Day 17

Our last day in Uganda (can't believe it). Even Christopher says the time has gone fast.
We have the most incredible and amazing morning. We have attended the Easter Sunday service on Condemned (death row). This is probably the best experience any of us have ever had. We were given the opportunity to speak and it was a great honour to be able to do so. We have really been embraced into the 'condemned family'. These men consider themselves to be our brothers and treat us with such respect that we feel so very humbled.
This morning I was greeted by a 19 year old called Nicholas who had made me a present. He spoke no english and everything he said had to be translated through an interpreter. Anyway, he presented me with a leather wallet that he had made and decorated himself (last night), on it he had embroidered 'Catherine you mean so much to us' - so, yes you guessed it - I cried.
Then Ambrose, who I had spoken to yesterday came and presented a card that he had made from the Fine Art Club, to say thank you for all we had done. Oh dear - I cried again!
Honestly, I feel so small compared to these men who are so inspiring and motivated.
The service was just fantastic we sang 4 songs with them and were able to harmonise with their brilliant harmonies. The hymns were:
Man of Sorrows
What a Friend
Amen (Just like we sing it in choir)
This is the day
There was clapping and jumping and dancing - what I find amazing is how these men, condemned to die can be so full of praise and thanks to God. Wow!

So, we have achieved a lot in our time here and also learnt a lot. Its been inspiring and incredibly motivating for all of us.
At times we have been frustrated because we haven't been able to do all we wanted but then doors have opened that have given us different opportunities.
We have spoken to many people about palliative care, their needs and experiences. We have trained prison guards and prisoners in order that they may now spread their knowledge to others.
We have spent time doing art and music.
We have visited health establishments, large prisons, small prisons, mens and womens.
We have travelled to the north of this beautiful country, to the east and to central regions.

All of feel us privileged to have this opportunity and cannot wait to come back to see our friends. Thank you to all of you who have communicated with us while we have been away or who have prayed for us and given us encouragement and resources and equipment to bring with us. We shall see you all in the UK very soon and apologise in advance if we bore you with our stories.

Lots of love

Catherine and Christopher xx (Sorry about the hair - it is rather breezy!)

Day 16

Amazing and completely humbling morning.
We have spent some hours today in the Condemned Section (Death Row) at Luzira Prison. Completely humbling because the inmates had been told we were coming and were waiting to greet us with real excitement. Something that obviously doesn't happen all that often!!
So, Jackson, Patrick, Ambrose, Stanley, Christopher, Julius and  Francis have just topped our stay in Uganda with their welcome and enthusiasm at seeing us again. Since we last visited them, several of their number have been released or transferred to other prisons, which, of course, is the most incredible thing. They have also undertaken several courses of study including business studies, book binding and law. Its incredible how they do not sit around even though they have been condemned to die. This morning there was group counselling where the inmates were being encouraged to talk about their feelings and what could be done to help them. I was fortunate enough to have the time to advise and give information to Francis regarding nutrition in HIV/Aids patients. Plus, I had a long discussion with Stanley who, before he entered prison, had been plagued with migraines. Interestingly, since he has been in condemned, he has had no migraines at all. He puts this down to the family atmosphere and having time and encouragement to complete studies and activities that he didn't have the opportunity to undertake before. Its hard to believe, if you haven't been there, the atmosphere and the camaraderie that exists in such a place. Their living conditions are very difficult, so cramped, 3 toilets to 300 men, the washing facilities are a tap on the wall and there is only one meal a day. But this is the most genuinely friendly and welcoming place that I have ever been to. It a place that stays with all of us in our hearts wherever we are.
In the words of Ambrose - condemned for military underperformance - 'Every cloud has a silver lining and I have found my silver lining here. Learning new skills and being given opportunities that I didn't know existed.' - Wow - how fantastic to see the positive in such a situation.

I am now getting a little worried that some of the people I have spoken to here have the gift of prophesy. I had sort of forgotten that the Rev Fred had suggested I buy land here and become a banana farmer, until this morning when one of the condemned prisoners suggested the same thing. Now strangely, for the first time ever, I have managed to get a tan - the prisoners suggested that because I was looking more Ugandan, I should move here and buy land and farm it - WHAT IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!! It looks like I am destined for great curved yellow things in life!

