All in a Day's Work

The working day starts early at the hospital.

Because we live close to the equator dawn is at 7 am throughout the year. The first arrival is the milkman. In previous blogs we’ve shown milk being delivered from a churn tied to the back of a bicycle. This has now been upgraded to a motor bike for speedier delivery from cow to home.

July 2013

The modern milk round - from udder to you

On weekdays there is chapel before the start of work. This Friday the staff who helped at the children’s club, Ekisa, earlier this month lead the worship by introducing songs and dances used with the children.

Enjoying worship

 

It is the middle of the rainy season which means on most days there are periods of heavy rain separated by bursts of hot sunshine.  Because the building are roofed in corrugated metal sheets the noise of the rain falling on the roof makes normal conversation difficult.

Water, water, everywhere.......

 

The large quantity of water falling means that the basic drainage system is subjected to a lot of pressure. This week some of the hospital’s staff had to sort out drainage problems near to on of the main hydrants from the hospital’s water source. This water, pumped from our underground well, is essential as the main water supply to the hospital.

...... but not always where you want it

Coming Home to Roost

Let me introduce you to some of Malcolm’s new acquaintances.Malcolm is staying in the guest house at Kiwoko Hospital with 2 young German doctors, Michael and Konrad. They are staying here for about 3 months each. On Friday they  were invited round for a meal and a couple of board game to a couple who have recently come to work for 6 months as teachers at the Hospital. 

John, Catherine, Konrad and Michael playing Cranium

 
Earlier in the week Michael introduced Malcolm to a new friend – Hans, the chicken. It many ways it this was a pity as it is usually a mistake to be formally introduced to your food. Hans had had a happy but inevitably short life. He was, however, was made most welcome at the dining table with the help of Becky, a nurse at the hospital.

Holding Hans

Hand in Hans

Mind your Hans

Many Hans make light work

It was also an exciting week as our friend Corrie returned to Kiwoko after a 7 month ‘break’ in England – though the word ‘break’ is probably inappropriate with the work she had to do visiting churches, other supporters, etc.

Welcome home Corrie

 
Finally the following is a short video of last weekend’s Kiwoko Chase. Quite frankly you will see why we were all surprised that Malcolm was able to make it home.

 Catherine is a primary school teacher for the Medical Superintendent’s young son, Gideon. John is teaching IT to some of the students at the Laboratory and Nursing Schools. (Malcolm did particularly badly at the game ‘Love Letters’ – which would be no surprise to his wife, Irene!!!)

It's Too Darn Hot!

One of the advantages of living in a hot country is you can save a fortune on fuel bills. One of our enterprising Ugandan doctors has set up a solar oven which is ideal for cooking stews etc.

Bring me sunshine........

 Malcolm has his own way of cooking. This week he not only baked some scones but also managed to make some real clotted cream to go on top. Eat your heart out, Mary Berry.

.......in your smile!   Scrummy!

In the local village there are other entrepreneurs. One has set up a recording studio, and has copied the name of the famous American studios that launched the careers of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash amongst others.

Anyone want to make a hit record?

 

Another team of visitors arrived this week. Aspen is an international insurance firm who are major funders of the hospital. Each year they send a team of staff from across the world, this year including London, New York, Singapore and Australia.

The Aspen team with hospital staff

 

One of the events they will join in with is the 16.5km annual Kiwoko Chase for runners and walkers. On Friday we arrived for the briefing. Malcolm was there with other Mzungu volunteers: Michael and Konrad , medical students from Germany with John and Catherine, teachers from England.

Konrad, Michael, John and Catherine - ready for the briefing

 

For some reason the children have taken a particular liking to Michael.

 

Michael - the main attraction!

Living in a hot country means we also get some spectacular insects. This moth flew in one evening. 

Wait  till you see my big brother!

 

So next week – Malcolm will have taken part in the Kiwoko Chase. Will the pace, and the temperature, prove just too hot for him? We think so.

Still Holiday time!

The team from Northern Ireland are here for a second week to help at a fun day for the Hospital’s ‘Afaayo’ (He Cares) Club. This is a regular time for children and young people who live with the challenge of being HIV+, usually because they acquired the virus at birth.

 However, there was more work for them to do. To raise funds to pay the fees for those who cannot afford to pay for treatment or need assistance to buy food there was a sale of items brought here by visitors and left (including a suit, 2 jackets and ties Malcolm no longer has a use for). The team became willing stall holders and almost 2,000,000  Ugandan shillings was raised (about £380). This is a great help to the 20 million shillings needed per year to support this assistance.

The team left on Thursday. They presented bags of toys to help with the Hospital’s clubs for children.

 

They also presented a banner which had been made by one of Rory’s patients when he was a GP in Ireland.

 

So next week – Malcolm really must get down and do some proper work! We are still waiting!