I spent my last day of the trip in Addis Ababa. I had a 24 hour layover and just relaxed at the hotel. I also made sure to have my favorite food-Ethiopian! I am pleased to report that Chicago's version is authentic. The long flight back wasn't too bad as I had the entire row to myself and could stretch out. We stopped to refuel in Dublin and I watched the sunrise over my ancestral home. Coming in to Chicago was a wonderful feeling and I am so happy to be home. I love this city and my place in it.
After dropping my luggage at home and treating myself to a mani/pedi, I met my sweet nephew Enzo for the first time. I love him so much.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Final week in Africa
Last Monday, I spent the day with the team from Gardens for Health. GH is a small non-profit that operates a 5 acre farm and nutrition program outside of Kigali. I met the country director Solomon at a conference last year and was thrilled to be able to see their work during this trip. The farm is a beautiful and productive testing ground for their work improving nutrition and preventing malnutrition in the communities they serve. On the farm they grow a variety of crops including mushrooms, fruit trees, amaranth, kale, sweet potato and corn. They share cuttings and seeds with the families they work with and also sell some of their produce to local hotels and restaurants for income. They also use the farm to test agricultural techniques to improve crop yield during the dry season.
In the community, GH staff partner with community health workers to enroll families at risk for malnutrition in a multi-week course on nutrition, cooking practices, healthy pregnancy, and sanitation and hygiene. GH created the One Pot, One Hour initiative which has been adopted by the Rwandan Ministry of Health. This is an intervention which teaches families how to make a nutritious, balanced and low cost meal using one cooking pot and time saving cooking techniques. I accompanied the GH staff on home visits with women who recently graduated from the course. One mother discussed how she learned the importance of prenatal care through the course and noticed a difference in both her health and her second child's health as a result of receiving more frequent care during her pregnancy. Another mother proudly showed off her chunky, happy infant and described the nutritional improvements she has made for her family as a result of her enrollment in the program.
Local people are hired and trained to run activities on the farm. These folks are tending to the fruit tree nursery. |
The community table on the farm where the team shares a delicious meal together everyday. |
Entrance to Butaro Hospital |
Friday, June 8, 2018
The beauty and complexity of Kigali
Hello everyone!
It is hard to believe that my time in Africa is drawing to a close. The last two weeks have gone by so quickly! I am tired and a bit homesick, but also deeply grateful for and energized by this rich and invaluable experience. I have developed a much deeper understanding of the work supported by the Global Health Committee and built important relationships with potential new partners. My educational goals were exceeded in my time with Omni Med and I am hopeful that my final project will be a useful tool for them to use as they think about their strategic direction over the next few years. Personally I have been moved beyond measure by what I have seen here; the great challenges brought by extreme poverty as well as the incredible perseverance and ingenuity of the people who live here. I have also been heartened by the successes of the organizations (large and small) who work so hard to support those in need.
After I left Uganda last Saturday, I flew to Kigali for a few days. Kigali feels a world away from Kisoga and even Kampala. It is a very cosmopolitan city whose relative wealth, compared to its neighbors, is very apparent. I stayed at the Marriott which even by Chicago standards was luxurious. I'll admit to taking two hot showers the day of my arrival! Here again I was reminded of my privilege; moving seamlessly from bucket showers to high end toiletries. That said, I very much enjoyed my stay and appreciated the chance to relax and regroup.
On Sunday, I took a guided city tour which took us all over and provided a great glimpse into the city and Rwandan culture. The day ended at the Genocide Memorial. In 1994, over 1 million Rwandans were systematically murdered by their neighbors in the span of 100 days. The slaughter was encouraged by the government at the time and targeted at a maligned minority group. In addition to the 1 million killed, over 2 million fled the country. Eventually, Paul Kagame (Rwanda's current president), leading a rebel group, stopped the slaughter. The country was devastated by the trauma, which makes it all the more remarkable the gains that Rwanda has made since that time. 63% of Rwanda's parliament is female; life expectancy has doubled; 91% of the population is enrolled in the government health system; and GDP growth is 7% per year. I asked several Rwandans what they felt accounted for this astonishing recovery and all attributed it to political will and a strong government.
There is poverty in Kigali to be sure and country continues to struggle with high rates of maternal and child death and non-communicable diseases. That said, it was a good reminder (especially for an American) that Africa is not just one thing or one place, but rather a collection of beautiful countries with unique histories, cultures, challenges and successes.
