aspects of a big HIV study at JCRC and potentially get published! I will work on this one day a well while still pursuing my main goals of working on infection control and improving quality on the Ward.
I was talking with my coworker and head pharmacist Bernard again (one who asked about my hair last entry and how I deal with it) and he just has really interesting things to talk about. Yesterday, I talked to him about Rwanda and how they drive like we do on the right side of the road. Seeing there is a road from Uganda to Rwanda, and Uganda drives on the left side of the road....how does that work when crossing over from Uganda to Rwanda and Rwanda to Uganda? You actually switch road sides at the border. haha! I think it would crash in 2 seconds if I had to do that. Also, he offered to drive me to Kampala today to get passport photos for my work visa, and we got pulled over for "speeding" (no speed limit signs were anywhere to be found and we were not going fast). After a little sweet talking and 5000 shillings, we got let loose 10 minutes later. Wow. I am NOT in 'Murica anymore, friends.
Other news:
August 15, this Friday, marks 1 month for me in Uganda. I'm getting settled in well, I must say. To celebrate my new place, I had a housewarming party and so many people made the effort to come out. It meant a lot to me and it was just so much fun.
I am deep into the medical school application process. I have a few more secondary applications to complete before I can honestly say the waiting game starts. Wish me luck!
I have also been discussing future trip plans: Kilimanjaro, Masaimala in Kenya, Kidepo National Park, Queen Elizabeth, and more. Purchased flights and a 3-day pass to Lake of Stars, a music festival on Lake Malawi, for the end of September. http://www.lakeofstars.org/
Also, I officially gave up my Low Income Burning Man ticket for this year. Sad day for me, but happy day for someone that can use it. And it makes me look even more forward to AfrikaBurn in April/May.
I'd like to wish a restful peace to Robin Williams. I really enjoyed his talents he shared with me and the rest of the world. One-of-a-kind individual, that's for sure.
More soon!
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| A new friend I found in my house |
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| My housewarming party Saturday night with very my very expressive GHC friends (and their friends/my new friends!) |
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| GHC Team Uganda! © Wil Matthews 2014 |
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| Happiest day of my life: When pizza was delivered to me that was pretty decent near my new home. |
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| Setting up for the housewarming with some new and random snacks I found in the supermarket (and, of course, Slap Ya Self spice) |
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| Uganda's take on Werthers, pumpkin seeds, and G nuts surrounded by my Peruvian bracelets from Escolástica and one I bought in Huilloc from the weavers |
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| Friends in the living room! |
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| DJ Devin |
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| Graham, Kim, and Julius |
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| Sam and Devin |
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| New Bahai friend! |
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| Full house! |
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| Sharon and Graham |
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| All smiles for Sam and Chiara |
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| Silence |
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| Sejal, Sam, and David |
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| Best guys ever! |
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