Today, I had the amazing opportunity to go to the Mulago National Hospital with the nursing students here at UCU. Holy Cow....
Let's just say that it wouldn't pass ANY heath inspection in the states. We got to the hospital at about 9:30am and I then shadowed a nurse and his patient. All of the nurses were to find a patient, in a specific ward they were assigned and be with them the entire day. Our patient was involved in a boda-boda accident and had 4 fractures in her hip and dislocated her ankle. She wasn't able to move at all, so we had to everything for her. Luckily, she wasn't in high demand of anything.
One thing with the hospital, is that there is no separte rooms for any of the patients, there is just rows of beds. And, all of the patients have to supply their own sheets, pillows, food, and wash them selves. So, if anyone in your family is admitted into the hospital here, the entire family comes to camp at the hospital, no joke.
Some funny things that happened during the day:
We had come to give Rehema (our patient) an injection of pain killers. After we had given it to her, the lady on the bed next to us told us that she hadn't gotten here pain killers for the day. Edson looked at her file and found no record of any injections given to her. He went to go find out what to do... once he came back, he got the injection ready. The lady asked if it was ok, he said, "No, but we need to keep our patient happy." haha woops, hopefully the lady survives.
We were right by the bathrooms, which smelled purely of urine and there was a tracks from people walking into and out of them (presumably urine tracks). Pretty gross.
There was one lady there that looked like she got burned pretty bad. When the doctors came to clean the burns, it was obvious she was in loads of pain. She was yelling, "Jesus! Oh, Jesus Christ come to my side." over and over again. It just about broke my heart, I wanted to at least pull a curtain around her, but for the lack of curtains...
I have to say: what an experience!! I am grateful that the hospitals in America are more sanitary. I'm not sure if I would be able to handle being a nurse in a place like Mulago Hospital. I guess that these experiences are only those you can have in Africa!!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
"Does that monkey have a blue butt?"
This first week of summer has been great!!! It totally feels like summer where the days blend together and trying to remember what had happened the previous day is a challenge (or maybe that's just me).
On Tuesday, Liza and I went to Lugazi with Martin to help with the Help International Students. The bummer was, they weren't really doing anything, so we just chilled the whole day. We didn't end up leaving until 8:30 (it was a long day)! Liza got to experience the public transport for the first time.... :) She was extremely lucky, because on the way back, we had about 26 people in the taxi which is normally only able to hold 14. Even I was shocked. That's not something that happens to you everyday....
The rest of the week was really a blur. I have been doing a lot of things for back home (which is already stressing me out, and we haven't even gotten home yet!). The other night, as I was lying in my bed, I was thinking about how much I really am going to miss it here. I was so sure, before coming, that I would just jump on the plane, and not even give a second glance back.... how wrong I was. Like my mom has said multiple times, "I love it here!! Let's not go back!" I'm not sure about the not going back, but I will be leaving a part of my heart here. I hope one day I can come and get it back. It is just so hard to explain! How I wish I could write my feelings down, but there isn't words to describe the life here. Sure, it has had it's downs, but this has become home!
On Thursday, we spent the entire day in Kampala. We had some errands to run in the morning, but once we were finished with those, we headed out to the zoo in Entebbe to meet up with Beth and David. I have to say, I was really impressed with the zoo. We had such a fun time!!! I mean, it's not like in zoo's back home you have monkeys running wild, and zebra's, ostrage's, and antalop all in the same area. That, and the only thing separating you from the lions is a 10ft moat and a 4ft fence... :) not scary at all! Also, we got to ride a camel! Wow... I'm not sure if I would want to ride one frequently. Let me tell you, it's not as easy as it looks. It was still fun though.
As you probably can tell, it has been so much fun!! It is so sad to think of the 4 remaining weeks. I will always treasure these memories and be grateful for this opportunity we had to come to live in Uganda Africa.
On Tuesday, Liza and I went to Lugazi with Martin to help with the Help International Students. The bummer was, they weren't really doing anything, so we just chilled the whole day. We didn't end up leaving until 8:30 (it was a long day)! Liza got to experience the public transport for the first time.... :) She was extremely lucky, because on the way back, we had about 26 people in the taxi which is normally only able to hold 14. Even I was shocked. That's not something that happens to you everyday....