Tomorrow - Easter Sunday - and we will again be on death row to celebrate with them at the morning worship service. This is so poignant and will be a truly blessed day for us.

I am not so sure how blessed the goats and the chickens are feeling though. Tomorrow they will be accompanying us and will be facing the death penalty! I am just hoping that we are not the ones to perform the execution. We are also taking with us sacks of onions, tomatoes, millet flour, rice and
pineapples - I feel like some sort of derranged Delia Smith!

                                          Mmmmmm - Stew!

Tomorrow is our last day here. I cannot believe how fast the time is going. I hate to declare this but we are all, already, really looking forward to coming back again!

One more blog tomorrow.

Lots of love

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 15

Yesterday we met some really interesting people. Professor Jenny Hamilton was here from the International Distance Learning programme at the University of London. When we were here in Uganda last August we brought with us application forms for distance learning programmes from all sorts of places. Since then one of the condemned prisoners has signed up to do a law degree via the University of London and Jenny had come out here to meet him, bring some books and generally offer some support. I so admire this mans determination. In the evening we had dinner with his wife who has been supporting him and trying to get his case to appeal for the last 10 years. His story is awful - having been framed for a crime he didn't commit. Even though the authorities are aware of who did it (this other man is on the run) they have little evidence. In the meantime he is studying law in the hope that it will benefit his own case and that of other prisoners - amazing!

The neighbours children yesterday, fascinated by the Muzungus (white people) sitting on the balcony!

Today, we have had a really interesting and productive day (not that all the others haven't been of course!). We again visited Murchison Bay Prison Hospital to carry on our discussions with the medical staff there regarding the provision of palliative care. The staff are very frustrated and, in their own words, stressed. They understand the concepts of palliative and holistic care but just don't have the first idea of how to put it into practice. They have little or no support and find caring for dying patients very stressful. They often have patients who die in a lot of pain as they don't how to help them. Nutrition is non existent - the patients diet consists wholly of beans and millet porridge. One of the nurses explained her frustration at trying to get that down a naso-gastirc tube!!! From my own experience I would say it was practically impossible, yet they water it down to try and get something into the patient. There are little resources yet they are very proud of their hospital. It is neat and tidy and very ordered.
Prisoners die in Murchison Bay Hospital all the time, usually from illnesses such as HIV/Aids and Cancer. Often their symptoms are not addressed and this is basically down to a lack of knowledge.
Today, there were two nurses on duty for the whole hospital (122 patients and an outpatients running) and three doctors.
We spent some time with them going through our workbook and palliative care toolkit and explaining how to undertake a holistic assessment of a patient, for which they were so grateful. Again, it is only a small beginning, but the idea is that they start to impart their knowledge to the carers and attendants on the wards, so that gradually, what is a new concept and way of working, will become 'the norm'.
It makes me so grateful for where I work. We have so much, compared to their so little.
We should be very thankful.

Condemned Section (Death row), Luzira Prison - where we will be spending Saturday and Sunday.

Tomorrow and Sunday we will be spending our time in the Condemned Section of Luzira Prison.
The prisoners have been told we are coming and are excited by the prospect!!!!!
Rather scarily (!) 14 chickens have just been delivered which are dinner for the prisoners on Easter Sunday. Apparently, Christopher, Daphne and I have to take them with us to the prison tomorrow. Oh, did I mention that they are still alive?!!!!!!!

Easter Sunday lunch for the prisoners!!

Lots of love

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 14

Last night in Kampala - so beautiful.

Another exciting and varied day today!
We had to travel into Central Kampala this morning as we had a meeting with Mrs Nanfuka of the Ugandan Prison Service. She is basically the lady who will allow certain things to happen in the prisons or not. We had to talk with her about why our permission letters had taken so long and the importance of our work here. It was a good meeting and she now recognises and understands the importance of palliative care for prisoners with life limiting illnesses.
On the way there we encountered yet another so called 'peaceful' demonstration. One of the MPs had decided to walk to work in protest of the high cost of transport. He was tear gassed and arrested by the police and has been thrown into prison. Seconds after we had let the area the police let off many tear gas cylinders and two people (we believe them to be police) were killed. Much of kampala has been tear gassed today - but we are still safe and well. It seems we are managing to dodge the trouble spots but only by the skin of our teeth!

