Follow Ups

Sitting here on my last morning in uganda, trying to organize my life, and thought i would just give a quick update on soft power health, and what they are doing now. A lot of things have changed since i first arrived, both clinic staff and outreach staff have expanded, and in some cases changed. Both the nurses that were at the clinic when i started in october have since left. Jessica and Wilfred are still the driving force behind malaria outreach- but have a lot of trainees and helpers these days, including one named- i kid you not- Julius Ceaser. The malaria outreach program has expanded, doing a lot of work in the iganga district, and further out in kamuli, and even as far as Mbale and Sipi Falls area. (depending on the condition of the roads, these are anywhere from 1-4.5 hour drives). I dont know if i mentioned previously the purchase of a SPH landrover- which has proved invaluable in transporting nets and people- workers and patients around the country. The sales have been so successful, in fact, that SPH is starting to run out of nets. They are hoping to be restocked soon.

Another major change in the clinic is the name of the clinic itself. Due to rising tensions between the greater Soft Power family, and a lot of miscommunication within the Soft Power compound, Jessie decided to rename the clinic The Mukagwa Twekembe Alan Stone Community Health Clinic, partly in honor of her father, recently deceased, who offered SP and Jessie a lot of support. With the paint job the clinic recieved in January, and a new sign for the name, the clinic looks better than ever. The last time i went in to say hello it was super busy, so regardless of the name, the clinic is still doing a lot to help the greater kybirwa/bujagali community.

Annie is still running the show as jessie travels overseas, competing in the kayaking world cup/euro cup. Noone is sure when Jessie will make it back here, and Annie her self is unsure how much longer she is looking to hold this position. She will be here to January, at least, but if anyone is interested in her position, contact annie at annie@softpowerhealth.com .

There have been heaps of new volunteers coming through, some of whom ive met, some i havent. There is a new volunteer from the Foundation for Sustainable Development, (FSD) who has taken over Shannons SHARE (Spreading Hiv/Aids Awareness through Education)- teaching about HIV/AIDS and testing secondary school students in Uganda. My coloring book hasn't been put into circulation yet, but i am hoping it will soon, and i plan on bringing a copy or two back to show some people and maybe do something more with it.

The Family planning is going really well. In addition to educating, the clinic has started to provide injecta plan and pilplan to the village women, which has been really well recieved. We are due to start our second doses in the original villages, and it remains to be seen how the program will continue.

Thats about all for now, ive got to run and go get some last minute things sorted out. Hard to believe its my last day, so thank you all so much for being excited about my coming home- its hard to leave a place that has become a home, and to know people are excited to see you makes all the difference.

Ill put in a second follow up on the Kayak club and Karl and Tara a little later on, and tell you about their new project.