The rest of the week was really a blur. I have been doing a lot of things for back home (which is already stressing me out, and we haven't even gotten home yet!). The other night, as I was lying in my bed, I was thinking about how much I really am going to miss it here. I was so sure, before coming, that I would just jump on the plane, and not even give a second glance back.... how wrong I was. Like my mom has said multiple times, "I love it here!! Let's not go back!" I'm not sure about the not going back, but I will be leaving a part of my heart here. I hope one day I can come and get it back. It is just so hard to explain! How I wish I could write my feelings down, but there isn't words to describe the life here. Sure, it has had it's downs, but this has become home!
On Thursday, we spent the entire day in Kampala. We had some errands to run in the morning, but once we were finished with those, we headed out to the zoo in Entebbe to meet up with Beth and David. I have to say, I was really impressed with the zoo. We had such a fun time!!! I mean, it's not like in zoo's back home you have monkeys running wild, and zebra's, ostrage's, and antalop all in the same area. That, and the only thing separating you from the lions is a 10ft moat and a 4ft fence... :) not scary at all! Also, we got to ride a camel! Wow... I'm not sure if I would want to ride one frequently. Let me tell you, it's not as easy as it looks. It was still fun though.
As you probably can tell, it has been so much fun!! It is so sad to think of the 4 remaining weeks. I will always treasure these memories and be grateful for this opportunity we had to come to live in Uganda Africa.
Monday, June 20, 2011
So Long, Farewell
If you had asked me a month ago whether or not I would miss school, I would’ve said “No way!” I never thought that I would miss my school. Now that it’s over, I actually miss all of my friends and going into school each morning. Crazy me. ☺
The last week of school flew by! Wednesday and Thursday was Maths day (personally, I think it was a waste of time). We didn’t do anything but play cards and talk. It was so fun! I really have made so many wonderful friends! I am so sad to leave them all!
Friday… our last day of school… we had our awards assembly. I got Highest Honours (I was completely shocked!). That made me happy. I have been stressing about my grades and them transferring (ask my dad). Anyway, after school and all the saying good-byes; Aaron, Liza and I all decided to jump into the pool with our uniforms on. We decided to be rebellious… ☺ My mom took us picture, but she missed on the 1st try, so we had to jump again.
On Saturday morning, I went to Mor’s house. Holy Cow, and I though we had a nice house for Africa. It was like I was in the river bottom’s houses! I had the greatest time with her. We made smoothies, ate cake, ate crackers and cheese, and talked. She is the sweetest person! I absolutely love her!!
A part from school, I spent a lot of the week up at Alyssa's house. I am very sad to see her leave, but I know that she will have such a fun time back in the states. She really has been such a blessing here, I'm not sure if I would've survived. In leaving, she gave me a jewelery box in the shape of Africa. I will miss her so much and look forward to seeing her soon (we have planned a road trip from Seattle to Provo).
Saying good-bye is hard! I am realizing that more and more. Having to say good-bye to all of my school friends, Alyssa, and soon the Buttons has been difficult. It would be in my wildest dreams if I could see them again
. I am continually grateful for this opportunity that we have been able to have. I wish that every single person could have this experience.
The last week of school flew by! Wednesday and Thursday was Maths day (personally, I think it was a waste of time). We didn’t do anything but play cards and talk. It was so fun! I really have made so many wonderful friends! I am so sad to leave them all!
Friday… our last day of school… we had our awards assembly. I got Highest Honours (I was completely shocked!). That made me happy. I have been stressing about my grades and them transferring (ask my dad). Anyway, after school and all the saying good-byes; Aaron, Liza and I all decided to jump into the pool with our uniforms on. We decided to be rebellious… ☺ My mom took us picture, but she missed on the 1st try, so we had to jump again.
On Saturday morning, I went to Mor’s house. Holy Cow, and I though we had a nice house for Africa. It was like I was in the river bottom’s houses! I had the greatest time with her. We made smoothies, ate cake, ate crackers and cheese, and talked. She is the sweetest person! I absolutely love her!!
