Day One Medical Camp

Aburi Village is a very small community about 30 minutes from the larger town of Tororo on the eastern side of Uganda.  Compared to the next village we will be going to, Maundo, the people of Aburi have had minimal medical care.  Father Centurio is a local priest who grew up in Aburi and has recruited us to help serve his community.  Along with his brother Peter, they identified three areas of need: water, education, and health.  The first Rotary/Anthill Foundation project was to repair the local water pump.  Once that was done attention was given to building a clinic.  A local man graciously donated his land for the building.  Given that land equals food and survival in Uganda, this is a huge example of goodwill for the community.  Within 2 years the clinic has been built and put to use, all by the local people with the help of Rotary/Anthill funding.  They have even recruited a Ugandan doctor to volunteer his time at the clinic which is required  in order to achieve recognition by the government which leads to provision of medications. 

The first thing I noticed on arrival to Aburi was the condition of the children’s teeth.  They are all stained with brown stripes. Initially I thought this was due to sugar, but these children have minimal access to sugar or refined foods.  The thinking of our group was that they actually have too much floride in their water which leads to staining.  I’ll have to ask my brother and dad about that one!

We spent the day seeing around 300 patients and dispensing free medications.  Most of the cases were malaria, colds, musculoskeletal aches and pains.  I got to see two children who had had meningitis that lead to severe neurological deficits.  They were around 7-10 years of age and could no longer walk.  Their mothers carried them everywhere and one of them had to be fed by his mom.  It amazes me what these mothers are able to do and the good care they give their children with so little.  I also had a case of severe malaria in a child with a fever of 105.  We were able to give him some IV fluids and IM antimalarial which we hope made a difference! 

Tomorrow we head back to Aburi for a second day of our medical camp.  It is likely we will see around 300 patients again. 

A few notes:

• 1.       Muzungu means “foreigner” in Uganda.  It isn’t a negative term- in fact, it is usually screamed out in delight when young children see us.  The sweetest sight to see is when we drive past a home in a village and 7 or 8 young kids coming running, waving, and screaming Muzungu, Muzungo!!!  Even the hardest heart wouldn’t be able to resist that!
• 2.       English is the official language of Uganda and there are a good many people who speak it to varying degrees.  Swahili with local variations is also spoken.  Most everyone knows the common English greeting of “How are you, I am fine” so you will hear this often.   For many young children that is the only English they know so they say it as soon as they see you even if they are 50 feet away.    Another ridiculously adorable experience. 
• To Kelsi: Many people are mistaking me for you.  The people of Aburi send their love!