Last 2 Days in Kawete

We treated this 2 year old for malaria, an ear infection and diarrhea.

Giving the medicine and directions to her Mom.

Another toddler with an ear infection. 

She was not happy with my attention.  My patients in St. Louis cry sometimes, too.

I saw this Mother for allergies and ear infections!

This girl had 2 draining ear infections and allergies!

She brought some corn from her garden to thank us for helping her!

The little boy on the left returned after 2 days of treatment for malaria, diarrhea, and sinus/ear infection and his Mom was so happy because his fever and diarrhea were over and he was eating again!  She gigled she was so happy!  I treated his little brother for malaria, too.

I have had an amazing experience as a Pediatrician in Uganda!  On Sunday, we did not open the "office" but I did give a couple of boys some medicine for scalp fungus that I noticed and told some Mom's of infants and toddlers to return on Monday for care.  Sunday as you probably already know was a day of celebration!  We dedicated the School for the people of Kawete!  We heard speeches and had a church service including plays and singing by the Youth Group of Kawete that lasted 5 hours.  This was followed by a great feast!  We had Chicken, Beef and Goat meat with potatoes, rice, greens, beans, plantains and more soda than 500 bottles of soda!  It was fabulous and the food tasted great especially since I was very hungry!  After the festival dancing to African music occurred and I joined in!  It was alot of fun.  I do not have any video to post but I bet someday it will be on YouTube!  I danced with alot of Moms and some young ladies too!  It was fun.  After I was finished I officially declared myself part Ugandan! 

The next day it was back to work with my last few patient visits.  I treated 1 toddler for Malaria, a couple more with allergies/sinus infections. I treated more scalp fungus, too.  I saw and treated about 60 children and adults in my 3 1/2 days.  I could have worked for at least a couple of weeks longer.  We were able to keep the village stocked with lots of medical supplies and I will maintain contact with Violet to address ongoing health needs for the community.  I did share the dream that one day hopefully someone from CCLS-Uganda will one day be a Doctor or Nurse and return to Kawete to care for the children, too!  I feel very blessed by my experience.  I love the people of Kawete and I hope you all do, too!  Please pray for them.  Life is hard in Kawete and yet the children go to school, play, smile and are full of joy just like at CCLS in St. Louis.  God Bless the families of Kawete!

Saturday at the "Office"

It is hot in here and my assistants-Melissa and Violet encouraged me to drink some water!

Infant with mild dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

Toddler with fever and probable malaria.

Boy with scalp fungus and bad eczema on legs

 and arms.

  We have had another good day in Kawete.  Life took on a little slower pace with school being out today.  Alot of the children were at their homes helping their families with home activities.  There was also a one day market about 1 mile from the where lots of selling and buying of food and clothes and other materials occur.  Jonathon Butterfield's blog has amazing photos of this on his blog.  I did not go to the market but stayed at the school to do my clinic.  I saw 3 or 4 children under the age of 3.  One was a 4 month old boy who had what sounded like Rotavirus Diarrhea/Vomiting and Malaria.  We gave the mother a 3 day supply of Pedialyte powder and malaria medicine.  The baby liked the Pedialyte we made in the clinic.  We fed the baby with a small bottle cap-about 1 teaspoon-at a time.  He slurped it up just fine.  I saw more patients with allergies and bronchitis and ear infections and sinus infections.  I also saw some of the children I had seen the 2 days almost all seemed to feel better.  I hope every one gets better.  I have had another great day.  The children are so joyful and fill my heart with joy and gratitude as well!

Pediatrics in Kawete, Uganda

The Nile outside my room

My first patiemt

My second patient-allergies!

Nowe was very thankful.

The patient who had a seizure

The with the enlarged spleen and liver

A friendship bracelet for our new patient

It was another great day in Kawete!  The children the past 2 days have been so welcoming and grateful for all we do and all we bring thanks to CCLS and all the people of St. Louis who contributed.  I have seen 20 to 25 children the past 2 days,  I will be rechecking some of them on Monday to make sure they are getting better before we leave.  I see the children in one of the classrooms in the new school!  Most of the children suffer from allergies and complications like sinus infections, ear infections.  A couple also have asthma.Some also have diarrhea diseases that we treat with an antibiotic.  This is not common in the St. Louis. I saw one child with seizures who actually had a seizure while seeing me.  He is ok now and his exam shows that his brain is ok.  I think he will outgrow them.  I ask you to pray for him.  I also saw a little boy whose spleen and liver are swollen and he also has bronchitis.  I am treating him for Malaria (mosquitos give this germ to people in Africa when they bite then,  It is treatable with medication but you can get it again and again.  The mosquito nets help keep the mosquitos away from children at night.  I hope he gets better fast.  I will see him again on Monday, too.  The children were so fun to talk to but I had to use an interpreter.  I am learning a few medical words in Luganda.  I gave out stickers, candy and the friendship bracelets after I was finished.  The children are so patient.  A visit takes longer because I need a translator.  No parent complains either.  I pray for the health and safety of all the children of the world but now because of this experience I will keep the children of Kawete in my thoughts even more.  I will attach some photos of my clinic and some of the patients.  I will be back tomorrow!

Going to Kawete

I will be opening my 5 day Pediatric Clinic at the Kawete Clinic today!  Hopefully we will be able to solve some of the children's health problems!  I am looking forward to my day.  Last evening I was able to go meet some of the children.  It was amazing!  I will attach some photos.  Have a great day!

In Kampala for Breakfast

Hello from Kampala.  We have arrived safely.  I am now eating breakfast in the hotel's outdoor cafe.  The omelet was delicious and I am about to have some mango fresh off the tree!  Coffee is strong (almost as good as Starbucks!).  It is warm but not too bad.  There are palm trees all over.  People are frfom all over the world here. Peple are from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, United States and of course Uganda! 

Last night on the ride from the airport we passed hundreds of small street front shops, open air markets and restaurants.  We will be heading to Jinja along the Nile River in a couple of hours.  The people are very friendly and welcoming!  I think we will have another great day!

On the way to Uganda!

We are in Detroit wating for the flight to Amsterdam and then to Uganda.  All is well.  We were able to check all the supplies through in St. Louis!  I was worried that the medicine in my 2 bags would weigh too much and that I would have to leave my boots behind!  It rains alot in Uganda this time of year and I do not enjoy mud between my toes anymore.  We have a 4 hour layover here then off to Amsterdam.  We are there til 10AM then off to Uganda!  I am excited, to say the least.  I miss my wife and children so if you see them tell them I love them!  I have already texted them, Skyped them and called them.

Our Medical Mission to Uganda

I am very excited and anxious to go to Uganda next week.   I have received emails about 31 children who are suffering from differnet common infections in Kawete.  I hope to be able to help them recover or at least alleviate their suffering.   Malaria seems to be the most common illness.  It is caused by a microscopic parasite that lives in mosquitos.  When they bite you it gets into your blood and makes you fill like you have the "flu".  It causes fever, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting and if left untreated can kill. Hopefully, with medicine I am bringing thanks to CCLS and Concordia Lutheran Church members, I will be able to cure the children.  I am also bringing lots of other medicines for things like ear infections, pink eye, sinus infections, pneumonia and skin infections that I plan to use for all the children of Kawete.  I appreciate all the support and prayers as I go to Uganda.  I will post daily reports on our Adventure.