Following our meeting with Mrs Nanfuka we went to visit the medical staff at Murchison Bay Prison Hospital. This meeting was to introduce ourselves and to discuss their palliative care training needs. Tomorrow we will be training some of the prisoners who act as Ward Attendants in the care of patients (other prisoners) with end of life needs. We were introduced to a male patient with a suspected brain tumour, who is blind, partially deaf and has a severely misshapen skull due to the enormous mass that is sitting to one side of his brain. The staff are unsure how to care for him and are seeking our support and help. This is just one example of the role of the African Prisons Project in healthcare in prisons, so we will be able to do some theoretical as well as practical training.

This afternoon the APP Palliative Care Committee (Daphne, myself and a british doctor called Hannah) met to plan a needs assessment in prisons across Uganda. This is an exciting opportunity to influence and develop palliative care provision across the country and we are looking forward to developing a robust action plan that can form part of both the Prison and Healthcare strategies for Uganda.

Artwork from Luzira Womens Prison - session co-ordinated by Christopher.

We are still having an absolutely amazing time. But are missing certain things from home - of course friends and family; but we are missing chocolate so much. One of the house staff has just ventured out to buy us some!! We were beginning to dream of chocolate (so sad and just so predictable).

Take care everyone.

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 13

Well, I cannot believe we are Day 13 already - so much has happened and we have been involved in so many things.
So, this morning we went to the Luzira Womens Prison. Last August we visited there to take the knitting group (!!!) but this time we took an art class which somehow turned into a music class - well you know me, always take an opportunity to start a choir!! It was fabulous - approx 60 women in the class. The prisons here all encourage education at every level, from primary to university standard. The education system here is very different from the UK. For a start you have to pay, so if one year you cannot afford the fees it means that school year is on hold until you can. Of course, some people can never afford to go to school at all. The class we took this morning was at Primary levels 1-6. The women were so receptive, keen to participate and very motivated. Just because they are prisoners doesn't mean that they just sit around all day - they are desperate for things to do and getting an education that they have missed out on can be very important.
Our class was mixed with prisoners of all ages and all levels of conviction from remand, those with short sentences, those in for life and those condemned to death. The art went very well and we have some amazing pictures to bring home for our exhibition in the summer.
If a women has a child under the age of two when she is admitted to Luzira Womens Prison that child is admitted with her. Currently there are 10 children and we met a very gorgeous little girl called Linda who quite happily participated in our class.
Now, I am sure that teachers in the UK do not get asked to sing to their students whilst they are busy working - but we did. Christopher was a bit mortified but soon got into the rhythm! It was amazing to sing with these women whose harmonies are so beautiful.
Daphne and I also managed to spend some time talking to the O.C (Officer in Charge) about Palliative Care and explaining our training manual. This was a very beneficial meeting as this was the first time anyone had gone in specifically to discuss what happens with their dying patients. She was so grateful that she almost grabbed my hand off. So training is now set up there for medical staff, warders and prisoners which is wonderful and a great step forward.

I tried to put a picture in here of a piece of the artwork from the prison but unfortunately it didn't work - sorry!

This afternoon we visited Kigo Womens Prison to deliver art supplies to them. Over the next few days they will also be completing pictures for our exhibition. Kigo is a very small prison with only 46 prisoners, including 4 children. The atmosphere there is very different as most of women also work on the prison farm. This can mean that they are very tired a lot of the time, so it will be interesting to see what their pictures are like.

Hope you are all well.

