This is my fourth trip back to Uganda
and I am still amazed at the Ugandan people. They are such generous
and happy people. They also have unbelievable patience. Which is not
one of my better virtues. So a definite lesson that I can laern from
them. They seem to take life in stride. You rarely hear any
complaints about anything. Waiting with your family for several hrs
to be seen at the clinic after walking several miles with a baby on
your back, or waiting under the tree for class to start, does not
ever seem to be an issue. The Ugandan people are still so happy and
grateful for every thing. Singing and dancing to celebrate their
blessings is a common theme here.
We finished our Village Health Care
Class. We graduated 6 new people. Five men and one woman. Our classes
consisted of vital sign teaching, (pulse, respirations, and temp)
wound care, hygeine and first aid training. Our students were very
bright. They all came from different villages, and will take back
what they have learned to teach in their own villages and to deliver
basic first aid. They were all given a backpack with first aid
supplies including a stethascope and thermometer.
Upon graduation they were all able to
deliver basic first aid, treat diarrhea with oral rehydration
(including knowing how to make oral hydration solution) understand
basic vital signs including abnormals and all were very aware of good
personal hygeine as well as being able teach hygeine and sanitation.
The class was not only fun to teach but very rewarding. The students
were so eager to learn anything we could teach them. All this was
done through an interpreter. Leigh and I taught this class with the
help of Shandra.
Every day I am thankful for the many
blessings I have received, but also every day I am reminded to slow
down and enjoy the day for the moment. And that "things"
are not what create happiness. Happiness can be obtained by a smile,
a dance, music, family and friends, hope and prayer. These are what
Ugandans are all about and what they remind me of daily.
Brenda Gilmore
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