 | Today we served our second day at the Banyeo Presbyterian Church in the village of Olumot. The road to the church is a long one - 30 minutes on pavement and then 30 minutes over dirt road. Thankfully it is the rainy season and the dust isn’t too bad as the bus windows are open.  |
The needs are great in the village of Olumot. Uganda has suffered a great drought this summer and now the insistent rains seem to wash away any final hope of a successful crop. Many of the children are lethargic and listless. Their large brown eyes tinged with yellow tell the tale of the malaria prevalent in the area.
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Our language barrier is massive. It seems their only English is “hello” and “I am fine”
“How are you?” - “I am fine”
“Nice to meet you.” - “I am fine”
What’s your name?” - “I am fine”
Our communication is finally reduced to smiles, a special handshake, eyebrow raises, head nods, and hand gestures. Oh yes, and the camera. Once they see themselves on the screen they giggle and start to pose. The mamas push their babies forward to have their images captured forever in my camera. I was even lucky enough to capture a selfie which results in the delightful sounds of glee.
“How are you?” - “I am fine”
“Nice to meet you.” - “I am fine”
What’s your name?” - “I am fine”
Our communication is finally reduced to smiles, a special handshake, eyebrow raises, head nods, and hand gestures. Oh yes, and the camera. Once they see themselves on the screen they giggle and start to pose. The mamas push their babies forward to have their images captured forever in my camera. I was even lucky enough to capture a selfie which results in the delightful sounds of glee.
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Looking around, the lines are long and slow but for the most part orderly. As the afternoon wears away there begins a stir of anxiety. They seem to realize that not everyone will get to see a doctor. There is simply more people than resources.
The doctors and nurses finally call it a day so that they can rest and start again in another village tomorrow. We hustle the remaining villagers through for a mosquito net - hoping that everyone, at least, receives that blessing.
I’ve only “known" them for a couple of days but they’ve been two incredible days. Saying goodbye is terribly hard but we do manage to learn two new English phrases…
“Bye”
“Good-night”
They never did manage the “see you later alligator”
Donna Matthews
Final stats for the Olumont Village over two days
2,000 nets
1,200 patients
The doctors and nurses finally call it a day so that they can rest and start again in another village tomorrow. We hustle the remaining villagers through for a mosquito net - hoping that everyone, at least, receives that blessing.
I’ve only “known" them for a couple of days but they’ve been two incredible days. Saying goodbye is terribly hard but we do manage to learn two new English phrases…
“Bye”
“Good-night”
They never did manage the “see you later alligator”
Donna Matthews
Final stats for the Olumont Village over two days
2,000 nets
1,200 patients
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