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 12

Wow - sometimes we think we are too busy and/or short staffed to cope with the amount of work we have but today we have spent the morning working with 'The Aids Support Organisation' (TASO) in Kampala. One clinic this morning - 250 patients booked in and another 30 who turned up on the off chance of being seen. No-one is turned away so everybody gets an appointment!!
In the early 1980's there were 38% of the Ugandan population suffering from HIV/Aids. That is now down to only 6%, however that percentage hasn't changed for the last 4 years. It seems that Ugandans have become complacent about the disease, not fearing it so much, as treatment is widely available and the stigma of having the virus has largely been eradicated.
TASO is an incredible place, people were absolutely everywhere, waiting for blood tests, then to see the doctor, then to have counselling. People on benches, on beds, on the floor, on the grass. 2 nurses, 2 doctors and 4 counsellors.
But, people were happy to wait as they knew that would be receiving good care and advice and free treatment. This service is set up primarily for the poor. Rich people can get treatment easily in one of the many private clinics.
It was a fascinating morning, we learnt much about the development of the virus in Uganda, its treatment and how treatment can be accessed by people in the remotest tribes. TASO has the main clinic in Kampala and then 10 other satellites around Uganda.
More importantly though we managed to get a good link to the World Food Programme (WFP) and as a result of that contact and in my capacity as a Palliative Care Advisor to APP, I have now applied to WFP for access to food for prisoners who are suffering from HIV/Aids. At the moment the prisoners in the condemned section have just one bowl of food (maize porridge) per day which they then try and spread out across three meals. It is not nutritious and doesn't help in the recovery from illness or wound healing, which as most of us know, requires a good healthy diet. So, hopefully we will get some results/advice from this application. It would be an amazing development and improvement for the prisoners if it were to happen.

Well the good news is that our permission letters have finally arrived. Tomorrow we will be in Women's Prisons all day (Luzira in the morning and Kigo in the afternoon). Christopher will be undertaking art with the Women and Children and Daphne and I will be training and discussing issues around palliative care.

Fortunately for us all, a much more peaceful day (no tear gas or bullets) - Thank You God!

Kampala yesterday evening - a sign of hope and promise.

We have sent many messages to our friends in the UK but it appears we are unable to receive text messages back. If you have texted us - please don't be offended if we haven't replied. We are, however, receiving e-mail, can access facebook and can see comments on the blog - it would be so good to hear from some of you.
We are missing you.

Catherine and Christopher xx

Days 10 and 11

So, how has your day been today? Normally my day is very run of the mill. Most things that happen I am expecting to happen. When the unusual occurs it is really not that unusual.
Yesterday, for example, was exactly as we were expecting it. Fairly relaxed, doing some work on the creation of a set of quality standards for the African Prisons Project - sounds like any normal day at Fair Havens really. Audit, statistics, problem solving, risk assessment - my life!

Apart from the current protests about price rises, Uganda is normally a very peaceful country. It has a real beauty about it. The people are happy and friendly. It's safe.

Today, we set off to go to the Joy Hospice in Mbale near to Jinja. The first 15 minutes of the journey were great ...........
Firstly, we heard people shouting, then vehicles racing in the opposite direction, people running and pouring water over their faces, shots sounding - a tear gas attack had happened in the road literally 10 cars in front of us. Robert, our driver, swung the car around and drove so fast out of the area that we were pinned to our seats.
So, determined not to be put off by a bit of warfare, we decided to try another route .......... same thing again! Another route ........... same thing, more tear gas, more shots. Four times, we tried to get out of Kampala but to no avail.
Our poor driver, desperate not to let us down tried every route he could think of. Although at one point I do believe Christopher was quite excited at the prospect of being tear gassed!! Sad boy - obviously doesn't have enough excitement in his life!
We have driven through slums high in the hills, where women were earning tiny amounts of money by breaking up stones from the quarries. Children had no clothes. People living in mud and cow dung houses, with only a tin roof and a curtain for a door. The smells were awful. There were roads that I wouldn't have risked taking my 4x4 down, yet we drove down them in a small toyota corolla (bit bumpy). Needless to say, we eventually had to make the decision to go back to Kampala
We are very lucky - God has kept us safe today and has shown us how fortunate we are to live where we do. That we have nice, safe homes, clothes and plenty to eat. That we have good jobs / school and lovely people to work with. Wonderful friends. We are so fortunate, we don't deserve to complain about anything and we shall certainly think twice before we do in the future. Whilst we are doing this blog (back at APP house), there is smoke rising in the distance and sirens have started sounding, so it may all be getting closer. Oh well - time to close the windows!!!!

Lots of love

Catherine and Christopher xx

Sorry no piccies today - had to keep the camera safely hidden!