It is hard to believe that my time in Africa is drawing to a close. The last two weeks have gone by so quickly! I am tired and a bit homesick, but also deeply grateful for and energized by this rich and invaluable experience. I have developed a much deeper understanding of the work supported by the Global Health Committee and built important relationships with potential new partners. My educational goals were exceeded in my time with Omni Med and I am hopeful that my final project will be a useful tool for them to use as they think about their strategic direction over the next few years. Personally I have been moved beyond measure by what I have seen here; the great challenges brought by extreme poverty as well as the incredible perseverance and ingenuity of the people who live here. I have also been heartened by the successes of the organizations (large and small) who work so hard to support those in need.
After I left Uganda last Saturday, I flew to Kigali for a few days. Kigali feels a world away from Kisoga and even Kampala. It is a very cosmopolitan city whose relative wealth, compared to its neighbors, is very apparent. I stayed at the Marriott which even by Chicago standards was luxurious. I'll admit to taking two hot showers the day of my arrival! Here again I was reminded of my privilege; moving seamlessly from bucket showers to high end toiletries. That said, I very much enjoyed my stay and appreciated the chance to relax and regroup.
On Sunday, I took a guided city tour which took us all over and provided a great glimpse into the city and Rwandan culture. The day ended at the Genocide Memorial. In 1994, over 1 million Rwandans were systematically murdered by their neighbors in the span of 100 days. The slaughter was encouraged by the government at the time and targeted at a maligned minority group. In addition to the 1 million killed, over 2 million fled the country. Eventually, Paul Kagame (Rwanda's current president), leading a rebel group, stopped the slaughter. The country was devastated by the trauma, which makes it all the more remarkable the gains that Rwanda has made since that time. 63% of Rwanda's parliament is female; life expectancy has doubled; 91% of the population is enrolled in the government health system; and GDP growth is 7% per year. I asked several Rwandans what they felt accounted for this astonishing recovery and all attributed it to political will and a strong government.
There is poverty in Kigali to be sure and country continues to struggle with high rates of maternal and child death and non-communicable diseases. That said, it was a good reminder (especially for an American) that Africa is not just one thing or one place, but rather a collection of beautiful countries with unique histories, cultures, challenges and successes.
View of Kigali |
Eric takes us to a "milk bar". Cows are cultural currency in Rwanda and highly revered. Sharing a glass of milk together is an important custom. The pastries were amazing! |
A delicious Rwandan lunch. Similar to Ugandan food but spicier. |
We took a water taxi from this dock--just like Chicago! |
Eternal flame at the memorial |
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
My final week in Uganda
My last week with Omni Med was full and rewarding. On Tuesday, we went into the field to accompany VHTs on home visits and learn more about the challenges that the families they work with are faced with, especially when it comes to sanitation and hygiene. Many families cannot afford to construct a pit latrine (approximately $400) even though it is one of the best prevention tools against diarrheal diseases. VHTs take a harm reduction approach for these families and encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water and use proper cleaning and food preparation techniques to minimize the spread of disease.
VHT talking with a community member about the importance of sanitation and hygiene. |
Adult male circumcision is a very common procedure at Kojja as it has been shown to be effective in the prevention of HIV |
Main building of the health center |
Friday night I had dinner with the folks from LifeNet International. Working in Burundi, DRC and Uganda, LifeNet provides training, coaching and technical assistance to health clinics to assist them in improving their clinical and administrative practices. They design a curriculum that fits the specific needs of each center and works with them over a several year period to strengthen everything from accounting practices to hygiene protocols. I really enjoyed learning more about this work from Josh, LifeNet's Country Director for Uganda and his wife Nadine, over a delicious chicken curry at a rooftop restaurant overlooking busy Kampala. A far cry from rural Kisoga!
I said goodbye to Uganda on Saturday and flew into Kigali to begin the next leg of my journey. I'll share more soon about the wonderful experience I have been having in beautiful Rwanda!
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Happy Birthday!
Good morning everyone!
It has been a busy few days since leaving Kisoga on Friday. I am in Kigali, Rwanda now and have much to report. But, I'll do that later when I get back from spending the day with Gardens for Health.
I want first to wish a very happy birthday to two of my favorite people who share this day. Today my mother Liz turns 82 and my nephew Joaquin turns 12. I still remember the first time I held him. I miss you both and hope you have a wonderful and fun filled day! Much love to both of you!
More soon!
It has been a busy few days since leaving Kisoga on Friday. I am in Kigali, Rwanda now and have much to report. But, I'll do that later when I get back from spending the day with Gardens for Health.
I want first to wish a very happy birthday to two of my favorite people who share this day. Today my mother Liz turns 82 and my nephew Joaquin turns 12. I still remember the first time I held him. I miss you both and hope you have a wonderful and fun filled day! Much love to both of you!
More soon!
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