Early weeks ... May and June

My early weeks are a blur now and feel like a luxury as I look back...full of meeting people in linked organisations and learning the routine of the organisation.  Meeting patients such as Gloria who is 21 and HIV positive whose mother had left and whose sister gave up her schooling to look after her sister when Gloria went blind because of CMV ... and now whose Dad wants the two of them to leave. They were really struggling when the palliative care team first met Gloria but now life for the two sisters is much more stable and they have support and do not need the programme in the same way.  In the same day I may meet the Ambassadors from the various embassy's, making courtesy calls, whilst I have time! 

Ian Clarke becoming Mayor of Makindye

In my second week I stood in for Dr Anne who was in France to go to the swearing in ceremony of the local Mayor.  There is a mayor of each district in Kampala and Makindye, where the hopsice is situated has Ian Clarke as Mayor.  It was only as I was on my way that the thought struck me that, 'oh, the British have been advised not to attend any public or political meetings ...' and here I was going to the swearing in of over 40 local councillors and the mayor ... however, this Mayor is an Independent so no one was worried, so I wasn't either!  I felt honoured to be there - it was a big celebration and very few musungu present.  I was made very welcome as representing hospice and was delighted to have the opportunity to meet Ian, who is very down to earth - an Irish citizen as well as a Ugandan citizen and is known for getting things done!  I first knew of him on my first trip back to Uganda in 1998 when I bought his book ''The man with the key is gone!'' which gives a very vivid, humourous, and touching account of coming to Uganda in the late 1980's to work in the infamous Luweero triangle, starting a clinic under a tree.  His next book is as interesting and moving, particularly as I come to Uganda to work in a health setting, ''How deep is this pothole?'' which has more to say politically, reflecting his changing phase of life.

In hospice I have been getting to know the senior team well and other staff, and learning a little Luganda (the language of the Baganda who live in Buganda) .... mwasuze mutya ba ssebo ne banyabo? ... much to the amusement and delight of everyone, including me!  I find the pronunication difficult but the response is so worth the effort!



And on the home front I moved to a second floor apartment - very spacious!  I have a spare bedroom so visitors are welcome and they have started to come.  My first was Baker from Ndekye, who sends greetings to everyone at 'Oasis' who has supported the project over the years.  He is hoping to meet more people from the UK over this year.  Actually, he has done very well - completing his degree, working for BODCO and now he has won a scholarship for three months in the U.S. 

As you can see the views are stunning from my balcony.  I take breakfast there each day ... even I can get up at 6.30am each day to savour these views!