A part from school, I spent a lot of the week up at Alyssa's house. I am very sad to see her leave, but I know that she will have such a fun time back in the states. She really has been such a blessing here, I'm not sure if I would've survived. In leaving, she gave me a jewelery box in the shape of Africa. I will miss her so much and look forward to seeing her soon (we have planned a road trip from Seattle to Provo).
Saying good-bye is hard! I am realizing that more and more. Having to say good-bye to all of my school friends, Alyssa, and soon the Buttons has been difficult. It would be in my wildest dreams if I could see them again
. I am continually grateful for this opportunity that we have been able to have. I wish that every single person could have this experience.
Cheesecake!!! :)
The last 2 weeks of school were really pointless…. we did absolutely nothing. My mom let us stay home from school on Friday and Monday. On Friday I went with Camera to the clinic. The public transport was very interesting. The taxi’s weren’t as bad as I thought they would be. If you have problems with space and become claustrophobic easily... I’d advice not ever taking a taxi. We stopped at the taxi park in Lugazi to pick up the Help International students. While we were waiting for them, this random guy came up to me. This is what he said, “I want this, this is what I want.” (pointing to me) He kept going on and on about how he wanted to marry me. Wow, first marriage proposal, not exactly how I pictured it. We spent the entire afternoon at the clinic attending a meeting that was in Luganda so we couldn’t understand it. What a day!
On Saturday, there was a wedding at church. It was suppose to start 12, but it didn’t end up starting until 1… totally Ugandan culture…. and lasted until 6. What an experience. We had to leave early because we went to Alyssa’s house for dinner. That was wonderful! They made yummy hamburgers with cheetos! Ahh, I didn’t realize how much I missed the small things like cheetos. Also for dessert, they made cheesecake!! They have heard me rant about how much I miss cheesecake (since the first week here!). It was SO sweet of them! They have been so nice! I am so glad that they have been here!
Monday, we got to stay home! I love my mom! ☺ I didn’t really do anything…. Still it was wonderful! I got to babysit the Scully’s and Button’s with Alyssa. That was really fun. What sweet kids they are!
I can’t believe that we only have another month and ½!!! How time has flown.
On Saturday, there was a wedding at church. It was suppose to start 12, but it didn’t end up starting until 1… totally Ugandan culture…. and lasted until 6. What an experience. We had to leave early because we went to Alyssa’s house for dinner. That was wonderful! They made yummy hamburgers with cheetos! Ahh, I didn’t realize how much I missed the small things like cheetos. Also for dessert, they made cheesecake!! They have heard me rant about how much I miss cheesecake (since the first week here!). It was SO sweet of them! They have been so nice! I am so glad that they have been here!
Monday, we got to stay home! I love my mom! ☺ I didn’t really do anything…. Still it was wonderful! I got to babysit the Scully’s and Button’s with Alyssa. That was really fun. What sweet kids they are!
I can’t believe that we only have another month and ½!!! How time has flown.
Friday, June 3, 2011
"Give me more Jesus"
This week has definitely been an eventful one.
For starters, it was exam week (all of the stress and pressure); I learned so much about the British system (and I thought I had learned a lot from just going to school). I still don't like it.
On Monday, we get to school and we take attendance and then head straight down to the Hall (where are exams were to be held). We all walk into the Hall, and I see row after row of desks and chairs. I have to say that Monday was torture because I had an English exam first (in which I wrote 6 1/2 pages) then I had 2 History exams (in the first one I wrote 7 pages and in the second, I wrote 8). I about lost it at the end. My hand was hurting like crazy! When I got home, I went to the Scully's to babysit. I was there from 5-10:30. Their kids really are the cutest ever! Once I put them to bed, I was starting to fall asleep on the couch. It was the best though because they paid me in a huge bag of twixs! Ahh, they were so good! They literally helped me get through the week.
The rest of the week went ok. I had a math exam on Tuesday that was frustrating. Oh, well. On Wednesday I had another math exam and a physics exam. Thursday I finished it off with Chem and Bio exams. I really don't know what to think of the exams, I guess we'll just have to wait for the results. Only 2 more weeks of school! Yeah!
