After 36 hours of flights and airports, a minor car accident with a Ugandan police truck, and a good night’s rest at Adonai Guesthouse 4, our home for the next 10 nights, we set off on the first leg of our Ugandan adventure – the UACO Walking Clinic.
For most of us, it was our first taste of life in the worst areas of Kampala. UACO (Uganda Australian Christian Outreach), which was founded by retired SA nurse Judy Steel AO and Ugandan doctor, Edward Ssembatya, allowed us to participate in its weekly Walking Clinic. We met elderly and infirm patients treated by UACO who would not otherwise have the financial or physical means to obtain healthcare. We gave them much-appreciated gifts of Vaseline and soap, and saw an 80+ year old blind woman serenade the charming Shannon ‘Shags’ Kruschel with a Ugandan hymn.
Despite the confronting start to the trip, the team has been able to reacquaint ourselves with one of life’s simple pleasure, eating bananas. After knocking off our third banana each pre noon we set off to the Watoto headquarters to learn of our building plans.
For those members of the 2009 team reading this blog, our task is much harder than yours was – a two story dormitory for 16 boys in three days. Luckily, the better looking and much younger 2011 team is well-equipped to conquer this challenge.
The afternoon finished with a visit to Watoto’s Bulrushes – a home for Ugandan orphans under the age of two. Mama Green was in her element.
Off to the Ndere Dance Troupe tonight for some Ugandan culture and up at 6.00 am tomorrow to start building.
Sarah ‘Mini’ Chia
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