Days 8 and 9

Yesterday I learnt 4 things:
1. To keep your butt well clear of Mutatoos (Taxis) - had a close shave with one!
2. That Ugandans have time and we have watches! They say they have 25 hours in the day which is why they can take their time with everything.
3. That I definitely could not live in a mud hut (far too basic)
and 4. That I have started to think in a Ugandan accent and Christopher has started to sing in one - so, so funny. It seems we adapt very well to the environment we are in.

My new house!

Sorry about not blogging yesterday, we had another storm that shut off the wireless network.

The frustrating thing is that our permission letters have still not arrived to allow us access to the Luzira prisons. It appears that the current unrest here is what is holding them up. Security tightens in the prison system when this type of thing takes place - they become much more cautious. 3 more people were killed yesterday in Gulu, where we were only a few days ago. Anyway, we would rather be safe than sorry and we have still achieved an awful lot without having to go to the Luzira complex.
We have discovered, although it is probably unsurprising, that there is very little medical support for the smaller, more rural prisons. That their needs are far more basic - sanitation, nutrition, diversional activities and access to medical equipment and healthcare training are probably the most important. We have managed to advise of some healthcare issues and introduced the concept of palliative care to people who have never heard of it before. This is just a tiny drop in the ocean and there is so much more to do. But, we have been encouraged by the innovations that we have seen - counselling, volleyball and football matches between the prisoners, prison clinics holding health awareness sessions for prisoners to name but a few. These people are desperate to learn more and it is a real honour to be part of this. Its amazing really, we thought we were coming with one objective but it is clear that we are being taken in a slightly different direction that is even more beneficial to the people with most need.
Next week promises to be very busy - we are hoping to get back into Mulago Hospital on Monday. For those of you who followed us last time, you will know the complete dreadfulness of Mulago. For the last few months Mulago has closed its doors to foreign volunteers but we have managed to secure an appointment with the HIV/Aids team there on Monday. Please pray that this will be able to go ahead and that we will be able to secure some useful contacts that will enable some palliative training in the hospital to proceed in the future.

The fact that we haven't been able able to get into Luzira this weekend means that we have another weekend off - ho hum! So, today we went to Jinja, with Robert who is the Counsellor here at APP.
Jinja is a beautiful old colonial town that happens to lay claim to being the source of the Nile River. Now, those of you who remember our trip last time or who know me well will remember my yearning for a Nile Cruise - it still hasn't been realised!

Then we went shopping in the Market - not quite Waitrose!

Christopher has formed a new band!

Afro boy!

Robert, Daphne and Catherine at Jinja

Will blog again on Monday.

Take care everyone.

Catherine and Christopher xx

Days 6 and 7

Were back again!
Sorry we could not post anything yesterday - there was no access to the internet!

For those of you who have seen the news, we just want to start by saying that we are ok and safe. There are riots all around Kampala today. People are protesting because of the sudden rise in the cost of living (sound familiar?) The prison that we visited on Day 5 (Tuesday) - Kasangati, is in the centre of the worst riots. The police there were using tear gas to try and separate the rioters but ended up resorting to shooting to kill. Fortunately we are no-where near this today. We did drive through an area today, on our way to another prison, where the traders were all out on the streets and shouting, there was a huge police presence and we were perfectly safe. On the way back it had all dispersed.

So then, thank you for all the messages of concern we have received. Its good to know that everyone is thinking and praying for us.
Please especially pray for our mosquito bites - the latest count is Christopher 57 and Catherine 11. Daphne hasn't counted hers but has plenty. Not only are they a bit itchy, they are also slightly unsightly. I have one on my neck (is there such a thing as vampire mosquitos?) Anyway the mosquitos around here are now all lazily full of our blood!

Two of Christpher's bites!

Our trip to Gulu, on Tuesday, was long (6 hours)! We past through some incredibly isolated areas. Villages of mud huts and outside cooking fires. We didn't see a brick building for approximately 4 hours.

We stayed at the Acholi Inn in Gulu town which was nice, if a bit basic. To Christopher's delight, it had the noisiest air conditioning I have ever come across!
Gulu is a developing town in northern Uganda. Until 3 years ago it was an inhospitable area with rebels, making it out of reach to most visitors. People still live in mud built huts and most of the roads are unmade. However, there is now a hospital and a police station, the national bank of uganda and several petrol stations. There is very little work available but people use their initiative to try and make a living. There are many street vendors who sell almost anything you can imagine: pineapples, tomatoes, flip flops, ground nuts, brooms, fly spray, hair rollers and beds!!! I really admire their get up and go - I could not imagine Christopher (or myself for that matter) getting out of bed in the morning to go and sell fly spray and hair rollers from the back of a bicycle - awesome!