Yesterday, after we got home from school, we went to see Betty and Paul and their chicks. They were UGLY!! I'm sorry, but they were. They smelt disgusting and their fur was falling out in places! I now know that I don't want baby chicks.
Once we got home I went up to Alyssa's house to hang out (which we haven't been able to do in a while due to exams). I had a BLAST!! We laughed so hard! I think there were times when we both couldn't stop laughing at stupid things. :) What else are friends good for? haha She literally is the best! I am so grateful that she has been here for me! I don't know what I would've done without her! She has been there for me when I needed a friend (especially last night). I am definitely going to miss her when we leaves in 2 weeks. I might just go insane without her!
Today, was a national holiday (Martyr's Day), we didn't have school, thank goodness! We went to Jinja with the other expat family in UCU. It was so much fun! We went to Kingfisher (a super nice resort on lake Victoria) and spent the morning there. We went on a cool boat ride (at first we weren't sure if we would survive) on the Lake and up the Nile a bit. We saw some pretty cool birds and fisher...
Then we went back to the resort and swam. That was fun. I miss swimming for fun. I don't really get that opportunity at school (dang it). After that, we went with Beth and her son Jake to down town Jinja and ate at this really nice Indian restaurant. We then went to all the small shops and bought some things (I got these really cute giraffe and elephant earrings as well as a "My name is not Mzungu" t-shirt). I had so much fun!! I can hardly wait to be out of school for the SUMMER! :)
*If you're confused by the title.... lets just say that the Ugandan people say some pretty funny things
For starters, it was exam week (all of the stress and pressure); I learned so much about the British system (and I thought I had learned a lot from just going to school). I still don't like it.
On Monday, we get to school and we take attendance and then head straight down to the Hall (where are exams were to be held). We all walk into the Hall, and I see row after row of desks and chairs. I have to say that Monday was torture because I had an English exam first (in which I wrote 6 1/2 pages) then I had 2 History exams (in the first one I wrote 7 pages and in the second, I wrote 8). I about lost it at the end. My hand was hurting like crazy! When I got home, I went to the Scully's to babysit. I was there from 5-10:30. Their kids really are the cutest ever! Once I put them to bed, I was starting to fall asleep on the couch. It was the best though because they paid me in a huge bag of twixs! Ahh, they were so good! They literally helped me get through the week.
The rest of the week went ok. I had a math exam on Tuesday that was frustrating. Oh, well. On Wednesday I had another math exam and a physics exam. Thursday I finished it off with Chem and Bio exams. I really don't know what to think of the exams, I guess we'll just have to wait for the results. Only 2 more weeks of school! Yeah!
Yesterday, after we got home from school, we went to see Betty and Paul and their chicks. They were UGLY!! I'm sorry, but they were. They smelt disgusting and their fur was falling out in places! I now know that I don't want baby chicks.
Once we got home I went up to Alyssa's house to hang out (which we haven't been able to do in a while due to exams). I had a BLAST!! We laughed so hard! I think there were times when we both couldn't stop laughing at stupid things. :) What else are friends good for? haha She literally is the best! I am so grateful that she has been here for me! I don't know what I would've done without her! She has been there for me when I needed a friend (especially last night). I am definitely going to miss her when we leaves in 2 weeks. I might just go insane without her!
Today, was a national holiday (Martyr's Day), we didn't have school, thank goodness! We went to Jinja with the other expat family in UCU. It was so much fun! We went to Kingfisher (a super nice resort on lake Victoria) and spent the morning there. We went on a cool boat ride (at first we weren't sure if we would survive) on the Lake and up the Nile a bit. We saw some pretty cool birds and fisher...
Then we went back to the resort and swam. That was fun. I miss swimming for fun. I don't really get that opportunity at school (dang it). After that, we went with Beth and her son Jake to down town Jinja and ate at this really nice Indian restaurant. We then went to all the small shops and bought some things (I got these really cute giraffe and elephant earrings as well as a "My name is not Mzungu" t-shirt). I had so much fun!! I can hardly wait to be out of school for the SUMMER! :)
*If you're confused by the title.... lets just say that the Ugandan people say some pretty funny things
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)