As many of you may know, I’m not a writer. I consistently lack motivation and the perfect words never seem to find the page. This is perhaps the core explanation for my recent absence in posts. In addition, I’ve been extremely busy and many exciting things have happened. Our nutritional program has finally launched, we are making strides with the street youth, and my Luo (the local tribal language) is improving daily. There are many things about Africa that I absolutely love, but still others I really miss from home. I miss my friends and family more than words can describe and although we often Skype, it simply isn’t the same. I miss feelings clean and could definitely live without the vast amount of inside mosquitos and bugs. I miss my freedom to go out after dark and really hate being imprisoned in the house on weekends. I missed being in Missouri for the epic weekend of World Series Champs and beating Texas A&M in overtime. And finally, I miss cheese and all the other wonderful foods that aren’t to be found here! For the most part, however, I’ve adapted to some of the challenges that I initially faced. Bathing in cold rain water no longer bothers me and I now know the trick to clear the kitchen of bugs before entering at night. Taking a Matatu is just part of everyday life and I have learned to drive a hard bargain. I have made a number of friends here and Andrea and Francisca are the absolute best. I couldn’t ask to live with better girls and we laugh A LOT! I love gazing at the lake and seeing the beautiful birds, flowers, and sunsets. The children here are SOO sweet and I’m fairly certain I will sneak a few back with me ;-). I’m learning so much about medical issues and I am gaining much insight about the differences between health care in developed and third-world countries. Most importantly, I am grasping a clearer picture of who I am as an individual. I have so much time to self-reflect and it is helping me be a stronger, more independent, and wonderfully happy person.
 |
| This baby is definitely NOT malnourished |
A few weeks ago we finally had our meeting with the head of the district hospital to discuss our nutritional program. We received the “Go Ahead” and last week we began taking the height and weight of every child under 5 years in a one of the villages around the dispensary. He also committed to providing the necessary vitamins and medications from the hospital pharmacy each month and the therapeutic food is arriving to the dispensary tomorrow. We have already discovered about 7 children in one village who are either malnourished or at risk and on the first day, we discovered twin boys who were in a severe condition. They were at risk of death and we were extremely worried. The mother refused to take the children to the hospital because she believed that her family was cursed. Regardless of any efforts, she assumed the children’s health would not improve and was therefore more concerned with taking care of her other children. We understood the urgency of the situation, however, and threatened to call the police if they were not taken to the hospital. The next day, we thankfully saw the boys in the children’s ward and our hearts were lifted knowing that they were in good hands. In addition to this program, I gave my first public health presentation to the school children a few weeks ago. My lecture included proper hand washing techniques and the importance of clean water. The presentation went really well and I am now preparing for my next session coming up soon!
 |
| Juliet is severely malnourished and was admitted in our program |
 |
| Giving my presentation to the school children |
At the hospital, I have been spending a few days in the maternity ward helping with the delivery of babies. This has been such an eye opening experience for me and I absolutely love it. I had never witnessed a delivery before and although bringing in a new life is such a significant moment, it definitely isn’t the prettiest site. Also, anesthetics aren’t used and generally, 3 mothers are delivering at the same time, in the same room. Not so easy on the ears. After the mother has given birth, she moves to the post-natal room where she will share a bed with at least one other mother (occasionally you find 3 mothers resting on the same bed). There was also a point in time when a mother was minutes away from giving birth and no one could find a pair of clean gloves. Andrea and I also use the word “sanitary” very lightly when it comes to discussing the tools and situations because the hospital is a long haul away from being properly sanitized. When we finally reached the last delivery of the day, the baby emerged from the womb completely silent. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt a knot in my chest as Andrea and the nurses worked to elicit a response. When I finally heard a strong cry, I felt a surge of relief. Despite the dirty conditions, the hectic atmosphere, and the continuous screams from the mothers, I was reminded what a beautiful and miraculous gift life really is.
I finally had the opportunity to travel to Uganda and visit my family. It was a long journey. After dealing with the frustrating immigration men, becoming covered in mud as I crossed the border, and spending 3 hours being dripped on by the leaking bus, I was simply ready to arrive. It was well worth my troubles when I was greeted with delicious food, a cold swimming pool for the hot days, horseback riding through the beautiful country side, and most importantly a warm shower. About an hour outside of Kampala, we crossed the Nile River with a beautifully colored sunset overlooking the horizon. As I was listening to my Ipod, “What a wonderful world” began to play. Seeing such a beautiful site reminded me of the wonderful world we live in. I quickly forgot about all the pesky occurrences of my travel and decided to appreciate the sights and sounds. This is my everyday life. I become frustrated, annoyed, and tired. I feel like my day is falling to pieces and I question why I’m even here. Then, something beautiful happens and it changes my whole outlook. They say art comes in many forms and I witness this daily. I see art it in the mural painted across the sky each night, the laughs I hear from the children, and the beginning of a new life in the maternity ward. Most importantly, I see the art of my own life and as Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of how thankful I should be for all that I have. Things are not always easy here but life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful =).
Love, Saskia
 |
| Beautiful Sunset outside our house |
As many of you may know, I’m not a writer. I consistently lack motivation and the perfect words never seem to find the page. This is perhaps the core explanation for my recent absence in posts. In addition, I’ve been extremely busy and many exciting things have happened. Our nutritional program has finally launched, we are making strides with the street youth, and my Luo (the local tribal language) is improving daily. There are many things about Africa that I absolutely love, but still others I really miss from home. I miss my friends and family more than words can describe and although we often Skype, it simply isn’t the same. I miss feelings clean and could definitely live without the vast amount of inside mosquitos and bugs. I miss my freedom to go out after dark and really hate being imprisoned in the house on weekends. I missed being in Missouri for the epic weekend of World Series Champs and beating Texas A&M in overtime. And finally, I miss cheese and all the other wonderful foods that aren’t to be found here! For the most part, however, I’ve adapted to some of the challenges that I initially faced. Bathing in cold rain water no longer bothers me and I now know the trick to clear the kitchen of bugs before entering at night. Taking a Matatu is just part of everyday life and I have learned to drive a hard bargain. I have made a number of friends here and Andrea and Francisca are the absolute best. I couldn’t ask to live with better girls and we laugh A LOT! I love gazing at the lake and seeing the beautiful birds, flowers, and sunsets. The children here are SOO sweet and I’m fairly certain I will sneak a few back with me ;-). I’m learning so much about medical issues and I am gaining much insight about the differences between health care in developed and third-world countries. Most importantly, I am grasping a clearer picture of who I am as an individual. I have so much time to self-reflect and it is helping me be a stronger, more independent, and wonderfully happy person. 