Gulu Town

On Wednesday morning we had a lovely open air breakfast - flies everywhere (should have bought the fly spray after all!!), but you get used to them and at least they don't bite. It was stifling hot (even at 9 in the morning and, yes, I had to take my cardigan off!) Then we went off to visit the Health Centre III at Gulu Prison. This health centre is just outside of the prison gates and the building was paid for by the African Prisons Project (APP). They see both prisoners and the public, mainly people with malaria and HIV but also dysentery, malnutrition and TB. We spent some time with the doctor from the Red Cross and with the prison doctor and the medical staff, met a family whose little girl was being tested for malaria and toured the on-site laboratory. The biggest problem here is access to drugs and equipment - basically there isn't any. The doctors were very encouraged to hear about our work and were almost in tears with gratitude for our support, advice and help. There was really very little that we could practically, do, only being there for a day and it felt hard leaving them. These are people with such pride in their work, we can learn so much from their attitude.

Gulu Health Centre III

Drugs cupboard!

On visiting inside the individual women's and mens prisons it was encouraging to see much going on in the way of support for the prisoners, whatever their needs. We spent some time with the HIV / Aids welfare team who were undertaking a routine testing that day on approximately 70 prisoners known to have the virus. We also met the psychiatric nurse and social worker who, as you can imagine are kept very busy. It was also amazing to witness a group counselling sessions and many individual counselling sessions taking place. How amazing that all these things can take place in such awful places, yet sometimes we struggle to make them work effectively in our own.
The wards in Gulu Prison are kept as spotlessly as everywhere else. The prisoners take great pride in the cleanliness of the areas they are responsible for, whether it be the wards, the clinics, the dispensaries, the classrooms or the meal preparation area (I cannot give it the grand title of kitchen as it is literally a hut with a clay, log fired oven).
I think though, that one of the most incredible experiences was being allowed to visit in the mens dormitories (cells), before the men were let out for the day. We visited two - 156 men in one and 189 in the other. All sleep on top of folded blankets in long rows. It must be so uncomfortable. Goodness knows what they must have thought to see two white women and one very gobsmacked white boy appear to wake them up for the day, however, it was the poor man in the shower  I felt sorry for - I cannot begin to imagine the shock he got when I suddenly popped round the corner!
The smell, from the toilets, was awful but I don't think I shall say anymore about that!
And so, after the most amazing, privileged day, we headed back to Kampala - 6 hours and one flat tire away!


Gulu Prison

Last night, we had the most intense storm. Roaring wind, torrential rain, enormous rumbles and claps of thunder, streaks of lightening, which went on for about 3 hours. It completely freaked all the local animals, so with dogs barking, roosters crowing, thunder banging, rain slashing, wind howling and lightening cracking needless to say, we didn't get much sleep. Poor Christopher was actually found awake in the night which is a very rare occurrence! This morning, though, it was fresh and lovely.

Today, we have been to Kitali Prison. This is a very rural prison and yet again, has no amenities. Water is obtained from a pump outside of the prison grounds. There is no drainage from the toilets meaning disease spreads very quickly amongst the inmates. Our training here was a bit more difficult as most prisoners are only here for up to 3 months and usually only experience minor ailments such as toothache, headache etc. There is a small clinic just outside of the prison gate run by nursing staff. I was horrified to see that their levels of infection control were a bit to be desired. On one window sill, in the antenatal / HIV examination room there was a lovely syringe, needle attached and still full of what looked like separated blood (goodness knows how long it had been there) AND sitting neatly astride it was a nicely full mosquito! I just wish I could have taken a photograph, would have been a great training tool!

We are now having a few hours break - sitting on the balcony looking at the amazing view and updating you all on our progress so far. At times it has been difficult to undertake what we are actually here to do (the training) but we have managed to achieve a huge amount already, in other ways. We have had doors opened to us that were previously not an option. We are much more aware now of the healthcare needs in the rural prisons, which are very different to those at the main Luzira complex in Kampala and, indeed are different from prison to prison.
This afternoon Daphne and I will start to compile a report on what we have discovered so far and try to come up with an action plan to further support these rural areas.

