Our first Month at Kiwoko Hospital , Uganda
It’s been just over a month since we came to
.
We have settled in well. We are getting to know people here
and desperately trying to remember a lot of new names. We have joined a weekly
bible study group of mainly local medical staff, and also meet fortnightly for
fellowship with other mzungu (white) Mission workers
here.
Irene is working in the HIV clinic, with the intention of
trying to improve their admin procedures. On the whole things work well
although sometimes there are problems, such as doctors waiting for patients
because staff are taking a tea break and ‘forgotten’ to tell patients when its their
turn
Malcolm is getting to grips with the Hospital finances. His
first meeting of the Finance Committee is on 10th June, by which
time the Hospital’s budget for 2013/14 has to be ready. This is a tight
deadline, considering he still is trying to find out about the finances. Most
of the funding comes from overseas donors, with patients needing to buy a
modest amount, essential to balance the books for difficult for mainly peasant
farmers. Because of the shortage of trained medical staff in Uganda
We spent a long weekend to visit friends in Kisoro, and to
pick up several boxes we had left there pending our return. We were delighted
to find how well Potter’s Village Crisis Centre for Children has moved on. To
complement the residential care of babies up to 2 years old, the Medical Centre
is now fully operational. This is staffed by 2 CMS
Mission Associates, Dr.Mike Hughes from Ely and Sister Rosie Brown from High
Wycombe as well as a local nurse, Jovia. The Special Care Babies’
Unit now receives premature babies from the local Government hospital which
does not have adequate facilities to care for them. There is also a small
paediatric ward and an Outpatient clinic is open for sick children from the
local community.
Mike’s wife, Sue, is helping with the administration and has
begun a project to construct furniture for disabled children from recycled
cardboard. Much of the construction is done by local craftsman, Leonard. When
we were there Doreen, a 2 year old with cerebral palsy, received a chair to
help her sit upright properly.
One concern is that the long term Mission Partner, Jenny
Green, is returning in June for a few months visit to England
Prayer pointers
Thank God:
·
that we have so far settled in well to our new
life at Kiwoko Hspital, are making friends and getting fellowship.
·
for the growth and work of Potter’s Village, the
dedication of the staff, and for the
work of the staff and CMS Mission workers
Jenny, Rosie, Mike and Sue.
Please pray:
·
for wisdom and insight as we find out the needs
of Kiwoko Hospital
·
for Irene and the staff in the HIV department as
the seek to care and counsel those suffering the effects of AIDS.
·
for Malcolm and staff in the Finance and
Administration department as they seek to prepare a viable, balanced budget for
the Hospital for the next financial year, starting July 2013. Especially for
wisdom as they prepare reports for the June meetings of Finance Committee and
the Hospital Management Board
·
for Jenny Green as she returns to the UK
