Looking back over my blog notes for the week most were about the upcoming/ongoing Eye Clinic....I was really nervous about the set-up etc., since neither Sr. Juliet or I had been here for the previous two and Sr. Veronica was laid up in Kampala w. a bad back (compressed discs suffered on a bad matatu ride a year ago- I can see it happening!).
Last Saturday afternoon Holly stopped by and three of the older girls came up to say "HI" and have tea.....they love it that they can use all the sugar they want!!! They are amazed at my stuff (sometimes I am too). Showed them all my new pictures....lots of grandchildren pics - they are wonderful!!!
Gave a tour to a group of visiting teachers from Sweden (I am really getting good at the PH tour - but still can't walk backwards and talk like the college tour guides)....the place looks so much better w. the new student leadership - dorms cleaned, grass slashed, beds made - really much nicer when you take people around. I tried my hand at "slashing" one day - using a stick w. a blade to cut grass - I was a total failure but did provide good laughs for the boys!
The UK opthomologists came on Sunday afternoon in the midst of a big downpour - the kids did their welcome indoors and we had a planning session w. the local volunteers. They visitors were a great group - lots of fun and VERY flexible!!! That seems to be true of most of the visitors....guess you don't come to Uganda (and esp. to PH w/o being a bit adventurous). Each day of the clinic we registered under the big tree by the entrance, then there was pre-screening, then people went to have their eyes tested in the bakery office (darkened by putting blankets on the windows w. clothes pins) and then saw the person who was measuring for glasses in the hallway...pretty efficient system. Monday through Thursday we had two testing and saw over 100 each day; Friday it was only one (Doreen, who was an absolutely trooper) and we saw 70! They said they really saw some "interesting" (and sad) things - damage caused by infections that could have been treated, injury, damage to the optic nerve - and some conditions that they said they'd only seen previously in text books.
We started each day at 7 setting up and they saw people from 8 to 5 or 6....really quite the system and lots of good work done. Steady stream of people all day! There were 8 but some went to a clinic in Jinja, the School for the Blind in Sorotti and then a two day clinic in Mukono.
Other events of the week - Monday nite the 3 new volunteers from Holland arrived and started to settle in. They are finishing a university degree in Occupational Therapy and this is their internship. They are catching on fast!!!
Problems w. the piggery - now the builder says we have to put a layer of finishing cement on the stuff that's there - and he didn't account for that in his "estimate"....no surprise there!!! Apparently pigs like to eat cement??? Also, the new coat will provide the slope for drainage - he didn't have a level so we're not sure where we are w. slope - he promised to bring it, but haven't seen him since!!! Fred has done a good job of trying to limit expenses by using timbers we had and old tin sheets from a building that was taken down, so we could have most of the "extra" covered (except the builder's extra labor costs which I'm reluctant to pay).....but it was such a busy week and I got so annoyed talking to him we put off any further discussion till next week. Life in the fast lane!!!
Thursday, we doubled up w. clinics w. the epilepsy clinic (regular monthly one sponsored by Butabeka Hospital in Kampala)...BUT, they brought out 12 students and their administrator (w/o warning)....SO, more tours and Sr. Goretti skipped teaching to cook for them - since Caro the cook for the sisters was making meals for the U.K. doctors and volunteers....the staff worked HARD all week. I was mainly a trouble shooter and gopher. The administrator from Butabika Hospital wanted to meet w. the local health authorities so I took her up to see Sr. Ambrose at the Hospital....Sr. J. was in Kampala and I don't know who the local authorities are! She seemed satisfied with doing that since apparently they have to notify someone that they were providing services in this area. All very confusing to me!!!
So, it has been a busy week - ate dinner w. the UK people and Sisters every evening. We went on a walk together one nite and a few evenings were spent at the local pub sitting on plastic chairs out in the street observing life around us. Lots of good conversation!! Holly and Shari joined in some of the time - very international suppers with people from U.K., Holland and U.S.
Anastasia is still in the hospital and does have TB - bummer - it's one of the most frequent opportunistic infections seen with HIV people....but not something that's easily treated esp. when you are as weak as she is....we'll have to see.
Hope all are well....heard it's warming up a bit! Spring can't be too far away can it??? Got a great package from Anne (lots of neat school stuff) and one from Bert and Naomi w. a DVD and pictures....w. all the pictures Corky brought I need to re-decorate my room!!!
Take care - thanks again for all your prayers, thoughts and letters.....
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