Take care.

With love to you all.

xx

Day 5

Right then, today we have visited Kasangati Prison. Kasangati made the news yesterday as there were riots there and the arrest of the governments opposition leader. Today there were tanks on the streets and armoured vehicles with water cannons.
Kasangati is a very small prison with 150 inmates (only 7 of which are women). They only take prisoners who have committed small / petty crimes such as theft and debt. We visited the health clinic there - a room that is only 6ft by 6ft, a drum for a desk and all the equipment held in cardboard boxes. There is no couch so any treatment has to be done with the prisoner standing or lying on the floor. The nurse there is called Florence (suitable name) and, unsurprisingly, she is very frustrated with the facilities. No toilet, so sanitation is a problem and, of course, disease spreads very quickly in the confined space. She was pleased to talk to us though, to have some support. I am anticipating that we will be able to help here alot in the future.
This afternoon we are travelling to Gulu in the north of Uganda to spend some time at the health centre there, offering support to the health workers there and to visit and talk to the sick inmates. Its incredibly frustrating as our permission letters have still not arrived. The administration in the prison system here is so slow. Its bad enough for us but imagine if you were a prisoner on death row waiting for trial - it must be so awful.

Sorry no photos today as taking photos in the prisons is prohibited.

Take care everyone. Off to Gulu we go!

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 4

Today has been a very profitable and fascinating day. We started off this morning watching the chicken coop in the school just down the road catch fire!! I can hear you all saying - "Roast Chicken for dinner then"? But no - sadly there was nothing left.
Health and safety in Uganda simply doesn't exist as it does in the UK. The school children were all let out into the play area to watch the fire trucks arrive. It wasn't too long before everyone was enveloped in huge clouds of black smoke - but still everyone stayed were they were -not wanting to miss anything.

So, after that excitement we went of to visit two Palliative Care organisations that are based here in Kampala. The purpose of our visit to them was to introduce ourselves as the African Prisons Project Palliative Care Advisors and to discuss whether they could support the project when we are back in the UK.
Firstly we went to the Palliative Care Association of Uganda. They primarily monitor and supervise care workers who are practicing care of the dying either in the community or at Mulago Hospital They provide a basic training and help them to develop and set up district palliative care branches throughout Uganda.
Then we went on to visit the African Palliative Care Association, who monitor the provision of all palliative care services across the whole Africa. We were introduced to a lovely lady called Fatiya who took us through into her office. There on her desk, right before my very own eyes was a copy of the article recently published by Help the Hospices all about our work and our last trip!!! Somebody please tell Hannah Taylor just how far reaching we have become!!! She was amazed to find out that we were the very people in the article that she had only read this very morning. Fortunately she thought it was very accurate and informative and she was please that people in the UK were interested.
We came away with a pile of books to read all about pain and symptom management in sub-saharan africa plus (and this is sooo exciting) a whole new set of quality standards for me to play with - yipeee. Obviously nothing changes the whole world over.
Morphine has been in very short supply here and we discovered some horrendous practice that had been going on to try and eek out supplies. Patients have been told that they have to rinse out their morphine bottles with water in order try and get the dregs at the bottom, they have been told to only take their morphine at night and bear their pain during the day and some of them have just had their morphine stopped altogether, with no substitute! Supplies are on their way but will take another 6 weeks by sea. I am so glad that we don't have this problem in the UK.

Christopher is doing an amazing job. He has just been awarded the African Prisons Project / Fair Havens  certificate in basic care provision and will be part of the training that we are providing. He and Daphne have worked out some role plays to demonstrate what I will be teaching.
He has also been doing some public speaking to the organisations we have visited to introduce the project.
He's not sleeping too much in the day now - bless!

For those of you who have been attempting to follow our itinerary, its all changed now. Our permission letters have still not arrived so we having to be a bit flexible and do the things planned for later that don't depend on the letters being available. I imagine that the latter part of our trip is going to be madly busy. Anyway, we are certainly making use of the time. Tomorrow we will be visiting another prison, that don't ask for permission letters, to introduce our palliative care training to them and to discuss their needs for future support by the African Prisons Project.

