Safari, Paul's, Ambassador

We returned from safari healthy yesterday.  Lisa and I also were able to go sailing on a 32' sailboat in Lake Victoria with an American businessman.  It was wonderful and relaxing.  Last night Dr. Paul invited our group to his rental house where we were treated to a white linen catered meal and chocolate cake.  The U.S. Ambassador has posted our pictures on his facebook page, so look it up and like them.  More later.

Burns Dinner and safari

Friday evening a large group of the team went to downtown Kampala for a Burns Dinner.  Whereever you are in the world, Scots celebrate the birthday of Robert Burns on January 25th.   The Burns Dinner in Kampala is put on by Scots and it has wonderful food (haggis, tatties, neeps, cockaleaky soup), entertainment (poetry readings and bagpiping), and scottish dancing.  This year I had the honor of saying the Selkirk Grace before the meal.  It ended up being a late night and early morning for some.  The buses left for safari at 6:30AM and some of us didn't return to Mildmay until 3AM.  Lisa, Jodi, Janelle, and I are currently on a short safari to the Haven which is a lodge on the Nile overlooking some beautiful rapids.  Lisa and I rode english saddled thoroughbreds to the resort for a 4 hour ride.  Another ride back in the morning and a day of rest as we wait for the others to return from safari Monday evening.  Monday evening we are also going to Dr. Paul's familiy's house near Mildmay for dinner.  I will post more pictures as I can.  More on Tuesday.

Day 5 of clinic . . .10 years

Day 5 marked the end of our first week of clinic.  We were planning on working a half day and ended up seeing 35 patients.  This put us over 250 patients for the week.  With a reduced team and only half returning team members, it was a very successful week.  We only worked a half day because Mildmay wanted to celebrate our 10th year as a mission.  At 2:30 the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda arrived at our clinic in a bulletproof car with the American flag waving on the fender.  He was a very friendly man and he is originally from Minnesota!  He greeted us all with a handshake and said he was very proud of our team and what we accomplish.  After a photo-op (which the Ambassador said would be posted on the Embassy website) we all went to the chapel building where there were speeches by the Ambassador,  the Director of Mildmay, and Dr. Paul.  Paul and Bob were also given an award for our team.  The event ended with a beautiful cake and cold soft drinks.  It was an honor for all of us.

Day 4

Day 4 was another great day.  We were closer to our target goal of 50, seeing 62 patients.  These children came from a further distance having to travel, having to wake up at 4:30AM to catch the bus.    The children were great and there was a three year old that touched our hearts as he was a smooth dancer.   Everyone is healthy and we ended the day with some of the group going downtown for scottish dancing.  Today we will have a shortened day with seeing 28 and will be blessed with a presentation in honor of our 10th anniversary as a mission.  The U.S. Ambassador and CDC officials will be present.  After this, some of us will be going Scottish dancing where I will be giving the Selkirk Grace.  More on Sunday....

Day 3

Day three started well.  We were expecting 50 people from an outlying village and 8 Mildmay children.  To our surprise 60 arrived from the outlying village and 12 came from Mildmay.  Though it  was a big number for our smaller group, we made it through.  Today we prioritized by age and then Rachael did a triage of the patients.  It made a big difference and we were able to finish by 6:30.  It was another successful day.  Everyone is safe and well.

Some photos from camp

Monday in clinic

Everyone had a good rest on Sunday and we were ready for clinic on Monday.  Some of us went to  church, while the majority of us went horseback riding by the Nile.  It was an amazing ride, riding through native villages and being greeted by "Mzungu (white person) I am fine, how are you?"  The horses were in great shape and the scenery unforgettable.
Monday's clinic started a little late and ended an hour after dark at 8:30.  It was a very tiring day but everyone was healthy and safe and we saw 45 patients.
Tuesday was another successful day as we found our rhythm in clinic.  We saw 49 patients and were able to finish by 6:30.  We are meshing as a unit and are ready for another good day.  Weather is 83 and sunny :-).