“Let them eat cake”

For the last 4 weeks a team of 14 physio-therapists and nutritionists from University College Dublin Volunteers Overseas have been at the hospital. During this time they ran a 2 week clinic / camp for   children with cerebral palsy and their carers, went on outreach work to the local communities, worked in the Rehabilitation Ward and repainted some of the buildings at the Hospital’s Primary School. The College had funded a new boy’s dormitory and in the team were asked to formally open the dormitory before they left.

 

All the pupils were very excited to see all the mzungus, especially as they heard there would be cake!

 

The formal opening of the building was done by two of the Team

 

The school has Special Education Needs unit, and some of their pupils performed a song to thank the Team for coming.

 

 

And then there was the cake……….

 

 

Party, Party time!

It’s Malcolm’s last week in Kiwoko before moving on to Kisoro – and it’s been a week of partying.

The Finance and Admin team had a farewell meal for Malcolm

On Sunday we celebrated Becca’s landmark birthday.

As usual there was a big spread. 

 As usual there was a lot of foolishness.

Even Denise had to make a point of announcing that Malcolm’s socks need darning!!!! Just as well Irene will be back keeping an eye on things soon!

On Monday there was a party to say goodbye to some visiting interns, and also to celebrate (again) Becca’s birthday. As usual there was a big spread.

 

This time it was decided we would all do our national dance.

An Irish dance

Sister Grace dancing (Twerking - invented in Uganda?)

And, of course, there was a cake to cut.

 

This week’s African Proverb from the BBC’s website is from Nigeria: “Only a fool carrying an elephant on his head joins people hunting crickets”

The Bishop, and the Bishop's Wife

You wait 6 months for a wedding, and the two come along together!

 

 

This week we were thrice ‘Graced’.

Another couple from the hospital, Paul and Grace, got married at the local Cathedral. Malcolm went to the service which was conducted by his Grace the Bishop of Luweero.

 

The reception, as is usual, was held outdoors under tents.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

On the same day Irene was off to see his Grace the Bishop’s wife. As the Bishop retires this year the Mother’s Union held a special event to thank his wife for being their President.

Everyone was expected to wear the tribal dress – a ‘Gomez’. Even better if it was in the colours of the Mothers’ Union – blue and white

 

  

 

  

 

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria: “When an old woman falls down twice, people should check what is in her basket”.

Just a Piece of Cake

It’s party time!!!

 Another year has passed and it’s Malcolm’s birthday – again.

As you might expect cakes featured a lot. John Bosco, one of the Finance staff, made a decorated cake for the office which was very much appreciated.

 

There was a second cake at a birthday meal arranged at Dr Rory’s house which took the wind out of Malcolm.

 

However, this didn’t mean he didn’t try to sneak some more food when he thought no-one was looking.

 

 With all that over-eating even Dr Corrie couldn’t face him any more.

 

 

Other people, fortunately, were taking life a bit more seriously. There are a lot of student nurses from Ireland and Germany doing work experience at the hospital, and Sunday was a chance to relax over ……. coffee and cake!

 

 

This week’s African proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Ethiopia:  “One who eats alone cannot discuss the taste of the food with others”

(Cakes this week were presented by John, Sarah, Malcolm and Denise)

 

No Need to Stand on Ceremony

It’s been a series of ceremonies.

Last week a team of staff from the main funders of the Hospital’s Maternity and Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, Aspen Insurance and ISIS, visited. They came from America, London, Singapore and Australia and spent time visiting the wards, meeting the staff and experiencing life in Kiwoko. On their last day we had a farewell meal where there was a bit of excitement when it came to cut the cake.

 

 Also one of the doctors, Mushin, was baptised at our church. He had come from a Muslim family but had become a Christian and baptised when at school. However, his father had destroyed his baptism certificate. Because he wants to be married in church he needed to prove he had been baptised, so repeated the ceremony.

On Sunday the Bishop of Luweero came to hold a combined confirmation and wedding service at our local church. When he was introduced to Irene there seemed to be some friendly rivalry about who has the strongest grip.

 

The wedding was for a couple who had been married traditionally, by local ceremony, several years earlier but now wished to be formally married in church. They took the opportunity of the Bishop’s visit to be wed by him.

 

Irene enjoyed her birthday this week. She woke to find that their was no chance of keeping her age a secret, and made the most of the occasion.

 

On Friday the staff arranged a surprise birthday Bar-B-Que.

 

 

The night included fun and games and lots of food.

 

Our fellowship group gave Irene a large shopping bag as a present

 

And as we started the week with a cake, we can end it with one too.

 

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is “When a cock invites a cockroach for a birthday party, he has prepared dinner for himself”.

Building Them High.............And Knocking Them Down

Because many young people work and study here there are several weddings a year. This week a midwife in Dr. Corrie's ward got married. Weddings are big events and need someone to bake many cakes. Another medic, Dr Diane is a bit of an expert and baked about a dozen cakes for the wedding – quite a pile!!!! These needed Dr C’s car to get them to the reception.

 The following is a picture of one of the local chemist shops – one way of getting a high score, perhaps?

 

This week the hospital received a team from UPMB (the Uganda Protestant Medical Board) who came to inspect some of the hospital’s services. These are scored and a report issued. This year all areas of the hospital improved with the control of infectious diseases being given 100%!!!.

 

Like most of Uganda we do not enjoy the privilege of mains sewage. Many of the toilets are no more than holes in the ground which require regular emptying – not a pleasant job which most people clearly try to avoid!

 

 

In previous weeks we’ve shown pictures of the traditional wood and mud houses. This week is an example of how they are knocked down.

 

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria  “When the frog in front falls into a pit, those behind tread cautiously”