Todays new friend (these are as prolific here as pigeons are in Southend- just 10 times the size!)

Take care everyone.

Catherine and Christopher xx

Day 3

So, today we had lunch with the very lovely Rev'd Fred at Upper Prison.

He is the chaplain for all 5 prisons at the Luzira prison complex. He is one of the most hard worked people I have ever met. Currently there are just over 7,000 inmates and 2,000 warders all needing support. Spiritual welfare and support for the prisoners carries huge importance but is not given a very great priority by the prison authorities. The aim of our meeting with Rev Fred was not only to offer him support but also to discuss the future development of the chaplaincy service to the prisons.
One of the projects that he is currently developing is on peace and reconciliation; the forgiveness of prisoners who have murdered by the families of the murdered person. He recounted some amazing stories of people who have been forgiven. The person and the families have then been able to encounter peace in their hearts and their minds - how awesome is that!
There is some amazing work going on with these prisons and we feel so honoured to be even a small part of it.

For those of you worried that we may not come back - I (Catherine) had an interesting proposition by the Rev Fred!! We had been discussing business and he said that with the insight I was showing (goodness knows what I said) he thought I ought to move here, buy 20 acres of land and become (wait for it)............. a banana farmer!

So, I am thinking it could be an interesting change of career - what do you think?!!

????Trainee Banana Farmer! (and yes, I am wearing my cardigan - brrrrr only 25 degrees today)

This evening in Kampala - so beautiful.


Lots of love
C & C xx

Day 2

An interesting and unexpected day today. So far our permission letters for entry into the prisons have not arrived (which is very disappointing but very typical) so we have had another day of relaxation! We went, with our driver, Robert and with the admin assistant, Rebecca, to the Botanical Gardens in Entebbe. Its truly beautiful there.

We met another good friend (0nly one day old and so so cute). So for those of you still awaiting appointments at specsavers (!) this is a baby monkey in his mummy's pouch - ahhhhhh!

We met another, not so cuddly, friend.

Spent some time beside Lake Victoria

but we definitely didn't go to the toilet

Nice eh!

We have chatted with Glorious (wonderful name), who is the prison librarian about what we can do to support her while we are here and tomorrow we will be lunching with the Rev'd Fred, who is the Prisons Chaplain, to discuss spiritual health and how it can be improved for people in prison. For people who are in such a desperate situation with very little hope, spiritual health is vitally important. This is the first part of our remit for our stay and out of it, we hope to be able to influence some of the support that the prisoners receive. So we are excited about tomorrows discussions.

Take care everyone. We are thinking of you all and appreciate your thoughts and prayers too.

With love
Catherine and Christopher xx

Day One

                                                          Aww - bless his rather mucky cotton socks!


Well here we are in sunny, stormy, thundery, rainy Uganda! Its hard to believe we are actually here again. But it is also fantastic. We had an interesting flight here. Currently there is a no fly zone over Libya so our plane had to divert to different airspace. Who chose the new route of flying over Afghanistan is what I would like to know!! Anyway, obviously we are here safe and sound. Typically Christopher collapsed onto the bed as soon as we arrived (picture 1), the second picture is the view of part of the prison from our bedroom and the third picture is our new friend.
Sorry about the short post tonight. The connection is very dodgy!!!

Lots of love C & C xx

Nearly there!

Well nearly there! This time in 24 hours we will be boarding our plane and we have to admit to being a bit apprehensive and nervous! No, actually thats just Catherine - Christopher is just completely laid back and chilled out. We have a huge pile of luggage (not sure it all going to fit in the car or if the plane will be able to take off)!
So a big thank you to all of you taking the time to read our blog. Its good to know that our friends are out there and still thinking of us. Remember to sign in as a follower. Next time you hear from us we will be in Uganda. The temperature is expected to be a balmy 30 degrees - not so sure about the forecast thunderstorms though. Its a good job we have our wellies. Though what on earth the prisoners are going to think of my cow print ones is anyones guess (sorry should have specfied - those are Catherines cow print wellies NOT Christophers!).
Will be in touch soon. Catherine and Christopher x